“That won’t be a problem.” Evie reached into her purse, pulled out a set of keys and walked to the wrought-iron gate protecting the storefront.
Sophie followed Evie, but her father’s assertion about Evie owning property echoed in her head. Had she scrubbed a magic genie lamp? “This isn’t your place, is it?”
“My husband invested years ago with several friends, Mr. Harrington being one.” Evie slid in the key, opened the gate and motioned Sophie inside. “I never really understood the appeal, but he insisted on buying out his partners a few years back. He’d wanted us to retire in the city and run a flower shop.” Evie shook her head. “I’d always indulged him. Can you imagine me running a flower shop?”
Sophie could imagine Evelyn Davenport doing whatever she wanted. She walked to the bay window, took in the lightly tinted glass and the angles. A perfect spot for vases of flower arrangements or a collection of books or... She stopped herself before she imagined more than she dared. She must have inhaled too many cleaning fumes. “This is lovely.”
“I’m glad you think so. I was thinking it would be an adorable place to put a litter of kittens or several puppies for sale.”
Sophie spun and stared at the older woman. Surely Evie would laugh or retract her words, or something to extinguish that wisp of hope curling inside Sophie. “What do you mean?”
“I find I’m restless in my empty house in Pacific Hills. I thought to put this building up for sale, but then I remembered Richard’s retirement plan.” Evie strolled around the space and opened her arms. “It isn’t a floral shop, but I thought the Pampered Pooch might fit nicely in here. We’d have to do some remodeling, but if we connected the garage to the backyard, we’d have an indoor and outdoor space for the doggy day care.”
Hope soared through her, threatening to buckle her legs. Sophie reached for the wall and slid down until she hit the edge of the bay window. “You want to move the Pampered Pooch here?”
“There’d be certain conditions, of course.” Evie held up her hand. “Three, to be exact.”
Sophie nodded. It was all she could manage as tears formed and gratitude jammed her voice. She’d found her future—and Ella’s.
“You’d have to pay rent for the space and the second-floor apartment.” Evie waved her hands as if Sophie’d argue or complain. “Nothing extravagant, but enough to help us fund the improvements.”
Sophie’s head only bobbed up and down. Each strike of her chin toward her chest filled her with joy like a working pump on a well after a long drought.
Evie rushed on. “And I’ll be the second tenant in the top-floor unit.”
Sophie discovered her voice, although the high pitch extended into more of a squeal. “You’re going to live here, too?”
“I see the appeal now.” Evie stilled and watched Sophie. “I like being with you and Ella, if you’ll have me.”
“Yes.” Evie belonged with them. They belonged with her.
“Also, I want to work at the Pooch.” Evie set her hands on her hips as if preparing to defend her demands. “You gave me a purpose when you hired me, Sophie. I needed that more than I knew. More than a retirement fund.”
“We needed you more.” Sophie let the tears run down her cheeks, unchecked and free. This was more than she could have wished for. More than she’d ever expected.
“Then we might make this work?” Evie asked. “It won’t be easy. And I fear we might have to do a lot of the renovating ourselves to cut down on cost. Eventually I’ll sell the house in Pacific Hills, but it’ll take a while and these renovations need to be done soon, so the pet store can open as quickly as possible.”
“Yes. Yes. And yes.” Sophie jumped up from the bay window and wrapped her arms around Evie. “We can do this. We can make it work for all of us.”
“That’s important because we haven’t discussed the third condition.” Evie hugged Sophie, squeezing as if she wanted to bolster her.
Sophie stepped away. A spiral of nerves curved around her hope and dimmed her brightness. But whatever the third condition was, she’d deal with it. She’d meant what she’d said. She’d make this work, no matter what it took.
Evie ran her hands down the front of her coat. “There’s a silent partner we need to consider.”
A partner? She’d been expecting something like more tenants in the building. Or a leaky roof. Or faulty electrical. Or cranky neighbors who hated animals. But a partner? Someone else to interfere? “Who?”
“Me.” Brad stepped into the room from a back door.
Sophie wanted to stumble, but held her ground. Her gaze detailed every part of him and her heart pounded. “Why?”
“Because I need you. I need to be a part of your life,” he said. “You make my world better. You make me better.”
“So you’re going to buy your way into my life?” Sophie struggled to tighten those chains around her heart.
“It’s more of an investment into our life.” He stepped closer, but not near enough to touch her. “The one I want to build with you.”
“After you sail around the world.”
“That will be hard to do without a boat.”
“What happened to it?”
“I traded it in for a chance at a different life.”
“You traded your boat and a life of freedom for me?” That wasn’t possible. He’d told her he had to leave. Like everyone in her family.
“I don’t have a life if you’re not a part of it. My life is empty without you,” he said. “You told me you loved me the other night.”
Her life was empty without him, too. He’d left a void she knew she’d never fill.
“I never said the words back to you,” he said. “That was my fault. I’m sorry for that and not telling you the truth about investigating your father.”
“There can’t be any more lies between us.”
“Then let me say this, I love you, Sophie Callahan. I choose you.”
His words poured through her, filled that void, washed away the pain and the distrust and the hurt. Her father had only ever made promises. But he’d never told Sophie he loved her. He’d never chosen his family first.
But Brad chose her. And three simple words had made those locks burst open with joy. Now she understood Ruthie’s giddy grin and belief in fairy tales. Because standing in this empty, dusty storefront, she found herself believing in the power of love for the first time ever.
Sophie rushed toward Brad, nothing to stumble over like doubt or fear or uncertainty. “There’s a weird echo off these blank walls. Can you say that again?”
“I love you,” he shouted, and opened his arms, welcoming her into his embrace. Welcoming her into his heart. Welcoming her home.
Sophie framed his face in her hands and held his gaze. “I love you, too.”
He pulled her tighter against him and kissed her until the fairy tale felt real, magic winding their hearts together.
Brad pulled away, pressed a soft kiss on her lips, then looked around the space. “What do you think? Ready to make this our forever home?”
Sophie nodded and rested her cheek over Brad’s heart. Her forever home wasn’t a place after all. It was their love. And as long as they had that, they had everything.
EPILOGUE
One week later...
SOPHIE SCOOTED A bouquet of balloons up onto the coffee table, away from the curious paws of their newest family member, Stormy Cloud. The kitten climbed onto the sofa, her bell jingling as she gathered her courage to make the leap onto the table and capture her prize. Sophie picked up the bouquet before the kitten’s leap and strode into the kitchen.
Only the blue sky remained from the oversize rainbow birthday cake that Kay had dropped off before she’d rushed back to the hospital to hold the twins and s
it with April. More than a dozen sketches covered the kitchen table. Once Ella’s school friends had departed, the discussion had shifted from favorite movie lines to design, specifically the best design for the new Pampered Pooch space, for Ella’s bedroom and for updating the kitchen. Pencils, paper and opinions had flown around.
Mr. Harrington requested a comfortable recliner for when he and the mayor visited—those times when they were not in the mansion or on the sea. Ruthie and Matt designed the passageway from the garage to the outdoor play yard, complete with turf grass to protect the dogs’ sensitive paws. Drew modernized both Sophie’s and Evie’s kitchens, while Evie sketched a new layout for the storefront with Erin’s and Troy’s input. Sophie searched through the sketches, looking for Evie’s drawing. The thoughtful, practical and efficient design by her employees would guide the renovations.
Brad and Ella had ignored the pandemonium and escaped. For over an hour, they huddled together on the couch and designed Ella’s new room. Nothing had interrupted their focus until the call had come in from one of Sophie’s recent adoptions and they’d left with Evie on their rescue mission.
Sophie had packed up to-go boxes for her other guests while they’d added the final details to their sketches. Another successful birthday to add to their memory book. Only one present remained for Ella. Sophie wandered around the kitchen, then picked up Stormy Cloud rather than check the clock for the fifteenth time.
Laughter filtered up the staircase before the front door slammed shut. More laughter and the steady smack of boots on wood announced the trio’s return. Ella walked into the family room first, her face bright and her smile wide. Evie’s and Brad’s voices collided and bounced down the hall.
“What’s happening?” Sophie asked.
Ella pressed her finger over her lips to quiet Sophie and settled herself on the couch.
Sophie leaned down and whispered, “Do I need to get involved?”
Ella giggled and shook her head.
“Can you hold Stormy just in case?” Sophie asked.
Ella smoothed the throw blanket over her legs before Sophie placed Stormy on her lap. The kitten’s purr vibrated through her whole body at Ella’s soft touch.
Brad strode in, kissed Sophie and set down a pink cat carrier.
Evie followed him and picked up the carrier. “You already have one.”
“That one belongs to Ella.” Brad pointed to the kitten curled up on Ella’s lap. “And you get too scissor-happy around cats.”
“That was one time.” Evie stepped away from him when he reached for the cat carrier.
Sophie dropped her hand on Brad’s arm, drawing his focus to her. “What’s going on?”
“Turned out one of the younger Harper kids was allergic to the cat.” Brad set his hands on his hips. “And now Evie is making a claim on Chai.”
“Chai,” Sophie repeated.
“She’s a girl. A creamy, elegant Persian.” Evie pushed the carrier behind her legs. “Her name is Guinevere.”
“The last time you had her, you gave her a bad haircut. She probably hasn’t recovered yet,” Brad argued. “She should live with us and you can visit on weekends after a scissor check.”
Ella laughed. “Tell him, Auntie?”
“Tell him what?” Sophie asked.
“The rules,” she said.
Sophie wrapped her arm around Brad’s waist and kissed his cheek. “I love you. But you can’t keep all the fosters.”
“I don’t want all the fosters.” He kissed her on the lips. “I just want the one Evie has.”
“This one’s mine, Bradley Harrington.” Evie gripped the cat carrier and stared down Brad. “The old ladies need to stick together. You have to find your own.”
Evie walked over to Ella and pressed her cheek against the little girl’s. “Happy birthday, precious. And I’ve got vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and two spoons waiting at my place for our own private celebration tomorrow night.”
“I’ve got the nail polish already packed,” Ella said.
“I’ll see you then for girls’ night. We can get Guinevere settled in.” Evie hugged Sophie. “He’s becoming a bit territorial about the fosters. You’re going to have to keep Brad in check or we’ll have a zoo at our new place.”
Brad hugged Evie. “I’ll be by to check on Chai.”
“I’ll be expecting you.” Evie left, promising Guinevere she’d love her new home.
“You really wanted to keep Guinevere?” Sophie asked.
“She needs us.” Brad squeezed onto the couch beside Ella and Stormy.
“She has Evie, and that means she has us, too,” Ella said.
Sophie sat on the other side of Ella. “Speaking of us, I have something else to share with you.”
“Another kitten?” Ella asked.
“Let’s see how we do with one and then we’ll talk about it,” Sophie said.
“At least she didn’t say no right away.” Ella nudged Brad. “There’s still a chance you could get your own cat, too.”
Brad reached behind Ella’s head and grabbed Sophie’s hand. “I’ve got everything I want right here. Right now.”
“Did all your birthday wishes come true, Ella?” Sophie asked. “I know you wanted to spend your birthday with your mother.”
Ella shifted toward Sophie and set her hand over Sophie’s heart. “I did spend my birthday with my mom.”
Sophie placed her hand over Ella’s. “I filed the paperwork to become your permanent guardian. To become your mother according to the law. It means I’ll be your mom.”
Ella leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Sophie. “It means we’re a forever family.”
Sophie squeezed Ella, then opened her arms to include Brad. She held on tight to everything she’d ever wanted. To everything she loved with all of her heart—her forever family.
* * * * *
Be sure to check out Cari Lynn Webb’s special Valentine’s novella, “THE MATCHMAKER WORE SKATES,” in MAKE ME A MATCH.
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Home to Stay
by Kate James
CHAPTER ONE
SAWYER EVANS WAS in that languid state of semi-consciousness, waking from a restful sleep. It must have been the insistent chirping of a bird outside that had drawn him from his dreams. The muted glow of the early-morning light filtering in through the tent infused him with a sense of serenity.
As a single father and a professor of law, serenity wasn’t something Sawyer experienced frequently. He smiled as he remembered that he’d categorically rejected the idea of a weeklong camping trip at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park with his sister, Meghan, and their parents when Meg had first suggested it. He wasn’t the rugged, outdoorsy type, not by any stretch of the imagination. He thought of himself as the nerdy academic, more comfortable with his head in a law book than plodding up a mountain trail. He’d felt that way even before he’d left the San Diego County District Attorney’s office to teach, which he’d done to give him more time with Dylan after Jeannette abandoned them.
Three days in, and who’d have guessed he’d enjoy the experience so much?
And Dylan? He worried about his son becoming a bookish geek like him, and constantly encouraged him to play sports and spend time outdoors. But the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree with his kid. Dylan had to be the most studious four-year-old on the planet. Yet Dylan loved it here. He seemed to be in his element, despite this being his first camping trip. Dylan had been full of energy and enthusiasm ever since they’d arrived. And the exercise was doing him good. The fact that he was sleeping in, and without the nightmares that had plagued him the last couple of years, made Sawyer immensely glad he’d let Meg cajole him—maybe bully was a better word—into coming along.
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