“Mmhmmm,” she replied. “We’ve been talking weddings and babies. I was telling them about Michelle, and Hannah and Olivia were discussing the wedding plans. It’s going to be gorgeous. I can’t wait for their wedding. Hannah showed me her ring. Ford has great taste,” Sophie gushed, causing me to frown.
“What, did he carve it out of wood?” I muttered, out of sorts at the thought of Sophie admiring Ford. Sophie let out a peal of laughter and squeezed me.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Jealousy. What a green face you have!” Sophie teased. “It’s actually a pearl ring, surrounded by a halo of diamonds, old fashioned and perfect for Hannah,” she told me.
“You already know what’s perfect for Hannah?” I teased back. “Should I be concerned?”
“Haha. No. But it’s obvious that ring was meant for Hannah, and she adores it.”
I nodded, watching Ford and Hannah swing Grace between them. “Odd how things work out for the best,” I murmured, squeezing Sophie closer to me. “It feels like I’ve come full circle. This is where I started and here I am back again.”
“Yeah, but you’re not the same man you were,” Sophie replied, giving me a quick glance. “Maybe you needed to come back, so you can move forward.”
I looked down at her, surprised by the insight, but then we reached the apartment complex, and there was a flurry of goodbyes. We were meeting everyone at the parents’, after we put up the picnic supplies.
Two weeks later, Sophie woke me up in the middle of the night, by jumping on the bed. I blinked, bleary eyed, at her.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” I asked, a jolt of fear starting to clear the sleep cobwebs from my brain.
“Michelle’s in labor!” Sophie whisper shouted in excitement. I was wondering why she was whispering, since it was only the two of us, but then I appreciated the fact that she was not shouting the words.
“That’s awesome,” I said, trying to figure out why this information warranted a, I glanced at my alarm, 2:00 a.m. wakeup call on a Thursday night. We had an out of town game the next night, so tomorrow, now today, was going to be long.
“I’m not there,” she said, fighting tears. “I’ve always been there. When she got married, graduated, all the big stuff. I’m going to miss my niece being born.”
I got it now, and pulled her to my chest, as she sniffled. As much as Sophie fussed about her family’s smothering, they were incredibly important to her. They were her rock, allowing her to soar, as she pursued her dreams.
“If you fly out, you might make it in time,” I said, causing her to cry harder. “What? What’s wrong with that? You don’t have any classes till Tuesday,” I pointed out, trying to figure out what set her off.
“I can’t afford to fly out there,” she finally admitted, rubbing her face on my chest. I let out a huge sigh.
“Sophie, I can afford it,” I told her, exasperated. Money was a sore point between us. Sophie wanted to pay part of the rent, but I didn’t think it was necessary. I had plenty of money, even without the coaching job. She insisted on paying the grocery bill, since I wouldn’t budge on the rent and utilities. I saw no reason why I shouldn’t pay for Sophie’s airline ticket to visit her sister, but I knew she’d fight me.
“No. You are not responsible for paying for my ticket,” she declared mutinously.
“If you hadn’t come out to visit me when I was injured and moved across the country to live here, you could have afforded it right?” I asked, pointedly.
“Yes, but I chose to do those things,” she argued, her jaw set. I couldn’t help thinking how adorable she looked in her Cinderella sleep shirt, even while she was irritating me with her stubbornness.
“And I’m choosing to help you, by buying you a plane ticket to see your sister” I responded, satisfaction in my voice.
“No! You aren’t.”
“Sophie, would you regret it if you weren’t there?” I asked, forcing her chin up, so she’d have to look me in the eye. She gave me a tiny nod, tears pooling in her eyes. Her skin was splotchy, and her eyes were red from crying, and I was pretty sure she’d got snot on my shirt, but none of that mattered. Looking at her, upset over not being with her sister, but still too prideful to take my money, made my heart twist. I’d give her the moon if I could, but she was as stubborn as me about taking it.
“I want to do this, Sophie. And you need to accept that.” I grabbed my phone and pulled up a website, looking for the next flight out. I saw her open her mouth out of the corner of my eye. “Don’t argue with me on this. I won’t let you make a decision you’ll regret. You’re going, and no, you won’t be paying me back.” I looked straight at her then, to indicate how serious I was. “Now I suggest you go pack. It looks like the next flight leaves in two hours.”
Her mouth opened and closed before she jumped off the bed and raced to her room. “You better be packing!” I shouted after her, getting out of the bed to pull on shoes. “I am!” she shouted back.
We raced out of the apartment with her one bag, the drive to the airport quick, since there was zero traffic on the roads. Sophie was texting constantly, letting her family know she was on her way. I parked at the drop-off, ignoring the ‘no parking’ signs posted everywhere. We picked up her ticket at the kiosk, and then headed to security. I couldn’t go any further, so we stopped and looked at each other. She swallowed hard before saying, “Thank you. My dad is picking me up when I get there. Michelle’s ecstatic. Well, as ecstatic as a woman in labor can be.”
I nodded at her, realizing I was going to miss her. We’d settled into a routine over the past couple weeks, and this was the first time we’d be apart. I didn’t like the thought.
Sophie suddenly threw herself at me. I caught her, hugging her tightly. “I’m going to miss you,” she murmured against my neck.
“Same,” I told her. “If I didn’t have a game tonight, I’d go with you.”
“Good luck with your game,” she whispered, her fingers tightening around my neck. I inhaled her scent, memorizing it for the next few days apart.
“You have to go. The plane won’t wait,” I finally said, lowering her to the ground. She nodded against me, pulling away slowly. “Call me when you land.” I pushed her toward the security gate, giving her a swat on that bouncy ass to get her moving. She laughed, throwing her stuff on the conveyor, looking back, as she headed to her gate. I waved, not moving, until she was out of sight.
I swiped my hand through my hair, heading back out to the truck. I checked the time and saw it was 4:30 a.m. There was no way I was going back to bed. I grabbed my phone and called Ford.
“Somebody better be dead,” I heard him say, when he picked up.
“I just dropped Sophie off at the airport. Want to meet me at the Waffle House?” I replied.
“What did you do?” he groaned. “I’m coming.” He hung up the phone, before I could even defend myself.
I’d ordered two coffees and two All Star Specials by the time he slid into the booth across from me.
“What happened?” Ford glared at me.
“Her sister went into labor, and Sophie wanted to be there. She caught the first flight out, and I wasn’t going back to bed. So I called you,” I told him, grinning.
“Oh. Hang on,” Ford said, pulling out his phone and texting Hannah, I presume. “Hannah was freaking out about why you called and why Sophie left. I need to let her know, before her curiosity drives her here.”
I shook my head at him, but breakfast showed up before I could say anything. We dug in, our silence companionable.
A few hours later, I got a text from Sophie. It was a picture of her, holding a newborn wrapped in a pink blanket. “Meet Sarah Jane!” Looking at the picture caused my heart to shift. I imagined Sophie with our baby, and the thought didn’t scare me like I thought it would. I texted back, “Congrats! Happy to see you holding her.”
She responded back instantly. “Because of you. <3”
Once Sophie got back, the ne
xt months flew by. Sophie settled in at Baylor, with no issues. She came home excited about the classes she was teaching and started writing herself. She said the students inspired her. I pushed myself and my team hard, and we wound up in the championship. I couldn’t take too much credit, because every one of the students I coached stepped up as a team to make it happen.
Grace formally asked me to be her Prince Charming for Halloween, and I couldn’t refuse her. She of course, would be going as Snow White. Ford decided to go as the Huntsman and Hannah as the Wicked Queen. Sophie agreed to stay at Ford’s house to hand out candy, as we trick or treated.
I tugged at my shirt, feeling ridiculous. “I never should have let Olivia talk me into this,” I muttered to Sophie.
“You look very debonair,” She replied, biting back a smile at my grunt.
“It’s uncomfortable.”
“Yes, but you’re Prince Charming, and that’s what he wore,” she said, attempting to placate me.
“Tights? And a blouse?” I grumbled, flapping my arms to make the sleeves billow.
“You have a tunic and a cape,” she offered, unable to hold back a smile this time. I narrowed my eyes at her. “The boots are cool.” I continued to frown. “Ford is wearing almost the exact same thing as the Huntsman.”
That thought made me smile. Olivia’s desire to keep our costumes authentic meant that Ford wasn’t getting out of wearing tights either. “Where’s your costume?” I asked, looking at Sophie. She did something with her makeup that caused her face to look like the walking dead. She smiled and held up a finger, before racing to the bedroom. She came out a minute later, and I admit to feeling a tremor of fear. She’d put on a huge cape with the hood low over her face and a massive sickle in her hand. I could only catch glimpses of her face and with the makeup, the effect was terrifying.
“Whoa! You are going to scare little kids tonight,” I told her, impressed. “It’s not fair you get to wear a scary costume.” I wasn’t proud of it, but I pouted a little over the thought.
“And you haven't seen Hannah yet!” Sophie exclaimed. “She makes me look sweet.” That thought sent a chill down my spine. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to scare the kids!”
I blinked at this sudden and surprisingly bloodthirsty aspect of Sophie I’d never seen. It was a bit of a turn on.
We arrived at their house, and I was appropriately terrified of Hannah as the Wicked Queen. Grace was adorable as Snow White, and her treat bucket was shaped like an apple. I had a feeling that was Olivia’s doing.
“Where’s Olivia?” Sophie asked. “I figured she’d be here with seven dwarves, to complete the ensemble.”
I laughed at that, but I knew Sophie was completely serious. And her question was legitimate. I thought she’d be here too.
“She had to fly out for a meeting in Houston,” Hannah replied. “I’m under strict orders to photograph the entire evening. She wants proof the guys are wearing their costumes.”
‘Sweet. That means we can take them off, after we get pictures,” I exclaimed. Ford gave me a pitying look at my utter naivety.
“We’re not getting out of these, until Grace is done trick or treating,” he said mournfully, discreetly adjusting his tights.
“Don’t even think about it,” Hannah threatened, making me back up a step.
“Told ya’ she’s badass in that costume,” Sophie whispered. She’d removed her cape for the ride over and hadn’t donned it again. She said she’d wait till Grace left. We gathered for a group photo, and as Sophie took the picture, she shouted, “Uncle Colt has stinky feet!”
Grace immediately giggled, along with everyone else in a two block radius. Joe and Martha came over to see us off in our costumes.
“I tell you, that Olivia doesn’t do anything half way,” Joe offered, looking us over.
“Grandpa Joe!” Grace squealed.
“Oh my gosh, is that my Grace?” he asked, looking at her. “I thought you were Snow White!”
Grace giggled at him. “I’m wearing a costume!” she whispered loudly, as if she was telling him a secret. We all laughed at her exclamation.
Thomas and his family walked over to us. Ford and Hannah were good friends with them and their kids, so we were all trick or treating together.
“Sophie dear, are you coming over to quilt tomorrow?” Martha inquired pushing fake spectacles up her nose. She was wearing an old fashioned housedress, to go with Joe’s overalls. They looked like the quintessential grandparents.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sophie promised with a smile. “I cut out a bunch of squares this week too.” I’d found myself unsurprised when Sophie had joined Hannah and Martha’s quilting circle. It was right up Sophie’s alley. It left me and Ford to watch Grace and hang out.
It’d taken me a few weekends, but I’d finally convinced Grace to let us teach her how to throw a football. She was even willing to join a football team, if Olivia designed the uniforms. That was literally her only stipulation. Ford and I were actually contemplating starting a girl’s football team for her. She took after us with her throwing arm, and I’d hate to see talent like that go to waste.
Sophie
Chapter Sixteen
After Halloween, life got crazy. Colt was at practice late every night to get the team ready for their championship game, and it seemed like I spent all of my time grading papers. Thanksgiving was right around the corner, and while my sister wanted me to come home, I decided to stay and spend the holiday with Colt’s family.
Hannah had already given me the rundown of what to expect. It seemed that everyone gathered at their house for Thanksgiving, including Joe and Martha’s family. Then, at Christmas it switched, and everyone went to Joe and Martha’s. She explained that everyone pitched in with the food, and then they have a huge football game in the yard. It sounded like an awesome day, and I couldn’t wait.
I looked up from my grading, when I heard my phone ring. I was trying to finish grading, so I could enjoy Thanksgiving break. I patted though my papers, trying to find my phone. I finally grabbed it, answering in a rush.
“Is Colt there?” I heard Ford say, without even a hello. He wasn’t usually rude, so I had to wonder what was going on.
“No, he’s probably still at practice,” I said. “Is something wrong?”
“You haven’t heard?” he bit out. “Turn the news on. ESPN, whatever. I need to get a hold of Colt.” He hung up the phone without saying goodbye, so I started searching for the remote.
I flipped the TV on and it was already on ESPN, so I left it, waiting impatiently through the commercials. I saw what had Ford so upset before they even said anything. They flashed a picture of Grace on the screen, before cutting to the announcers.
“That was a picture of Colt Anderson’s alleged daughter. A daughter that was conceived with a minor, while he was still in high school,” one of the anchors said. “According to the story released today by an anonymous source, this child has been raised by her mother and Colt’s brother, Ford.”
“This is all speculation. None of this has been proven. We don’t even know the source of the story,” another anchor protested.
“The little girl has his eyes,” the anchor spouted back. “And Anderson’s camp has yet to make a statement.”
“Again, proving nothing other than the little girl is probably his niece,” the anchor argued back.
“Either way, this is damaging information for Colt Anderson’s career. No one wants to root for a man that abandons his child.”
“We have no idea if that’s true, or what the circumstances might be. We can’t declare him guilty of anything,” the anchor defended.
“Well, there are rumors the Broncos will release Anderson. With a story like this, and a team that isn’t standing behind a stellar quarterback, you have to wonder if where there’s smoke there’s a fire.”
“That’s just it, rumors. The Broncos aren’t crazy enough to release Anderson, especially not with the season they’ve had, since he’s be
en benched. They would have won a Super Bowl this year, if he was playing.”
“One player doesn’t make a team, and with this news of an unknown daughter, we have to question Anderson’s credibility. Do the Broncos want a player like that on their team?”
My hand was covering my mouth. I turned the TV off. I couldn’t bear to watch them decimate Colt’s reputation, or speculate on his career any longer. The fact that they’d show a picture of Grace and talked about her enraged me. I could only imagine what was going through Colt’s mind, as well as Ford and Hannah’s. I couldn’t believe someone would leak a story like this. I tried dialing Colt’s phone, but it went straight to voicemail. All I could do was wait for him to come home.
Several hours later, I heard the door. Colt’s face looked carved from stone. I’d never seen him so closed off, not even when I’d first met him. I had a million questions for him, but instinct prompted me to stay silent.
“Why?” Colt asked me. I wasn’t sure if he meant it rhetorically, so I didn’t answer. “WHY?” he said again, roaring and causing me to jump.
“Why do this? Why drag my little girl into this? I don’t give a damn about my career, but to subject a little girl to the media?” he asked, quieter now, defeated. “It’s unnecessary.”
I had no idea what to say, so I walked over to him. When I tried to touch his arm, he jerked away from me. I blinked in shock at his action.
“Seriously, just tell me why? Did you want to make a name for yourself? Was it money? What would make you do that?” Colt whispered, agonized.
I was dumbfounded at his questions. I thought he’d been speaking rhetorically, when in fact he’d been asking me. I couldn’t even speak to defend myself. I was lost in the realization that he believed me capable of hurting him or Grace.
“Nothing?” he laughed bitterly. “You need to go,” he said, before walking to his room. He didn’t slam the door, just gently closed it, and that click sounded like the death knell for our relationship.
I was devastated by his words. I wanted to cry, but my eyes burned from my inability to produce tears. I was past tears, at this point. The pain cut through me as badly as it did the day my mother died. I stumbled to my room and packed a bag. I’d leave. Neither one of us could discuss this calmly right now.
The Anderson Brothers Complete Series Page 34
