by Terri Reed
Troy jumped up and down with glee. “There he is!”
Sure enough, a life-size version of the animated snowman character waddled down the street, waving and throwing candy to those gathered on the sidewalks.
Troy bolted, running out into the street.
Sophie lunged to grab him but missed. David lurched away from Sophie to follow Troy. He reached the boy just as Troy flung his arms around Olaf. The costumed character hugged him back, handed him some candy, and then gently steered him toward David.
Grinning from ear to ear, Troy skipped back to Sophie’s side. “Look what he gave me.”
“Troy, don’t do that again.” David’s voice held a definite tremble. “You scared me.”
Unabashed, Troy peered up at his uncle. “Sorry. But I wanted to give him a hug. For my mommy. He was her favorite.”
Placing a hand over her heart, Sophie fought back a wave of tears. David, too, appeared choked up by the boy’s words. “Why don’t we go inside the mall to warm up a bit before heading home?” she managed to say around the lump in her throat.
David sent her a grateful smile. “I like that plan.”
Troy happily gobbled up the candy, stuffing the wrappers into his pockets. By the time they reached the middle of the first department store his hands were a gummy mess.
“Uh, David,” Sophie said, eyeing Troy’s hands. “Maybe you should take him into the restroom and wash up.”
“Right.” David put a hand on Troy’s thin shoulder. “Let’s go, little man. Time to clean all the stickiness off.”
“I’ll wait here,” Sophie offered. The display cases full of shiny jewelry caught her attention. Maybe she could pick up a little something for Grandma.
The boys walked away, leaving Sophie to browse. She found a pretty gold filigree scarf clip with a centerpiece of porcelain painted with a flower corsage. It would look lovely on the silk scarf she’d brought from Gran Canaria. She paid for it and was about to turn away when a silver charm bracelet drew her back to the case. “Can I see that?” she asked the salesclerk.
The clerk helped to secure it on her wrist.
Snowflake-shaped charms dangled and sparkled as she held out her arm to admire it. “How much is it?”
When the clerk told her, she quickly undid the clasp and handed it back. She liked the piece and it would have reminded her of Troy and David and the Snowflake parade, but she wasn’t into spending that much money on herself.
“That’s beautiful.” David’s deep voice startled her.
She jerked around with a small laugh. “It is.” She held up her bag. “I got Grams a gift. Now where to?”
They made their way into the body of the mall. Christmas carolers dressed in Victorian garb stood on a stage in the center of the promenade. They stopped to listen. Sophie let the words and the feeling of contentment seep into her bones.
With a start she realized she’d leaned back against David, and his arms held her loosely in his embrace. She told herself this was dangerous. He was dangerous. But she didn’t want to move. She let the feel, the sensations imprint on her heart and her mind so that she’d have them when she left.
The carolers finished and everyone clapped, forcing David to remove his arms. Just as well, Sophie thought. Too much imprinting could lead to unwanted attachments.
Who was she kidding? She was attached to both Troy and David. But being attached didn’t mean she was in love. Right?
The next morning, David was up and ready for church before Troy. Considering Troy had once again slept through the night and David hadn’t, David should have been fatigued, but his mind had been wound up with thoughts of Sophie. Yesterday had been perfect. They’d had fun together at the Christmas tree farm and later at dinner and then the parade. It had been just like a real family.
He should be scared by that thought. He knew she was leaving and he could tell himself to keep his heart under lock and key all he wanted, but it wouldn’t change the fact that he’d grown to care deeply for Sophie.
And it wasn’t just her physical beauty that drew him in, though there was that. She’d looked lovely last night in a dark green dress that hugged her curves, knee-high black boots, and a colorful headband holding back her hair, showing off her pretty face. But there was so much more to her. She was kind and generous. Smart and witty, too. He liked her confidence and her humility.
After church, David and Troy put up their Christmas tree, but David realized he didn’t have many ornaments. There was a box of Troy’s family’s decorations in the storage facility where he’d placed all of Daniel and Beth’s things when he’d cleaned out their condo. He hadn’t been able to bring anything of theirs into the new house. There were too many memories and reminders of what both he and Troy had lost. Sorrow pinched his heart.
He wasn’t sure if retrieving the familiar decorations was a good idea. He’d ask Sophie and see what she thought. She was so good at that sort of thing. She’d know if it would be harmful or helpful for Troy.
It occurred to him that he put a lot of stock in Sophie’s opinions, especially in regard to Troy. But she was such a natural nurturer. She had a knack for parenting that David wished would rub off on him.
“Hey, buddy,” David said to Troy, trying not to let his sorrow seep through his words, “let’s go next door and see if the ladies need some help with their tree.”
“Aren’t we going to decorate our tree?” Troy asked. There was worry in his eyes.
“We will,” David promised. He hated seeing the anxiety on Troy’s face. “But ladies come first.” He scooped Troy into his arms.
“Okay, if you say so.”
“I say so.” David tickled Troy and the boy’s laughter chased away the gloomy mood.
They headed to the Griffiths’ house. Riggs barked as the two of them approached the front door, which opened before he could knock. Troy ran inside and tackled Riggs. The two tumbled on the floor and rolled around like two puppies.
Sophie greeted him with a smile. She’d changed from the pantsuit she’d worn to church. She looked comfortable in light-colored, well-worn jeans and a deep purple, long-sleeved athletic shirt. “I was just thinking about you two.”
“You were?” David couldn’t believe how much her words pleased him.
“Yes. Come in.” She stepped out of the way. “It was good to see you at church this morning but I didn’t get a chance to talk to you.”
“You ladies were the center of attention.” In fact, there’d been a big crush of people wanting to see Louise and meet her granddaughter.
David had steered clear of the throng, deciding to vacate before he was drawn into the middle of people wanting to know who he was and his story. He preferred sitting in the back, where he could step out before anyone took it upon himself or herself to befriend him.
He’d slipped out to pick Troy up from his Sunday school class. The whole way home from church Troy had been full of chatter about the upcoming pageant.
Sophie wrinkled her nose. “That was a bit embarrassing.”
“Nonsense,” Louise huffed as she hobbled in on her crutches. “Everyone loved you and was excited to meet you. I talk about Sophie a lot.”
“Apparently,” Sophie muttered with a smile. “Anyway, would you be willing to help me drag our Christmas tree from the garage to the living room? It’s no longer dripping wet.”
“That’s why we’re here.” David headed for the garage. Behind him, he heard Troy say, “Our tree is up but not decorated. Ladies first.”
David grinned with pride for his nephew. After fluffing the branches and making sure as many of the dead needles were off as he could, he carried the tree into the living room. Sophie had set up a stand in front of the window that looked out onto the street. Troy and Louise had disappeared into the kitchen. No doubt for a snack. David was happy to see that Troy’s appetite was improving. As was his sleep. Troy hadn’t had a nightmare last night.
“Can you steady it while I get the stem into the stand?” David asked Sophi
e.
She dove in to grab the trunk while David lay down and shuffled under the bottom branches to secure the end into the stand. When he wiggled his way out, Sophie giggled.
“What?”
“You have needles sticking out of your hair.” Her eyes danced. “You look like a Chia pet.”
He snorted. “I better shake them loose outside.”
She followed him to the front yard. He bent over and shook his hair. A torrent of green fir needles fell around his feet. “Wow, you weren’t kidding.”
“Here.” She stepped close and went on tiptoe to pluck a few stray pieces of greenery from his hair.
She was so close he could see the pulse point at her collarbone. He could smell the hint of vanilla in her shampoo. As she lowered from her tiptoes, their gazes met. Her breath hitched. His breathing turned shallow.
Yearning and longing converged, driving him to lower his head. He paused a scant measure from her lips. He braced himself in case she rejected his offer of a kiss again.
Only she didn’t.
She pressed her mouth to his. Soft and pliant lips molded to his. He groaned and pulled her closer. Her hands gripped his shoulders. His hands delved into her silky hair, cradling her head as the kiss continued. An exploration, a giving and a taking. Soul-searing, heart-melting.
His senses sparked and popped. He’d had no idea a kiss could be so combustible. He was about to burn from the inside out and he didn’t care. He craved the heat.
They broke apart, both struggling to catch their breath. He dropped his forehead to hers. “Wow.”
She laughed, the sound so sweet it made his chest ache. “Wow is right. That was . . . electrifying.”
He grinned. “My thought exactly.”
“What are we doing?” she asked as her expression sobered.
“Does it matter?” he countered. “Can’t we enjoy the time we have together? I know you’re leaving. I would never ask you to stay. This isn’t what you want in life. I get it. But Troy comes alive when you’re around. I come alive when you’re around. And as much as I want to protect Troy and myself from the heartache of you leaving, I think we’re way past that point. That point was about five days ago.”
She placed a hand over his heart. “You’re asking a lot, you know? I may be the one brokenhearted when I go.”
He captured her hand. “No, you won’t. Neither of us is making promises or plans. And if kissing is too much, we don’t have to do that again.” His mouth quirked. “Though I won’t deny I enjoy kissing you.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “I like kissing you, too. But . . .”
He froze. “But?” Had he misread her feelings for him?
“I don’t want to stand in the way if you want to renew your relationship with Libby.”
“Libby?” He shook his head, wishing they’d never run into her. “I’m not interested in renewing anything with her. That’s ancient history as far as I’m concerned.”
Doubts swam in her blue eyes. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.” He slid an arm around her shoulders. “It’s going to be okay. We have four more days until Christmas and then another week after that before you leave. Let’s make the most of them.”
Sophie’s top teeth tugged at her bottom lip, drawing his attention. She nodded. “Okay.”
He grinned. “Good. How about next week we take Troy and head up to Snoqualmie for some sledding and fun in the snow? It will give you a taste of what you’ll be in for in the Alps.”
“And the perfect excuse to buy a snow outfit.”
“Exactly. We can go shopping for snow gear for all of us.” He usually wasn’t one to enjoy shopping, but with Sophie at his side he knew he would.
They went inside to decorate the Christmas tree. And David staunchly ignored the small voice in his head warning him that he was swimming in the deep end without a life jacket. He didn’t want to be reminded of how easily he could drown.
CHAPTER
12
Sophie stepped back to admire the decorated Christmas tree and bumped into David. He steadied her, his hands on her shoulders. Though she’d regained her footing, he didn’t drop his hands. She liked the way his touch through her sweater made her feel all tingly. The tree almost completely blocked Grandma’s living room window, but it was so pretty, Sophie clapped in delight. “I love it.”
“It is beautiful.” Grandma leaned on her crutches and fingered an ornament, a gold and silver Nativity scene. “Your father gave this to me when he was a teen. He loved to buy me a new decoration every year. Still does.” She touched another decoration, a porcelain snowflake with glitter in the glaze. “This is the one he sent last year.”
Sophie hadn’t known her father did that. It was such a sweet gesture.
David squeezed Sophie’s shoulders and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Can we talk privately?”
Her mouth went dry as she remembered what had happened the last time they talked in private. They’d kissed. And it had been wonderful and scary at the same time.
She still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to let their relationship evolve into something beyond two ships set on different courses. She knew doing so would only prolong the agony when it was time to leave.
There was nowhere for a relationship between them to go. She was leaving. His life was here. Her life was a constant whirlwind of travel and jobs, while David’s was grounded in raising his nephew and running a company.
Her only excuse for giving in to his request was that exhilarating and terrifying kiss they’d shared. It had opened the door to all the complicated feelings for David she’d been trying to keep at bay. She’d heard poets and novelists talk of romantic connections but never understood them.
Oh, she’d felt attraction, but this was something new. Something different. Deeper, more real. Maybe that was why her romantic relationships in the past had failed.
Her stomach dropped. Great. Just what she needed, to feel this deep-seated connection with the one man she shouldn’t. She sent up a silent prayer to God for strength to resist falling in love with David.
But what if it is God’s plan? a tiny voice inside her heart whispered.
She didn’t want to contemplate all the implications of that thought, so she stepped away from David and gestured for him to follow her into the kitchen so they could talk.
Troy and Riggs sat on the floor side by side in front of the fireplace. Troy ate from a bowl of blueberries and the dog chewed on a bone. Grandma hobbled to the couch and plopped down with a sigh.
Sophie went to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. David followed her and placed a hand on either side of her, trapping her with his arms. She turned off the water and slowly spun to face him. She stared into his eyes. Something was bothering him. “What is it?”
In a low voice, he said, “I don’t have Christmas ornaments. Daniel and Beth did. There are a couple of boxes full of decorations in the storage unit where I put all of their belongings. I’m not sure what to do. Should I bring the boxes to the house? Will that be a good thing or a painful one for Troy?”
Sympathy for his dilemma throbbed within her. She wished she had the answers he sought. She wasn’t a child psychologist, and she didn’t have experience with this kind of situation. She sent up a silent prayer for wisdom and guidance.
Placing a hand over David’s heart, she said, “I can’t tell you what the right thing to do is.” She paused, a thought forming and taking hold. “I will say that I think it’s important for you to keep Daniel and Beth’s memory alive for Troy. The worst thing you could do is to pretend they didn’t exist.”
A stricken look crossed his face. “I’ve been doing that. I’ve been avoiding talking about Daniel because I don’t want to cause Troy pain.” He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not good at this. Why did they choose me?”
She grabbed his arm. “You are the perfect person for Troy. Don’t doubt that. Daniel and Beth trusted you. I trust you.”
&nb
sp; He blinked. “You do?”
“I do.” She knew this man would never deliberately hurt her or Troy or anyone else. He was kind, compassionate. A man worth loving. Not that she did.
She wasn’t ready to examine her feelings too closely. She might never be ready.
“Would you go with me tomorrow to retrieve the decorations? I don’t want to overwhelm Troy by taking him there.”
She knew it would be painful for him as well. And she wanted to be there to comfort him. She refused to analyze why that was. “Yes, of course I will.”
He pulled her into his embrace. “Thank you. I don’t know why, but God chose to bless me with you.”
With her cheek laid against his beating heart, she closed her eyes and wondered how she was going to leave this man.
The next morning, Sophie stood near the festively decorated Christmas tree with a cup of coffee in her hand and Riggs by her side. He had his paws on the window ledge, as if he knew they were expecting guests. Any second now David and Troy would arrive. Troy would be staying with Grandma, while Sophie accompanied David to the storage unit where he kept his brother and sister-in-law’s belongings. Riggs barked just as Troy and David came into view.
Troy carried a Lego bucket with him. He was dressed in a long-sleeved T-shirt with Captain America’s red, white, and blue shield on the front beneath a navy down vest. The bottoms of his jeans were rolled up at the ankles.
David had on a plaid flannel shirt and jeans. He’d shaved and looked ruggedly handsome.
Sophie’s pulse sped at the sight of the two Murphy men. Affection filled her heart. She’d come to care for Troy and David in a way she’d never expected. Troy had carved out a special place in her heart. And David . . . well, she wasn’t ready to think about how he’d affected her heart.
Troy ran up the porch stairs and banged on the front door. David followed him and waved at Sophie. She waved back and ignored the jolt of pleasure coursing through her.
Riggs jumped down to wait at the door.
“Okay, boy, back up,” she said as she swung the door open.
Riggs pushed past Sophie to lick Troy’s face, much to Troy’s giggling delight.
