by Lori Ryan
Before she could move, he gripped her chin and bent down, twisting his head to fit underneath her hat. She sucked in a breath, expecting him to kiss her. Instead his lips stopped just a breath away from hers. “Don’t forget your flowers, Soph.” He gently pushed the bouquet into her chest. Before she could thank him, he ducked from under her hat and stepped back. No kiss.
She stared down at the flowers then back up at him, actually sad he hadn’t kissed her. What was wrong with her?
Grant stared at her, his face serious, and heart-achingly beautiful. Staying away from him, keeping her distance was going to be nearly impossible. Jackie was right, they had things to say, apologies to make, but she needed to do that without letting herself feel things for him anymore. It had taken her almost a year to get to the point where she didn’t cry herself to sleep wishing for his arms around her. She couldn’t go back down this road.
“Let’s go, honey,” Steele said, placing his palm on the small of her back and guiding her down the aisle.
Without thought, she let him lead her down the aisle, lifting the peonies to her nose and drawing in a deep breath. Most people never understood her fascination for peonies, they were so common and simple, but Grant always had. He’d always understood her quirks, and loved her in spite of them. He’d said he loved her because of them.
Against her better judgment, she chanced one more look over her shoulder.
Rather than standing and staring at her with that panty-melting smirk, he was knelt down, picking up the boxes of tampons and rearranging the display with Mrs. Thompson.
She nestled her nose into the soft petals of the flowers. Maybe Grant Sumner had changed. But if she was going to protect her heart, she couldn’t fall for his act.
Chapter Four
Grant stood at the back of Old Settler’s Park, staring at the outdoor stage he and a group of volunteers had erected days before. Sophie’s band was taking the stage for a sound check but she wasn’t with them.
“All right guys,” the sound tech yelled. “Let’s test out each instrument.”
Grant had seen several sound checks for Sophie’s shows since they’d been married. She’d always been present.
He’d tried calling her several times since she’d arrived yesterday, asking her to have lunch or coffee at his aunt’s bakery, The Sweet Spot. Normally Sophie couldn’t resist one of Aunt Sally’s black and white cookies. She hadn’t picked up or returned the call. This didn’t bode well for his plan to win her back.
His twin brother, Jake, walked toward him from his spot near the swings. Jake and his girlfriend Lina had been playing with his daughter, Becca, while they watched the band off to the side. Apparently, Lina was a huge fan of Sophie’s. But who wasn’t?
Sophie had made a name for herself in the music industry at an early age, after she was discovered as a teen. Since then she’d sky-rocketed to stardom but somehow had kept her humble roots, something he loved about her. She had a loyal legion of fans, many of whom were younger. She seemed to connect with them on a level that most people couldn’t. It was one of the things Sophie was known for, interacting personally with her fans, empathizing, writing songs that connected them all on a soul level.
Grant had originally thought it was just he who had been captured, body and soul, by Sophie Day. But as he toured with her, watched her interact with fans and music professionals, he’d slowly understood that he wasn’t the only one who found her amazing.
“Hey, little brother,” Jake said, walking up next to him.
Grant laughed. He and Jake were twins, fraternal—which Jake always said he was thankful for. Jake had been born three minutes before Grant, which made Grant officially the baby of the family, something Jake loved to hold over his head.
His family position wasn’t lost on him. Most of the time growing up he’d acted like a baby. Something that had unfortunately carried on through much of his adult life, he was now realizing. And it had been one of the reasons Sophie had left him, his inability to think about anyone other than himself.
“Hey, big brother,” Grant said, laughing.
“Where’s your girl?” Jake asked, nodding toward the stage.
Your girl. Grant liked the sound of that. He would work hard this weekend to try and make it a reality again.
“I’m not sure. She’s usually the first one on the stage for sound check.”
“There she is.” Jake pointed to the side of the stage. “Who are those guys all around her?”
Grant bristled at the thought of guys surrounding her. Once again his immaturity was rearing its ugly head. He could see now that he’d been an ass when they were married. Oh, who the hell was he kidding, he’d been seething mad some days when music industry guys had stalked her, thinking they really knew her on an intimate level.
Drawing in a deep breath, Grant studied the stage. He saw Sophie’s light blonde hair before anything else. He recognized two of the men as part of her security team, but the other three he didn’t know. They were dressed the same, each sporting a black shirt with the word “security” written in big yellow letters on the back.
“Dude, she’s got five security guards with her. In Canyon Creek?” Jake turned to face Grant. “What gives?”
All he could do was shake his head. Unfortunately, he wasn’t privy to Sophie’s daily actions nowadays. Something in his gut tightened at the thought. There was only one reason she’d increased her security detail. Something had happened.
Finally, she appeared on stage, commanding the space as she took the mic in her hand.
“You ready, Soph?” the tech yelled from the middle of the field.
She nodded once.
The band began playing the familiar opening chords of one of her top selling songs, Build a Bridge. It was the title track of her first album and a fan favorite. It was the song she was known for, the song she always closed her concerts with. The song that had always meant the most to her.
Sophie had shared with him a little of the life she’d lived growing up in Oklahoma. The song was written for her childhood friend, Nikki.
Her friend had gotten into drugs during high school. Sophie hadn’t known how to relate to what Nikki was going through and the two had grown apart. Their senior year, Nikki had overdosed and Sophie had never recovered from what she saw as failing her friend.
The song was for Nikki, about building a bridge to reach her in troubled times. It never failed to bring a tear to most people’s eyes no matter how many times she sang it.
Grant swallowed down his own emotions. Sophie hadn’t let things end with the song. She had harnessed the guilt she felt for not being there for her friend and created a foundation to honor Nikki.
The organization helped bridge the gap between teens stuck in rural areas and those in their community. Adults would volunteer to foster teens on outings into larger cities, helping the kids escape the boredom that sometimes led to drug use and crime in small towns. Even today, he couldn’t help but be proud of his wife and all she’d accomplished.
“She has the most amazing voice,” Lina said, sidling up next to Grant and Jake.
Grant looked over at Jake’s girlfriend.
As with most of Sophie’s fans, Lina’s face held a look of awe and wonder.
He followed her gaze and understood why. He always did. Sophie could enthrall you with her presence and her voice. She was a star who didn’t even know how bright her light was.
“Uncle Grant, pick me up.”
Grant glanced down and saw Jake’s five-year old daughter, Becca, holding up her hands.
“Come here, Half Pint,” he said. That’s when he noticed another girl standing with them, a teenager he didn’t recognize. She wore jeans and a loose-fitting T-shirt, and was staring at the stage, just as captivated as Lina, and him.
“She’s pretty, isn’t she, Uncle Grant?” Becca’s gaze went from the stage to him.
He nodded and smiled. “She’s beautiful.”
“She really is,�
� the girl standing next to Lina said.
“Hi,” he said, reaching out a hand. “I’m Grant.”
The girl’s brown eyes widened as she stared down at his outstretched hand, her mouth gaping.
“He won’t bite, January,” Becca said, sounding a lot older than her five years.
Grant chuckled. “Most days.”
“Oh, sorry,” Lina said. “Grant, this is my friend, January Walden. She works with me at the book store. And she babysits Becca sometimes.”
Grant smiled and the girl’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. It always surprised him when someone became awestruck around him. In his mind, he was just a regular person.
“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” she said quietly, her hand slowly slipping into his.
“Sir?” Jake laughed.
“Stop,” Lina said, swatting his brother’s arm, “January is respectful.”
“I’m sorry,” January said, yanking her hand away.
“It’s okay. You can call me Grant, though. And special thanks to you for putting up with this one.” He tickled Becca.
January stared up at him, eyes wide. “Seriously?”
“What?” he asked.
“I can call you Grant?” the girl asked.
“Yeah. I mean, it’s my name.”
“Uncle Grant,” Becca called.
He turned and looked at his niece, thankful for her interruption. It was awkward when people made a big deal when they met him. “Yes, sweetie?”
“Is she your wife?” Becca asked, pointing toward Sophie.
“Yes,” he said with no hesitation.
“What does strange wife mean?” Becca asked.
Grant’s brows furrowed. “What?”
“Estranged,” Jake said. “And Becca, it’s not nice for you to eavesdrop, I’ve told you that.”
Becca stared up at Grant with huge eyes. “I’m sorry Uncle Grant. Do you know what eavesdrop means?” Before he could answer, Becca continued. “I thought it was candy but Aunt Sally said it’s when you listen to stuff you’re not supposed to. She said I have to get better at it.”
“Fucking, Sally,” Grant mumbled under his breath.
“That’s a dollar, Uncle Grant.” Becca held out her hand.
Becca had a swear jar. Any time someone said a curse word they had to give her a dollar. With all the Sumner brothers, and Aaron’s fiancé Kayleigh combined, he was pretty sure Becca was making some serious bank.
“Shhh,” Lina hushed them. “I love this song.”
“Me too,” January said, leaning toward the stage.
“It’s okay, Uncle Grant,” Becca whispered, “you can pay me later.”
Grant kissed his niece’s head. “You’re a hot mess, Half Pint.”
Becca nuzzled into his chest and Grant couldn’t remember feeling anything so wonderful in a long time.
Images of what he and Sophie might build together if he could win her back flashed before his eyes. He swallowed back the emotions, determined to make things different this time. He’d let her down before. He hadn’t been ready for what she wanted, but he was this time. He just needed to show her.
Sophie’s song came to an end and Lina and January clapped.
Becca sat up straight and clapped as well.
Sophie cupped a hand over her brow, shielding her eyes from the early morning sun so to peer out at them.
Grant held up his free hand and waved.
Becca joined in with him. “Hello!” she shouted. “Hello!”
“Becca,” Jake scolded.
The little girl’s face fell. “What?”
“It’s okay, sweetie,” Grant said. He was actually thankfully for his niece’s announcement of his presence. Now there was no way Sophie could run out after she was done. She was too nice to ditch his family.
“I think we’re good, Sophie,” the sound engineer said.
“Okay, good. Thanks, Carlos.” Sophie placed the mic back in the stand.
Grant took a step forward but stopped as Steele came from behind the drums and placed a hand on Sophie’s shoulder, leaning down to say something in her ear.
She laughed but Grant could see it was half-hearted at best. She was tired, worn out. And he wanted Roger Steele to get his fucking hands off his wife. Now.
“Ow, Uncle Grant.” Becca squirmed in his hold. “You’re squeezing me tight.”
“Easy, tiger,” Jake said, grabbing his shoulder and pulling him back
“Oh, sorry, sweetheart.” Grant relaxed his hold. Jeez, he had to get a grip.
He watched with mild satisfaction as Sophie skirted out of Steele’s hold and made her way to the stairs of the stage. Two security men stalked toward her but she waved them away. One shook his head, about to speak, but she motioned him off.
Something had happened, all right. There was a reason for the extra security.
And Grant planned to find out what it was.
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” Lina sputtered out. “She’s coming this way. Oh my God.” She squeezed Jake’s and January’s arms.
“Calm down, babe,” Jake said, patting her shoulder.
Lina stared at Jake as if he were insane. “Calm down? Seriously? Do you know who she is?”
His twin laughed. “Um, yeah. She’s my sister-in-law.”
“I can’t believe your sister-in-law is Sophie Day,” January said.
Lina slapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh my God, I keep forgetting.”
Grant laughed. He was used to this kind of reaction from people. Well, most people, not his brother’s girlfriend, though.
“Hello,” Becca called out, waving her little hand again.
“Hello,” Sophie said, walking up to the small group.
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” Lina continued mumbling.
“I can’t believe this,” January said, sounding like she might pass out. “She’s really here!”
Sophie laughed. “Um, hi.” She extended her hand to Lina. “I’m Sophie.”
Lina took her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I have all your songs. I’ve listened to you since you first started. I think your Build a Bridge song is the most special song—”
Jake stepped between them. “Okay, honey, let’s take a breath.”
Sophie chuckled and turned to January. “Hi, I’m Sophie.”
The girl stood stock still, except her head, which was nodding like a bobble doll.
Grant bit back a smile.
Sophie cocked a brow, “And what’s your name?”
The girl remained mute, seemingly frozen.
“Oh, this is January,” Lina said, suddenly regaining her composure. “January, shake her hand.”
January dutifully stuck out her hand but still remained silent.
“I’m so sorry,” Lina whispered, pulling January’s hand away. “We’re big, big, fans.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Sophie smiled warmly, patting Lina’s shoulder. “I always love to hear that my songs resonate with people.”
“Hey, Soph,” Jake said, taking Sophie into a hug, which she returned. Sophie had always loved his family. And she was an affectionate person.
“Hello,” Becca said, holding out her hand. “I’m Rebecca Anne Howard Sumner.”
“Well, hello, Rebecca Anne Howard Sumner,” Sophie said, unfazed. “That’s a lot of names. Wait, Sumner?”
“It’s my name,” she touched her chest, “then my middle name, then my mommy’s name,” she ticked off on her fingers, “and my daddy’s name.” She cocked her head toward Grant’s twin.
Sophie glanced around the group, brows raised. Grant hadn’t explained all the happenings in his family over the last year.
“Sophie, this is Jake’s daughter, Becca,” Grant filled in. “He just recently discovered he had a daughter. And this is his girlfriend, Lina. And this is January.” He waved his hand around the small group. The others probably couldn’t see the sadness that washed over Sophie at his pronouncement. She was good at hiding her fe
elings when she needed to, but he saw it.
“So, I think I’m confused.” Sophie pointed to Lina, “you’re Becca’s mom.”
“No.” Lina shook her head.
“My mommy is in heaven with my daddy’s daddy,” Becca said, holding tight to his neck.
Everyone went silent at the mention of Becca’s mother and Grant and Jake’s father.
Sophie’s eyes widened as she stared between the three of them. “I’m so sorry.”
“But now I have,” Becca paused as she counted on her fingers, “five uncles, six aunts, a ton of cousins, and one extra grandma.”
“That’s a lot of family.” Sophie smiled but Grant could see the strain in her expression. She’d always wanted a large family of her own.
Becca nodded. “I have Uncle Ben and Aunt Maggie, Uncle Emmett and Aunt Elle, Uncle Max and Aunt Devlin, Uncle Aaron and Aunt Kayleigh.” She stopped and glanced toward the sky as if trying to remember more. She turned and stared at Lina. “Oh, and one topolina.”
Lina held out her hands and Becca fell into her arms as the two shared a special embrace.
“I’m sorry, a what?” Sophie asked.
Becca raised her head. “Topolina. It means Mickey Mouse in Italian. Lina is Italian.”
“It literally means mouse,” Lina said, “but Italians use it to refer to Mickey Mouse. It’s a term of endearment that my grandmother uses. And Becca loves anything related to Walt Disney.”
“Uncle Max gave me this pretty bracelet when he got married. See.” Becca stuck her arm in front of Sophie’s face.
Sophie gently touched the jewelry. “That’s beautiful.”
“Lina’s nona calls me topolina, too,” Becca said, smiling.
Sophie furrowed her brow and Grant laughed to himself.
“Nona is a nickname for grandmother in Italian,” Lina explained.
“She’s my great-grandmother,” Becca said proudly.
“Oh, I see,” Sophie smiled. She turned and looked at Grant. “All of your brothers are married now?”
“Married, engaged, or in committed relationships.” He didn’t want to leave out Jake and Lina.
“Looks like I’ve missed a lot.” She stared up at Grant, her blue eyes filled with questions, and if he wasn’t mistaken, a little disappointment.
