Wade tried to keep his eyes on the road ahead of him, and but every now and then he was tempted to take the odd peek at Sophie.
Seeing her again had been rougher on him than he’d ever imagined possible. He’d turned on the cruise control and glanced sideways at her.
Even as a child she’d been pretty, but her beauty had literally taken his breath away when he’d turned and spotted her at the airport. He hadn’t been able to catch it for a couple of seconds as she’d hurried toward him.
Sophie wiggled a little, and then her head fell down further onto her chest. He hoped she wouldn’t get a kink in her neck.
However, he didn’t want to wake her because she looked so peaceful.
He snickered a little when he heard a faint snore escape her lips. The first time he’d found out she was a snorer was one hot summer day when they’d built a tree house on her grandmother’s property, and both of them had fallen asleep. He’d heard her snore now and then, and they’d become more frequent and a touch louder. When she’d finally woken up he’d teased her big time.
“I do not snore,” she had said.
“How would you know what you do when you’re asleep?”
“I’d know if I snore. Grans would tell me because her bedroom is opposite mine, and we both leave our doors open so the dog can sleep on our beds when he wants.”
“She’s too polite.”
“I bet it’s you who was snoring, and you’re blaming me.”
“How could I be snoring if I was wide awake?”
“Then it’s one of the horses because it wasn’t me.”
She’d folded her arms across her chest and pushed out her lower lip, and he’d burst out laughing.
“Don’t worry, Soph, because you’ll be marrying me, sleeping next to me for the rest of your life, so no one ever has to know your secret.”
Wade took in a deep breath. He wondered if her ex had heard her snoring and what he’d thought. He shook his head. He didn’t want to go down that road and think about Travis right now.
When he’d set eyes on Sophie at the airport he’d fallen in love with her all over again. Nope, that wasn’t true; he’d never fallen out of love with her. As they walked to his SUV he’d had the strangest thought about the two of them reconnecting while she was home, becoming lovers even. But then he’d realized maybe that’s not what she wanted, and he’d get hurt again. They’d be embarrassed, and not speak to one another for the next eight years. He never wanted that to happen ever again. Now they’d reconnected he wanted it to stay like that.
And then there was Cathy.
He’d told Sophie about her for one reason, and it wasn’t to let her know he was off limits while she was home, but more as a reminder to himself that he wasn’t available. He and Cathy had connected one night when they’d both been lonely and dining alone at one of Glacier Valley’s cafes. He had to admit that up till now it had been more a physical thing rather than a real romance.
While he and Cathy hadn’t moved into the serious zone in their relationship, and he wasn’t sure if they ever would, he wasn’t the kind of guy who’d drop a woman at a moment’s notice when another one stepped back into his life.
Not any woman. Sophie, you idiot.
He had a tough road ahead of him. Being around Sophie and not wanting to hold her hand, kiss, her, and yes, make love to her would be a killer. They’d never gotten to the having sex bit before. Now she’d only been back in his life less than twenty minutes, and the blood was already rushing to his groin and cock. Just like it had been when he was a teenager and she was turning into a young lady.
Wade signaled right and turned onto the road leading into Glacier Valley. Just another couple of miles, and she’d be home. He assumed she’d want to stay at Mountainview. He could of course take her to his place. No, the temptation would be too great for him. If he drove her there, he’d just carry her inside, put her on the bed, and… Mountainview it was.
He took the back road into the B and B and turned off the lights when they got to the main parking lot. Judging by the number of cars there, a few more guests had obviously checked in since he’d left earlier that afternoon.
Sophie was still asleep. He hated waking her, but she couldn’t spend all night out in his SUV. Not that he wouldn’t mind spending it with her, but by morning they’d probably both be paying the price with stiff backs and legs.
“Sophie,” he whispered. He gave her arm a slight nudge.
“What, where am I?” Her head shot up so fast, even he heard it pop. She put her hand on the back of her neck. “Ouch,” she said.
“Hey, you okay? I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I’m fine. I just forget where I was at, and my neck cracked.”
“Yeah, I heard it.”
Without thinking about the consequences, he put his hand on the nape of her neck and began massaging it. Her body relaxed and melted into his palm.
“That’s the exact spot,” she said.
“You’ve always had the softest skin I’ve known.”
Wade leaned in, his mouth just inches from her ear. He could smell her perfume. If he wasn’t mistaken it was the same one she’d worn since she’d been a teenager. She asked for the same one every Christmas. It was light, smelled like fresh flowers with a touch of something exotic. Yeah, that was the smell of his Sophie, all right.
It made him lightheaded, pushed his defenses down, but he needed to control himself. He took away his hand.
“Let’s get you up to your room so you can get a good night’s sleep.”
Sophie went ahead of him. He got her bags out the back of the vehicle and followed her inside the back entrance that lead up to the owner’s section of Mountainview. He hadn’t been through this particular part of the building since the day…
He froze on the spot.
Can I do this?
Could he see the bedroom where he’d learned firsthand of her betrayal? And right now he was standing by the very bush he’d thrown up underneath when he run outside hoping it was all a horrible nightmare. He hadn’t even bothered to drive his car back home. He’d just run a mile down the road to the safety of his house and never returned to Mountainview. His dad had had to come back and get the car for him the following day.
Things were different now. It was water under the bridge as they said, and they were moving on.
When he stepped inside the owner’s apartment Wade tried not to look anywhere in particular, hoping that would be enough to stop any bad memories from surfacing. He took a deep breath when he got to Sophie’s old room.
He stepped inside and put her bags on the bed.
The place looked exactly the same. The bed was the same.
Well, two people weren’t in it making love.
“You okay, Wade?”
He nodded.
“Shit, I hadn’t thought about asking you to come in here,” Sophie said. “You haven’t been back since that day, have you?”
“It’s okay, Soph, really it is.”
She stepped toward him, arms outstretched, and pulled him in close.
Now he was a goner. He put his arms around her. They looked at one another, and then it happened.
He kissed her.
Not a welcome home kiss this time, but the beginning of an old lovers’ reunion type of one.
She opened her mouth to him, and he couldn’t resist letting his tongue slip by her lips. Fire burned in his groin, smoldering hot. He never held Cathy quite like this. In fact, he never felt this worked up about her either.
He drew Sophie in closer, no longer embarrassed that he had an erection and that it was impossible to hide. The room was spinning, and he was thinking about letting his hand slide to her breast when Sophie pulled away.
“Your girlfriend…Cathy, wasn’t it? I don’t think you should hurt her like I hurt you,” she said, looking up at him with those beautiful blue eyes, rimmed by the long lashes that had always held him spellbound.
She was right. They shouldn’t be doing this. Wade simply nodded.
“How about I come by in the morning, pick you up and take you for breakfast at one of Glacier Valley’s fine establishments? After, I’ll take you to see your grandma,” he said.
“That would be the beginning of a perfect day.”
He turned to leave, thinking it best that he didn’t even give her a peck on the cheek goodnight after what had just happened between them.
“Wade.”
“Soph.”
He turned to face her again. “Yes.”
“Thank you for picking me up and bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome. And it’s great to have you home. Night,
“Goodnight, Wade.”
****
Her old bedroom didn’t have any windows that looked out on the private parking lot, which in a way was a good thing. If it had, she’d be standing there watching Wade walk back to his SUV.
Sophie sat on the bed. The kiss had been better than the one at the airport. She ran her fingers over his lips. She hadn’t wanted to stop him. She’d searched her mind and soul for every excuse in the book as to why they should continue. However, she knew if she hadn’t pulled away from him, they’d get to a point of no return, and have regrets later. She had too many of those. Wade probably did, too.
She didn’t want to be the reason he messed things up with his latest girlfriend. Cathy could be his chance at finding happiness, a wife, a family, and she wouldn’t take that from him by doing something stupid on the spur of the moment.
Sophie flopped back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. The very ceiling she’d been staring at as Travis had been making love to her. She turned her head to the side, mimicking the action she’d done that morning when she’d heard the door open. At first she’d thought it was her grandmother bursting in on them not realizing Travis had spent the night with her, but she’d spotted Wade in the doorway. Every bit of color had quickly drained from his face.
And then Travis had noticed him, too.
“Hey, buddy, you mind giving me and my fiancée some privacy,” he’d shouted at Wade.
With that Wade had rushed out of the room. She’d tried running after him, but by the time she gotten outside, all she’d been able to see was the back of him running down the road.
It wasn’t the way she ever intended for him to find out that she was going to marry Travis, or that she’d broken another promise and given her virginity to another man.
She sat up and threw a pillow across the room. Travis had swept her off her feet when he’d come to stay at Mountainview, taken her from Montana to Seattle, and now they were divorced.
A tear ran down her face. She and Wade, had life gone according to the plans they’d made, would have been celebrating wedding anniversary number seven. They’d be the proud parents of two children, and be working diligently on making number three of the four children they always said they’d wanted.
Tomorrow she’d tell him she was sorry because she’d never had the courage to do that before. No, that wasn’t true. She’d tried too soon after the incident that morning. She’d gone to his dad’s house later that day, but Bob had told her Wade wasn’t feeling good and didn’t want to see anyone. She’d been persistent and gone back every day, minus her engagement ring of course, to beg his forgiveness, but every time his father had told her Wade didn’t want to see her.
Finally she’d given up and left for Seattle to start a new life as Mrs. Travis Benson. And under the circumstances it had been just a small wedding at City Hall with her grandmother and Travis’s family in attendance. It had been followed by a meal in the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. Nothing like the wedding and reception Wade and she had talked about since they were teenagers. She’d arrive at the church on horseback, and they’d leave the church riding in an old stage coach. The reception would include everyone in Glacier Valley, and the honeymoon would be at none other than one of Montana’s famous landmarks, Glacier National Park.
Sophie unzipped her suitcase with gusto.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
When she’d finally gotten the courage to ask her grandmother about Wade and how he was doing, she’d told Sophie he hadn’t been eating, and Bob had eventually rushed him to the ER where the doctor had ordered an IV be placed in his arm because of his severe dehydration. Next time she’d asked Grans for her update on him, she’d been told he was doing better but that he’d decided to move to Cheyenne.
Wade, can you ever, ever forgive me?
*****
Wade knew after last night’s kiss in Sophie’s room that he was treading on dangerous waters if he spent too much time with her.
However, he’d promised to buy her breakfast and then take her to see her grandmother. He was a man of his word.
She’s your childhood buddy and nothing more became his mantra as he drove over to Mountainview to collect her. He didn’t need to go inside to see if she was ready because she was outside petting one of the horses in the paddock next to the inn.
As he got out of the SUV she was bending over getting the horse some hay. Wade wasn’t sure what was the more spectacular view – the sun peeking over the mountain range or Sophie’s cute butt in the tight jeans she was wearing this morning. Since she’d turned eighteen she’d certainly filled out very nicely in that area.
He knew he shouldn’t, but buddies did it, so no problem. He crept up behind her and gave her butt a slap.
“What the…”
She turned around and grinned when she saw it was Wade.
“Morning,” he said.
“Good morning to you. Looks like it’s going to be a nice one.”
“Sure does. So you get to feed any horses in Seattle?”
“No, and it’s one of the things I miss about being here at Mountainview. Julie said the vet’s assistant is coming out to look at this mare today. Grans took her in because the owner couldn’t afford to keep her, and she’s been off her food for a week.”
Wade stepped forward and stroked the horse’s nose. “Let’s take a look and see if I can figure it out.”
“Why didn’t you ever become a vet? You always loved animals.”
“I guess law enforcement was in my genes.” Wade rubbed his hand along the outer part of the horse’s belly and then underneath it. “I think I know what the problem is. She’s expecting a foal.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, here give me your hand.”
Sophie offered it to him and together they ran their fingers along the horse’s belly.
“Yep, you’re right. I guess I should cancel the vet’s visit.”
“Oh, it wouldn’t hurt for him to check her out. So you ready for breakfast?”
“I’m starving. I almost ate from the breakfast buffet but remembered you were buying.”
“So does Brown’s Café sound good to you?”
“Just lead the way.”
*****
Sophie realized she’d been away far too long when she and Wade were stopped every few minutes by people wanting to welcome her home and ask about her grandmother. It had taken them twenty minutes just to get inside the café.
They slid into one of the booths by the window, and Sophie grabbed a menu from the stand.
“Okay, honey… hey, Sophie, I heard you were back. And so sorry to hear about Emily being arrested,” said the waitress.
“It will all be sorted out, so don’t worry,” Wade said.
“Can I get you two cute kids coffee while you look over the menu?”
“Sounds like heaven because I need some caffeine,” Sophie said.
“Me, too,” Wade added.
She walked away, and Sophie waved to an older man who was walking on the sidewalk outside the cafe window.
“Miss Popularity,” Wade said.
“And you’re Mr. Popularity, so don’t you ever forget it. Now what shall we order?”
“I think we should go for the grand slam.”
“You can eat that much food?” asked Sophie.
“I know you can.”
Sophie gave him a playful kick under the table, catching his shin with her boot.
“Hey, hey, no roughhousing in public,” Wade said, squeezing her knee under the table.
They both looked at one another, Sophie sensing an uncomfortable sexual tension brewing between them. She was about to say something when the waitress returned with the coffee and put two mugs down in front of them.
“There you go, honey, and I’m guessing our coffee’s better than Starbucks,” she said.
“I bet you’re right,” Sophie said.
“So have you decided what you’d like this morning?”
“Yep, two grand slams,” Wade said.
“Okey, dokey, I’ll get that order in.”
Sophie took a sip of coffee and looked over the rim at Wade. She put the mug down.
“Wade, there’s something I want to say to you.”
He squinted at her. She hoped this wasn’t going to ruin their meal with her bringing up the delicate subject again.
“I never apologized to you for what I did with Travis.”
Wade swiftly looked out of window. Sophie saw his Adam’s apple bob up and down where he’d obviously taken a huge swallow.
“I won’t say I wasn’t hurt, that it didn’t hurt for a long time, but apology accepted. Let’s make this the first day that we move on from all that and never mention it again, okay?”
He looked back at her and slid his hand across the table to hers. They locked fingers just as their breakfast arrived and waitress put the oversized plates in front of them.
“I’m gaining weight just looking at this,” Sophie said, seeing the pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and toast overflowing on the oval platter.
“Let me know if you need anything else,” said the waitress turning to leave.
Wade picked up one of the sausage links and began eating. “Did you manage to get things sorted out with your business before you left Seattle?” he asked.
Sophie reached for the ketchup and squeezed a large dollop beside the potatoes. “Yes, luckily I’ve kept in contact with another designer who I went to school with, and she’s offered to help finish the two places I was working on.”
“So you any good with your designs?”
“One of the best,” said Sophie smiling.
“Yeah, I can believe that. You outfitted our tree house pretty good.”
Sophie laughed remembering she’d used two of her grandmother’s dresses for their drapes. Of course, she hadn’t asked permission first, so she had been in hot water with Grans for several days.
“I’ve got a wonderful idea. How about I come over to your place and check it out, and while I’m here I’ll do some work for free for you?”
“Soph, it’s a tiny house, a small bachelor’s pad really, and I don’t want any girlie stuff.”
“I do guys’ stuff, too.”
He laughed, almost choking on the coffee he was drinking. “Then I say lucky guys.”
Sophie smiled at him and without saying anything they inched their hands across the table until the very tops of their fingertips were touching. Wade stroked the back of her hand with his index finger.
Sophie closed her eyes. What with the wonderful food, and now Wade, it was a perfect day.
She jumped when she heard someone banging on the window where they sat. She glanced outside thinking it might be someone she knew, but instead a woman in her mid-thirties with olive skin and short dark brown hair glared in at her.
“Cathy,” said Wade.
It was Sophie’s turn to swallow hard several times.
He signaled for Cathy to step inside, which she did, and marched over to the table.
“This all looks very cozy. I take it this is Sophie?”
“Yes, Sophie, Cathy Moran, Cathy, Sophie Richardson.”
Sophie put her hand out to shake, but Cathy opted for a curt nod instead.
“You want to join us?” asked Wade.
“I shouldn’t because I’ve got the store to open, but I’ll just visit for a few minutes.”
Wade slid across the bench and Cathy squeezed in beside him.
Sophie saw Cathy’s hand immediately go to Wade’s thigh and squeeze it.
Sophie suddenly lost her great appetite.
“That’s a pretty hair color you have,” said Cathy. “What brand and color is it? Because I should order some for my clients.”
Sophie was about to tell her she didn’t color, that she’d been born with the golden blonde locks, just like her mother had, but Wade stepped in.
“Soph’s had that color since she was a little girl. First thing I noticed about her when we first met.”
Cathy nodded. Already Sophie didn’t like her but guessed she was being hard on the woman because she was Wade’s girlfriend.
“So you bought Meg’s business?” asked Sophie.
“Yes, it’s doing really well. I offer a full range of services. We’re even adding a diet support group if you want to stop by while you’re visiting.”
Sophie ignored the snarky remark about her weight. “I might do that.”
Over my dead body.
“Did Wade tell you he and I went to this wonderful hotel in Jackson Hole about a month ago?”
Sophie looked at Wade, and he looked back at her; judging by the way he was coloring up he was finding this whole thing just as uncomfortable as she was.
“Which reminds me you’re still coming to dinner tonight, right?” Cathy asked Wade.
“Sure, yes, I hadn’t forgotten.”
“And staying overnight?”
Sophie saw Cathy’s hand move toward Wade’s crotch. Wade didn’t answer but simply nodded.
“Well, I have to get to work. Nice meeting you. I do hope your grandmother gets her legal problems sorted out. I’m sure you do, too, so you can get back to Portland.”
“Thank you, and actually it’s Seattle,” Sophie said.
Cathy stood, and the next thing Sophie knew her coffee mug had been tipped over and the brown liquid was penetrating her jeans and burning her thighs. Sophie jumped up.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you okay? I hope you didn’t get burned.”
“No, no, problem,” said Sophie grabbing a handful of napkins.
Cathy left promptly, and Wade ran after her. They were talking outside. Sophie couldn’t hear anything but by the way Wade was waving his hands and arms around as he spoke, he looked like he was suddenly in a foul mood. In fact, she’d guess he was raising his voice, which wasn’t like Wade at all.
*****
“What’s gotten into you, Cathy?”
“It was an accident.”
“Like hell it was.”
“Okay, you really want to know? I walk by the café, glance inside and see my boyfriend stroking the back of a woman’s hand. A girl who everyone in this town knows was his childhood sweetheart, and that she dumped him for some city boy and broke his heart into a million pieces.”
Wade ran his hands through his hair and took a deep breath.
“We’re friends, and that’s all.”
Cathy turned to leave. Wade grabbed her arm.
“Cathy, don’t walk away when we’re having a discussion.”
“Look I’m sorry, maybe I overacted. I mean, Wade, you know you’re drop-dead gorgeous, and I should have realized when we started dating that women are going to throw themselves at you. I have to learn to live with it.”
“Sophie doesn’t need to throw herself at me.”
“Oh, you mean you threw yourself at her?”
“I can assure you we’re just old buddies. Her grandmother’s hired me, so it probably means we’ll be spending lots of time together. You have a problem with that?”
Cathy didn’t answer. Wade raised his eyebrows, hoping to get an answer, an honest one if possible. Cathy finally shook her head.
“I trust you,” she said.
Cathy pulled him close and kissed him while putting both her hands on his butt. He shouldn’t have, but his only thought was Sophie. He slyly glanced toward the café window hoping Cathy didn’t catch him.
Sophie was looking straight at them.
“See you tonight, cowboy.” She smacked his butt hard.
He didn’t wait to see her cross the street but instead headed back to Sophie as quickly as he could.
When he got inside, Sophie was gone. Their half-eaten meals sat on the table, and the waitress was mopping up the last of the spilled coffee.
“Did Sophie leave? If she did, I didn’t see her walk out.”
“Don’t worry, honey. She just went to the ladies room to clean up her jeans. She’ll be out in a minute.”
Wade found some relief in that news. He slid back into the booth and continued to eat his now cold bacon but had suddenly lost the edge off his appetite. Sophie headed his way. He smiled and pretended to be tucking into the food, but everything was stuck half way down his throat. Just like it had in the days and weeks following her departure from Glacier Valley.
“Did the coffee stain your jeans?” he asked when Sophie sat down.
“Just a little. I probably should take them off so I can soak them.”
“Guess you can’t do that here. I’m sorry, Soph.”
“For what? It was an accident.”
“You really are a sweet girl. You know, and I know, that it wasn’t.”
“I can’t blame her. I mean walking by and seeing us together, holding hands like that.”
“She’s not usually bitchy like she was this morning.”
“Maybe she’s close to her time of the month.”
Wade leaned back and smiled.
“Wade, I know she must be really nice because I can’t imagine you’d give a bitch the time of day, let alone date one.”
“She’ll be better behaved next time the two of you meet.”
“I’m sure she will. I think I should buy myself a new pair of jeans before I see Grans, or she’ll think I don’t have any clean clothing since I moved out of her place.”
Wade laughed. “Just an excuse to go into the clothing store.” Sophie gave him another playful kick to his shin.
“Okay, let me pay for this breakfast, and we’ll be on our way.”
*****
One thing Wade hated was being seen in a woman’s clothing store. Sophie had been somewhat of a tom-boy when she’d been a kid, but as soon as she’d become a teenager, she’d gotten into dresses, skirts and pumps. He guessed it was Emily’s influence on her because she was always impeccably dressed. And come to think of it he’d only known her grandmother wear jeans on a couple of occasions.
Sophie had grabbed a handful of them from a display on the back wall of the store and was now in the fitting room while Wade waited by the rail of t-shirts. He pushed his hat back on his head wondering just how long she was going to be. How hard was it to decide if a pair of basic jeans were okay? They all looked the same to him, and usually he was in and out of the store with his new pair in less than ten minutes.
The assistant walked over to the fitting area and pulled back the curtain where Sophie was in the middle of pulling on a pair of tight fitting jeans. She wore pink lace panties the same color as her t- shirt. Her legs were tanned. Her cute ass with its cheeks slightly hanging down under the border of the lace held him spellbound. He should have looked away, but he couldn’t. She turned slightly offering him a glimpse of the front of those lace beauties and the pubic hair that lay underneath them.
Wow, he had an instant hard-on. Almost took his breath away and it hurt like hell. He leaned against one of the fixtures and took a deep breath because his own jeans were strangling his balls.
It wasn’t too surprising because Sophie had been the reason for his very first erection. They’d been swimming in the lake just outside of Glacier Valley where they had always gone to cool off on hot summer days when they were kids. They usually swam naked, but as they got older they both knew they had to put swimwear on. Sophie had just turned fifteen that spring, and to this day she didn’t know it but curiosity had gotten the better of him. She thought she was removing her swimsuit without him seeing her. However, Wade had hidden behind a bush and spied on her. When she’d peeled the straps down off her shoulders, rolled it over her chest, and he’d noticed she had boobs. His jaw had dropped, and something funny had happened in his crotch. Then when she taken off the suit completely, he’d spotted something completely different about her. A thatch of blond curls at the top of her thighs. All his blood had rushed at full speed into his penis. A few seconds later his dick had gone hard and risen up toward his belly.
His dad had given him the talk about what would happen to him when he got aroused by a lady, but Wade had never realized this was what happened to your penis when you looked at a cute girl.
Sophie had walked over to him five minutes later when he’d still been aroused. He had to hide from her so she didn’t notice his swimming trunks and the huge bulge they weren’t doing a good job of hiding.
Wade looked down. The same huge bulge he had today. A lady walked by and gave him a sideways glance. He nodded and decided to put his cowboy hat over the front of his crotch just in case someone thought he was some pervert who stood in the lady’s department, ogling women’s clothing and getting an erection in the process.
“So what do you think of these?”
He jumped. He realized Sophie was now standing just a few feet from him.
Sexy was what sprang to mind when he saw the jeans riding low on her hips, her belly button on full display. All he could think about was what underneath those pants and how he’d love to take them off her, part her legs, and dive deep inside.
The explicit thoughts weren’t doing anything to help his hard-on subside. And if things couldn’t get any worse, her nipples were pushing through her t-shirt, too. She was wearing a bra; he knew that because he could see the outline of its straps on her shoulders. Maybe Sophie had large nipples.
Yeah, you had to think about that to make things worse.
“You okay? Because you’re starting to sweat.” asked Sophie.
“Am I? I guess so. And yes, those jeans look…”
“Look what?”
“Made for you.”
“Okay, these jeans it is. You sure you’re feeling all right? Your voice even sounds funny, too.”
“Never better.”
“I’ll just go get my old jeans and my purse, and I’ll be right back.”
He watched her walk away. Her butt wiggling a little more with each step.
Wade rushed over to the cash register.
“Can you tell me where there’s a restroom around here?”
*****
Sophie walked out of the dressing area to find Wade gone. She walked up and down and then back around again, but he was nowhere to be seen. Thinking maybe something urgent had come up and he’d needed to leave, she walked toward the cash register.
“You were shopping with that cute guy, weren’t you?” asked the assistant.
“Yes, but I seem to have lost him.”
“He said to tell you he had to use the little boy’s room and he’ll be back shortly, and to wait for him.”
“Okay, then I might as well pay for my jeans while I do that.” Sophie put her old ones on the counter.
“No need because the gentleman’s already picked up the tab for them. In fact, here’s the receipt and his credit card he forgot to take because he seemed to be in a rush, and by the look of his face, pain, too.”
Sophie didn’t like the sound of that. Maybe that’s why he’d been sweating earlier. She needed to check on him.
“Which way are the restrooms?”
“Over to the left at the back of the store.”
Sophie put Wade’s credit card into her pocket and headed there. She approached the men’s bathroom and knocked on the door.
“Wade, it’s Sophie. You okay in there?” She put her ear to the door, but there was no response.
Next time she tapped louder. “Wade, you still in there?”
“Yep, Soph, and I’m okay.”
“Anything wrong? The assistant said it looked like you were in pain. Anything I can do to help?”
“No, no, I’m fine, really I am. Breakfast just disagreed with me, that’s all. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Sophie decided to check out some of the pillows and comforters while she waited for Wade. Maybe she’d take some of these back to Seattle for clients who wanted a Western theme. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see him heading her way looking flushed in the face. He slipped his hat on.
“Sure you’re okay?” she asked him.
“Never better. I got it all out of my system in the restroom.”
“Before I forget, here’s your credit card.” She handed it to him. “And it was naughty of you to pay for these.”
“Think of it as my homecoming gift to you.”
“Well, thank you. And I might have to do some bending and stretching to get them worn in. You don’t think I should have opted for the next size up do you?” She turned around and bent over slightly. “I’d hate to rip them.”
“Soph, I think they’re perfect. They fit you like they were custom made. Now, let’s get going so you can see Emily.”
*****
Sophie took an instant disliking to the police station as soon as she stepped over its threshold. In fact, despite being born and raised in Glacier Valley, she’d never been inside it. Her nose twitched. It smelt of cleaning fluid, if she wasn’t mistaken. It was cold, stark, and yes, she could do lots with it to brighten it up. Poor Grans being in this awful place all night for something she didn’t do.
Wade put his hand in the small of her back and encouraged her to walk towards the reception desk where a police officer was writing on a sheet of paper.
“Good morning. I’m wondering if Emily Richardson will be allowed a visitor. This is her granddaughter, Sophie, who’s come all the way from Seattle to see her.”
“Sophie, yes. Your grandmother’s been talking about you non-stop,” he said.
Wade nudged her, and Sophie smiled.
“Yes, I think we can allow you to visit. She’s with her attorney at the moment, but once he’s done I don’t see any problem with you visiting but only for ten minutes or so.”
Sophie nodded.
“If you’d like to wait over on that bench, I’ll call you when we’re ready.”
Sophie went ahead of Wade, and they both sat.
“If you have other things to do, I’ll be fine by myself,” Sophie said.
He patted her on the back of the hand. “Nothing more important than being here for you and Emily. You’re my family, just like Pop and my sister.”
Sophie squeezed Wade’s hand. “Speaking of your sister, how is she?”
“She and Pop finally reconnected. She lives in Boulder these days. Her husband works in a law firm there, so they see us a couple of times a year. And she’s expecting again.”
“How many will that be?” Sophie asked.
“Her fifth. She’s hoping, and I think her husband is praying, that it’s a boy this time, so they can quit making babies and don’t have to keep moving to bigger houses to accommodate them all.”
Sophie laughed. “I’m sure your dad is happy that he gets to see his grandchildren now.”
“Oh, yeah, never been a prouder grandpa. He even has one room full of dolls and strollers for them to play with when they visit. I always say to him what if my kids are boys.”
They looked at one another, and Sophie felt a sudden sadness wash over her. Kids. The ones she and Wade were supposed to have, but never would. And the depressing thought that maybe he’d have children with Cathy. She couldn’t stand the thought of that, seeing them, looking at their faces and seeing his smiling back. Just as well she lived miles away in case that ever came true.
A man who Sophie recognized as Richard Martin, her grandmother’s attorney, headed their way.
“Sophie, so good to see you, and, Wade, I heard you were back living in Glacier Valley.”
They both stood, and Wade shook his hand. “Only wish we were all meeting again under better circumstances,” Wade said.
“I’ve visited with Emily and suggested I speak with one of the attorneys I went to law school with. He’s from Bozeman, and he’s excellent with criminal cases like this.”
“Can she come home?” asked Sophie.
“She’ll be arraigned later today, and I’ll ask for bail; but that’s ultimately up to the judge to decide. Now I believe you wanted to pay her a visit, which you can do straight away. And don’t worry, she’s in good spirits. Emily’s always been a tough old gal.”
Sophie saw a police officer signaling to her to walk over to him.
“Go on, Soph. I’ll wait here and talk to Richard while you see Emily,” Wade said.
She could barely put one foot in front of the other as she attempted to make her way over to the desk.
Sophie finally managed to get her legs moving and hurried over to where the officer stood by a large black door.
“You can spend ten minutes with your grandmother, but if you need more time you’ll need to come back during regular visiting hours,” he said, signaling for her to go ahead of him once he opened the door.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Sophie felt like the ceilings and walls were closing in on her as he led her along a narrow passageway. She heard voices and what sounded like heavy metal doors opening and shutting, and then footsteps.
The officer opened another door and signaled for her to go inside where her grandmother was already sitting at a table. Sophie almost cried when she saw her Grans’s hair so unkempt. She’d obviously tried to tie it up like she always wore it, but tendrils had fallen around her face. And her bloodshot eyes told the whole story. She looked sad and tired. Sophie hadn’t seen her quite like this since the day Sophie’s parents had been killed.
Grans stood as soon as she saw Sophie. Sophie wanted to be strong, didn’t want to upset her, but she couldn’t help it. She burst into tears.
“Oh Grans, how could this have happened to you?”
“Sophie, no, no crying today, honey. Please don’t be upset because I know I’ll be out of here soon, and this whole misunderstanding will be history.”
She put her arms out to Sophie and brought her in close. “It’s wonderful to have you home, my darling. I can’t wait to get home and make all your favorite pies and cakes. Oh, and your favorite macaroni and cheese.”
Sophie laughed and wiped away a tear with the back of her hand. She could taste and smell it right this minute.
They both sat but held hands across the table.
“I’m so sorry that I had to drag you all the way home like this,” Emily said.
“It’s no problem. I’m here as long as you need me.”
“Did you rent a car at the airport?”
“No, Wade kindly picked me up.”
“Are things okay with the two of you? When I asked him to call you, I completely forgot that you hadn’t spoken since…”
“I know what you’re about to say. Don’t worry. You did the right thing. We’ve put it all behind us.”
“Good,” Emily said, pushing a sliver of hair behind Sophie’s ear. “He’s a good man, and I hope you can be friends again.”
“I think we already are.”
“I’m glad to hear that. And how is Mountainview running this morning?”
“Looked like Julie had everything under control. I said I’d take over once I got back from town. Oh, and the horse, the one you took in, Wade found out why she’s been off her food. She’s pregnant.”
“Well, I’ll be darned. I’ve been around horses all my life, and even I didn’t spot that.”
“Wade’s the original horse whisperer.”
Emily leaned back and laughed. “Looks like I’ll have another mouth to feed and soul to look after, so it’s even more important I get out of here soon.”
“Richard Martin told me you’ll go before the judge later this morning, and he’ll ask for bail.”
“I can’t see why they wouldn’t let an old lady out.”
“You’re not old, Grans.”
She slapped the back of Sophie’s hand. “If I’m not already, I’m getting there, honey.”
The police officer opened the door and told Sophie time was up.
“I’ll be at the arraignment and ready to take you home,” Sophie said, standing.
“Come here; let me give you a hug again.”
Sophie threw her arms around her grandmother and started crying again but didn’t let Grans know. She quickly turned and left the room.
When she got back to the reception area, Wade was drinking a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper.
“Everything okay?”
“Oh Wade, just get me out of here, please.” With that she burst into tears again, and Wade wrapped his arm around her and led her back out into the sunshine.
“Let’s go sit in my SUV for a bit,” he said.
He opened the door for her, and she slid inside. He got in beside her, rummaged through his glove compartment, probably looking for some tissues for her, when a box of condoms fell out and landed on her right foot.
She bent over, picked up the box and handed it to him, wondering if he used them with Cathy or if they’d been there for some time. She tried to shake the image of him making love to another woman out of her mind because she was depressed enough already.
“Thank you,” he said, throwing them back into the back of the glove compartment and slapping it shut. Neither of them said another word but sat looking out of the window.
“Wade.”
“What, Soph?”
“Would you hold me?”
“Sure.”
He slid over toward her and threw his arms around her. She rested her head down on his chest, tears splashing onto his shirt. A wet patch formed, and she made a circle around it with her pinkie.
He stroked the back of her head, and she suddenly felt like she wanted to go to sleep in his arms. Just being with him made everything seem better. He’d always made her believe miracles could happen any time and any place.
Sophie had never ever forgotten the day when she was six and Grans had called her in after she’d been playing outside on her swing. Her parents had flown to Idaho for a meeting for her dad’s business, and her grandmother was looking after her.
“What is it, Grans?”
She could tell her grandmother had been crying and had wondered if she’d done something wrong.
“Now, come and sit down here with me, and I want you to be a big strong girl. Can you do that for me?”
Sophie had nodded, planting her butt on the spot of the couch Grans tapped.
“I have some sad news to tell you, and I’m sorry to say it’s going to change things for you.”
“What is it, Grans?”
“Oh Sophie, there was a plane crash and…”
Sophie had known something bad had happened because Grans was crying, and she knew her parents were flying home on a plane that day. It was their plane that had crashed. She’d tried to run away so she didn’t have to hear it, but Grans had held her hands preventing her from doing so.
“I know you’re a big brave girl, and you can understand what I have to tell you. There was a snowstorm, and the wing of the plane got ice on it, and it fell from the sky. But don’t worry because your parents and the other passengers on board didn’t know anything about it. They didn’t suffer one tiny bit, and now they’ve all gone to heaven.”
“But that means I won’t see Mom and Dad until I go to heaven, too.”
“Oh Sophie. I’m so sorry.”
She’d finally managed to pull away from her grandmother and run out of Mountainview. She had run a mile down the road not stopping until she arrived at Wade’s house. She banged on the door until Bob opened it.
“Well, look who it is. Come in, little lady.”
Wade had been sitting eating a sandwich when she’d run over to him, thrown her arms around him and screamed.
“My parents are in heaven, and I won’t ever see them again until I’m old and die.”
Wade, even though he was just eight years old, had hugged and reassured her that the world wasn’t going to end for her, even if her parents were no longer around. Her grandmother would give her a home. And if anything happened to Emily, then Wade and his dad would adopt her and she’d live with them.
“Tell me what you’re thinking?” Wade asked.
His question jarred her back to her present source of melancholy.
She looked up at him. “How come you’ve always been there for me?”
“Because we’re best buddies, that’s why.” He leaned in and kissed a tear away. “Anyone tell you your tears are sweet and not salty?”
“Nope, you’re the only one who’s sampled them, though. Who did you finally lose your virginity to?” asked Sophie.
“That’s a strange question. What brought that up?”
“The condoms in your glove compartment.”
“A woman in Cheyenne. She worked as receptionist at the hotel where I stayed when I first moved there. She was older, had lots of prior experience, so I thought she was a safe bet to teach me the ropes.”
“Was it okay?”
“Nope, nothing about it was any good.”
“I’m sorry.”
He stroked her head again.
“Do you believe you can ever start over again?” Sophie asked.
“Yeah, I think anyone can.”
Wade hated to see Sophie look so sad. Her eyes were red where she’d cried, and she hadn’t smiled for the last hour, which wasn’t like her at all. He’d brought her a burger and fries, but she’d left them largely untouched. He knew she was nervous about her grandmother’s arraignment hearing. They sat in the front row waiting for Emily’s case to be called. Richard Martin had told them he’d contacted his attorney friend, and he was on his way to Glacier Valley as they spoke.
When Emily’s name and number were called, Sophie gripped his hand so hard he was sure she’d bruised it. Soph’s hand weren’t big. Who would have thought she had such a cast-iron grip? He looked down seeing her perfect fingers and unblemished skin. He knew it was an inappropriate time to be doing this, but he tickled her palm with his index and middle fingers. She glanced at him, and he smiled before winking. Sophie smiled, and his heart skipped a beat. He’d found a way to make her smile again. She gripped his hand some more, which made him think of something even more inappropriate.
Wade wondered what her hand would feel like running over his body. Over his chest, down his belly, downwards, and then being wrapped around his cock.
He coughed, not because he had anything irritating in his throat. He wanted to remind himself of what had happened in the clothing store when his mind had drifted into the erotic zone.
Yeah, you won’t learn your lesson, will you?
He flipped her hand over and slipped his own inside and held it there as the bailiff read the charges against Emily.
Should he be holding Sophie’s hand like this? After all, this was the sort of gesture lovers did, not people who were just friends. He thought of Cathy. He’d promised her there was nothing going on between him and Sophie, but was that true? She said she’d trusted him. Could she?
Their fingers slipped through one another’s, and now their palms were pressed up snug against one another. It felt good, right, and how it should have always been.
“Emily Richardson, how do you plead?” asked the judge.
“Not guilty,” said Emily in her usual strong voice.
“I will set the preliminary hearing date for one week from today beginning at 9 a.m.”
Richard stood.
“Your honor I’d like to request that my client be released on bail until that time.”
“Your client is charged with first degree murder,” said the judge making notes on the pad in front of him without glancing up once.
Sophie rested her head on Wade’s shoulder. He heard her draw in her breath. It was his turn to squeeze her hand.
“I know. However, your honor, this is a seventy-two-year-old woman, and a well-respected member of the Glacier Valley community. She was born in this town as were her parents and grandparents. She has never been in any sort of trouble with the law. Not even a parking or speeding ticket.”
The judge didn’t answer straight away but merely slipped off his half-moon glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Very well. I will set bail at $250,000, and your client is to relinquish her passport to the court. She will be required to wear an ankle monitor at all times, and no traveling outside of Montana.”
Wade knew the judge wasn’t being unreasonable on any of his terms. This was, as he’d said, a first degree murder charge. However, would they be able to raise the money?
Emily was escorted out of the courtroom but not before turning to Sophie and winking at her.
Richard crept over to them before another case was called. “Let’s get out of here and discuss raising the bail money, shall we?” he said.
Wade let Sophie go ahead of them, and then the three of them sat on a bench near the entrance of the courthouse.
“Do you think your grandmother has that sort of money in the savings?” Richard asked.
“I doubt it, but I’m sure she could use Mountainview as collateral if I go to the bank. They know her, and she’d hardly be a risk. She’s not likely to run away, so their money’s safe,” Sophie said.
“You want me to go with you?” Wade asked.
“No, you have other things to do. I can go there right now and get things started.”
Sophie stood, and then Wade did the same.
“I’ll be in my office. It’s over on Main Street, Walker Building suite 431. Come and let me know if you got the money.”
Sophie nodded before Wade kissed her…this time on the cheek.
He watched as she went out of the door and made her way down the street to the bank.
*****
Sophie had never asked for this sort of money before or any money for such a bizarre necessity as bailing out Grans.
Her hands shook when Chris Hardy, the bank president, walked into the office his receptionist had shown her into.
“Sophie, so nice to see you. I think the last time we saw one another was at your high school graduation. Your grandmother threw quite the party at Mountainview.”
“Yes, she’s well known for her celebrations.”
“She was very proud of you…still is. She told me you have your own business now.”
“Yes, interior design.”
“So you come home for a loan from your favorite bank?”
Sophie shook her head. “I only wish it was something as simple as that. You probably heard about Grans being arrested.”
“I did, but surely it’s just a joke going around town.”
“Nope, afraid this one’s for real. The judge has set her bail at $250,000, and that’s why I’m here.”
“Of course, anything I can do to help you know I will.”
“I was thinking maybe we could offer Mountainview as collateral for a loan in that amount. I’m sure it’s worth more than that.”
“I know it is, and yes, as Emily has been a customer here all her life and your great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather before that, so I think that’s the least we can do.”
Sophie took a deep breath. One problem lifted from their shoulders.
“I’ll get the paperwork started, and Emily will need to sign for the loan. Will that be a problem?”
“No, I’m sure her attorney will be allowed to take them to her.”
“Good, and if there’s anything else I or the bank can do to help her you just let me know.”
*****
She was cute that was for sure. He could see why his ex had been so jealous when she’d seen him with her at the café. She’d just exited the bank and was looking at her watch. He guessed she’d been to there to try and raise the money to bail out granny from the slammer.
Yeah, he felt bad that he’d made her old lady a patsy in all of this, but it was so perfect. Her threatening that son of a bitch like she had. A dining room full of people overhearing her. And best of all, a kitchen full of knives for him to sneak in and take with her prints all over the handle.
He took out a cigarette and let it hang in his mouth as he watched her some more. His ex had been angry that he’d chosen granny as the scapegoat. Not that she was an advocate for seniors but that it had brought this beauty back into town and Wade Linley’s life. He wanted to assure her that she had nothing to worry about. If she kept him happy in the bedroom like she had during their years together, this cowboy wouldn’t be straying. However, he’d spied on Ms. Richardson and Linley when they’d gotten into his SUV together. He’d seen them hugging, him holding her like he had. If he was any judge Linley was head over heels in love, and his ex, well, she was going to be disappointed to say the least.
*****
Once Sophie had handed all the papers over to Richard to take to her grandmother, she decided she’d buy both her and Wade lemonade from their favorite café from childhood and take it to him. He been so wonderful about picking her up from the airport and not leaving her side during Grans’s arraignment that she wanted to do something, even though it was a small token, to say thank you. She made her way to the office building that housed his new business and saw that suite 431 was on the second floor. She headed up the short flight of stairs with a drink in each hand. The door was slightly ajar, so she waltzed in but then suddenly stopped in her tracks.
There in front of her was Wade sitting shirtless with Cathy standing behind him, giving him a neck and shoulder massage.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were busy,” she said just about ready to turn and leave.
“No problem, come in,” Wade said.
Now what am I going to do? I just want to go and forget what I’ve seen.
“I’m a trained masseur as well as a hairdresser, and poor Wade had some tight knots in his shoulders,” Cathy said. “Probably all the worrying about your grandmother.”
Sophie really didn’t want to hang around but at the same time didn’t want it to appear like Cathy’s presence was upsetting her, but for some strange reason it was bothering her big time.
She sat down and put both drinks on the table, not able to take her eyes off Cathy’s hands as they passed over Wade’s beautiful shoulders.
His chest was magnificent, too. Every muscle was well defined like he worked out. And she couldn’t remember him having that much hair chest when he was younger. A thick trail of it even went down the middle of his belly and disappeared under the silver belt buckle with a large W imprinted in its center. He had to be one of the best looking men she’d ever set eyes upon.
Sophie felt more uneasy by the minute as Cathy’s hands glistened with oil and passed around the front of his body and then over Wade’s nipples. She wanted to be the one doing that to him. Not as an innocent massage but as a prelude to them making love.
Wade looked at her as if he could read what she was thinking.
They sat looking at one another, saying nothing, but yet saying everything like they had when they were children and teenagers and always knew when the other was happy or sad.
Did he know she wanted him all over again? Her womb pulled; her pussy beat to a steady rhythm, and yes, even her panties were getting damp.
“I think that’s enough, or you’ll spoil me,” Wade said.
Does he really know how this is bothering me? Is that the reason he’s asked her to stop?
Cathy ran her hands over his shoulders one last time and then kissed his neck while looking at Sophie. Cathy wiped her hands on a tissue as she spoke.
“I need to get to the babysitter to pick up Max, and then we’re heading to the library. He wants to get a new book for you to read to him before he goes to bed tonight.”
Wade looked at Sophie again before he spoke.
“As long as it’s not War and Peace,” Wade said.
“Nope, I’ll make sure it’s a short one so he can go to sleep, and we can have some time to ourselves.”
She looked at Sophie again, and this time Sophie looked away.
The kiss on the neck might have been a sign of affection for her boyfriend, but after that remark, Sophie knew Cathy was baiting her.
“I’ll see you around 6 p.m., and don’t be late because dinner will be waiting. Nice seeing you again, Sophie.”
“Same here.”
Sophie watched as she put her bottle of massage oil into her bag, picked it up and headed out of the office with an air to her step.
“I bought you one of your favorite lemonades.” Sophie slid it across the desk to him, hoping he was planning to put his shirt back on. Some of the oil still glistened on his chest hair, and a drop clung to the muscle near his collarbone. Sophie had the strangest urge to lick it away but kept her butt firmly planted on the chair just in case she carried through with her wish.
Wade leaned across and took the lemonade and sipped on it. “I haven’t had one of these since I’ve been home. Wow, that’s really good. Remember we used to spend all our allowances in that place? Mostly on these and, oh yeah, those lemon meringue pies.”
“You’ve just made me want a slice of one of those so badly. Don’t tell Grans, but not even her lemon meringue pies are as good as those.”
“Speaking of Emily, how did you get on at the bank?”
“The bank president agreed to us putting Mountainview up for collateral. Richard’s taking the paperwork to Grans as we speak, so she should be released very soon.”
Wade took a deep breath, causing his chest to rise up. Sophie wrapped her hands around the container of lemonade, feeling its cold exterior bite into her skin. It took every ounce of control she had not to slink across the desk and kiss him.
“I’d need to sit down with her as soon as she gets home, and we can talk about her case. I’d like to start looking for the real killer straight away before the case gets lukewarm.”
“Wade, you’re going to be careful, right?”
“You know I have Emily’s best interests in mind.”
“I didn’t mean that. What if you start digging around and someone tries to hurt you?”
“Oh, Soph, I’m an ex-cop. I can take care of myself. Hey look, Wade’s a big, tough guy now.”
With that he curled his arms upward and made fists so his biceps sprang up. If only he hadn’t done that she would have been perfectly okay.
Sophie stood up, walked over to him and ran her hands over his arms and shoulders, feeling the slightest trace of oil still on them. He looked up at her, and she knew she’d done something terrible.
“Hey, I’m sorry. Look, I have to go to pick up Grans.”
With that she ran as fast as she could out of the building and back down Main Street.
*****
Wade tried to catch up with Sophie, but he’d forgotten how fast on her feet she could be. She had been since she was a kid.
They’d often raced one another to the lake. He being older and, a boy, had always given her a head start. However, when she began beating him by more than a couple of hundred yards, he decided giving her an advantage was plain stupid. Sophie was a born sprinter.
He managed to catch a glimpse of heading down the street. Her touching him like she had, well, that had thrown him for a loop. He hadn’t expected it, but yes, he’d wanted it more than words could describe. All the time Cathy had been massaging him and Sophie had sat there watching, he’d wished it was Soph’s hands on him. He’d even go so far as imagining it was actually her fingers gliding over his skin.
Knowing he’d never catch up with her, he walked back over to his desk, picked up his shirt from the back of the chair and put it back on. Sophie and Emily would need a ride back to Mountainview, and once he was done with that he had to go to dinner with Cathy and her son.
Dinner.
He probably could handle that, but staying the night and making love with Cathy was going to be tough if not impossible now.
He sat down and ran his hands through his hair.
Now that Sophie was back in his life nothing was straightforward any more.