Chapter Twelve
AFTER NOT NEARLY enough toe-curling kisses, Sophie and Brett forced themselves to stop making out and went to join the party. Sophie had a feeling she’d spend the next twenty-four hours hot, bothered, and flustered—and she wouldn’t mind it one bit!
As they stepped outside, Brett said, “Wow,” under his breath.
Even though it was daytime, lights were strewn above the patio, which was lined with buffet tables that were covered with dishes overflowing with food and decorated with gold and white streamers and balloons. The rectangular wooden tables her father and grandfather had built were lined up, creating a U shape around the middle of the expansive yard, above which more lights were strung from tree to tree, meeting in the middle, where the grass was mowed extra low to serve as a dance floor.
“Is that Axsel, the lead guitarist for Inferno?” Brett motioned toward Sable’s brother, playing his guitar beneath the big oak tree where a swing had hung when she was young.
“Yes. He’s Grace’s younger brother. He’s really nice. You’ll like him.” Axsel wore one of the knit caps that had become his signature style when he was a kid. Though he was gay, the girls in town swooned every time he visited. He was surrounded by a number of them now. Blankets were spread around the yard, and on them, couples cuddled, children played, and friends mingled. Lindsay was chatting with two of Grace’s sisters and a handful of other people down by one of the weeping willows that anchored the property by the creek’s edge. All the pieces inside Sophie felt as though they exhaled at the familiar, comforting scene, and when Brett put his hand on her lower back, she realized he didn’t seem nervous at all. That made her feel even happier.
“Your family throws a party like this every year for their anniversary?”
“Yes. Isn’t it fabulous?” She took his hand and led him across the patio to a table where a large chalkboard announced, LEAVE A FOND MEMORY OR AN ENCOURAGING WORD FOR NINA (NANA) AND PETE (POPPI). Beside the chalkboard was a red velvet journal, like the one her mother got for her grandparents every year. Photographs of her grandparents hung from clothespins on a line that ran the width of the patio.
“Everyone who attends writes something to Nana and Poppi.” She flipped open the journal and wrote, Nana and Poppi, I hope this is your happiest year yet and that I’m lucky enough to find love as pure and immense as yours. I love you, Sophie. She handed the pen to Brett. “Would you like to write something?”
“I’d love to.” He put pen to paper and hesitated, glancing up at her with a strange mix of emotions she couldn’t read, and then his pen moved swiftly over the page.
She was dying to see what he wrote, but her father’s voice boomed through the yard, catching them both by surprise.
“There’s my city girl.” Her father was a dead ringer for Dennis Quaid, soft around the edges, unless you messed with his family. Then hell hath no fury like Del Roberts.
“Hi, Daddy.”
He drew her into a hug, then held her by the shoulders and took a good hard look at her, as he always did. “Sugarplum, whatever this Brett guy’s got going on looks good on you.” He winked at Brett and said, “Don’t make me regret saying that, ya hear? Because if you hurt my baby girl, I’ll take you down like a hurricane.”
Brett stood up a little straighter and said, “Yes, sir. Understood.” He held a hand out in greeting. “Brett Bad. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Del Roberts, and right back at ya, son.” He swatted his hand away and pulled Brett into a manly embrace. “You a football fan, Brett?” he asked as they parted.
“Yes, sir.” Brett’s arm swept around Sophie’s waist. “For as long as I can remember.”
“Well, good, because my girl loves football, and she can’t be with a sissy city boy.” Her father ran a scrutinizing gaze down Brett’s body.
“Dad!” Sophie glared at him. “Brett is manlier than any farm boy out here.”
“Thanks, baby,” Brett said. “Del, I might be a city boy, but I’m into sports, working out, driving my Harley, and most importantly, your daughter. What else would you like to know?”
Her father crossed his arms and said, “Can you ride a horse?”
“Oh my gosh, Dad.” Sophie rolled her eyes. Her father was an accountant, but his heart would always be on her grandfather’s farm, where he still helped out when he could. He’d been heartbroken when Sophie had left home for college and still held on to the hope that she might come back and settle down there ever since. She didn’t think she ever would, but she loved coming back for visits, and one day, when she had children, she’d like to spend more time there.
Brett shook his head. “I have never ridden, but that’s not to say I can’t, or I’m not willing to. And I’d put money down that if you give me a week, I’ll be roping cattle.”
“A man with no fear,” her father said with a slap on Brett’s back. “That’s what I like to hear.”
His gaze moved over their shoulders, and a spark of love rose in his eyes. Sophie knew that look so well, she wasn’t surprised when her mother pushed between them and looped her arms through each of theirs.
“Brace yourself, sweethearts,” her mother said conspiratorially. “Everyone wants to meet Sophie’s beau.”
“Mom, can’t you give him a chance to—”
“It’s okay, baby. I want to meet your friends,” Brett assured her.
Her mother turned toward her with a smile in her eyes and mouthed, Baby!
Sophie laughed. “Mom, please don’t make this awkward.”
“Me?” She pulled them toward the crowd. “Awkward doesn’t exist in this family. We have to find Nana and Poppi before Nana bursts from nosiness. When she heard you two were inside putting your things away, she wanted to charge up those stairs. But I told her, ‘Nana, they’re young, and they’re going to want some alone time. Besides, Sophie needs to butter up her beau with kisses before bombarding him with friends and family.’”
“Mom! Sorry, Brett. I haven’t brought a guy home since high school. I forgot just how embarrassing it could be.”
“Oh, honey, please. Remember that time you snuck all the way down the creek to kiss Mikey White?”
“Oh my gosh. Please put me out of my misery before it gets any worse,” Sophie pleaded.
Brett smiled and said, “I’d like to hear the creek story.”
“She was ten years old,” her mother said, “and it was at one of Nana and Poppi’s anniversary parties. She and Mikey snuck all the way down the creek because Sophie didn’t want anyone to see them. Well, what she didn’t know was that Lindsay, who had taken after me with her love of photography, was stalking them. You see, Sophie made the mistake of telling her younger sister that she was going to get her first kiss. And Lindsay, being the thoughtful girl she was, wanted to get it on film so Sophie would never forget.”
“Did she get the picture?” Brett asked. “Did you get your first kiss, Soph?”
“She got her kiss all right. And Linds got the picture,” her mother answered.
“It’s hanging by the stairs,” Sophie said flatly. “Screwed into the wall by my grandfather, because I’ve taken it down so many times.”
Brett laughed. “That’s adorable. So, what happened to Mikey White?”
“He’s gay and married to the man of his dreams,” Sophie said. “His one and only girl kiss is forever commemorated on our walls. And no, I did not turn him gay. If I hear that joke one more time I’ll punch someone. As if you could turn a person one way or another.”
“I think it’s adorable.” Brett reached behind her mother and touched Sophie’s back. “I just wish I were your first.”
“Oh boy, do I like you,” her mother said.
Her mother dragged them around the yard, introducing Brett as Sophie’s beau to friends and neighbors and explaining how she knew each one. Clare was Sophie’s second-grade teacher and Sophie babysat Bobby when he was a boy. Brett went with the flow, shaking hands and reciprocating embraces, and he was quick to reach for Sophie after he was released from their clutches. The way he reached for her, keeping her close, and the tender kisses he pressed to her cheek, or hand, or head in between each introduction made her warm all over.
As they neared her grandmother, they stopped to greet Grace’s mother, Marilynn Montgomery. She had been like a second mother to Sophie, Lindsay, and many other kids in town. With seven children of her own, her house had been a gathering place for all ages.
Marilynn hugged Brett, then settled her hand on her hip and said, “My Gracie told me about you.”
Brett flashed a nervous smile. “Should I start apologizing now?” He reached for Sophie and said, “I am really sorry that what you heard is probably true, but it turns out I’m a little slow on the uptake. I’m a much better man with Sophie in my life.”
“Oh goodness. You are charming. Do you by any chance have a few single brothers for my girls?” Marilynn asked.
“Sorry. They’re all taken, but I’ll keep my eyes open.”
“Well, that’s okay,” Marilynn said. “I’d really like to get Grace and her sister Pepper back to Oak Falls. I think we need some new male blood in this area.”
“If you find some, let’s get my Lindsay in on the dating game,” her mother said. “That girl’s got no interest in settling down with one man.”
“Maybe she just hasn’t met the right one yet,” Brett suggested, eyeing Sophie.
Sophie caught that shooting star and hung on for the ride.
Her mother guided them through the crowd toward her grandmother. “You picked a good man, Sophie. Let’s hope your grandmother doesn’t scare him off.”
Her grandmother looked up from the phone she and three of her friends were studying. She set her blue-gray eyes on Brett and said, “What is this I hear about scaring someone off? Are they telling lies about me?”
“No, Nana.” Sophie hugged her, inhaling the familiar scent of her perfume. “Nana, this is my boyfriend, Brett.” She loved saying that. My boyfriend. And she loved the proud look in Brett’s eyes when she said it even more.
Nana waved a hand dismissively, mischief dancing in her eyes. Her grandmother looked as sweet as could be, with layered white hair that still had strands of blond mixed in and just enough makeup to appear younger than her age but not like she was trying too hard. Her smart linen blouse and slacks gave her an air of properness that was often obliterated when she opened her mouth. Sophie loved Nana even more for her lack of filter, despite the fact that she might embarrass her.
“I know who this is, and so does everyone else on this lawn. You, my dear”—Nana pointed at Brett—“are the talk of the party. And now I see why. Tall, dark, and delicious is not a difficult way to go through life. We were just checking out a few Tumblr pages, and those boys have nothing on you.”
The women behind her nodded and murmured in agreement.
Sophie exchanged an amused glance with her mother, who said, “Brett, this is my mother, Nina, but you can call her Nana.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Nana. It’s nice to meet you.” Brett opened his arms, clearly catching on to the Robertses’ way of greeting friends.
“Is Bad your real last name?” Nana asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” Brett said. “I guess the naming gods had a sense of humor.” He put his arm around Sophie and pressed a kiss to her temple. “But I assure you, as far as your granddaughter goes, I have only the best of intentions.”
“Well, that’ll get you in her father’s graces, but I don’t think it’ll get you very far in the long run.” Nana leaned closer to him and said, “Women like to be loved up, if you know what I mean.”
“Nana!” Sophie chided her.
Brett drew his shoulders back with a half-laugh, half-shocked sound and said, “Happy anniversary, Nana. Fifty years is quite a milestone.”
Sophie breathed a little easier, thankful he’d redirected the conversation.
“Fifty years is just enough to get to know each other’s hot spots.” Nana elbowed Brett and added, “If you know what I mean.”
“Nana!” Sophie slipped her arm around Brett’s waist.
“I can see you’ve finally figured out how to use those feminine wiles of yours. Now I understand why Lindsay dragged that hunky guy I brought for you down to the creek.”
Thank you, Lindsay. “Okay…Where’s Poppi?” Sophie scanned the crowd. “I’m afraid you might drool on my man if we stay here too long.”
“Now, there’s an idea,” Nana said, laughing loudly and making the rest of them laugh, too. She leaned in closer to Brett and said, “I like you. A good man doesn’t get embarrassed. He takes the ball and runs with it.”
“Thank you, Nana. I like you, too.” Brett chuckled.
Nana pointed across the yard. “Poppi’s over by the barn with Chet Hudson and his nephew, Scotty. Such a nice man. They’re teaching Scotty to hike the ball.”
“Nana and Poppi had a small kitchen fire a few years ago, and Chet was one of the firefighters on duty,” Sophie explained. “He’s been like family ever since.”
Nana touched Sophie’s hand and said, “Look at Poppi, tossing the ball to that boy. Isn’t he the sweetest?”
“I see a love of football runs in the family,” Brett said.
“You don’t think Sophie picked it up out in the city, do you? We might be country folk,” Nana said, “but we have our priorities straight, and football is right up there with Sunday brunch.” She reached up and touched Brett’s biceps, then patted his cheek. “I bet you played football. With all those muscles, it’d be a shame if you didn’t.” She peered around him, checking out his backside.
“Nana, stop!” Sophie said with an incredulous laugh. “That’s my boyfriend’s butt.”
“Tsk. I was checking out his hamstrings. Although his derriere is quite nice.”
Sophie hugged her and said, “I love you, Nana, but I’m taking Brett to meet Poppi before you start talking about leaving his balls on the field.”
“Don’t be silly, sugar. The way he’s looking at you tells me they’re right where they belong.”
“About those Tumblr pages…” her mother said to Nana, pushing her away from Sophie and Brett.
“Sorry. I told you my family members have no filter.”
“Soph, I love your family. My grandparents aren’t around anymore, and I’d give anything to have them in my life, even if they made inappropriate comments like Nana. I think she’s adorable, and it’s easy to see where you get your sass from.”
“You really don’t wish you’d stayed in the city?”
“No, not even a little. Let’s conquer your grandfather so we can sneak off and make out by the creek. I might not be able to be your first boyfriend kiss, but maybe I can be your last.”
A STEADY STREAM of visitors came and went throughout the day, each taking time to chat with Sophie and Brett. He had met so many people he needed a roster to keep track. The party was markedly different from the events he was used to attending. No one was checking their phones or rushing to get to the next thing on their agenda. It was like he’d stepped into another world, where nothing mattered except catching up with friends and family and enjoying the moment. And what a beautiful collection of moments it was. Long after meeting Sophie’s grandfather, who was just as much of a jokester as the rest of her family, the sun dipped from the sky, and guests danced as Sable and Axsel, who was about as laid-back as Carson, played their guitars.
Brett stood by the makeshift bar gazing at Sophie and her father dancing beneath the lights. A few feet away, her grandparents danced cheek to cheek, swaying with the grace that told of a long, loving history.
“How long have you and Sophie been going out?” the bartender, Justus “JJ” Jericho, asked. He was a nice guy with an affable personality and a shock of dark hair poking out from beneath his cowboy hat.
“Not nearly long enough,” Brett said thoughtfully. Something had happened to him today, or maybe it had been happening for a week, or two years. He had no idea how long, or why, but his worries about being in a committed relationship with Sophie seemed like a distant memory. He wondered if it was because they were away from the constant reminders of his family falling apart, which came at him from all angles when he was in the city, or if this was enough of a break to let him finally remember what it felt like to be truly happy. There was so much joy all around them, and he knew this was only a moment of time, a snapshot of their lives, but it reminded him of happier times. And man, had he missed them.
He returned his attention to JJ and asked, “How about you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Me?” JJ scoffed. “I wish, but no. Too many women have money signs in their eyes when they hear I own a bar.”
“I can relate to that. My brother and I own an international security firm.” He’d seen those dollar signs JJ mentioned too many times to count, but never from Sophie.
“Drink or date?” JJ asked as Lindsay and his sister, Trixie, approached. Sophie had introduced Brett to Trixie earlier. She was a quick-witted, long-haired brunette, and looked every bit the cowgirl in her jeans, boots, and a plaid shirt tied at the waist.
“Gross. I’m your sister,” Trixie teased. “And I’m pretty sure Sophie would kick my ass if I tried to hook up with her man.”
“Drink,” Lindsay said to JJ. “Something fruity, please. Brett, are you and Sophie sticking around after Mom and Dad go to bed?”
Sophie had mentioned that after the older generations had turned in for the night, she, Lindsay, and whichever friends were still around, would hang out and catch up over drinks. As anxious as he was to get Sophie alone, he was enjoying getting to know more about her through her friends and family. “Whatever Sophie wants.”
“Well, considering my very proper sister brought a guy home for the first time in forever and your stuff is in her bedroom,” Lindsay said, “I’d say we all know what she wants.”
Trixie high-fived Lindsay, and they both laughed.
Brett chuckled. He gazed out at Sophie dancing with her father and made his way around the dance area, taking in the vast number of friends still there. His mind traveled to his own family. He was close with his mother and brothers, but he’d never seen so much love in one place as he had over the past few hours. It was no wonder Sophie wanted it all. This was what she knew, what she expected of the world and of relationships. A life full of endless love and family, a husband she could count on for fifty-plus years.
Her voice sailed through his mind. One day you’ll wake up and realize I’m the best there is. There was no doubt Sophie was the best there was. But the word best didn’t sit well with him. What he felt for her had nothing to do with how she compared to anyone else. He was falling for the woman she was, and today he’d been privileged to see another side of her. The country girl who threw her head back when she laughed and blushed at stories of her childhood. The girl who danced with the young man she’d once babysat and the adoring daughter who looked at her father like he was bigger than life.
There had been a time when he’d looked at his own father that way. A time when his sister had looked at him that way, too.
“She’s always been a daddy’s girl,” Angel said as she came to Brett’s side.
Brett smiled, blinking away the emotions he was struggling with. “Your daughter is an incredible woman. I should have led with that when I met you, but—”
“You were shell-shocked?” Angel gazed out at her husband and daughter. “Our family can be a bit much.”
“Your family is exactly as a family should be. My mother would fit in well here.” Even after all his family had endured, his mother’s walls had never gone up the way his, and the rest of their family’s, had.
“And your father?” she asked carefully.
Brett clenched his jaw, his emotions roiling again. “Maybe at one point, but…” After my sister died, we all changed. “Life’s taken its toll on him. He’s not a happy man.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and tilted her head, as if she were thinking.
He saw Sophie in her expression.
“You know, Sophie’s pretty tight-lipped about her personal life, but she’s mentioned you to me quite a few times over the last couple of years.”
“She has?” A wave of pleasure swept through him and just as quickly he cringed inwardly, thinking of all the times he’d propositioned her. “I’m afraid to ask…”
Angel patted his arm and said, “Let’s just say that she saw right through you. I tried to tell her to be careful with her heart and that if you were a playboy, you might always be. But my Sophie is as stubborn as her father, and she’s also quite intuitive. She said, ‘Mom, sometimes you know there’s more to a person than even they see.’” Angel put her hand over her heart and looked lovingly at Sophie. “The little rascal threw my own words back at me. It’s exactly what I said about her father.”
“I don’t know what I’m more shocked by. Sophie seeing so much in me, or knowing her father hasn’t always been perfect.”
“Oh, I never said Del wasn’t perfect. He might not have been perfect for some women, but he has always been perfect for me. What do you say we dance over to my perfectly flawed husband and your brilliant, all-knowing girlfriend and cut in?”
He offered her his arm. “Angel, I like your style.”
Sophie watched them approach with a soft and adoring gaze. Could he give her everything she wanted and deserved? He sure as hell would do everything within his power to try.
“You know, there are all types of people in this world, and if we judged everyone by who they were before they met their special someone, why, even I might not be such a gem in some people’s eyes,” Angel said as they danced toward Sophie and Del. “Don’t ever apologize for who you’ve been. Whatever you’ve gone through has made you the man you are today, and you make my daughter happy. I see it in her smile and the way she is with you. That tells me what I need to know.”
“Thank you, Angel. Now I see where Sophie learned to be so forgiving.”
“We’re only forgiving of those who deserve it,” she said with a smile. “You’re also a very good dancer. But my little girl looks like she’s ready to be in your arms.”
“And that guy over there has been eyeing you all night.” He motioned toward Del, who was looking at Angel with the same emotional gaze Sophie had locked on him. They danced over, and Brett and Del exchanged a silent nod of appreciation.
As Angel and Del danced away, Brett lifted Sophie’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Sweet Sophie, may I have this dance?”
A tender smile lifted her lips as she walked into his arms. “There’s no one I’d rather dance with.”
Sophie rested her head on his chest, one hand around his neck, the other resting half on his jaw, half on his cheek. He felt himself leaning into her familiar caress as they danced beneath the lights.
He touched his cheek to hers and whispered, “I can’t get close enough.”
“Me, either,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes as emotions whirled inside him. “What have you done to me, sweet Sophie? I don’t ever want to let you go.”
“Be careful,” she said so softly. “I might believe you.”