Sophie's Heart (52 page)

“Okay, let me ask you this: How do you feel about Sophie working here?”

“It’s fine,” Craig said.

“Yeah,” Rita agreed. “I can’t imagine life without her right now.”

“Okay. Now, how do you feel about my dating Sophie?”

Craig did not find this one so easy to answer. Rita had no problem with it, but feared to say this before Craig had his say.

“It feels kind of funny,” he admitted, and then looked at his father again. Emotions surged through him and tears flooded his eyes. For once he did nothing to hide them. “I think it might be kind of weird, I mean,” he sniffed but kept on. “She’s been our housekeeper, but she’s been more than that. Why should you—” He had to stop for a moment, and then he went on in a very measured voice. He knew he sounded as confused as he felt. “Rita, Tory, and I are all going to grow up and find someone to marry. Why should you be alone? I can’t say as the idea won’t take some getting used to, but if you want to date Sophie, I think you should.”

“You’re sure, Craig. I don’t want you angry and then hiding it.”

“I’m not angry. It’s just been so comfortable the way it is. If you start holding Sophie’s hand and kissing her, well, I just don’t—”

Alec laughed a little. “I think you’re being a bit premature. Sophie hasn’t agreed to anything. And even if she did, Craig, I don’t want to rush this.”

He nodded, and Alec felt free to turn to Rita. She, too, had tears in her eyes, but she spoke with calm assurance.

“I hope you marry her,” she nearly whispered as the tears ran down her face. “I hope you fall so far in love that you never hurt over Mom again. And I hope that she loves you back until you’re both old and gray.”

It was too much for Alec. His hands came to his eyes and sobs racked his frame. Never ashamed of their father’s tears, the kids came and put their arms around him. He cried as he thanked them and told them how much he loved them both. The tears continued as he told them that they meant more than anything. If they didn’t want this, they only had to say so.

God moved in Craig’s heart, and he ended up encouraging his father to follow his heart. Rita offered to talk with Tory about it, but Alec actually laughed and reminded them that he hadn’t even talked to Sophie.

“Talk to her soon, Dad.”

“I will, Rita. I hope to tonight when she comes in.”

Craig nodded with satisfaction. It might seem strange at first, but he could see it was going to be all right. It was a little funny that, after all his hesitancy, it never even occurred to him that Sophie would turn his father down.

Forty-Four

I
t was 9:15 and Sophie was still not home. Alec was certain of this since he’d walked to the door of the kitchen and looked up the stairway to the apartment every few minutes for the last two hours. Several times he told himself that he missed her, so he walked up and knocked, but she did not answer her door. It was dark by the time he decided to go look for her. It wasn’t what you’d call a search, since he was only going to one place, but he could no longer stay still. Rita had just popped a bowlful of popcorn and settled down in front of a movie, so he explained to her.

“Will you be gone long?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you want me to come?”

“No. Craig’s in his room and might not hear the phone should Tory call. The keys to the truck are in the kitchen.”

“Right. I’ll take care of everything until you get back.”

Alec could have used a run, especially since he wasn’t going that far, but the mosquitoes were thick right now. He opted for the van. Letting the air conditioner blow on him, he sat for a moment and prayed.

I will have to sleep tonight, Lord, whether or not I know where she is. I need to trust You for this, but I want to see her so much. Maybe she won’t be where I’m headed, but please let her be home when I return. And most of all, let me rest in You
.

Alec had no assurance that he would see Sophie tonight, but he forced his mind to verses that assured him that God was there for both of them and perfect peace could be found in Him alone. He sang songs of praise as he backed from the garage and started down the street. He asked himself all types of questions, from whether he had a right to approach Sophie like this, to whether or not he was ready to risk love again.

Before he had any answers, he was in front of the Nickelberry home. He had done some work on this house years ago and knew that there was a finished basement with an outside entrance. The upstairs was still lit up, but so was a window at the side of the house on the basement level. Alec walked along the path that led down to the backyard and the exposed lower level. He spotted Sophie through the sheer curtain and for just a moment stood and watched her. She was half lying on the sofa, a book in her hands. She couldn’t have had any clue to his arrival since she lay completely relaxed. With a prayer for wisdom, Alec walked up and knocked at the door. A moment later the outside light came on and Sophie peeked out. She opened the door slowly, and Alec stepped in. Sophie stood back as soon as she had shut the door, and they stared at each other.

“How are children?” Sophie managed at last.

“They’re fine. Tory’s actually spending the night at Crystal’s.”

“This is good.”

“Yes,” Alec agreed inanely, making his eyes glance around the room when all he wanted to do was stare at the woman he loved.

“Please sit down.” Sophie remembered her manners and let her eyes caress him as he moved in front of her. His back was so broad, but tonight he looked tired and beaten down as he sat in the chair. Sophie wanted to bury her face against the crisp cotton of his shirt and sob.

“Would you like cold—” She stopped and started over. “Would you like
a
cold drink?”

“That sounds good.”

Alec wasn’t at all thirsty, but he needed to do something with his hands. His eyes followed Sophie much the way hers had followed him, and he thought she looked tired, too.

We belong together, Sophie. We’re both hurting and tired because we belong together and it hasn’t happened yet.

“Thank you,” Alec spoke softly when Sophie handed him a tall glass filled with ice and root beer. It was not lost on him that it was his favorite. She was such a wonderful caregiver to those in her world. Suddenly, Alec had an overwhelming desire to be loved and cherished by her. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with this feeling, so he took a long drink. Sophie, who had sat on the sofa, watched the muscles in his neck as he drank, and then turned her face away. Alec noticed the action and felt defeat wash over him. He slowly lowered the glass.

“I really blew it, didn’t I, Sophie?”

She now looked at him for a long moment.

“Who did you kiss?” she asked softly.

Alec’s brow drew down into a frown. Who did he kiss? He had kissed her. What in the world could she mean? For the first time he felt frustrated with their language barrier, and then told himself he hadn’t heard her right.

“Who did I kiss?”

“Yes.” The short word held all the pain Sophie felt inside. “What woman did you hold in your arms and kiss with your lips? Who was it?”

Her meaning hit Alec so suddenly that for an instant he was robbed of breath. He set his glass aside and joined Sophie on the couch. She moved away slightly, so Alec didn’t reach for her hand as he longed to do. Sophie only eyed him warily, trying to gauge his response.

“I wouldn’t do that to you,” he said.

Sophie looked uncomfortably at the floor, sorry she had even mentioned it. “It would be understanding.”

“I guess it would be, but that’s not what happened.”

She still hadn’t looked at him, but spoke anyway.

“Sophie does not want other woman’s embraces.”

“I realize that, and I swear to you I did not hold you and dream of Vanessa.”

She did not respond at all this time, and Alec saw how deeply she was hurting. The kiss had not been unwelcome as long as it was
her
kiss, and not another woman’s.

“Sophie,” Alec said her name in a way that commanded her attention. She looked up into his eyes. “Give me your hand.”

Sophie did so tentatively, and Alec pulled her a little closer. He then placed her hand flat on his chest. Sophie watched what he was doing until she felt his heart. Her eyes flew to his in alarm, and he whispered, “It’s you who makes my heart beat like that, Sophie. Just you. It was you I held in my arms and kissed, and it’s you I want to get to know. It’s you alone that I’ve thought about all day, and feared I would never see again because I acted too hastily. It’s you, Sophia Velikonja, who makes my heart slam in my chest whenever you’re in the room.”

Sophie took her hand from his chest and covered her mouth, but tears still filled her eyes. “I thought I was substitute.”

“No, Sophie.” Alec’s heart nearly broke. “I would never do that.”

More tears came, and Alec put his arms around her. Sophie cried against him for just a minute and then pulled away. His arms had been so nice and his care of her was so tender, but she must be careful with herself. She was not his wife.

“I am sorry I ran away,” she sniffed a little. “But I did not know what to do.”

“I understand. I shouldn’t have kissed you. It was too soon.”

Sophie looked at him. “Too soon?”

“Yes,” he answered, his eyes dark with intensity. “I want to know you better, Sophie. If you don’t want that, now is the time to say so because I’m going to be coming after you.”

His words thrilled and frightened her all at the same time.

“I am not move too fast.”

“I won’t rush you, but I won’t ignore you either.”

Sophie looked at his eyes as they watched her intently.

“What about the children?”

“Tory doesn’t know, but Rita and Craig have already given their blessing.”

Sophie was shocked speechless. They had talked about her! Alec had discussed this with his children, and they had accepted the situation.

“What did I say wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. I am just surprise.”

“Surprised.”

“Yes, surprised. This is word. I did not think they would ever want this, I mean, if you and I see each other in personal way.” Sophie was proud of how logical she sounded when it felt as if her world had tipped a little on its axis.

“You can believe me when I tell you that they are fine with the idea. I haven’t told Tory yet, but I’m hoping you’ll do that with me.”

“What are we telling her?” Sophie had to hear it from him.

“That we’re dating each other.”

Sophie nodded, her expression serious, but her heart was growing lighter by the second.

“And speaking of which,” Alec went on, “I know it’s already Thursday, but would you have dinner with me on Saturday night?”

Sophie blinked at him. “A date?”

“Yes.”

“With the children?”

Alec’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “No. I love my children and want to share my life with them. But on Saturday night I get you all to myself.”

Sophie couldn’t stop her smile. He made her feel so special.

“If you’re too tired to move your things home tonight, I can come by in the morning.”

The smile died on Sophie’s face. “I cannot.”

Alec watched her without comment, but his expression was open.

“It is not right I should live so close if we are to date,” Sophie explained.

Alec hadn’t thought of this. “Are you still going to work at the house?”

“Yes, but I want to be example,
an
example, to the children, and I cannot live so close and do this.”

Alec nodded. It would probably make it harder to see her, but she was right. The apartment could be a real temptation. Alec nearly shook his head then. He had never had a conversation like this in his life. Instead of dating, you would think they were discussing a business contract, but that wasn’t all bad. It was when emotions got in the way and clouded judgment that mistakes were made.

“Are you going to live here?”

“For a time, but I must look for a place I can afford.”

“I’ll adjust your salary.”

Right away he could see that this was an embarrassment to her. Alec watched her face warm and realized how rarely he had seen her blush. But he also wanted everything out in the open.

“When I hired you, Sophie, I quoted a salary knowing that room and board were taken care of. Now that’s not the case. It’s more than reasonable that I adjust your salary.”

“But it will cost much. Maybe I should look for other job.”

Alec took her hand without thinking. “Please don’t think about that right now. If the cost is more than I can handle, I’ll tell you. I don’t know what the kids would do if you weren’t there right now, and I’d be pretty lost myself.”

“All right,” Sophie agreed. They both realized Alec was still holding her hand. Their eyes dropped to the space between them on the sofa. Alec’s hand was larger and darker and calloused with the work he did every day. Sophie’s hand was not that of a model, but it was soft and slim with tapered nails that made her fingers look very long.

“I’d better get home.”

Sophie looked up to find his eyes on her. She had been staring at their hands.