“Look, Violet, I’m sorry about last week. You were right. I do still want to be with her.”
He expected a gasp or a cheer or at least some sort of reaction, but Violet was silent.
“Violet? Do you forgive me?” Had he ruined yet another relationship?
“Nothing to forgive. I knew you’d eventually come to your senses. You should call her.”
“That’s the thing. I tried, but some guy has her number now, and her firm said she quit and is moving.”
There was a sharp inhale on the other end of the phone.
“So you didn’t know?” Spencer dropped to the couch and cradled his head in his hands.
But he held on to one last shred of hope. “You said she wanted me to ask her to stay. Do you think there’s any chance she’s coming back here?” He couldn’t take a breath as he waited for Violet to say yes, she thought that was exactly what Sophie was doing.
The silence stretched too long. Finally, Violet sighed. “I hope so, Spencer.”
“But you don’t think so.” The words cut at Spencer’s throat.
“No, I don’t.” Violet’s voice was gentle. “I’m sorry.”
Spencer almost hung up. But he forced himself to ask one more question.
“Do you have her last address?”
Chapter 32
Sophie sat up straighter in the driver’s seat. It was as if she were seeing Hope Springs for the first time. The stores dotting the hillside, the boats dipping up and down in the marina, the lake, bathed in the pinks and oranges of sunset. This was her home. How had she ever doubted it?
A peaceful sensation washed over her. Thank you for leading me back, she breathed in silent prayer.
Even the sight of her parents’ house didn’t leave her with the same tension she’d felt two months ago when she’d come home. She pulled the car to a stop behind the garage and blew out a breath. She hadn’t had the nerve to call ahead to let them know she was coming. And now she had to tell them that not only did she want to stay with them indefinitely, but she’d quit at the one thing she’d ever done to make them proud.
Her mother answered the door on the second ring. Her eyes widened at the sight of her daughter on her doorstep, but she took a step back to let Sophie in. “Sophie. This is a surprise.” The way she said it, Sophie almost thought she might mean it was a pleasant surprise.
“Sorry to just show up like this.” Sophie set her purse on the table in the entryway. She’d left the rest of her stuff in the car for now.
“You’re always welcome here. You know that.” Sophie stared at her mother. Did she know that?
“We were about to eat dinner. Come join us. There’s plenty.”
We? “Oh, if you have company, I can—”
“What are you talking about? It’s just us. Come on, your father will be happy to see you. He thought it was kids selling cookies at the door.”
Sophie gaped after her mother’s retreating form. Her parents were both home? And eating dinner together? Was she in the right house?
Sophie followed Mom to the kitchen, where she was already pulling out another plate and glass.
“Hey, pumpkin.” Sophie’s father stood to give her a hug.
It took a moment for her to return it, she was so flabbergasted. “Hi, Dad.”
Her mother dished a pile of spaghetti onto her plate and passed it to her. “So to what do we owe this surprise visit?”
Sophie took a big bite, chewing to give herself time to think. But in the end, there was no choice but to tell the truth. “Actually, it’s a little more than a visit. I’ve decided to move back to Hope Springs.” They both looked up from their plates in surprise. It was a new sensation, having both of her parents’ eyes on her. “I’ll find an apartment,” she added quickly. “But I was hoping I could stay here until I do.”
“What about your job?” Her mother had always been a straight-to-the-point kind of woman.
Sophie swallowed a drink of water. “I quit.” She hated how meek her voice was. “I’m sorry. I know you guys are disappointed, but I couldn’t—”
“What makes you think we’re disappointed?” Her father shoved a bite in his mouth and pointed his fork at her.
“Well, I mean, first— And now I—” She fumbled. Tried again. “But I wasn’t happy, and—”
Mom laid down her fork. “If you think being here in Hope Springs will make you happy, then that’s what you should do.”
Sophie lifted her head, searched Mom’s eyes for the judgment she knew would come. But as far as she could tell, Mom was being sincere. Sophie dropped her head and focused on the table, running her fingers over the polished wood.
“Okay, thanks.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. She’d been prepared to argue, to defend her choices, to walk away and find somewhere else to stay if she had to. But acceptance—that she wasn’t prepared for.
“Do you have any thoughts about what you might do here?” Dad asked.
Sophie shook her head.
“We might have something, if you’re interested.” With one sentence, Mom offered her what she’d wanted her whole life. What she’d been striving for—their approval.
But she realized now, it wasn’t what she needed. “Thanks, but I’m not sure yet what I want to do.” Maybe she should tell them about Spencer, too, while they were in an accepting mood, but first she had to see how he felt—if he’d welcome her back as warmly as they had.
Mom got up and rummaged in the fridge, emerging a few seconds later with a cheesecake.
Sophie’s mouth watered. “Is that from the Hidden Cafe?”
Her mother nodded. “We actually got it to celebrate.”
Sophie looked from one to the other. What was the date? July twentieth. It wasn’t either of their birthdays or their anniversary. Not that they usually celebrated that anyway.
“What’s the occasion?”
Her parents looked at each other, and Sophie saw something pass between them that she hadn’t seen in a long time. Her father laid his hand on top of her mother’s, and Sophie fought to keep her mouth from dropping open. “It’s been one month since we recommitted to our marriage.”
“Recommitted to—?” What did that even mean?
“After you left last time, I read Nana’s journal. And I kept thinking about what you said. About shutting the world out.” Mom’s eyes shone with tears, and Sophie could only stare as Dad tightened his grip on Mom’s hand.
Sophie wanted to crawl under the table. She never should have talked to Mom that way. “I’m sorry, I had no right—”
Mom shook her head. “I’m glad you did. It opened my eyes to some things. We’ve been in counseling together, and it’s”—she blew out a breath—“it’s going well. We have a long way to go, but we’re healing together. In a way we never did before. A way I never let us.”
Sophie couldn’t wrap her head around what was happening. It seemed impossible this was the same family she’d left two months ago.
“Actually, we wanted to call you, to see if maybe you’d want to talk. If maybe you could forgive us.” Mom swiped at a fresh cascade of tears.
Dad cleared his throat. “We realize that a lot of things in our family fell apart after Jordan died.” It was the first time Sophie had heard him use her brother’s name since the day they’d buried him, and she swallowed against the sudden lump.
“I’m afraid you were the one who suffered a lot of the hurt and anger and confusion I was feeling. Maybe—” The uncertainty in Mom’s voice unraveled Sophie, and she had to swipe at her own tears.
“Maybe you’d like to come to counseling with us sometime,” Mom finished.
It took a moment before Sophie could answer. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
A mixture of nerves and hope swirled in Sophie’s belly.
This was what she’d come back to Hope Springs for. She felt wrung out from last night’s emotional reunion with her parents, but in a way, it felt as if that was what she’d needed to be a
ble to face this moment. She drove into Spencer’s driveway, trying not to think of the last time she had pulled out of it. Trying not to remember how she’d left him. Again.
It was a lot to ask him to forgive her. To expect him to give her another chance.
But she wasn’t going to be too proud to ask for it this time.
She frowned as she stopped in front of Spencer’s house. His truck wasn’t in the driveway. But her parents had assured her that they hadn’t bought the property, after all. Which meant he’d have to be back sometime.
So she’d wait for him.
For as long as it took.
This time, she wasn’t going anywhere.
Sophie parked and climbed out of the car, inhaling the soothing scents of cut grass and bee balm. She could stand here and just breathe this air all day.
The sound of little-boy giggles from the backyard drew her attention, and her lips lifted into a smile. She followed the sound and found Tyler chasing his sons across the lawn, tickling them whenever he caught them, then pretending to be defeated and let them go.
Lucas spotted her first and came running over, followed two steps behind by William.
Sophie crouched to accept their hugs. Their sticky fingers were warm and welcoming on her bare arms.
“Where’d you go?” Lucas asked. “We missed you.”
Sophie ruffled his downy hair. “Sorry about that, buddy. I missed you, too. I had to do some stuff in Chicago, but I’m back now.”
“Chicago?” William tipped his head at her. “What’s that?”
“What are you doing here?” Tyler towered over her, frowning, and Sophie pushed to her feet.
“I’m—” Sophie faltered. She’d been sure Tyler would be on her side. “I came back,” she finished lamely.
“I see that. But—”
“Wait, Tyler. Before you go telling me not to break your brother’s heart again, let me just say I won’t. I won’t.” Her voice was firm. She was sure this time. “This is where I want to be. He’s the one I want to be with. I’m not running anymore.”
“Actually—” A slow grin tripped across Tyler’s face. “I was just going to say that Spencer isn’t here. He’s in Chicago. Looking for you.”
Chapter 33
After driving around the block three times, Spencer finally found a parking spot in front of the address Violet had given him.
Sophie’s address. If she hadn’t moved yet.
He whispered a quick prayer for guidance, then jumped out of his truck and leaned back, lifting a hand to shield his eyes from the glint of the sun off the skyscraper’s glass. The building was exactly the kind of place Sophie would choose—all sleek lines and elegance.
He stopped himself from leaping back into his truck and hightailing it out of there. She might think this was the kind of place she belonged, but he knew better. He’d seen her in his workshop, running her hands over their bench. Watched her opening up to friends at the Hidden Cafe. Laughed with her, mud-covered and adorable, in his orchard. The Sophie he knew belonged with him. Whether she knew it yet or not.
Spencer squared his shoulders and marched to the glass doors at the front of the building.
Inside, he pulled up short in the marble-floored lobby. A large fountain in the middle of the room bubbled cheerfully. He squared his shoulders. He may not be able to offer her marble fountains, but he had a bubbling creek just for her.
“Can I help you, sir?”
Spencer turned toward the voice from the other side of the lobby and approached the reception desk. “I’m looking for Sophie Olsen. Could you direct me to her apartment?”
The burly man behind the desk frowned at him. “Do you know Ms. Olsen?”
“Of course I know her. I’m her— We’re—” Spencer stopped. What were he and Sophie? They weren’t exactly in a relationship right now. But they weren’t nothing to each other, either. Spencer debated saying soul mates, but that would sound a little weird.
“I highly doubt that.” The man behind the counter spoke as if he’d read Spencer’s mind. “If you’re so close to her, you’d know she doesn’t live here anymore.”
Spencer’s shoulders fell and all the hope that had sustained him during the five-hour drive to Chicago slithered out of him. He’d known it was a long shot, but he’d been so sure that this was the Lord’s plan for him.
“You wouldn’t happen to have her new address?”
The look the man gave him said he wouldn’t tell Spencer if he did.
He shuffled toward the fountain and sat down, hard, letting his fingers trail in the icy water. Now what, Lord?
The prospect of driving home exhausted him.
His phone pealed, but Spencer ignored it, letting it go to voice mail.
Two minutes later, it rang again.
The man behind the reception desk cleared his throat and shot him a pointed look.
Spencer pulled out his phone. Tyler.
His big brother probably wanted an update. Too bad he’d been wrong to think Sophie was sitting down here just waiting for him.
He answered the phone as he pushed out the building’s front door.
The sun glared at him, and he ducked his head. “She’s not here, Tyler. I was too late.” His bitterness shocked even him.
“Spencer.”
He froze. It wasn’t Tyler.
“Sophie?” He hardly dared think it, and yet he knew her voice better than he knew his own.
“Hi.” She sounded breathless and light and full of laughter. Spencer tipped his face toward the heavens, letting the warmth of the sun wash over him.
“Wait.” His head snapped back to earth. “How are you on Tyler’s phone? Where are you?”
“I’m in Hope Springs. I’m at your house.”
Spencer’s head spun. “But why?” She was moving to who knows where. So why was she in Hope Springs? At his house?
Sophie laughed again, and the sound filled him. “I was under the impression you’d be here.”
“You were looking for me?” Spencer closed his eyes. Was this really happening?
“I was looking for you, Spencer.” Her voice was soft, a gentle caress.
He leaned against the building. The elegant building she’d just moved out of. To go somewhere better, no doubt. “And then where are you going?”
Silence on the other end. So he’d hit the nail on the head then.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said after what felt like forever. “I’m staying right here.”
Spencer pushed off the cool wall and strode toward his truck. “Then what am I still doing here?”
Chapter 34
Sophie watched the giant machine wrap its metal arms around the cherry tree. A canvas tarp stretched from the machine to circle the tree trunk like giant bat wings. With a vigorous shake, the cherries toppled from the tree into the tarp. A moment later, the machine’s arms had retracted, folding up the tarp and neatly sending the cherries onto a conveyor belt that led to a series of cold-water tanks at the back of the truck. She plucked four cherries off the belt, then handed one each to Lucas and William and popped another in her mouth.
“I saw that.” Spencer smiled as he climbed down from the cherry picker and walked over.
She held out the last cherry. “It’s okay. I held on to one as a bribe.”
He took it but didn’t eat it. Instead, he leaned down to give her a deep kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. If she lived a hundred years, she’d never get tired of kissing this man.
“All right, enough of that.” Tyler’s mock-stern voice carried to them. “There are children here.”
Sophie laughed as Spencer pulled away.
“Actually—” Tyler gave Spencer a look Sophie couldn’t read. “These munchkins need some lunch anyway. How about we take a break?”
“Goodie!” Lucas cried. “Can we have Aunt Sophie mac ’n’ cheese again?”
“Hey!” Tyler put on an offended face. “I can cook.”
They’d been harvesting together all week, and Sophie had made the boys mac ’n’ cheese two days in a row already. Apparently, the gloppy mess she made of it appealed to them more than their dad’s burnt noodles.
“Sure.” Sophie reached to grab their hands.
Spencer cleared his throat. “Actually, I was hoping we could have a picnic today.”
“Yay!” Both boys danced around Spencer, chanting, “Picnic, picnic!”
“Boys!” Tyler had to yell to be heard over them. They both stopped and turned big eyes on him. “I think Uncle Spencer wants to have a picnic with just Aunt Sophie.”
The boys directed their pitiful gazes at Spencer. Sophie gave his arm a light shove. There was no way he’d be able to resist them.
But he ruffled their hair and told them to have a good lunch.
“You can come next time,” Sophie called after them as they followed their father toward the house, stopping to pick up the cherries that had fallen in the grass along the way.
“That was nice of your brother. To give us some time alone.” They hadn’t had much of that since Spencer had come rushing home from Chicago and swept her up in his arms. The harvest had kept them all busy. But Sophie had enjoyed every moment of it.
“Yeah, he’s a prince,” Spencer said wryly. He ducked his head into the cab of the cherry picker and emerged a few seconds later holding a picnic basket. “Actually, he’s been a lifesaver. I don’t think I could have bought this place without him.” His eyes were on her, and she knew he was waiting. She’d already apologized for telling her parents to make an offer on the place. But she needed to say more.
“I’m glad you bought it, Spencer. It’s your heritage. And I know how much you love it. Plus—” She plucked another cherry out of the water. “I really think you’ll make it successful.”
Spencer lashed the picnic basket to the ATV. “Thank you.” He held a hand out to her, and she took it. “That means a lot.”
They both climbed onto the vehicle.
“So where are we going?”
Not Until Forever (Hope Springs Book 1) Page 19