Matters of the Heart

by Heather M Green

  “You’ll let me know if there’s anything I can do?”

  “Yup. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."

  "You think he'll be okay if we still go?"

  "Yes. Because it was only a mild concussion, he'll be fine. He just needs to rest and he can do that whether or not I'm there. We'll just have to give him a few days before he's back on the basketball court with that finger."

  "It could have been worse." I could see the relief in James' eyes. "You're a good friend," I said softly. "See you tomorrow." I offered a small smile and took my cashew chicken and egg roll into the house. I was confident Andy would be bragging about being one of the segway statistics before we knew it.

  Chapter 14

  Sophie

  “I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m a little nervous,” I admitted to James as we drove the couple of miles to his sister’s house. Not only was he looking great in a white button down shirt, sleeves partially rolled up to reveal muscular forearms, and a tie, which had my mouth watering, but I’d only met Kaley briefly at his birthday party.

  “You definitely don’t need to be nervous about Kaley. She told me on the phone that she just wants to get to know you better. It’s really not that big of a deal,” he reassured me.

  “Did you know that sixty-five percent of mothers and seventy percent of fathers show a preference for one child over another? So which are you?” I pressed my lips together in an effort to not fill the silence with my nervous chatter.

  James laughed a little and glanced at me briefly across the car before returning his eyes to the road. “Need you ask? I’m the favorite, of course.”

  “Would your sister agree with that?”

  “You bet. So you don’t need to ask her. Take my word for it, San Antonio, that I was and always will be the favorite child.”

  It was my turn to laugh. “Whatever you say, golden boy.” I shook my head and reached out a hand and fiddled with the radio until I found a country station. "What do you usually listen too?" I asked when James shot me a questioning glance.

  "Talk radio or, most of the time, nothing."

  "Talk radio? Snore. Once you convert to country, you'll never go back." I turned up the volume and sang along to Sam Hunt.

  "That's assuming I'd convert."

  I threw him a devilish grin.

  "This is classified as country?” James asked after he’d listened to a few measures. “I'm not sure what I expected, but this has more of a pop feel to it."

  "Country is going through an evolutionary phase," I admitted. "I'm partial to more of the old school, but I like a little Luke Bryan and Lee Brice."

  "At least it's not Willie Nelson. He's one I've heard of and never want to hear again."

  "He’s a classic,” I argued. “Mamma's don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys," I twanged.

  "Ugh," James cringed. “Please tell me you don’t really listen to Willie.”

  “Okay. I don’t actually like his stuff,” I admitted.

  The music and a steadying breath calmed me until James announced we had arrived at Kaley’s house. We walked up to the porch still debating the merits of 'my' music when I saw a little face peek through the curtains of the front window. I smiled and waved and the face disappeared. Seconds later, the door opened and two boys launched themselves at James. He gathered them both up with a surprised laugh and carried them into the house.

  “This is Landon,” James informed me, lifting the bigger of the two boys a little higher. “And this is Eli.” He nodded to the other boy and instructed, “This is San Antonio. But you can call her Sophie.” They obediently called out a hello in unison and Eli added, “I’m five.”

  “Nice to meet both of you.” I smiled at them then addressed Eli. “Good thing you’re five so you are big enough to wrestle your uncle.”

  “Show her your muscles,” James told him sending a grin my way.

  Eli lifted an arm up and made a fist. “See my guns?” he asked proudly.

  “You are so strong,” I agreed, my eyes wide with amusement. Adorable. “I knew it. You too, Landon. Both of you take your uncle down.”

  “Hey now…” James objected. Then, “Kaley, we’re here,” he called as we made our way to the living room where he threw the boys on the couch and collapsed on top of them. Kaley came into the room amidst squeals from her boys and greeted me with a hug.

  “Sophie, it’s good to see you again. Glad you could come.”

  “Thank you for having me. It’s good to see you again as well."

  "How is Andy?" She asked James.

  "Sleeping," he chuckled.

  "So, in other words, he's doing great," she interpreted.

  "At least he thinks he is for the next couple hours ‘til the meds wear off."

  "Are you sure it's safe to leave him alone?"

  "He’s only on something a little stronger than Tylenol. Because of the concussion, they can’t give him anything too strong. But he promised not to operate any heavy machinery. He wouldn’t be able to anyway with that splinted finger. We won't stay here too long though."

  "Well, there are just a few more things to finish, then we can eat."

  "What can I help with?” I asked.

  “It’s just about ready, but come with me. I’m sure I can find something for you to do to save you from the madness in here.” She looked pointedly at James and shook her head then motioned for me to follow her. I laughed and stepped into the kitchen where delicious smells were coming from the oven.

  I breathed in deeply. “Something smells delicious.” My stomach growled loudly in agreement and I placed a hand on it and blushed as Kaley laughed.

  “We’d better get some food in that stomach before you die right here on my floor. Will you put these breadsticks in that basket?” she asked, pointing to the basket on the counter. “And there is a salad in the fridge. I’ll get the chicken parmesan out of the oven and we’ll be ready.” I placed the salad and breadsticks on the table as James came into the kitchen.

  “Where do you want us?” he asked Kaley.

  “Will you please round up the boys and get them in here?” I watched as she began fixing plates for both of her boys and wondered where her husband was.

  As if she read my mind, Kaley glanced up from the plates and said, “Sophie, you can pick any seat. Mark won’t be here for a while. He’s still at the church doing his clerk stuff.”

  I chose a seat and unfolded my napkin on my lap when laughter erupted from the hall and James stomped into the kitchen, a nephew sitting on each foot, small arms wrapped around his legs. He lifted a leg and set it on a chair one at a time so each boy could slide onto his chair in turn, then he took the seat next to me. Kaley asked James to offer a blessing over the food and we dug in.

  “How is your nephew doing, Sophie?” Kaley asked when everyone was eating and the only sound around the table was happy chewing.

  I lifted my napkin to wipe my mouth and answered, “He is doing so well, thanks to James.” I smiled up at him.

  “He’s a strong boy,” James said, easily transferring credit from himself.

  “Modesty is new for you,” Kaley observed. “It looks good. Surprising, but good.”

  “Come on now,” James objected. “I’m the most humble, modest person you know. Admit it.”

  “Right after she admits that you are the favorite child of the family?” I asked mischievously.

  James leaned close. “We weren’t going to mention that, remember?” he said in a stage whisper. Kaley scoffed at him while simultaneously grabbing a napkin to mop up Eli’s spilled milk.

  “Oops.” I put my hand to my mouth. “I must have forgotten.”

  “Sure you did. No dessert for you.”

  “I’ll give you extra for bringing this favorite child fact to light,” Kaley conspired with me.

  “Always trying to score points…” James rolled his eyes.

  “I’m trying to win her friendship. It gets lonely around here being the only female in a house o
f boys.” Then she turned to me and whispered, “What will it take? Double dessert and I’ve got lots of dirt on James if that will put me in the lead.”

  “Okay, now…” James protested at the same time I laughed and rubbed my hands together.

  “Dirt on James would definitely put you on top.”

  James narrowed his eyes at me good naturedly, but I briefly saw true panic there. He watched me, but spoke to his nephews. “Isn’t this dinner delicious, boys? Tell mom that she needs to be a good girl and eat hers. Right now.” He turned his glower on Kaley. “Really, Kaley. Now would be a good time to put food in your mouth.” Kaley must have sensed the seriousness beneath his teasing tone too because she looked at James apologetically and changed the subject. Curious.

  “Boys, finish eating and carry your dishes to the sink. Then you can take Sophie into the living room and pick a movie while Uncle James helps me clean up.”

  “I don’t mind helping,” I told her. But the boys quickly shoved another bite into their mouths and popped up from their chairs with their mostly empty plates. After depositing them into the sink with a clatter, they hurried over to me. “Come on, Sophie,” Eli encouraged.

  “I get to pick the movie,” Landon called over his shoulder as he raced out of the room. Eli frantically grabbed my hand and pulled me after Landon, calling, “No. I get to pick it.”

  James

  “What was that?” Kaley demanded as soon as Sophie was out of earshot.

  “What was what?” I stood from the table and carried a stack of plates to the sink. I leaned against the counter facing her and crossed my arms over my chest.

  “We were just teasing, James, and you got all bent out of shape. When are you going to let it go and move on?”

  “I’m not ready to confess any deep, dark secrets to Sophie yet. It’s not like she and I are in a relationship. We are just friends.”

  “Well, she wouldn’t have even known you had something to hide if you hadn’t freaked out. If you were trying to not get into it with her because she’s just a friend, you blew it just now. All you did was pique her curiosity.”

  I blew out a breath and ran a hand through my hair. “You’re right. Sorry I got so upset.”

  “I think if you ever decided you wanted to share that part of yourself,” Kaley said gently, “it would be safe with Sophie.”

  “We haven’t even known each other very long. Aren’t you kind of pushing this?”

  “You haven’t been friends for very long, but you’ve been interested for months. I remember what you told me about the first time you saw her.”

  “That was just a fluke. It had more to do with the feelings her singing invoked, not her personally.”

  “Keep telling yourself that.”

  “Can we just agree to disagree before I get upset again?”

  “Sure. Go save your friend from my crazy boys.”

  My heart stopped when I saw Sophie on the couch nestled between the two boys. She smiled at something Landon said and wrapped an arm around Eli so he could snuggle closer. They had really taken to her. I understood the feeling. I shook my head to dislodge the thought. Kids are fickle with their emotions. They’d latch on to anyone who would pay them attention. It didn’t mean they wouldn’t be the same with any other girl Kaley invited over. Except I knew them and I knew that wasn’t true. I suppressed a frustrated growl. I didn’t need another reason to be attracted to her. Friends. I needed to remember to repeat that over and over. And over.

  Landon glanced up. “Uncle James, we picked Despicable Me. Come watch it with us.

  “That’s one of my favorites,” I told them, taking a seat on the floor with my back against the couch. Just then, Sophie shifted and her knee brushed my arm. Maybe this wasn’t the best spot for me to sit.

  Sophie

  "Thanks again, Kaley," I said, returning the one-armed hug she gave me at the door. "The food was delicious and your boys are adorable."

  "Thank you for sacrificing your Sunday to spend time with us. Next time, you won't even have to bring James. We could just get together during the week. Lunch or something."

  "Lunch would be great if you don't mind making a picnic of it so my nephew can burn off some energy."

  "A picnic sounds perfect. I'll give you a call." She reached up and affectionately mussed James hair. "Thanks for bringing her, brother."

  "Anything I can do to help you make at least one friend. Where would you be without me?"

  "Yes. I couldn't survive."

  James' mocking grin turned to annoyance as she reached out and mussed his hair again. James grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand away from his head. "I know it needs a trim. I'm going for the longish version of sexy." He sent her a smoldering look.

  "Yeah, the hair isn't helping you achieve sexy. I don't know what will help you with that. Good luck though." She laughed and stepped part way behind the door as he took a playful swipe at her. I laughed at their sibling banter all the while silently disagreeing with Kaley. James Anderson didn't need any help with sexy. He invented sexy. Shaggy hair and all.

  "Thanks again for coming today," he said as we drove away from his sister’s house. "I hope it wasn't too painful." He glanced at me and flipped his head to get his hair out of his eyes.

  I reached up and mussed his hair like Kaley had done moments before. It barely brushed the top of his collar in the back. It would be so fun to run my fingers through. "It was fine, Uncle James," I teased, but pulled my hand back quickly when the flutters exploded in my stomach from the innocent contact.

  “Kaley," he said ruefully as he shook his head. "I know it's longer than I usually wear it, but I haven't had a lot of time lately with picking up Dr. Harmon's patients."

  "And then you've been running with me..."

  "If I hadn't been with you, it would have been basketball with Andy. It's a good outlet."

  "I could do it for you right before our run on Wednesday."

  "Do what? You cut hair?" he asked skeptically.

  "I used to give Trevor haircuts all the time before he got married. I'm a little rusty, but I wouldn't shave you bald."

  "Name your price."

  "Hmmm," I pretended to consider.

  "The lady in Chinatown even gives massages. It's all included in one amazing low price."

  I laughed. "Definitely no to the massage. If you are that sore after our runs, I could go easier on you."

  "Ha, ha. Just the haircut then."

  "You could always get a massage from the nice lady in Chinatown when you have to go back and get my butchering job fixed."

  "You offered, don't try to back out now." He said, flashing me chocolate puppy dog eyes. I couldn't help but laugh as I shook my head. "So you'll do it?"

  "Only because you asked so nicely and I did offer. But promise not to hate me if it turns out badly."

  "I have complete confidence in your abilities."

  "We'll see..."

  Chapter 15

  Sophie

  I tried to keep the nervous grin off my face as I carried a kitchen chair out to the front lawn. A glance at the sky told me that the weather would cooperate with this madcap idea I'd had. Three days ago, the haircut had seemed like a nice way to help a friend out. Today it felt different. My heart rate accelerated with every car that drove through Trevor's neighborhood. I took a calming breath and jogged into the house to get the cape, clippers and scissors. James would arrive any minute.

  James

  So this seemed like a really good idea three days ago, but I wasn't feeling so sure about it now. I'd told Sophie I had complete confidence in her abilities and I hadn't been lying for the most part. I didn't, however, have complete confidence in my ability to keep her at arm’s length. Especially when she looks like that, I thought as I pulled up to her brother's house and parked. I took in her running shorts and fitted t-shirt and shook my head. Her smooth dark hair was pulled up into a ponytail and the tip of her tongue rested softly on her top lip in concentration as she
fiddled with some electric hair clippers. She looked up and smiled as I climbed out of my car. I mentally rolled my eyes at my body’s reaction to her. This wasn't a good idea.

  "Hey," I called as I strolled toward her.

  "You still think this is a good idea?" she questioned.

  Absolutely not. "Of course. You're not trying to back out on me are you?"

  "Nope. Have a seat." She gestured to the chair in the middle of the lawn. "I thought the weather was nice enough that we could do this out here." She secured a hair cutting cape around my neck. "That way, you don't have to clean up Stacy's floor when we are finished."

  "Oh, I would have to clean it up, huh? I'm not even getting a massage out of the this and I'd still have to be on clean-up?" My incredulous tone was all for show.

  "You forgot to mention that instead of a massage, you get the pleasure of my sensational company during the haircut and then again on the run that will follow." I could hear the grin in her voice.

  "You are right. My apologies. Who needs a massage?" I shrugged.

  "That's what I thought," she said and raked her fingers through my hair. She picked up a comb and a water bottle. "I'm going to spray you down a little. It may be cold."

  I sucked in a breath and she laughed when the water hit my head and neck." You did warn me." She finger combed through my hair again and then took the comb and scissors and got to work.

  "You have really nice hair," she said softly. "Did you know that hair is the second fastest growing tissue in the body? Can you name the first?"

  "Easy. Bone marrow," I replied with a cocky grin. "Doctor, remember?"

  "Alright, smarty pants, who were the first people to remove unwanted body hair?"

  "The Romans?"

  "Nice try, but not correct," she told me. "I'll give you a hint. It starts with an E."

  "Eeeethiopians?"

  "Wrong again." She grinned.

  "East coasters?" That startled a laugh from her.

  "Easter Islanders?"

  "Do people even live there still?" she asked around a laugh.

  "Are you telling me, O Goddess of Trivia, that you don't know if it is still inhabited by people?" I tsked, throwing her a look of disappointment.