by Lori Wick
On the ride home there were times when Sophie's attention would drift, but who would have blamed her? Alec loved her. It was a wonderful thing. And the way he kissed and held her made her feel cherished beyond words. What would the immediate future bring? This question and many others floated through Sophie's mind in a hazy wonder. There was only one thing she knew for certain: Courting with Alec Riley was going to be fun.
382
Sophie climbed stiffly into the CAB of Alec's truck and sat shivering. She had never been so cold in all of her life. Alec shut her door and went around to his side. He started the engine and turned the heater onto high. He then reached beneath his seat for the thermos. A moment later he pressed a cup of hot black coffee into Sophie's hand and then shifted his body to settle back against the door to watch her.
"You're crazy. You know that, don't you?"
Sophie shook her head, her teeth still chattering. "How am I to know about your job if I do not go with you?"
"You could come with me in June instead of February."
Again Sophie shook her head. "The summer is too far away. Sophie wanted to know now. I cannot remember what you said about trusses."
Alec patiently told her again as Sophie looked through the windshield at the partially built house and tried to see what he was explaining. Little by little warmth was stealing back into her limbs, and she could hold her teeth still. Alec filled her cup again, and Sophie continued to question him. He loved the fact that she took such an interest, but he saw no reason to freeze her. None of his houses were in the last stages right now, or he could have shown her one that was already centrally heated.
"Alec," she suddenly said, "the coffee is visiting."
He pointed. "There's an outhouse right over there."
Sophie's nose wrinkled. "Is it disgusted?"
"Yes," Alec said with a laugh, and then he teased. "But you've chosen to be a construction worker today, and well, sometimes you have to put up with little inconveniences."
"I am afraid that I am going to have to insist that you take me somewhere."
Alec sighed in mock despair. "You're always so pushy and demanding."
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"I do my best," Sophie told him and replaced the cup. It was then she realized he hadn't moved an inch. He was still sitting there watching her, and Sophie's two cups of coffee were making themselves more known with every passing minute. Sophie turned to ask him again, but didn't. Alec had an odd look on his face, his eyes very watchful, and Sophie only looked at him.
"You do know that I want to marry you, don't you, Sophie?"
"I hoped you would," she answered softly. "But I was not positive."
"I've loved you for a very long time," he told h