“What happened to her truck?” Cole asked.
“Other than it not belonging to her anymore?”
“What?”
“She hasn’t told you?”
“Told me what, Caroline?”
Gathering her purse from the counter, Caroline slung it over her shoulder, readying to go. “That she sold her truck.”
“Sold her truck? Why would she do that?”
Caroline’s lips straightened into a line. “Sounds like maybe this is a conversation you should have with Sophie and not me. But after you take me to the store. I have a wedding cake to bake!”
* * *
COLE TRIED SOPHIE’S cell phone three times with no answer. The news that Caroline let slip still didn’t seem plausible. There was no way Sophie would sell her truck. Cole knew how much she loved it, how much pride she took in its restoration. He wished she would have included him in that decision, but he knew it wasn’t his to make.
If she had wanted his opinion, she would’ve asked for it. She hadn’t, and Cole didn’t know if he was justified in feeling the sting of that rejection.
“Come on, pick up,” he said as it went to voicemail for the fourth time.
It wasn’t a message Cole wanted to leave in a recording. Instead, he drove out to the farm, determined to hear the truth of the situation from Sophie herself.
Tanner’s SUV was parked just behind Caroline’s car, and another vehicle Cole didn’t recognize was across the street. Sitting there in his driver’s seat, Cole tried to collect his thoughts and put them in an order that made sense.
When they were at the beach, Sophie mentioned a solution that would make everyone happy. He just couldn’t see how parting with her beloved truck would result in her happiness. That’s all that he wanted for Sophie. For her to be truly happy. This decision seemed like a rash one and he wished he’d been given the chance to give it some weight.
“Hey there, boss!” Tanner bounded up and hooked his hands on the door, poking his head through Cole’s rolled down passenger window. “Didn’t know if I’d see you out here today.”
“Is Sophie here?”
“Yep. Working on centerpieces for the wedding, I think.”
“Good. I need to talk to her,” Cole said.
“Oh, I figured you were here to talk to your dad.”
“My dad?”
Tanner slapped his hand on the door, almost like a high five. “Yep. Great guy. I see now that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Anyway, I’m gonna go grab some lunch. Can I get you anything?”
Stunned, Cole had a difficult time forming the words, “No, thank you. I’m good.”
“Alrighty. I’ll see you when I get back if you’re still here.”
Cole sat speechless for several minutes. His father was in Fairvale? Why hadn’t he told him about his plans to visit? A sick, familiar feeling tugged at him, like when his dad would hover over Cole as he did homework, just waiting to point out an error or correction needing to be made. Though he was a grown man, Cole still sought his father’s approval, likely always would.
Clearing his throat, he stepped out of the car and made his way over to the yard. He could hear his dad’s robust voice before he came into view. He always had a commanding presence, one that could be felt both near and far, even with the span of the entire Midwest between them.
“Tell Ralph I say hello next time you talk to him. I was hoping to catch up with him this trip, but it doesn’t look like I’ll have the time.”
Cole could see the McAllisters, along with his father, Martin, standing in the very center of the property. The couple nodded. Kelly placed a hand on Martin’s forearm while Theodore reached out for a cordial handshake. After they retreated to the house, Cole stood by, eyeing his father from several yards away.
He followed his dad’s gaze as he took in the last month of Cole’s life with one sweeping glance. A slow, yet perceptible nod was the only indicator that suggested any hint of approval.
“Dad,” Cole called out as he edged closer. “Dad, what are you doing here?”
“Cole, there you are.” His father looked surprised to see him, something Cole couldn’t place considering this piece of land was his workplace. “Wasn’t sure if I’d run into you here.”
“Here, as in California? Or here, at the jobsite?”
“Cole, this turned out so nicely. An impressive project to add to your portfolio.”
“Is that why you’re here, Dad? To sign off on things? To check in on me?”
His father brought his hand up to smooth his beard, a habit Cole once thought was unintentional, but now realized stood as a smokescreen. There was more to his dad’s sudden arrival, and Cole wanted answers.
“The McAllisters are so happy with it, too. You have a real knack for this, son.”
“Thank you, but so far everything you’ve said could’ve been relayed in a text or a phone call. Why are you here, Dad?”
Looking over at the porch chairs under the pergola, Martin Blankenship nodded. “Sit with me a moment, son.”
Cole could feel his pulse beat frantically in his neck, his palms coated with sweat.
Martin sat first, then Cole. “Yesterday was a hard day for me.”
Cole hoped his father wouldn’t forget the calendar date, and hearing that he did remember made him feel a little less alone in his grief.
“I can’t believe Caleb has been gone for fifteen years,” his father continued. “You know, yesterday made me do a lot of reflecting. About the firm. About you.”
“It wasn’t an easy day for me either, Dad.”
“I know that, Cole, I do. And I know there have been many other days in between that haven’t been easy. I realize I’m to blame for some of those.” His dad squinted out into the distance, his prominent, gray brow pulling tightly over deep-set, charcoal eyes. “I pushed you into the role your brother was supposed to take on with the business. I know you’re aware of that. And you haven’t given me any grief for it. You just did your job. And you’ve done it well. This project is a testament to that.”
Cole didn’t know what to say. He just sat there, taking in his father’s words, letting them settle into his head and his heart.
“I’ve had every intention of handing the business over to you, Cole, I have. But something about yesterday made me change my mind. I don’t want you to take on something that was never meant to be yours. The firm was my dream, and then it was Caleb’s. I’ll be retiring next year, and when I do, it’ll be the end of Blankenship Backyard Designs.”
“You don’t need to close down the business, Dad.”
“But I do. I need to release you from the expectation that it’s your responsibility to take over the firm. The only way I know to do that is to take away the firm altogether.”
“But I like working for you. This project has been incredible—”
“And you’ve done it all on your own, Cole. This is the first project where I haven’t been there, breathing down your neck every step of the way. And look at it. It’s magnificent.”
The compliment cut straight into Cole in the very best way. “I don’t know what to say, Dad.”
“I don’t really either, Cole. But I do know if this is something you want to pursue with your life, you should do it. I’ll be there to support you in any way possible. I just want to make sure I’m supporting your dream, not one someone else has passed down to you.”
Cole breathed deep, filling his lungs to capacity. This information was a lot to take in. “I think I want to do this here, actually. I’ve grown to love California and I’ve met some pretty remarkable people along the way. I’m not ready to part with that.”
“Would one of those people be that beautiful young flower farmer across the way?”
Martin glanced toward the field at Sophie who stood among the blossoming rows with her clippers in hand and a floppy sunhat perched on her head.
“Yes,” Cole answered, his heart swelling at the sight of her. “But I don�
�t know the first thing about starting my own company, Dad. And even if I wanted to, I don’t have the capital to do it.”
“I just so happen to know someone who will be retiring soon who might have a little extra investment money coming his way.” Martin’s large hand dropped onto his son’s knee. “I’m happy to invest in your dreams, Cole. And I’m supportive of you living them out here, if that’s what you want. I just don’t want to be your boss anymore. We’ve had too many years of that and I want a new start between us. A new relationship. Just father and son.”
“I want that, too, Dad. I’ve always wanted that.”
Martin turned. “I love you, Cole. I don’t say it often enough—if ever, really—but I do.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
Between the love he’d always had for the man sitting beside him and the growing love he had for the woman across the field, Cole wasn’t sure his heart had ever felt so full.
Fairvale had opened up Cole in ways he’d never imagined, and regardless of the backyard contest outcome, Cole knew he had already won in all of the ways that truly mattered.
21
Sophie
“AND WHAT ARE these called?” Cole’s father wrapped his fingers around the stem of a coral colored bloom and brought his face closer as he sniffed the pollen-filled center.
“Those are zinnias, my personal favorite. Although they don’t have much of a scent, do they?”
“I suppose a flower that looks like this doesn’t really need to smell good, too,” Martin said, chuckling. “Wouldn’t be fair to all the other flowers to hog the most desirable qualities.”
Sophie could see Cole’s steady gaze out of her periphery. She knew exactly what he wanted to ask her. She could feel it in his questioning stare. Knowing that, she was more than a little grateful for Martin who served as a buffer and distraction.
Cole wouldn’t understand, and worse, if he did understand, he would want to help. To talk her out of it. What was done was done and Sophie didn’t regret it. Selling the truck was something she needed to do on her own.
“How many varieties do you have growing here, Sophie?”
“Oh, gosh. You know, I have a journal that lists everything I’ve planted, but I can’t say I know the exact number. Probably upwards of thirty.”
“And you’re a florist, too?”
“Yep, a farmer florist. In fact, I’m just finishing up the centerpieces and bouquets for my brother’s wedding tomorrow. I should probably get them home soon and into the cooler, actually. It’s not terribly warm today, but I don’t want them to wilt.”
“We won’t take up any more of your time then, will we Cole?”
Cole studied Sophie through his glasses and responded in a flat, “No, we won’t.”
Martin took Sophie’s hands into his. “I sure hope I get to spend some more time with you before I head out on Sunday morning. I know Cole thinks quite highly of you and I can certainly see why.”
“Why don’t you join us for the rehearsal dinner tonight?” Sophie asked. “It would be a great time for you to meet some of Cole’s new friends and I know there will be plenty of food to go around.”
“I couldn’t impose.”
“It’s not an imposition at all. It’s at my favorite little Italian restaurant, Aromatizzare. You’ll love it. Best manicotti in town.”
“Well, that sounds very nice, Sophie. Thank you for the invitation. Count me in.”
“Five o’clock,” Sophie said. “Cole knows the place.”
Cole’s mouth lifted into a smile, but it fell away quickly when his eyes locked with Sophie’s. “Hey, Dad? You mind if I stay and chat with Sophie for a bit?”
Martin nodded. “Not a problem at all. I’m going to head to the hotel, anyway. Maybe take a nap. I’m still exhausted from that redeye. I just can’t fall asleep on planes, even if it’s the middle of the night,” he said. “It was great meeting you, Sophie. I look forward to this evening.”
“I do, too, Mr. Blankenship.”
“It’s just Martin,” he said, smiling as he turned to go. “I’ll catch up with you later, Cole.”
“Sounds good, Dad.”
The two waited until Cole’s father had retreated back toward the street. The flowers surrounding them rustled together, their leaves brushing as the breeze made them bend and sway. Cole didn’t take his eyes off of Sophie and she could feel the weight of his gaze like a physical force.
“Why did you sell your truck?”
“I knew this was coming.”
“Sophie, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want to be talked out of it.” She lifted her shoulders to her ears in a shrug and then dropped them back down and huffed out a breath. “Two weeks from now, I’ll own the deed to this land.” She stomped a foot on the ground. “This land, Cole. It’ll be mine, free and clear. But in order to make that happen, I needed the cash and my truck was the only way to get it.”
“The McAllisters are selling? How did you work that out?”
“Let’s just say it took some sweet talking, along with some actual sweets. Turns out they had plans to parcel off the land years ago and went through all of the steps with the county, but then bowed out at the last minute. It only required a few final signatures and a few more pulled strings, but it should be signed off on by Monday. Then, after a ten-day escrow, I will have officially bought the farm.”
“Sophie—”
“I know, Cole, I know. I should have told you but I—”
“I was actually going to say how proud I am of you.” He placed his hands on her arms and pulled her closer.
“Proud of me?”
“Yeah. I love your independence and your drive. You see something you want and you just go for it. It’s inspiring.”
“You love it?”
He lowered his face so his lips were just inches from hers. She could feel his warm breath on her skin. “I do. Along with everything else about you.”
With the softest touch, Cole’s mouth met Sophie’s in a slow, sweet kiss. A tingling shiver ran up and down her spine, her head light and dizzied. It wasn’t quite an I love you, but she could feel his affection in every ounce of her being.
* * *
“HOW WONDERFUL IS it to have all of my family under one roof?” Geri held up her crystal glass in a toast. Aromatizzare buzzed with conversation and pre-wedding jitters, a palpable energy that filled the room like helium. “Well, all but Shayna and that sweet grandbaby of mine.” She thrust her glass higher into the air. “To family!”
“To family!” Everyone cheered. Glasses met together in a cacophony of clinking.
With the weight of Cole’s arm resting protectively across the back of her chair, Sophie sat deeply in her seat, taking in the face of every guest that surrounded the banquet table. To see her brothers not only in the same room, but seated side by side, was shocking. There was still a perceptible strain between them, but they had exchanged amicable words rather than fists, and that, in and of itself, was nothing short of a miracle. Sophie knew it would take time to rebuild the bridge they had so badly burned, but she was hopeful for that restorative process. As Scott had said, one baby step at a time.
Caroline lifted her glass next. “Here’s to salty cakes that keep you humble!”
“Cheers!” they all agreed, though the meaning of her toast was lost on Sophie.
“And here’s to finding the love of your life, proposing, and having her agree to spend the rest of your lives growing wrinkly and old together,” Derek said as he leaned in to kiss his fiancé on the cheek.
Whether intentional or not, Sophie couldn’t help but feel the small squeeze of Cole’s hand upon her shoulder. Heart hammering, she kept her gaze trained forward, knowing if she glanced his way, her heated and red cheeks would tell him all too clearly that she felt it.
“To Derek and Caroline,” Sophie’s father said, rising to stand. “Thank you all so much for being here tonight.” He turned toward Caroline’
s mother and father who sat at the opposite end of the long table. “George and Patty, you have raised a beautiful young woman in Caroline and our family is so blessed that we finally get to call her our daughter. There’s nothing more meaningful than the joining of two families in love. Thank you for welcoming us into yours. We look forward to many more dinners of celebration just like this one.”
Patty and George raised their glasses.
“Well, that’s all for now everyone, but please feel free to stick around to enjoy some more pasta. There’s plenty of it,” Jerry continued. “Otherwise I’ll be left eating it for the next week.”
“Which wouldn’t be such a bad thing, considering someone’s cooking,” Derek muttered, but audibly enough for everyone to hear.
“Oh, quiet you!” Geri snapped her son with a whip of her napkin. “Just because you’re going to be a married man tomorrow doesn’t mean you can start talking to your mother that way.”
“You know I love you, Mom,” Derek said. “Just not your cooking.”
“I’d like to say something before we all head out.” Speaking up for the first time that evening, Scott cleared his throat and scooted his chair out. Sophie could see his drink slosh in its cup, his unsteady hand trembling.
“Of course, son.” Jerry tipped his head in a nod. “Go right ahead.”
“I know it’s been awhile since I’ve been back to Fairvale, but there really is nothing like coming home. The memories I’ve made here—both good and bad—I’ve kept those with me as I started a new life in Seattle. But there’s one memory in particular that stands out.”
“The Great Forgiveness Pact,” Derek and Sophie said in unison.
“I had a feeling you guys might remember.” Scott laughed. “For those who don’t know what we’re talking about, back when we were kids—gosh, this was over twenty years ago, at least—we broke Mom’s antique cookie jar. Smashed it to smithereens. Man, she loved that jar. I think it belonged to her mother.”
In the Market for Love Page 18