She teared up at the end of the message and had to wipe her eyes before she could get Hugh’s journal from her bag. There was a passage she wanted to read. Something Zane had reminded her of. She flipped through until she found the one she was looking for.
Dear Sophie,
I was at your school play today. You were a wonderful dancing banana. The plot was a little thin. It’s hard to make a story about the food groups riveting. However, I was riveted by you. You’re eight years old now. You’re tall for your age and have shiny long blond hair. You look like Zane and me, but you’re graceful like your mother. I can’t believe how fast the years roll along, even though there isn’t a day goes by I don’t think about you and wish I could know you. Right now is not the right time to disrupt your life by introducing myself. Someday, though, you’ll be an adult and I’ll contact you and we can become friends. I’ve observed your parents a lot over the years, and they’re such good people and so good to you. I feel in my heart that they’ll give their blessing for me to meet you once you turn eighteen and can decide for yourself if you want to.
This spring, Zane and Maggie will graduate from high school. Zane and Maggie have a best friend named Jackson Waller. The three of them are thick as thieves. Have been since they were little. After Mae died, Jackson’s family took Maggie in. Dr. Waller and his wife, Lily, have been like parents to her. A year or so back Maggie and Jackson fell in love. Maggie and Jackson are soul mates. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. Mae was mine. Even though we had so few years together, they were the best of my life. I never regretted loving her even though it hurt to lose her. The memories we made together give me so much comfort, even after all this time. And we made you, of course.
It’s been a sad time for all of us because Lily passed away from cancer last week. We’re all devastated. She was the heart of this community, always doing things for others in need. The cancer took her quickly. I’m trying to see that as a blessing because she didn’t suffer too long, but it’s hard to comprehend it as anything but a terrible tragedy. Doc’s taking it really hard. So have the kids. Now all three of them are motherless and left with just Doc and me, which doesn’t feel like nearly enough.
All this to say that my deepest wish is that someday you and Zane and Maggie will have a relationship. They don’t have much family. I know sure as I know anything how happy they’ll be to find you. Zane has a hot temper but underneath all that bluster is a kind, good heart. No matter what, he’ll look after you. Maggie’s an angel like her mama. Just like you.
I can imagine the three of you around my dinner table someday and it makes me about as happy as any image could. I wonder what you’ll be interested in when you grow up? What your job will be? I’m thankful you’ll have all the opportunities I didn’t have.
Well, I best go now. This place isn’t going to close itself, and I have a suspicion one of the bartenders is skimming off the till. Love, Hugh
She closed the book and held it against her chest. Silently, she talked to Hugh. “Some of your dreams came true. Maggie and Zane and I are close. I wish you were here to have dinner with us. I found my soul mate. He’s right here with me and loves me so much he risked his life for mine. It’s just like you said it would be. And guess what? What I wanted to be when I grew up was to run a bar in Cliffside Bay. Isn’t that funny? I wish you were here to help me build it back up. We’d have so much fun together, wouldn’t we?”
A voice came to her. “We sure would, angel. But I’m watching you from up here and I’m so proud.”
Silently, she promised, “I won’t let you down.”
The three of them spent several hours walking around the neighborhood looking at shops and stopping in a café for a light lunch. By the time the cafés closed at three, they opted for another nap. After another love session, Sophie fell fast asleep for a good two hours and woke feeling refreshed. Per Judi’s instruction, she chose a black taffeta dress with a flared skirt and fitted bodice. Black pumps completed the outfit. Feeling sophisticated and very Parisian, she opted to put her hair up and made up her face with special care.
When she came out of the bathroom, Nico was sitting in the chair by the window. His phone was in his hand, but he stared out the glass. Her heart fluttered as she watched him, knowing he hadn’t heard her come out of the bathroom. He wore a dark gray blazer over a blue button-down shirt and black slacks. The table lamp shed a pale light on his profile.
“I’m ready,” she said.
He turned and put his hand on his heart. “Soph. God.”
She blushed. “You look good too.”
“Come here. I want to see you in the light,” he said.
She crossed to him. He stood, taking her hands. “I’m not sure I should let you out of this room.”
“A girl needs to eat. Plus, you’ll need your strength for later.” She tweaked the collar of his shirt and lifted her face for a kiss.
They stopped at Judi’s room to escort her to dinner. She came to the door wearing a red sheath dress and tall boots. “You look wonderful,” Sophie said.
“Paris is made for me, dear. You two should be on top of a wedding cake. You clean up well.”
They took the skinny elevator to the lobby and stopped at the desk to ask Collette for a recommendation for dinner. She suggested Café Latin on the corner.
Sophie wobbled slightly on the cobblestoned street as they walked to the restaurant. She clung to Nico’s arm. “How do Parisians always wear high heels?”
“They’re used to it,” Judi said.
At Café Latin, they dined on moules marinières and frites maison, which in English translated to mussels in white wine sauce and homemade fries, as well as crusty, warm pieces of bread.
“Have you ever tasted better bread?” Sophie asked.
“I can’t say I have.” Judi smacked her lips as she pried a mussel from its black shell.
After the dinner plates were cleared, Judi picked up her glass of wine. “I have a proposal. This is going to sound a little crazy. Or at the very least like something Sophie would come up with.”
“I can’t wait to hear this,” Sophie said.
“As you know, I wasn’t blessed with a child of my own, so I would love to extend the offer of adoption.”
Sophie laughed. “Perfect. Everyone needs another parent. This will bring my count to five.”
“I understand I can’t actually adopt you,” Judi said, completely serious. “However, I can give you something that would tie us together as a family.”
“You don’t have to give us anything,” Sophie said. “We’re already family.”
“Yes, that’s all well and good,” Judi said. “However, being Southern, I feel a great need to give you an object instead of just my love and gratitude.”
“Gratitude?” Nico asked. “We’re the ones grateful to you. You’re one of the reasons I stopped being such a dummy when it came to Sophie.”
“That’s true,” Sophie said. “And you taught me how to be a seductress.”
Nico shot her a sidelong glance. “Seductress? I thought I was the one seducing you.”
“Let’s not get off topic here,” Judi said. “You two can go back to the room when we’re done. I have an agenda, and I need you to stop making eyes at each other long enough to hear my proposal.”
Sophie put a finger to her mouth. “Sorry, I’ll be quiet.”
Judi continued. “I think of you two as my family—as the children I wished I’d had. Which is why I’m giving you my house.”
Sophie’s mouth dropped open. Was she joking? She must be. People didn’t give away houses. “You’re joking, right?”
“I would never joke about anything to do with money,” Judi said. “It’s too big a house for just me. Soon you’ll be having children, and you’ll need the space.”
Nico raised his hand in an obvious protest. Judi glared at him. “Hear me out now. I have the best idea. I’ll move out of the master bedroom and into one of the other bedrooms. Th
at way you two can have the master suite.”
“No way,” Nico said.
Judi shut him down with another stern look. “You stay quiet or I won’t be able to get through this little speech. Before you came, Nico, I was lonely and depressed. I wanted to give up and join my husband in heaven. You brought life back to my house. You brought life back to me. When Sophie came, it was like we were family. I found myself looking forward to life again. The thought of you two moving away is heartbreaking.”
Sophie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Judi, we’re not going anywhere. We plan on living in the bungalow.”
“We’re very happy there,” Nico said.
“Don’t be so bossy,” Judi said to Nico. “You remind me of myself sometimes, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. I need y’all. This is a selfish offer, actually.”
Nico tapped his fingers against the tabletop. “This is a generous offer, obviously. That said, we cannot accept it. I’m a man, after all. I have to make my own way.”
Judi, looking disgruntled, shook her head. “Listen up now. I’ve had the most wonderful life. I’ve traveled all over the world. I spent forty-five years with the love of my life. Everything I ever wanted was mine, except for children. You two can fill that emptiness for me. I’m an old lady now. I’m in my last act. Giving something of value to people I love is the best way to spend the rest of my life. I’ve thought a lot about this. I’ve imagined the little children you will have. How much joy they will bring me. My wealth is what I have to offer you. I mean, really, who wants a fussy old lady in their house? The gift of your companionship is worth much, much more than a house, even one that looks at the ocean. I’ve already set the paperwork in motion. In exchange for the house, you’ll allow me to live there for the rest of my life.”
“This is too much,” Nico said.
“Listen up, young man. You didn’t have to be kind to me. All that I asked was for you to keep up the yard. I can’t think of another human being, except maybe Sophie, who would have done what you did for me. You brought me back to life. Don’t take it away from me now.”
Nico and Judi stared each other down like roosters in the henhouse.
“This is absurd,” Nico said. “You do know that, don’t you?”
“Not in the least,” Judi said in a haughty tone.
Sophie smiled at Nico and then Judi. “I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
“See there, Nico? Sophie always understands me.”
Nico planted his forehead in his hands, then mumbled something under his breath about how much easier plants and dogs were than women. “I give up. If it makes you two happy, then it makes me happy.”
Judi looked so triumphant that Sophie laughed.
“When will y’all be having that first baby?” Judi asked.
“We have to be married first,” Sophie said. “Or my father will want Nico’s head on a platter.”
“Don’t worry,” Nico said. “I’ve already asked and received his permission.”
Sophie’s hands flew to her mouth. “You called him?”
“I had to. A man worthy of you calls your father. I called him earlier today. He was happy to give his permission, by the way. In case you were worried.”
“I wasn’t,” Judi said. “Were you, Sophie?”
“Not in the least. He knows my feelings for Nico.”
“He did ask for one thing,” Nico said. “He wants to walk you down the aisle. I had to promise him we wouldn’t elope in Paris.”
“My mother would kill me,” Sophie said. “She’s been dreaming about my wedding since I was four years old.”
“Well, that settles it.” Judi said. “Now someone just has to buy a ring.”
“I don’t need a ring,” Sophie said. “But I do need a proposal. One we can tell our children about.”
“Don’t you worry,” Nico said. “You’ll get that and every single thing you ever want. I’ll find ways to give you everything you want.”
“I already have it,” Sophie said. “All I ever wanted was you.”
23
Nico
* * *
Nico and Sophie stood together on the Pont des Arts, the scenic bridge over the river Seine. A full moon hung high in the sky and reflected on the water. A boat loaded with passengers made its way slowly up the river. The ripples in the water looked like ribbons. Paris was beautiful, but even she couldn’t match Sophie.
Sophie’s skin was luminescent in the moonlight.
“Isn’t it magical here?” Sophie asked.
“Even more so than I thought it would be.”
She lifted her face to him. “Isn’t this where you’re supposed to kiss me?”
“Not yet. I have something I have to do first.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box with the ring inside it. He knelt on one knee and presented the box to her.
Sophie’s eyes went wide. “Is this it? Is this the moment?” She flapped her hands in front of her chest. “I’m not ready.”
“What?” His chest tightened.
“I mean, yes, I’m ready. But I didn’t think it would be tonight.”
“What better place?”
“You have a ring? Where did you get a ring? Okay, okay. I can’t stop talking. I’m wrecking the moment, aren’t I? It’s just that I’ve imagined this so many times. And it wasn’t here. I don’t know why but this never entered my mind. I thought it might be at home on the beach. Or at the bar. Maybe in front of our friends. No, no. That’s not right. It’s supposed to be here. I should shut up now, right? My God, I’m so sorry. I’ll stop talking right this instant.”
He simply watched her, vowing to always remember what she looked like in this exact moment. He would tell their children someday how she got so excited that she couldn’t stop talking.
As for talking, he’d had a speech planned but now he couldn’t think of one word. The rough surface of the bridge was starting to hurt his knee. “I need to get this out. I’m nervous. I wanted it to be perfect, and now I can’t think of what to say.”
She tented her hands under her chin and bounced on her toes. “Just ask me. Nothing fancy. Simply the words. You already know my answer.” She held out her arms for him to see. “Oh my gosh, I have goose bumps.”
“Which is why it has to be perfect for you. You should have the most romantic proposal that’s ever been given. I’m not sure how to say it—how to capture exactly what’s in my heart. All I know is that you light up the world. You’re the sun to me, Sophie Grace Woods. Will you be my wife?” He opened the box to show her the ring.
“Oh my God, Nico, did you rob a jewelry store?”
“Be still, I’m trying to put this on your finger.”
Despite her erratic movements, he managed to get it on her. She held her hand out in front her. “Where did you get this? It’s so pretty—like the prettiest ring I’ve ever seen.”
“My dad gave it to me the other night when we were there. He said he couldn’t imagine it on anyone else’s hand but yours. I agree. Now, about that answer.”
“Didn’t I answer?”
“Not yet, no.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll be your wife.”
And on the Pont des Arts overlooking the Seine, they kissed. He hoped Sophie would remember every detail of this moment, but if she didn’t, he certainly would. When a man convinces the sun to always shine for him, it is not a moment he will ever forget.
* * *
The End.
About the Author
Tess Thompson Romance...hometowns and heartstrings.
USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson writes small-town romances and historical fiction. She started her writing career in fourth grade when she wrote a story about an orphan who opened a pizza restaurant. Oddly enough, her first novel, "Riversong" is about an adult orphan who opens a restaurant. Clearly, she's been obsessed with food and words for a long time now.
With a degree from the University of Southern California in theatre, she�
�s spent her adult life studying story, word craft, and character. Since 2011, she’s published 20 novels and 3 novellas. Most days she spends at her desk chasing her daily word count or rewriting a terrible first draft.
She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her husband, the hero of her own love story, and their Brady Bunch clan of two sons, two daughters and five cats. Yes, that's four kids and five cats.
Tess loves to hear from you. Drop her a line at [email protected] or visit her website at https://tesswrites.com/
Also by Tess Thompson
Cliffside Bay Series
* * *
Traded: Brody and Kara
Deleted: Jackson and Maggie
Jaded: Zane and Honor
Marred: Kyle and Violet
Tainted: Lance and Mary
The Season of Cats and Babies, A Cliffside Bay Novella
Missed: Rafael and Lisa
A Christmas Wedding, A Cliffside Bay Novella
Healed: Stone and Pepper
Scarred: Trey and Autumn
Jilted: Nico and Sophie
Departed: David and Sara (coming early 2020)
Blue Mountain Series
Blue Midnight
Blue Moon
Blue Ink
Blue String (Coming early 2020)
River Valley Series
Riversong
Riverbend
Riverstar
Riversnow
Riverstorm
Historical Fiction
Duet for Three Hands
Miller’s Secret
Legley Bay Series
Caramel and Magnolias
Tea and Primroses
Novellas
The Santa Trial
Jilted Page 23