Hook, Line, and Sinker

by Shirley Holder Platt

  “Why shouldn’t I do that right now? You saying you admit he was wrong helps nothing.”

  Sophie stood up. Her surprise at Zeke’s revelation apparent. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” she asked.

  “I wanted to tell all of you at once. As to why you shouldn’t throw me out, Mr. Malloy,” he continued, “I’ve come with a peace offering.”

  He had the attention of everyone in the room. Billy leaned forward, and his face lost a shade or two of redness. Mrs. Malloy rubbed her temples. She’d leaned on the back of the couch and laid her hand on Sean’s shoulder as if she needed support.

  “I’ve talked with my brothers. We want to make this right.”

  “How? You’ve got a barn, a fence, cows, the whole nine yards, and you’ve barred us from road frontage for a century.” Billy may have been calmer, but he was far from mollified. “You’ve got a hell of a lot of making up to do if you want to make this right.”

  “We’ve discussed options. Gabe is drawing up a title transfer.”

  Billy huffed, but before he could say anything, Zeke held a hand up to stop him.

  “Let me finish. Since the judge ruled in favor of the Harts, the title is in our name. We’re transferring it to you for the cost of one dollar.” He waved a dollar bill at Billy. “Take this and give it back to me when we sign at the closing.”

  “What about the improvements?”

  “We’ll be moving the cows off the property tomorrow. The barn, pens, the shoot for loading, and the fences will all be yours. You can do with them as you wish.”

  Billy was flabbergasted, as was Sophie. She wanted to throw her arms around Zeke and kiss him silly. Instead, she simply watched as her dad let go of a lifetime of anger. A thought seemed to take hold of him. He shook his head and asked the question that had come to mind.

  “What’s Tucker got to say about this?”

  “He’s not involved. My brothers and I are paying all costs.”

  “He’s as narrow-minded as his grandpa was,” Billy said. Sophie figured years of anger would take a while to wear off.

  “Look. I don’t get along with my father much. I investigated this as soon as Sophie told me about it. I didn’t want the bad feelings between our families to fester any longer. Do you accept our offer? My brothers and I would be pleased as punch if you would. We try to be honest men. I can’t speak for my father, though. Any grudge you have with him, you’ll have to work out between yourselves.”

  “I accept.” Billy took the dollar out of Zeke’s hand and stuffed it into his back pocket.

  Mrs. Malloy clapped to get everyone’s attention.

  “Well, now that that’s all settled, shall we eat?” She stood and walked toward the kitchen, confident that all would follow her lead.

  Sophie wrapped an arm around Zeke’s waist and hugged him to her.

  “Nice surprise. That took a lot of courage. I was afraid Pops would come after you with a shotgun.”

  “I know. I’m wondering when the questions will come about you and me. He took me up on the offer, but he may still harbor ill will when it comes to me dating his baby girl.” They were whispering. Sophie noticed Sean watching them closely.

  “What’s going on with the two of you?” he asked. She’d wondered who would be first.

  “We’re dating.” She stated it matter-of-factly, hoping to avoid a lot of questions.

  “When did this start?” her mother asked. She seemed pleased, which made Sophie relax a bit.

  “A couple of months.”

  “And you’re just now telling us?” Billy asked. They’d all been seated, and he passed a basket of rolls to his wife.

  “Would you have listened if I’d told you earlier? You almost didn’t let us in the door tonight.” Sophie took a roll and passed the basket to Zeke.

  “Mrs. Malloy,” Zeke said.

  “Yes?”

  “Would you mind if I asked a blessing before we dive into this delicious food?” Sophie stared at the man she’d been around for months. He was full of surprises tonight.

  “I think that would be lovely, and please call me Carolyn. Mrs. Malloy makes me feel old.” She smiled and bowed her head. The rest of the family followed.

  “Lord, thank you for this family. Help me and my brothers to heal the wound inflicted so many years ago by our ancestor. And thank you for this lovely meal. Amen.”

  Sophie raised her head and looked into his eyes. He was as happy as she’d ever seen him. Her heart picked up the pace. It was going to be so bad for her when they broke up. She’d gone and fallen in love with the darned man.

  “Pass me some of that butter, son,” Billy said. Sophie couldn’t keep the smile off her face. This night had turned out to be a gift in so many ways.

  Zeke passed the butter and reached under the table to hold Sophie’s hand. She squeezed his fingers then let go. Her appetite had returned. She dug into the food with gusto and wondered what new surprises Zeke Hart had in him. It didn’t take long to find out. He raised a glass and proposed a toast.

  “To a future without animosity between our families,” he said. Billy’s, “here, here,” was the loudest of them all. Sophie felt a lump forming in her throat, and she was in danger of crying.

  “I’d like to make the relationship even better,” Zeke continued, “by…” He pushed his chair back and got down on one knee beside Sophie’s chair. Tears spilled out of her eyes as she watched the man she’d been sure would leave her do exactly the opposite of her fears. She held her breath.

  “Sophie Malloy, would you do me the honor of sharing my life and my last name?”

  “You’re asking me to marry you?” She couldn’t breathe. The room was so silent; she thought everyone must be holding their breath with her.

  “I am.” The only sound was a clock ticking in the kitchen.

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Whew.” He stood and wiped his brow comically. “I thought she might say no since I don’t have a ring yet.” Everyone laughed, breaking the tension in the room.

  “We can pick one out together,” she said.

  “Well, this certainly didn’t turn out anything like I thought it would when you brought Zeke in this evening,” Billy said. He stood and patted Zeke on the back. Sean got up and shook Zeke’s hand. Sophie hugged her mother, and Patrice joined them for a group hug.

  Epilogue

  Six months later, Sophie stood in front of the floor to ceiling mirror in the church parlor. Rainy and Patrice looked beautiful in the bride's maid gowns.

  "There was a time that I would have never believed this day would come," Sophie said.

  "I love it that you asked me to be your maid of honor. I always wanted a sister to ask me, and mine can’t seem to find anyone to marry," Rainy said.

  Patrice laughed and said, "I guess I'll share her with you."

  Carolyn and Phyllis were pinning flowers onto their dark purple dresses. Each woman looked radiant. Sophie thought she'd never seen her mother happier.

  "You girls are so beautiful. My heart is full to running over," Carolyn said. Sophie wore a satin dress that clung to her body all the way to her knees, where it flared, giving her room to walk. The back had a dramatic cutout filled with lace and ended in a long train. She'd opted out on the traditional veil. Rainy and Patrice looked fantastic in dresses of a pale lavender similar in style.

  Carolyn handed the beautiful bouquets of daisies to the girls. They were like the first flowers Zeke had given Sophie and held a special place in her heart.

  "It's time to go, ladies," Phyllis said.

  "Am I really doing this?" Sophie asked her best friend.

  "You bet you are, sister," Rainy said. They hooked arms and followed the wedding planner out into the vestibule. The music swelled, and Sean walked the mothers to their seats. Patrice, then Rainy, walked toward the altar toward Gabe and Nat. The music changed to the wedding march; people stood and turned. Billy took Sophie's arm and walked her down the aisle, beaming with pride.
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  Sophie's flowers trembled in her hands. Zeke appeared to be a combination of nerves, love, hunger, and fear. She would treasure the look on his face forever. They were forging a bond that was bigger than their love. It was a healing between families that was long overdue. She smiled as she walked toward the man she'd dreamed of since she was five years old. She could barely contain the love in her heart. As she stood through the ceremony, she couldn't wait to start her new life.

  Zeke's company had taken off like gangbusters. He had enough business that he was already contemplating hiring another fisherman and buying another boat. Sophie was the Vice President of Sales at Hart Construction. The promotion had been great, but she'd been surprised to find it a hollow victory. Her ambitions had changed because of Zeke. She loved her job and the window office, but now, when she looked out at the view, she wished she was on the water with Zeke. She wasn't about to quit her job, but her priorities had shifted. She wanted to make a home, have a family that prayed and loved and fished together.

  And they were going to do just that. Her father had given the property that had been in dispute for so many years to them as a wedding present. Zeke and Sophie would design their dream home, and it would sit smack dab in the middle of the land that had separated their families for so long. She couldn't think of anything more wonderful.

  When the wedding and reception finally came to an end, she climbed into the truck and threw her bouquet out of the window at the waiting crowd of single ladies. Zeke slid in beside her and pulled away slowly. They turned to look out the back window at the people waving them good-bye and saw Rainy holding the bridal bouquet tight against her chest, with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. Nat and Gabe stood shoulder to shoulder with big grins on their faces, as Patrice tip-toed to kiss Sean.

  "To the cabin," Zeke said. Sophie snuggled up to her husband and sighed with contentment.

  “Nope. To the airport,” Sophie said.

  “But, we’re going fishing.” Zeke’s pout was adorable. Sophie couldn’t wait to tell him about her wedding gift.

  “Yes, on the Great Barrier Reef.” She opened the glove compartment and pulled out two airline tickets to Australia.

  “How in the world?” Zeke asked. He was stunned, but happy with the surprise. He was already envisioning the boat they’d charter, the clear water, Sophie in a tiny bikini.

  “Gabe helped me get your passport. I did everything else on line. We’re all set for a dream vacation.”

  “Honeymoon,” Zeke said as he squeezed the hand of his wife.

  “The best honeymoon ever,” she said. She laid her right hand over their entwined fingers and sighed contentedly.

  "I love you, Mrs. Hart," Zeke said before searing her lips with a kiss that almost stopped her heart.

  The End

  Find a sneak peek of the first two chapters from “Pro Bono Romance,” book 2 in the Hart Brothers series at the end of this book, for a glimpse into the story of Gabe and Rainy.

  BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR

  LOVER’S MOON SERIES, 3 book set

  Moon Songs - Lover’s Moon Series, Book 1

  Moon Magic – Lover’s Moon Series, Book 2

  Moon Dance – Lover’s Moon Series, Book 3

  SANDY SHORES SERIES – 3 book set:

  Sea-Renity on Sandy Shores (free novella)

  Romance on Sandy Shores, Sandy Shores Series, Book 1

  Christmas on Sandy Shores, Sandy Shores Series, Book 2

  Return to Sandy Shores, Sandy Shores Series, Book 3

  THE HART BROTHERS SERIES, 3 book set

  Hook, Line, and Sinker

  Pro Bono Romance (July 2020)

  Thanks be to Dog (October 2020)

  Single Novels:

  Emma Emerging

  The Cowgirl Experience

  Mama Needs New Shoes

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Thanks to:

  Daniel L. Platt, for believing in me throughout it all;

  Janet Dunn, my terrific editor;

  Dee Wessels and Jeanne Flores for massive amounts of encouragement;

  and my awesome family, friends and Facebook buddies who’ve been so supportive.

  I could never have done it without you.

  And to all my readers.

  It’s all about you!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Shirley Holder Platt is a native Texan, and her stories reflect that background. She retired from corporate America after stints as a manager for shareholder services for two different corporations; an assistant at a non-profit organization, and a database manager for a religious organization. While working, she was always writing for family and friends. After taking early retirement, she finds herself spending more time on her writing than she ever did at a “real” job.

  Read more about Shirley at http://thewriteromance.com

  Pro Bono Romance – Sneak Peek

  Chapter One - Rainy

  Rainy rang up the last customers for the night and watched as the couple strolled out of her café precisely one hour after closing time. She usually loved her patrons, but some people seriously wore her out. She turned the ‘open’ sign to ‘closed’ and locked the door. The lights from her windows, along with those in the parking lot, held the night at bay but could do nothing to dispel her inner darkness. She scrubbed the counter furiously with a bar rag while muttering to herself. Olivia cashed out the register and punched her timecard. Rainy had been working on her Valentine’s Day menu for the whole month of January. Typically, it was her favorite celebration day, but with the shape of her love life lately, concentrating on romance was the hardest thing she tried to do.

  “I’m out of here.”

  As Olivia exited through the back door, Rainy waved but didn’t look up. She had too much on her mind to be polite. Martin hadn’t called or returned a text in three days. The fight they’d had before he stormed out of her door played in a loop in her mind. It was different from what they usually fought over. He always wanted her to be available to play anytime he wasn’t working. This was different. She’d thrown him out and wasn’t looking forward to seeing him again. He’d gotten a little rough with her. Nothing she couldn’t handle, but still. He’d once offered to support her if she’d give up the café. What a laugh. The man couldn’t hold down a job if he tried, which he didn’t. And now this. He’d gone too far. Anyway, she wasn’t about to change her life for a man.

  “Give up the café?” she said to no one. “It’s the only thing keeping me sane.”

  She stopped scrubbing and threw the rag into the glistening sink. She couldn’t clean anything any better than it already was. She’d been at it for three days now. Where had he got off to this time? If he came crawling back, she’d be ready. She’d had it with him. She was ready for him to clear out his stuff and get out of her life forever.

  Back in her younger days, she’d worked in Fort Worth at a high-end restaurant as a waitress while attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She’d lived with three other girls and saved every dime she didn’t have to spend on tuition, books, rent, and food during those four miserable years. She’d been just as frugal with the money she earned when she landed her first job in Fort Worth. The pay had been better than at the restaurant, and she’d been able to move into a one-room apartment nearby. She savored blessed peace at home, with the bonus of her savings adding up enough to put a down payment on the café. When Mr. Ryder had announced his retirement in her hometown, she’d managed to secure a small business loan, and that added to her nest egg allowed her to buy the old run-down place. Eat at Joe’s was a distant memory to the town folk.

  Rainy Daze Café was now the place to eat in Hartford. She’d almost killed herself painting and moving furniture to get the restaurant’s vibe up to date. Her innovative menu had enlivened the clientele and allowed for higher prices. The café was her pride and joy; her life. In the beginning, she spent sixteen-hour days working every job in the place until she was able to hire dependable help. After
three years, she’d finally found a couple of people she trusted to open or close in her absence. She’d poured her heart and soul into making Rainy Daze the success it was. It irked her to think that Martin wanted her to give it up so she could wait around until he was ready for her to entertain him. Now that she knew what he liked for entertainment; the fact stuck in her craw even more.

  She looked up quickly when someone knocked on the front door. Before she could call out the, “We’re closed,” that came to her lips, she saw that it was her best friend, Sophie.

  Rainy rushed to unlock and let her friend inside.

  “What’s up? How’s married life?”

  Sophie had married one of the notorious Hart brothers only four months prior, and the woman walked around with a constant smile on her face. Rainy was happy for her friend, but there was a streak of jealousy running through her that she kept in check when Sophie was around.

  “I guess the honeymoon’s over,” Sophie said. She climbed onto a round bar stool and propped her head in her hands, elbows on the counter.

  Rainy snorted. The two lovebirds were seldom apart, and when they were, they were texting each other constantly.

  “It’s true. He’s at Nat’s with Gabe tonight. Said he needed a boy’s night out.”

  “That’s healthy. He can’t be by your side every minute of every day.”

  “Why not?”

  “Let’s get out of here. I opened today, and if I don’t get off my feet soon, they’re going to swell so much I won’t be able to get these shoes off.” Rainy looked down at the frumpy, thick, rubber-soled shoes that were both her salvation and embarrassment.

  “Want to go out?” Sophie stood and hooked her shoulder strap over her arm.

  “What I’d love to do is go home and drink a whole bottle of wine.”