by Lori Ryan
“Well, there’s a zip line, lots of hiking trails.”
“Ooo, zip lining sounds fun.” Sophie smiled, rubbing her hands together.
“You like zip lining but you don’t like rock climbing?” Grady asked.
Grant laughed. “Don’t even try to understand her, dude.”
“There’s kayaking too, and canoeing.”
“Canoeing!” Sophie shouted. “Let’s start there. Are there life jackets?”
Grady laughed. “Yes. There’s a great place about fifteen miles north on Lake Mayched.”
“I know that one,” Grant said. “Don’t get naked in Lake Mayched.” He laughed.
“What?” Grady asked.
“It was the saying in high school. It was a local hangout for teens to make out and drink beer, so the sheriff patrolled out there a lot. A few kids got caught skinny dipping one year.”
“Was one of those kids you?” Sophie asked, raising a quizzical brow.
“Hell no, that water is freezing. Do you know what cold water does to a guy’s junk?”
Grady covered his mouth, concealing a grin. Mostly.
“Am I right man?”
“Yes, Grant, we all know that your little man shrivels up like a raisin,” Sophie said, showing how small she thought he got with her thumb and forefinger pinched together.
“Oh, God,” Grady groaned. “Not a good image.”
Grant loved how playful Sophie was becoming and it hadn’t even been twenty-four hours. “Does Ferris Templeton still run the boat place out there?” he asked.
Sophie snorted. ”Like Bueller?”
Grant shot her a grin.
“Yeah, Ferris still runs the operation,” Grady said.
“God,” Grant shook his head, “what is he, like eighty now?”
“No one knows for sure, but he’s still got all his marbles.”
The bell above the door rang just as the sound of a very feminine, very annoying voice rang through the store. “Hello! Grady!”
Aunt Sally.
Grant bit back a groan. “Unlike some in my family.”
Sophie giggled.
There was no way his aunt’s presence could be a coincidence.
“Oh, there you are, Grady. I brought some of my—” Aunt Sally stopped in her tracks, a look of what he would bet was fake surprise on her face. “Oh, Grant, and Sophie, what a wonderful surprise to see you.”
“Surprise, Aunt Sally?” he said. “Really?”
She slapped a hand over her chest as if insulted. “Are you insinuating that I knew you were here?”
“I would never pretend I understand what in the hell you know and don’t know.”
“Well, hello to you too.” She raised a chin as if offended. “And to think, I always said you were my favorite nephew. Might have to change my mind.”
“Oh, yeah?” Grant asked. “Who would be your new favorite?”
“Becca,” she said with a huge smile as the little girl bustled in behind her.
“Hello, Uncle Grant.” She beamed, running toward him.
“Hello, little munchkin. What’s that in your hand?”
She held out an oversized book. “It’s my new book. Aunt Elle gave it to me. It’s called Giraffes Can’t Dance. I’m taking ballet classes with Aunt Elle did you know that? I’m not doing very well, but she says it’s just because I have a lot of booty to shake. What do you think?” She turned and arched her back, sticking out her bum.
She ended her rush of words as she glanced over her shoulder at her rear end.
“I think your booty is just fine,” Aunt Sally said, squeezing Becca’s cheek.
Becca swatted her away. “Ow. I’m not a baby.”
Grant stared at his aunt. “Still your favorite?”
Sally beamed. “Of course she is.”
“Hi, Sophie,” Becca said, waving her hand. “Want to see my book?”
Sophie stared around the three of them, seeming uncomfortable despite her love for children. “Um, sure.”
“Actually,” Grant said, “we were just on our way out to—”
The bell chimed again. “Sally,” Grant’s mother called, “you in here?”
Grant narrowed his gaze and glared at Aunt Sally. He loved his family and had confided that he was bringing Sophie back here to Canyon Creek to try and win her back, but he’d specifically given them instructions not to interfere. Apparently, they weren’t going to do as they were told. Surprise.
“Oh, hello everyone,” his mother said, brushing back her silvery blonde hair and smiling as if she were genuinely surprised to find Grant and Sophie in the store.
“Let me guess,” Grant said staring down at her, “you want to go zip lining so you stopped by to get your equipment?”
“Don’t be silly.” His mother waved him off dismissively. “Grady has tubing I need.”
Grant choked. “Excuse me?”
“Tubing,” she repeated, smiling at Grady.
“Tubing?” Grant asked.
“Yes, tubing. Long pieces of rubber cords.” She stared at Grant like he was an idiot, which he couldn’t refute at the moment. “I cut them up and use them in my yoga classes for extra resistance. Right, Grady?”
Grant turned to Grady, who looked dumbstruck.
“Uh, right,” he said, “but we don’t have any right now. I told you yesterday. I said I’ll call you if—”
“Oh, my mistake,” his mother said.
It was a mistake all right, a mistake to tell his family anything about bringing Sophie home. And especially telling his brother Ben they were coming to O’Halloran’s. Traitors.
“Oh, hello, Sophie,” his mother stepped toward her, taking her in an embrace. He was grateful Sophie had always fit into his family right from the start. “It’s so good to see you again. I didn’t even recognize you, you look so young with your hair pulled back.”
Grant rolled his eyes. His mother had seen Sophie many times with her hair pulled back. Sophie never put on a fuss when they traveled back to Canyon Creek.
“I heard you’ll be staying for a while,” Sally said.
Sophie’s gaze rolled up to meet his.
“Sorry,” he mouthed.
“Yes, I’ll be here,” she finally answered, “for a little while anyway.”
Shit.
His mother practically beamed. “Well then, you’ll have to come for dinner soon.”
“No, Ma,” Grant said.
“That sounds nice,” Sophie said at the same time.
“Good,” Aunt Sally exclaimed. “It’s settled. Dinner this Friday.”
“Wait,” Grant rubbed his head, “what? No.”
“Do you want to get back in my good graces and become nephew numero uno?” Aunt Sally asked, holding up one finger.
Grant shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
“I’ve got turtle cheesecake.”
“With extra caramel?” he asked.
She smiled and nodded.
Oh, hell, she was using baked goods to bribe him. And it always worked.
Sally turned to Sophie. “And I’ll have the mini key lime tarts I know you love.”
Sophie’s eyes went wide. “Seriously? God, I love those things. I’ve never found anything like them anywhere else.”
“So, we’ll see you Friday?” his mother asked.
“No,” he said as Sophie said, “Yes.”
Sally burst into laughter. “See you Friday, lovebirds.” She turned to leave but whipped around, nearly dropping her box of baked goods. “Oh, here you go, Grady, it’s the cinnamon rolls you asked for.”
Grady took the box and stared down at it in confusion. “But I didn’t ask for—”
“On the house.” Sally patted his chest and winked, then turned in to Grant, whispering so only he could hear. “Don’t screw this up lover boy.” Before he could reply, Aunt Sally leaned over and hugged Sophie. “Take care of this one, sweetheart. He’s a handful.”
“Don’t I know.” Sophie laughed, hugging he
r back.
“I hope you’re enjoying the cabin as much as Warner and I have.” Sally waggled her brows.
Grady groaned. “And on that note. I’ll be at the front register if you need me.”
Grant watched as Grady went to the front of the store, greeting another man who must have entered at some point.
The man stared at their small group for a minute, but Grady turned him away, shifting to one side to block Sophie from the man’s view. Grant wasn’t ready for the onslaught of attention that would come if word got out he and Sophie had stayed in town. If they only spotted him, people would assume he stayed in town to visit his family.
If they caught sight of Sophie and him together and spread the word on social media, they could end up with a lot more attention than he wanted.
“We’re leaving,” his mother said. “Sally, Becca, you ready?”
Grant stood in silence, watching as the three of them walked toward the entrance. Just before they pushed open the door, he watched Aunt Sally give his mother a high-five. They were definitely on a mission to help him.
Given their track record with his five brothers, he should probably take it. He faced Sophie who was also watching them leave.
“Pretty sure those two are up to something,” she said.
“And now it looks like they’ve added a third minion to the meddling tribe.”
“Yeah, but who could resist Becca?” Sophie asked.
“Sorry about that.”
She shrugged. “I’ve always loved your family. They may be overbearing, but that just means they care.”
He stared into her beautiful blue eyes, hoping his family’s interference wouldn’t cost him Sophie.
“You ready to go canoeing?”
“Yes.” Sophie smiled. “It sounds good.” She held up a finger in warning. “But no getting naked on Lake Mayched.”
“Considering a cold front is blowing in, I’m okay with that.” He stepped closer and studied her gorgeous face more closely.
She swallowed and he saw a flick of nervous excitement shimmer in her eyes.
“But there are other places to get naked, Soph,” he whispered against her skin.
Her eyes went wide and a blush rose across her cheeks.
She still wanted him, and for the moment, that was enough.
Chapter Eighteen
Sophie sat at the front of the canoe, facing Grant as she enjoyed the breath-taking view of Canyon Creek Mountain to her right.
He’d insisted on taking the oars and rowing them far out onto Lake Mayched, despite her request to help. Still, she had to admit, she was getting into the relaxation. And the view of Grant as his chest and arm muscles contracted with each stroke wasn’t bad, either.
The area was amazing, and so quiet.
“See the aspens at the base,” Grant said, pointing one of his oars.
She looked to the shore at the bottom of the mountain.
“They’re changing color, yellow now, but soon the leaves will be gone completely.”
“I love aspens,” she said wistfully, watching as the small round leaves fluttered in the wind like they were waving at them as they floated by.
“I know.”
Sophie straightened in her seat and stared at Grant. He was smiling, a genuine expression, not the one he reserved for the public. No, this one was filled with joy…and love.
“I’m sorry about my mom and aunt.”
She chuckled. “Don’t worry. I know it’s your mother’s greatest wish to have her boys married off.”
“And have tons of grandkids.”
Sophie stiffened in her seat as she nervously played with her hands. She wanted to tell him the truth about what she’d found out earlier this year but was unable to comprehend it herself.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice. She was thankful for his change of subject. Grant had always been able to read her.
She tugged on her life-vest. Despite her slight fear of falling into the deep and frigid lake, she really was having fun. “Very much,” she finally said.
“You don’t have to say it like you’re upset about it.”
She tilted her head and stared at him. “What does that mean?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
She pointed at him. “See, that, that right there.”
“What?”
“That was one of our problems together.”
“Was?”
“You know what I mean. You throwing out some passive-aggressive statement almost asking for a fight.” She sat still, waiting for him to blow up.
He blew out a heavy breath and stared at a spot behind her. “You’re right.”
Her eyes went wide. “Seriously?”
He laughed and rolled his eyes. “Yes. I tend to pick fights, I guess.”
“You guess?”
“I grew up with five brothers, what do you expect?”
She couldn’t believe he was conceding without a…well, a fight. She straightened, bracing herself to ask the question that had been on her mind for almost a year but fearful of how he would react.
“Just ask it, Soph.”
“What?”
“You're rubbing a hole in your palm with your thumb and biting the hell out of your lower lip. All the tells that you’re nervous.”
Before she lost her nerve she blurted out her question. “Why did you beat up your manager?” She held her breath, not sure how he would react.
“I’ll answer if you promise to answer one of my questions after.”
She swallowed hard, terrified at what he might ask. “Um, okay.”
“Cow-vow,” he said with a straight face, holding out his hand.
“Are you serious? You’re going to make me cow-vow?”
“Sure am. I know how you are. You tend to renege after you get what you want.”
“You’re seriously going to make me moo like a, what is it you call it?”
“Cow in heat.” He laughed.
“And this is what you and your brothers used to do?”
“Yep. Pinky swears seemed too girly so we came up with cow-vow instead. It’s the deepest form of promise one can ever make.” He placed his hand over his heart and closed his eyes as if in reverence.
“That’s just for the boys in the Sumner family.”
“You’re in the Sumner family.”
She sat still, staring at him. It was true, they were still married. Honestly, she loved being part of Grant’s big, boisterous group. “What’s your question?”
“Nope. No way.” He shook his head. “You can’t decide after you hear my question. Cow-vow now if you want my answer.” He held out his hand again.
She rolled her eyes and stared up at the sky. The canoe rocked and she grabbed the sides. Something grabbed her ankle. She stared down and saw Grant was holding her steady.
“I’ve got you, Soph. I won’t let you go over.”
Her eyes went wide as a shock of desire ran up her leg. Unable to speak, she stared at his hypnotic eyes. The heat in his gaze had her paralyzed.
“Mainly because I don’t want to jump into that freezing cold water to save you.” He chuckled and the moment was gone.
She laughed, hiding her confusion. “Fine. I’ll cow-vow.” She grabbed his hand and shook once. Again she felt that jolt of lust from their connection like she always did. Distance was her friend, but she’d find none in this small canoe.
A grin spread across his face. “Your cow-vow has to be loud if it’s really a true swear. Ready?” he asked, cupping his hands around his mouth.
“Yep,” she nodded, mimicking his gesture.
Suddenly a horrific sound bellowed from his mouth, the worst cow mooing she’d ever heard.
The sound echoed over the vast area and she dropped her hands, bending over in a fit of laughter. “Oh my God,” she choked out. “That sounded awful,” she said through her tears. “You sounded like a bull in distress.”
“I didn�
��t hear your cow-vow,” he said, raising a brow.
“Oh, uh, yours was so loud, you didn’t hear mine.”
He shook his head. “Don’t think so, sweetheart. I was born at night, but it wasn’t last night.”
“I thought your mom said you were born during the day. That she had to miss one of her favorite game shows.”
“Stop trying to change the subject.” He pointed a finger at her. “Moo, woman…or else.”
She tilted her head. “Or else what?”
Grant moved to stand, sending the canoe rocking.
“No,” she screamed. “No, please. Moo! Moo! Mooooo!”
Grant fell back, laughing so hard the canoe moved with his convulsions. The sound of his amusement echoed across the lake.
Unable to help herself, Sophie burst into fits of laughter as well, her stomach cramping in pain. This was what Grant had always done for her during the good times, shown her the lighter side of life.
“Good enough?” she asked.
“That was perfect,” he said, wiping at his eyes. “Classic. God, I wish I had recorded that.”
“I would have drowned you and deleted the file.”
He snorted. “Okay, that was an excellent cow-vow on both our parts. What’s your question?”
“Why did you beat up Don?”
Grant sat back, placing the oars underneath him as he pondered the question. He didn’t seem mad, just reflective at the mention of his former manager. Finally he straightened his head and stared directly at her. “He threatened something important to me.”
“What?” she asked, scooting forward.
“That’s two questions.”
“Mooo!” she shouted.
He shook his head and laughed.
“Dammit,” she muttered. “You always get me on technicalities.”
“Now it’s my turn,” he said.
She bit her lip nervously, afraid of what he was going to ask.
“Why haven’t you ever sent me the divorce papers?”
Wow, she hadn’t expected that question.
“That’s a good question,” she said.
“That’s not an answer, Sophie.”
It wasn’t, she knew that. She sat silently for a moment as if the answer would rise to her from the water underneath them. “I don’t know,” she finally said.
“Yes you do.”
She held still, only her eyes moving to find his. “Because I believe in happily-ever-afters.”