Page 25 of Saving Sophia

Rook was the youngest of us, and Aunt Carol and Uncle Joe’s only biological child. He hit a growth spurt in middle school and kept growing, until eventually he towered over everyone, even Uncle Joe. “Rook’s construction company is handling the renovation,” I explained to Sophia.

“Is she staying here?” Rook released her hand and leaned against the rough stone pillar of the porch. “The hotel isn’t ready for occupancy, and the cabins need a lot of work.”

I frowned. “How much work?”

“I had the first crew working on one for you since you gave us the green light Monday, so it’s livable, but the rest aren’t fit for pissin’ in.” He flinched and tapped his mouth as if he could pull his constant stream of curses back. “Sorry, little dove.”

She shook her head and twisted the edge of her T-shirt in her fingers. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

“No bother.” Rook waved a hand at her. “I can have the crew start work on one of the base models in the morning, but I don’t have a magic wand.”

The answer was simple. She should stay with me. I didn’t like the idea of her staying alone anyway. But I didn’t want to push her. It wasn’t like she was mine, even if that idea was starting to appeal to me.

“I could sleep on your couch, then? Again?” She blinked up at me. “I mean … if there is a couch … never mind.” Her cheeks turned pink. It was beautiful.

“You liked sleeping on my couch?” I gave her a teasing smile. Rook said nothing, but his amusement was clear. He was going to give me so much shit later.

She blushed harder. “I didn’t want to be a bother.”

“I like having you close. Knowing you’re safe.” I squeezed her hand to ease her embarrassment.

“There’s a couch.” Rook decided to be helpful. “King size bed too.” A little too helpful. “And there’s no place safer than with my brother.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s silly,” she started, her eyes darting from Rook’s shoes to mine. “But I’m a … little afraid to be alone anyway.” She swallowed then added, “In the woods.”

“City girl.” Rook tossed her a wink. “The quiet out here can be unnerving. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe and sound. On his couch.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“Well, then.” Rook clapped his hands and pushed away from the wall like he suddenly had somewhere to be. “If that’s settled, shall we take a tour?”

* * *

SOPHIA

Well done, Amber Jade.

I’d taken some teasing from Ethan’s foster brother, but I survived. I’d been worrying about where I was going to stay the entire trip from California. Ethan mentioned cabins, but the idea of staying in a cabin alone terrified me. I dreaded the moment the question would come up. But it did, and I spoke up. Said what I wanted. Maybe I stuttered a little, but the result was the same. And now I would have another night … with him.

I already felt safer. With hundreds of miles between me and the club, that whole fiasco was becoming more and more like some book I read. And now, that book might be turning into a romance. I was ready to reinvent myself. To have an adventure. To kiss a prince. That tube of cherry-red lipstick in my bag approved.

“This is one of the luxury cabins, so it’s got some amenities,” Rook said as he led us up from the main building toward a two-story cabin with a wraparound porch and a ton of windows. “We got the electric upgraded and the plumbing is all new. Finchie was working on stocking it with the essentials for you.”

“Who’s Finchie?” I asked, sticking close to Ethan along the dark gravel path. His fresh cedar scent wafted out and I followed in his wake, trying not to make my appreciative sniffing too obvious.

“My assistant, Evie Finch,” he answered. “She’s been out here for a week or so working with Rook and prepping for the start of the project.”

My heart sped up, and my stomach churned. He had an assistant? A female assistant? Of course he did. That was a completely normal thing for a successful businessman to have. My foot caught on an oversized rock and twisted, pulling me down. “Ouch!” I cried out, falling on my knees, my skirt hiking up over my thighs. Perfect.

“Are you okay?” Ethan was at my side in an instant, helping me up.

“Path’s a bit bumpy, little dove,” Rook advised. Apparently, he was a fan of nicknames. And stating the obvious.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled, brushing down my skirt, hoping my butt hadn’t been hanging out too badly. Before I could add any more insult to my injury, a hearty woman’s voice echoed up from the main parking lot. “Boys? Ethan? Rook? You up there?”

“Here, Ma,” Rook called out, waving a hand as a robust woman with steel gray hair, thick and barely contained in a low ponytail, came striding up the path. She wore patched blue jeans rolled above her ankles, a light button-up denim shirt with big pockets, and bright red Converse.

“My boys!” She ran the last few steps and grabbed Ethan in a bear hug before looking him over with a motherly eye. “Ethan, honey, how are you? It’s been too long since you’ve been home.”

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