Page 69 of Saving Sophia

“Who’s Caroline?” Sophia asked.

“The doll Uncle Joe gave Aunt Carol when they first started dating,” I explained.

“Oh. I’d love to meet her.” Sophia’s eyes brightened, and she gave a cautiously hopeful glance to Evie before picking up another doll. A warm bubble of happiness swelled in my chest to see her comfort with her Little side increasing.

“She was damaged in a fire.” Evie was still staring down at the doll, Elowen, her finger tracing the doll’s hair. “Now she’s sitting in a box. Aunt Carol can’t bear to look at her but can’t stand to throw her away.”

“Oh no,” Sophia exclaimed. “Poor Aunt Carol and poor Caroline.”

“Do you think you could do something with her?” I asked.

Sophia tipped her head to the side, thinking. “I’d need to see her to understand how badly she’s damaged, and what materials I’d need. I couldn’t make any promises, but I’d do my best to bring her back.” She chewed her lip, considering possibilities to rescue the doll.

“Can you get her from the storage facility?” I asked Evie.

“Of course, Ethan,” she said. “Let me make a call, and I’ll have her delivered this afternoon.”

* * *

SOPHIA

Evie was still unsure of me. That much was clear on her face, but hope for Aunt Carol’s doll might have softened her mask. I had a wild moment of optimism, imagining we might even become friends.

When my dolls were put away, Evie and Ethan settled down in the kitchen to go over some quarterly reports.

“I think I’ll go … check on Callie,” I said after a few minutes. “If that’s okay?” I added, unsure if I needed permission, or how to ask for it in front of Evie.

“Good idea. You need to have a conversation with her.” Ethan raised an eyebrow, and I nodded. “Be careful.” He pulled me in for a kiss. Evie didn’t bat an eye. She even smiled at me. Maybe we really could be friends someday.

“I will,” I said with a hopeful grin. “Her cabin is only a few yards away.”

Callie practically leaped out her door when I knocked. “Let’s explore. I’m bored out of my mind, and Rookie’s construction crew is working at the big building today.”

We walked down the path toward the main building, me in my trusty Converse, Callie in highly impractical burgundy Dior slingback pumps. Somehow, she managed to look perfectly at ease wearing a super short, navy shirt dress only half buttoned, a blue silk scarf wrapped around her waist, and multiple bangled bracelets.

We walked toward the sound of hammers and coarse laughter while I worked on how to tell her about the murder.

The huge flight of steps toward the main building loomed before us. We walked up, past the swing, and through the cavernous doors into the main lobby.

“I can’t believe you’ve been up here by yourself with all this yummy manliness.” Callie sauntered past two men working on electrical outlets. “I’ve been back in L.A. shaking my ass, and you’ve been here with so many possibilities.” She gave a flirty hair flip to the guys, who grinned, leaning back and elbowing each other.

We wandered over to a seating area near an ancient bar. She scrunched her nose at the old, floral couches and several black and white photos that looked like shots of skiers from some long-gone Olympics event.

“Jesus, who decorated this place? It looks like my grandma’s basement.”

“It’s been around a long time,” I said. “Ethan and his family came here when they were kids.”

“I mean, the elements are all here, grand staircase, stone fireplace, amazing view. But it’s all wasted. That window should be three times bigger.” Callie tugged at dusty curtains in mock horror. “Are there any amenities?”

“I think there’s an indoor pool,” I offered. “We could go find that.”

“Perfect, we can scope it out for a skinny-dipping party.” Her eyes sparkled. “Down that hallway maybe? Can you believe this carpet? It’s like that creepy old hotel movie with the guy with the ax. You know that was based on a real hotel? The Ahwahnee in Yosemite. It’s gorgeous in real life.” She ran her hands along the old, lacquered bar, her eyes appraising. “Rustic but classy, soaring windows, painted details, practically gothic in its reverence to the mountains around it. This place has so much potential.”

After a few wrong turns, we found the pool, and it was lovely. There were a lot of chips in the tiles around the edges, but it was big, quiet, and serene. Our voices echoed in the huge space. Callie immediately kicked off her shoes and sat on the edge, sliding her legs into the heated water.

“So. Tell me all about life in the woods with Ethan.” She extended one leg and wiggled her toes, making tiny ripples. “And when I say life, I mean sex. Preferably in the woods.”

I snickered and sat next to her, untying my shoes and setting them to the side. “It hasn’t happened … yet.”

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