Page 16 of Just Can't Fall for the Enemy

I grabbed my camera and started recording as she talked, managing to get a few dozen clips of the town’s artifacts. Since she hadn’t given me permission to film her and stepped back so she wouldn’t be in the shot, I respectfully kept my shots focused on what the museum offered. Sophie excused herself and went outside long before I’d finished. Despite the artifacts filling every spare inch, the room felt oddly empty without her.

When I emerged into the morning sunlight, Sophie knelt on the sidewalk, eye level with a child wearing a backpack. The girl sniffled as if recovering from a good cry and rubbed her knee, which I now saw was bright pink. Sophie seemed to be comforting her. I stood back, careful not to disturb the moment.

“Some people kiss owies better,” Sophie told her. “But you know what my mom always did when I hurt my knee? It’s a family secret, so you can’t tell.”

The girl sniffed again and shook her head. “I won’t.”

“Good. Here’s the secret: she would talk to my knee—lean right over and talk to it like it was a person. Isn’t that silly?”

The girl grinned through her tears. “Yeah. What did she say?”

“She told it, ‘Thank you for working hard so my Sophie can walk. And skin? You’re doing a great job keeping the dirt and germs out. Sorry you’re hurting right now, but I know you’ll heal right up. I’ll try to keep you protected till then.’ She’d blow it a kiss and tell it goodbye and to have a good day. Then she’d look up at me and act startled, like she was surprised I was attached.” Sophie chuckled to herself. “She always gave me a hug. Sometimes she’d also put a bandage on it and sometimes not, but it always felt better after that.”

The girl wiped her nose on her sleeve and sniffed again. “Will you talk to my knee?”

“I would be honored. What’s her name?”

The girl giggled. “My knee has a name?”

“Of course! They all do. Here.” She leaned over the girl’s knee. “Well, hello, beautiful knee. What’s your name?” She cocked her head as if to listen, then nodded. “Interesting. Well, I appreciate your taking such good care of Kate here. I’m sure it hurts, but you’ll start feeling better very soon. Have a great day, all right?”

The girl watched her in awe. “What did she say?”

“She said you already know her name. You just need to say it out loud.”

The girl practically jumped up and down. “It’s Sarah! I knew it!”

“Amazing,” Sophie said, rising to her feet and sending me a knowing smile. “That’s exactly what she told me. How did you know?”

I found myself chuckling. As the girl threw her arms around Sophie, I told her, “Have a great day at school, Kate and Sarah.”

“We will!” She practically ran off down the sidewalk.

Sophie wiped her hands on her jeans as I approached. “Poor kid,” she said. “It was a nasty fall. This section of sidewalk isn’t the best in town.” She cocked her head again. “What?”

I’d been staring at her in wonder. This entire scene just felt so different from Olivia, who’d never wanted children and barely glanced at them.

“Nothing,” I told her. “Just thinking that was something special to watch.” I wanted to ask if she loved kids, but I already knew the answer. I could see it in her eyes.

I’d seen her wear the same look talking to Mack last night. In fact, every time she talked to people, with the exception of the rude date from the other night, they left smiling. The woman certainly had a talent for connecting with people. And somehow she was single, or she wouldn’t have been on a date with that guy in the first place. An odd jealousy hit me now, and it made no sense at all. He’d missed out on a huge opportunity. One I now wanted more than anything—the chance to go out with Sophie Goodman on an actual date with no business involved whatsoever.

Sophie wouldn’t have walked away, leaving you alone with an empty house.

Not going there. Comparing Sophie to Oliva would only bring pain.

“Okay,” Sophie said, her face flushed, and I realized I’d been staring at her an awfully long time. “Anyway, it’s time for your tour of the town. You still need to see the school, the fire station, and the clinic. We don’t have a hospital or I’d show you that too. Maybe the gas station and a couple of farms if you’re feeling brave. My truck okay? It’s a little loud, but the radio still works.”

“I’d love it.” To my surprise, it was true. None of what she’d said sounded particularly surprising or unexpected and definitely not the unique angle I’d hoped for. But anticipation shot through me at the thought of sitting alone with her for much of the day. Why, I couldn’t say and didn’t want to consider. “One condition—I’m buying lunch. Drive-thru this time.”

She gave me a lopsided grin. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Nine

That night,I made a huge mistake. A colossal, monumental mistake.

I let Carmen dress me for a wedding.

“Oh, come on,” she said with a chuckle, gesturing to my image in the full-length mirror on the back of my bedroom door. “It’s not that bad. You look like a woman for once rather than a weapon-yielding forest soldier.”

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