Page 36 of Sophia, Property of Tracker

“Yeah, I’m here. I’ll have to speak with Tom, but I’m sure it will be okay.”

“Good, because I need you here with me, Sophia, and we’re going somewhere for a few days.”

“We are? Where are we going?”

“Don’t worry your pretty head. Somewhere where we can be alone together. I love my brothers, but when you’re around, I need you all to myself.”

“Oh, Ryan, that sounds amazing. I miss you so much.” A thought comes to my mind. “Hey, Ryan, what do I pack?”

“Whatever you like, or better yet, don’t wear anything, baby. You won’t be needing any clothes because I plan to keep you indoors for most of the time.”

“Ryan, be serious.”

“I am being serious.” He laughs, and I can’t help but laugh too. I can just imagine him standing there with a smile on his face. He knows he’s got me all worked up by keeping a secret from me. I’m dying to know what it is.

“So, does this mean you’ll come?”

“Yes, of course, I’ll come.”

Someone says something in the background, and I hear Ryan say, “I’m coming.”

“Good. Now I have to go. Prez is calling church.”

Church, I remember wondering why they go to church so often, but now I’ve come to learn that church is just a meeting. Why it’s called church, I have no idea.

“Oh, and Sophia?”

“Yeah?” I ask, nervously chewing on my nail.

“Bring a swimsuit.”

I remove my finger from my mouth. “A swimsuit?”

“Yeah, a swimsuit. Gotta go, babe.”

I hang up from Ryan and sound out a little squeal. I got to tell Annie the news. Without hesitation, I dial her number, and she answers on the second ring.

“Hey, you.”

“Hey, Annie,” I reply in an excited voice.

“You sound happy. What’s going on?”

Laughing, I explain my conversation with Ryan and how he’s finally inviting me to see where he lives and meet the boys. We talk for over an hour about what it might be like. What clothes to pack and how I need to go shopping and buy a new swimsuit.

Just before we hang up, we make plans to go shopping tomorrow. Annie’s just returned from a mission in Iraq. When she came home, she didn’t tell me much about what went on there, but whatever happened, she’s made it clear that she doesn’t want to talk about it. I know she would have seen some bad things, but she said she was sent on a secret mission and got the job done. Every time she returns home, it takes her a couple of days to get back into everyday life. But when she does, she’s back to the old Annie again. Happy, vibrant, and full of life.

It will be nice to catch up because I haven’t had a chance since she returned last week.

SOPHIA

Present

I’ve been driving for a couple of hours, and Ryan asked me to call him every hour to let him know where I am. The guy can be overly protective, but I get it. He’s an ex-FBI agent, and I can only imagine what he’s seen in his career.

I’m so excited for this week ahead, but at the same time, I’m really nervous. I have no idea what to expect when I arrive.

What if they think I’m not good enough for him and don’t like me?

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