Page 38 of Fortune's Control
She waved a hand, dismissing me. “No, he won’t, but that makes it so much better. Let me deposit my bag first. How do you feel about margaritas?”
“I love them, but we’re lacking supplies.”
“Oh, no. I came prepared.”
I worried he had found me only minutes ago, but the prickle on my back showed that my new sister-in-law was on her way. Detective Davis had it right. “We’re going to get along famously, Sophie.”
She carted her rolling suitcase toward the garage rather than the house. “Suitcase away so the drinking can start.”
I almost forgot. “Wait. I live there.”
Sophie stopped short. “In the garage apartment? Oh, no, you don’t. Not anymore. He married you, right? It’s time for you to move in. Shane will like that.”
“That wasn’t our agreement.” Shane allowed the use of the house while he was out of town, but it didn’t feel right to move in without his knowledge. I also wasn’t sure he’d appreciate my sudden appearance in his domain.
“It is now. I own the house too, which makes you my guest as much as his. For once, Shane will do as I say.”
I didn’t ask what that meant.
*****
I chose a ground-floor guest room while Sophie finished taking over the garage apartment. Its plain white walls andsimple furniture didn’t stick out, but the rest of the house was a wonder. A central hallway, open at both ends, helped the flow between every room. Dark wood trim matched the wood floors. You found charming details in every room, from a window seat to an old transom window, but the main living room possessed something extraordinary.
“It’s like looking up at the heavens, isn’t it?”
Sophie’s question broke my spell. “That’s the perfect word.” The tongue and groove pine ceiling transformed into cool, white walls. Wood beams, dark wood furniture, and tall wood windows. “Your father designed this room, didn’t he?” After admitting his interest in woodcraft, Shane told me how he learned.
“My parents did. They would often share a glass of wine or sit and talk in the evenings. It wasn’t off limits, but Shane and I always considered it their place instead of ours.”
“Shane talks about them often.”
“He feels guilty.” Her lips tightened, like she wanted to say something else. “Let’s start on dinner.”
*****
“This is amazing; better than my soup. Will you be my new personal chef?”
Sophie’s divine lemon chicken, with rice and asparagus, paired with a white wine we found in the kitchen pantry, made for a perfect dinner. Much better than my quiet evening with an awful movie.
“My parents entertained all the time when I was growing up. I helped my mother cook and then watched from the hallway. I think it’s what drew me to the hospitality industry.” Sophie took a sip of her wine, considering. “Now, I’m a cog in the corporate hotel world, but not forever.” She flashed an enigmatic smile.
“Are you moving home?”
“To this house?” Sophie shook her head while speaking. “Oh, no. When I…even if I move back to Fortune’s Creek, I’d take up residence somewhere else. Shane can stay here with you.”
I stared at my lap, uncomfortable. At best, we were temporary partners. Once the trial ended, my purpose for hiding in Fortune’s Creek disappeared. Shane married me out of pity, which struck me as the weakest kind of foundation. “I know Diane told you it was kismet or instant love between us, but it wasn’t. His friends put Shane on the spot, and he did it to avoid embarrassing me.” My cheeks heated. Spoken out loud, especially to his sister, sounded pathetic.
“I’ve known Shane my whole life.” Sophie set down her fork and leaned across the table. She released a heavy breath, preparing herself for a long speech. “My brother does nothing he doesn’t want to do. Ever. If he married you, the details don’t matter. He decided, and you’re in it now.” She smirked and took a sip of her wine. “He did it to me after our parents died, you know.”
Curiosity and cats. My ears pricked, eager to learn about this part of his life. “He joined the military then, right? The Marines.”
“He and Jack, both. Those two were supposed to be twins, but nature got in the way.” Sophie looked past my shoulder, giving me the impression it was towards Jack’s house. “They traveled the world, and I spent my senior year of high school with relatives I barely knew. Shane decided it was best. So, I promise you, based on years of evidence, that if Shane married you, it’s because he wanted it. For better or worse.”
I draw back. “That sounds like a threat.” My head tilted, andI refilled my glass. “This wine tastes good.”
“It’s delicious. But also, it’s not a threat. It’s who Shane is.” Sophie went to fill her wine glass, but ran out halfway. She shook the bottle, wrangling out a few drops before giving up and setting the empty green bottle on the table. “Well, that’s an absolute tragedy.”
“Did we drink the entire thing?”
