Page 69 of Someday

“You sure about this?” Callum says.

“News travels fast, doesn’t it?”

“You know it does in Landmark, especially in the offseason,” he says. “Had to hear your voice to know if you’re really okay, and I gotta say, I’m still not sure.”

“I wouldn’t have figured you’d be the perceptive one nailing me down for answers.” I run my hand through my hair and turn back to see Sofie looking at me from the window.

I smile and turn to face the opposite direction.

“I have my moments,” Callum says.

“It’s been unbelievably great, and I’m fucking terrified,” I admit.

“Okay, that tracks. Peg told Helen and Helen told Grinny that you and Sofie are engaged. That true?”

I sputter. “No. We just got back together.” I groan. “I did offer to build her a barn to keep her horses at my place…not that I don’t want to marry her, but…fuck.”

“Breathe,” Callum says.

I sigh. “She has a good reason for leaving, Cal. I couldn’t have gone back into this if she didn’t. But I get the feeling there’s more to the story, and I can’t help but be scared she’s gonna disappear on me again.”

“I’d tell you to be careful with your heart, but I think where Sofie’s concerned, you’re always going to be too far gone. Just know I’m here for you if it goes south again.”

I want to punch my fist into the wall, but I nod instead, gritting my teeth and kicking the pavement.

“Thank you, brother. I know you are. Hey, can you come over to the house on Saturday?”

“Need me to build a barn?”

I chuckle and press my fingers over my eyes. “Yep. And maybe hang out with the family too.”

“Yeah, count me in.”

“Thanks for checking on me.”

“You bet,” he says, hanging up.

The bastard never says bye.

When I go back inside the restaurant, I feel a little better. I’m sure I’m going to have a few freak-outs along the way. Sofie’s eyes are on me when I sit back down, along with Grinny’s and Scarlett’s.

“Callum,” I say, holding up my phone. “I owe Wyatt and Sutton a phone call too.”

Grinny chuckles and lifts her eyebrow. “That’ll teach you to come into Sunny Side before you’ve announced the news to your family.” She puts her arm around Sofie and squeezes. “We’re so glad you’re back in our life, sweetheart.”

“I am too,” Sofie says. “Thanks for welcoming me back. And I’m sorry Theo and I didn’t reach out earlier this week. We’ve been in our own little world.”

Peg walks by long enough to overhear that much and she sings, “Let’s get it on,” in her high, warbly vibrato voice.

I’ve had about as much togetherness as I can stand, and I adore my family, love most of the people in Landmark like they’re extended family, but I didn’t know this little outing would spiral me back into a pit. I think I’d prefer to stay in our love nest a while longer, not deal with reality just yet.

But Mark, Jo, and Claudia bring out the shakes and everyone lifts their glasses toward Sofie and me.

“To the happy couple,” Mark cheers.

“Hear, hear!” the restaurant erupts.

“Sorry,” I mouth to Sofie.

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