Page 72 of Love From the Ashes

CHAPTER 26

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Reid relaxed inthe upholstered chair in the family room, listening to the music streaming through the stereo speaker he’d bought a few hours earlier. He’d purchased it for Sofie while she slept upstairs, recovering from this morning’s ordeal with Denny and Nick and the traumatic events of the last few weeks. Remembering her saying that music soothed her soul, Reid thought it might help make her comfortable and provide some measure of peace. Still riddled with guilt for his part in unwittingly pushing her away, he’d do anything he could to help her heal.

He closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair. He had to agree with Sofie. The music had a calming effect, almost like it was reaching into his subconscious and telling him everything would be okay. Reid smiled as he thought about her. Sofie was so much wiser than she gave herself credit for and such a loving and caring person once you cracked through her outer shell. It was only now that he fully understood the reasons for the wall she’d built around herself and her need for secrets.

Reid’s cell phone rang, pulling him from his reverie. He picked it up from the coffee table and looked at the screen. It was his mother. “Hello, Mother.”

“Reid, how is Sofie?”

“She’s been sleeping all afternoon. This morning was terrifying for her, seeing Denny after all those years and knowing all he wanted to do was hurt her. I hate wishing others ill, but I can’t feel anything besides satisfaction and relief that he’s gone. At least he’ll never be able to hurt her again.”

“What about her brother?”

“Charges will be filed against him for breaking into our home, assaulting Sofie at the shopping center, and making all those threats to her. It’ll be difficult for her since she’ll have to testify against him, but I’ll give her all the support she needs to get through it. I only hope this doesn’t become a long, drawn-out process.”

“I hope it doesn’t either. The longer the legal process, the harder it will be for Sofie.”

“On a side note, I had an informative discussion with Keith earlier about the possibility of additional charges against Sofie’s brother. Keith thinks conspiracy charges might get filed against him because of his involvement in helping Denny go after Sofie. We’ll have to wait and see how this whole thing pans out.”

“The more charges, the better, I would think. It’ll keep Sofie’s brother locked up longer and away from her.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Reid said.

“You haven’t mentioned Sofie’s mother. What happened to her?”

Reid took a deep breath as he rubbed his temple. “We don’t know. The police went to the motel she’d been staying at with Sofie’s brother, and the desk clerk said she’d hurriedly checked out. So at this point, we have no clue where she’s gone.”

“That can’t be good. I hope Sofie’s mother isn’t lurking somewhere waiting for a chance to come back and do something to her.”

“We hope not. Keith said the police would keep looking for her. Well, I better check on Sofie. I need to see if I can get her to eat something.”

“I’ll let you go then. Give Sofie a kiss and hug for me.”

“I will. I’ll talk to you later. Love you,” Reid said.

“I love you too, sweetheart. Bye.”

Reid hung up his phone and went upstairs to check on Sofie. She was awake, lying in bed and staring out the window. She turned to look at him when he sat on the bed.

“How are you feeling?” Reid reached out and held her hand.

“Much better.” Sofie gave him a faint smile.

Reid studied her face. Even though she’d slept for hours, she still looked exhausted. He couldn’t imagine what she must have gone through over the last few weeks. He was sure about one thing, though. He’d apologized a dozen times since he’d found her, and a million more apologies could never make up for the cruel things he’d said and done to her. She hadn’t deserved any of it. He squeezed her hand. “Are you hungry? I stopped at Panda Imperial earlier when I went on an errand.”

“Barbeque pork fried rice and sweet-and-sour chicken?”

“Uh-huh. I got your favorites.”

“I am a little hungry, and that does sound good. I’ll go downstairs to eat after I take a warm shower. Do you mind?”

“Of course not. I’ll leave you alone, and you can come downstairs whenever you’re ready.” Reid leaned forward and kissed her. As he pulled away, he murmured in her ear, “I love you, and I missed you.”

Sofie smiled at him, the light coming back into her sapphire eyes for the first time since she’d been back. “I love you too.”

Reid stood and walked to the door. “I’ll be in the family room.” He turned away and went downstairs.

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