Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(108)

A villa in the south of France? She would happily not work on a Saturday if that was her option.

“Who’s cooking?” she asked.

Dugan laughed. “I am.”

“Then you’re on.”

Maybe if they went to the south of France, they could start having sex again. She was really missing that and couldn’t figure out why Dugan was holding out on her. She was fairly sure there wasn’t anyone else in his life. He had said he was crazy about her. So what was the problem? Stupid man.

They started walking again.

“How’s Heather doing?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. The last time we talked, she said she was ready to strike out on her own.”

“You don’t sound like you believe her.”

Sophie raised a shoulder, then licked her cone. “I want to, but I’ll admit I’m not sure she’s really going to go. Amber has a way of sucking people in and maybe Heather isn’t strong enough to fight that.”

“You don’t really think that.”

“Why not? She hasn’t left before. She was looking at apartments with her mom.”

“Sophie, she’s twenty years old. She had no father. You and Kristine are her only other family and you’ve been living in California and Kristine has a husband and kids of her own. You’re worried that Heather isn’t strong enough to leave the woman who raised her, the woman who’s never been able to take care of herself? A mature forty-year-old would have trouble breaking away from that. There has to be more guilt than either of us can imagine. What if she leaves and Amber can’t make it on her own? What if Amber never forgives her? What if everyone turns against her and she’s all alone in the world? It’s a lot for a kid to deal with.”

The ice cream she’d eaten turned to stone in her belly. Sophie tossed the rest of it away and stared at Dugan. “I never thought of it like that.”

“I guessed.”

There was something in his tone and expression. “Are you judging me? Do you think I’m being selfish?”

“Not selfish. You have a lot on your mind with the business.”

“Meaning what? I should take more time with my family?” She pressed her lips together, knowing he wasn’t wrong about that. She did get caught up in work—maybe too much. “I want to, but it’s hard.”

“Making the time or knowing what to do?”

“Both. Like Heather. How do you think I should help? Give her money to start over in Boise?”

“Heather isn’t the problem. Amber is. Get her settled and Heather will be free to go. Didn’t you tell me they’re being forced to move?”

Sophie glared at him. “I know where this is going. You want me to buy Amber a condo so she doesn’t go after Heather. You’re very free with other people’s money, aren’t you? That’s so extreme. A condo. As if.”

He finished his ice cream and smiled at her.

“What?” she demanded.

“I didn’t say a word.”

“You didn’t have to. You’re incredibly transparent. A condo. Sure. Why not three so Amber will have a choice of where she lives that particular day? And a new car. Maybe a tropical island. You know she’d find a way to complain about that.” She glared at him. “What?”

“So much energy. What are you protecting yourself from?”

Before she could react, he pulled her close and hugged her, then kissed the top of her head.

“Sophie, I know it feels like everyone you’ve ever loved has broken your heart, but that’s not true. Your mom didn’t want to die. Mark was a jerk, but that can’t be helped. You have people who care about you.”

His words and embrace made her eyes burn, but she blinked away any sign of weakness. Stupid man. She was fine. She didn’t need him.

Only it did feel good to be held, and when she’d been in trouble he’d been the one she’d called, so maybe stupid was the wrong word. As for needing, well, she wasn’t going to think about that.

“You really think I should buy Amber a condo?” she asked, her voice muffled against his strong chest.

“I never said that.”

“You thought it.”

“I refuse to be in trouble for thinking something.”

“If I buy her one, it won’t go well.”

“That I believe to be true.”

“But it would solve a lot of problems.” She looked into his eyes. “Have I mentioned I don’t like that you’re insightful?”

“More than once.”

“Are you ever going to sleep with me again? Before we go to the south of France, I mean. I know you’ll sleep with me there because otherwise why go.”

She expected him to give her a quick, funny response, but he didn’t say anything for several seconds.

“Not today,” he murmured, lightly kissing her.

“I find that annoying.”

“I know.”

“Is that why you’re doing this?”

He smiled. “I believe the problem is more what I’m not doing rather than what I am.”

“Is it a test?”

Because if it was, she was done. She didn’t do tests or games or any of that.