Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(121)

The sun peeked out from behind clouds. Heather slipped on her sunglasses and smiled. She had no idea what was going to happen next, but one thing she did know for sure—she’d escaped. For better or worse, she was going down a different path and whatever happened, she was happy and grateful.

  “Everything is perfect,” Sophie said, adjusting a couple of mugs on open shelves. “The whole space is beautiful.” She glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Which is good, because otherwise your new store would feel bad about not being the prettiest one in the room. You’re glowing.”

Kristine sat on a stool by the front door and took it all in. The gleaming floors, the fresh paint on the walls, the display cases, the coffee carafes, mugs and plates and to-go bags and boxes, the little bistro tables and chairs for those who wanted to linger.

In the kitchen the oven happily baked dozens of cookies at a time. She had brownies cooling, a banner announcing the grand opening in the morning and two hundred and twelve new orders from her website.

“I’m happy,” she said simply.

“I can tell.” Sophie pulled up another stool and sat. “Things are good at home?”

Kristine thought of the counseling sessions and how Jaxsen was doing his best to be different. She was working on that, as well, but she had a feeling it was a little easier for her. She’d always been the one to adapt.

Still, his effort thrilled her. He was helping more with the boys and together they’d revised the chore list for everyone. Jaxsen had insisted they hire a cleaning service to go through the house once every two weeks, freeing her of the task. Ruth had surprised her by asking if she could work in the store on weekends. Apparently, Paul wasn’t thrilled, but he was keeping his grumbles to himself. Ruth was already talking about using her salary to help pay for a girls’ weekend away with two of her friends.

“It’s working,” Kristine said happily. “All of it. I’m putting in ten-hour days, but I’m loving it. Jaxsen is handling dinner two nights a week. It’s just takeout or rotisserie chicken, but that’s okay. Tommy has been looking at cooking videos online and has already made chili in the Crock-Pot.”

“You might have a budding chef in the works,” Sophie teased.

“I might. Or at the very least, the promise of a grateful daughter-in-law when she discovers the man of her dreams knows how to cook.” Kristine smiled at her cousin. “You talked to Jaxsen, didn’t you?”

Sophie shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“He must have come to see you while we were apart. You told him to stop being a jerk.” She smiled. “Or something like that.”

“Not me.”

“There’s no way Jaxsen came to his senses on his own. I love him with all my heart, but that’s not his way. You don’t have to say anything, but thank you.”

“I still don’t have any idea what you’re going on about, so whatever.”

Kristine laughed. “You’ll never change, will you? You’re so warm and loving, yet you can’t take a compliment or accept a thank-you. Why is that?”

“I have no idea.” Sophie’s mouth twisted as her shoulders slumped. “I’m just not like everyone else.”

An unexpected shift in conversation, Kristine thought, leaning forward. “What’s wrong? Is it Amber? I thought she quit.”

“It’s not Amber. It’s me. I’m so far from normal. It’s hard for me sometimes.”

“Soph, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Sophie growled. “Dugan. He’s making me crazy. You know he won’t sleep with me anymore.”

“What? No way. He’s crazy about you. He watches you during Tai Chi.”

“Just so he can yell at me about my lack of form.”

“He never yells. He adores you. I think he’s in love with you.”

Sophie shifted in her chair. “I don’t know. Maybe. No. He’s not. It’s just...” She opened her mouth, then closed it. “When I found out who he was—the previous business success and everything, I totally freaked out. I told him I couldn’t have sex with him anymore because it was too weird.”

“You’d do it with a beach bum but not a successful businessman? Okay, I’m sorry to have to say this, but you’re totally twisted.”

“I know, right? Then I kind of figured out what he was saying was right and I stepped back and let people do their thing and it’s going better. I’ve even stopped putting up my sticky notes.”

“What sticky notes?”

Sophie brushed away the question. “It’s not important. My point is, I’m fine now, but he’s being difficult. He said he’s not putting out until I admit I’m in love with him.”

Kristine burst out laughing. She knew it wasn’t the most supportive thing to do but she couldn’t help it. Her successful, hardworking, determined cousin had finally, finally met her match.

“Good for him.”

“What?” Sophie glared at her. “That’s not supportive.”

“No, but it’s honest. I’m thinking Dugan’s the first guy you’ve ever met who’s willing to call you on your crap.”

“Which is not funny. This is serious.” Sophie looked out the window. “I’m not like you. I don’t want to get married and have kids.”