Sophie's Path (25 page)

“In front of all our friends and family, including your mother, Olivia will you be my wife? Marry me?”

Olivia sank to the sand, flung her arms around Rafe's neck and shouted loud enough for the swimmers in the lake to hear, “Yes! A million times, yes!”

Mrs. Beabots continued crying. Sophie applauded and smiled as everyone whooped, hollered and jumped up to congratulate the couple.

Sophie was surprised at her own joy. Mrs. Beabots squeezed her hand so tightly, she fleetingly wondered if she'd be left with a bruise or two.

“Isn't it wonderful?” Sophie gushed, and then turned to see Jack's sour expression. “What's wrong with you?”

“Me? Uh, nothing.”

“Yes, there is. We just witnessed one of life's most exciting moments and you look like you just watched a bad movie.”

He sighed. “Can we go for a walk?”

Sophie had the feeling that being alone with Jack probably wasn't a good idea. She was heartsick and grieving over Jeremy and she was on the verge of believing that it would be best if she and Jack went their separate ways.

Frenchie had jumped out of Sophie's arms and was carrying on a tête-à-tête with Beau. She wished she could be as trusting and as carefree as the two dogs.

“Okay, let's walk.”

Jack hooked the leash to Frenchie's collar and they moved away from their friends. Sophie noticed that Jack's face softened. “So are you going to tell me what upset you about Rafe and Olivia?”

He scoffed. “I just thought Rafe's proposal was too, well, stagy. It was just as you said, I felt like I was watching a play.”

“Well, I thought it was sweet. It was all for his family and close friends. Obviously, Olivia didn't have a clue, so no one outed him beforehand. Even her mother was in on it.” Sophie remembered seeing yellowed photographs of her parents' engagement party. There had been a big dinner at the farm. Her aunt and uncle had been alive at the time. And her grandfather. The table was piled with food, flowers and wine bottles. “To be honest, it made me think of my parents.”

“Oh? That's how people in your family would propose?”

She nodded. “Yes, Jack. That's exactly how my family would have done it.” She glanced at him.

He had a serious expression on his face, but he stayed quiet.

“Not your family's way, is it?” she offered.

“I just think there should be some romance, you know? And spontaneity. I'd just do it differently, if it was me, I mean.”

“Olivia was happy...” Sophie paused, wondering if Jack was trying to say something without saying it. Why was he suddenly so interested in how people proposed?

If he was thinking they had a future together, it was going to make what she had to say to him even tougher. Maybe impossible.

Sophie's insides felt as if they'd been ripped apart. Why should talking to Jack be so difficult? This morning she'd convinced herself they were simply not right for each other. There was too much between them. Jack stopped and took her arm. “Sophie, I'm so deeply sorry about Jeremy.”

Sophie had to snap her thoughts back to the present. He was trying to be empathetic. She nodded. “I know, Jack. I believe you. And I've thought a lot about, well, everything over the past few days. Especially about you and me.”

Jack moved closer and lowered his head to hers. “What have you thought?”

Sophie choked back the burning emotion in her throat. She wrung her sweating hands and then stuck them behind her back. Her mouth had gone dry.

“Jack, it's going to take me a minute to get this out, but please, bear with me.”

“Okay...” he replied hesitantly. She could hear a measure of fear slipping into his voice.

She wanted to cry, but prayed the tears wouldn't come. “You and I will never agree about certain things. We were brought together by an accident and I don't believe we can get past what happened. We've both tried, but I believe that deep down you still think I could have handled things differently.” He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand. “Let me say this, please.”

“Okay.”

“I've realized I'm more than just a little invested in this fight against drugs. Jeremy's death proved that to me. I'm going to do more to help addicts in the future, not less. And I know I can do it. I have the education and the energy and, most importantly, I'll be dedicated to it.” She swept her arm toward their friends still sitting on the beach. “I look over there at Timmy and Annie Bosworth and I know that in a few years, older kids or drug dealers are going to approach them. I want to prepare kids like them. I want them to know how to resist. How to fight back. What to do.”

Tears streamed down Sophie's cheeks as she continued. “Jack, all my life I've only wanted one thing from a man, and I never got it.”

“What's that?”

“Support. A man who's all in. That's what I need. Looking back on my life, I see now that I wasn't just having fun flirting or seeing how many different guys I could date. The reason I never settled on anyone was that I sniffed out their interests in seconds. Frankly, I was too serious for most of them. I only thought I had a chance with Nate Barzonni because he was a doctor. That was as close as I ever came to finding someone who would support
my
earnest intentions.”

Jack pursed his lips. “And I don't measure up, do I?”

Sophie felt the last shreds of her heart rip into pieces. She could be making the worst mistake of her life. Or she could be staunching a wound before it bled out. She and Jack could have a fling, a summer romance, but a year from now, they'd still be at odds. Whenever she brought up the Alliance, or an addict she was working with, she'd be hurting him all over again.

“Jack, we've danced around your guilt about Aleah. Until you address it and deal with it, you'll always blame me. Each time, I'd risk losing you.”

Jack looked stricken, then his expression hardened. “I have nothing to say to that. And nothing more to say to you.”

“Fine.”

Sophie stood on the sand and watched Jack walk away with Frenchie, her rhinestone leash and collar glinting in the sun. She couldn't stop the sobs. They erupted in aching peals that she suffocated by shoving her hands over her mouth. Her tears seared her cheeks. She'd just sent away the man she loved, and in her heart she knew she'd never meet another man like Jack again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

S
OPHIE
RETURNED
TO
the beach, where she expected to find everyone gathered around Olivia and Rafe still congratulating them. Instead, she felt she'd walked into the middle of a cyclone.

Blankets and towels were being whisked into the air, twirling sand spirals in their wake. Beau barked at Annie and Timmy, who were picking up their pails and toys, while Sarah put away the food. Nate raced across the sand toward the parking lot, while Liz leaned against Gabe. Was he holding her upright?

Mrs. Beabots, normally the most sane person in a crisis, was handing Liz a towel.

“Liz?” Sophie asked. “What's going on?”

“My water broke.”

“She's having a baby!” Mica shouted, handing Gina a basket of food. Rafe had grabbed the cooler. “We have to get her to the hospital.”

“Not right this second!” Liz grimaced in pain. She dropped the towel and pressed both hands to her stomach. “Oh, Gabe!”

From what Sophie could see, the entire entourage of capable, take-charge Barzonni men were all out of their element.

“We gotta get her to the car!” Gabe yelled.

“Carry her, idiot,” Rafe shouted.

Gabe hoisted Liz into his strong arms and shouted to Mica. “Where's your camera? We wanted a video, remember?”

“Be careful with her. She's precious cargo!” Mica exclaimed and started to record on his iPhone.

Mrs. Beabots looked to Sophie. “I've never had children. I haven't the slightest what to do.”

“Nobody panic,” Sophie said calmly but firmly. “Has the pain passed?” she asked Liz.

Liz nodded as Sarah took her other arm and Maddie brought up a stack of folded towels.

“Now, let's walk to the car,” Sophie suggested. “Gabe, check your watch and let's time how far apart the contractions are. If her water just broke, they could start coming quickly.”

Nate raced up, one flip-flop in his hand, one on his foot. “Car's running. Let's hurry.”

Sophie shook her head, resolving that she'd never have a video when she gave birth. Someday.

Thankfully, Liz made it to the car before the next pain hit.

“We'll see you all at the hospital. Hurry!”

“Oh, my heavens!” Gina slapped her hands against her cheeks and buried her face in Sam's shoulder. “We're going to be grandparents.”

“You ride with me. I'll check that we've gotten everything from the beach,” Sam offered.

“No!” Mica said, turning off his phone. “Rafe and I will gather it all and put it in my truck. You guys get to the hospital. Help Gabe if he needs it.”

Sophie took Mrs. Beabots's arm. “I'll drive you home.”

“You'll do no such thing! We're going straight to that hospital and we're not leaving till the baby is born. We're family. And that's what family does.”

Sophie didn't argue.

By the time they all traipsed through the ER entrance, Liz had been taken up to Delivery. They crowded into the elevator, with only Luke, who had taken Beau home, missing from their ranks. Sarah held Annie and Timmy's hands.

“This is really cool,” Annie said, grinning up at Sarah.

“Yeah, when can we have a baby brother?” Timmy asked.

“Sister,” Annie argued.

Sarah stifled a smile.

When the elevator doors opened, Gabe was emerging from Liz's room.

“Rafe! Mica! Mom! Everybody!” he shouted, rushing up to them. “You won't believe this, but Liz says she's been in labor since this morning and didn't tell me because she didn't want to miss Rafe's proposal. She said it was too romantic to miss.” His dumbfounded expression said it all, Sophie thought.

“The doctor's in there. I'm going back in.” He shot Mica a stern look. “And no, Mica, Liz decided not to film the birth.”

Sophie suppressed a chuckle. “I know just where to get some half-decent coffee.”

“I'll come with you,” Maddie said. “We'll need extra carriers with this group. Sarah, you want juice boxes for the kids?”

“Please,” Sarah replied.

Sophie and Maddie went to the cafeteria and ordered coffees, waters, sandwiches for the kids and a fruit plate for everyone to share.

“So, you disappeared with Jack and then he didn't come back.” Maddie ventured a guess. “Is everything okay between you two?”

“Between us?”

“Yeah. You know. Like did you have a fight?”

Sophie wasn't sure how to answer. They hadn't fought. They hadn't made up. They'd dissolved.

Maddie pressed further. “Sophie, I'd have to be blind not to see that you've got it bad for Jack. Katia says he's crazy about you, too.”

“She does? He's never said a word.”

“Yeah. I know a lot of guys like that. I now happen to be related to a bunch of them.” She laughed. “The stories I could tell you about Barzonni men...” She waved her hand to shake off the tangent. “So, about Jack. Can you fix it?”

“I don't know.” Sophie felt another painful fissure open in her heart that no suture could mend.

* * *

S
OPHIE
HAD
FOUND
a children's magazine in the family lounge and was reading a story to Annie and Timmy when Gabe flung the door to Liz's room open. “It's a boy! Come on, everybody! Come see my son!”

As they all jumped to their feet, Sophie was struck with the thought that this was joy. For days she'd been mired in grief, but life went on. And with life came blessings and joy. And love.

“What's the baby's name?” Mrs. Beabots asked as they all pushed past Gabe to go inside.

“Angelo Ezekiel. After my dad. Mom was always big on angel names for her sons, too. We thought we'd carry on the tradition.”

Mrs. Beabots nodded approvingly. “I like that.”

Sophie stood with the magazine in her hand. Slowly, she dropped it and turned to leave.

“Hey!” Gabe said. “Sophie. Where're you going?”

Pointing her thumb over her shoulder she said, “I should head out.”

“No way. Come see my boy. You're family now.”

Sophie's face crumpled and her tears didn't have a chance to well up. They just fell. Friendship, coming from Gabe. The guy she'd once flirted with so brazenly. Whose brother she'd pursued, as well. “Are you sure? That you want me in there?”

He walked over to her with a smile on his face that could have broken through the darkest night. “I'm sure. So is Liz. We all are.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “You're a good friend, Sophie.”

“So are you, Gabe.”

They walked arm and arm into a room so crowded with love, Sophie knew she was right where she was meant to be.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

J
ACK
C
ARTER
HAD
never liked the word
no
. His mother told
him that even when he was a toddler, she'd had the battle of the century with
him each time she'd used the word. Barry claimed that Jack was a stellar
salesman because he never took “no” for an answer. In fact, Jack started his own
company because the corporations he'd worked for had tried to pigeonhole him.
Tell him “no.” He pushed harder and longer for just about everything because he
was arrogant enough to defy anyone who tried to stop him from getting what he
wanted.

And Jack wanted Sophie.

She wanted support from him and she hadn't seen it. Through
Sophie, Jack had come to see things in another light. He'd blamed Sophie and
Greg Fulton for Aleah's death for too long. He'd blamed himself and had been
tormented by grief. It had to end. Period. Jack wanted a full life...a life that
included Sophie.

He started by walking into the Recovery Alliance with a sheaf
of papers under his arm. “I'm here to see Eleanor,” he said to a teenaged
volunteer who was placing brochures on a table.

“She's in her office. I'll show you,” she said. “I'm Mindy, by
the way.”

“Jack Carter,” he said, suddenly humble as he noticed a group
of people sitting at the far end of the room talking in quiet tones, intent on
each other. These were the people who needed help—his help. He felt their
compassion for each other and wondered if they were healing. He hoped so.

Jack walked into Eleanor's office and shook her hand as she
rose. “Eleanor, I'm Jack Carter. I own Carter and Associates, the insurance
agency down the block. I'm very pleased to meet you. Sophie Mattuchi told me you
need an umbrella insurance policy for the Alliance.”

“Please, sit down. And yes. That's true, but our funds—”

Jack stopped her immediately by placing the folder on the desk.
“It's paid for. This year and next. It's my donation to your efforts here. I've
come to realize that I've been wrong about a lot of things lately, but what
you're doing, Eleanor, is admirable. You and all the volunteers need the backing
of the entire town. I'm just one guy right now, but I want to help.”

Eleanor threw her hands over her mouth. Her eyes filled with
tears. “I don't know what to say! Mr. Carter, thank you. So very much!”

“Call me Jack. I'm here for anything else you need.” He reached
in his jacket pocket and took out an envelope. “I'm just getting my feet on the
ground myself with my business, but as time goes on, I can do better. For now,
this should help keep the lights on.”

Eleanor didn't open the envelope. Her eyes were glued on Jack.
She was speechless.

“I'd also like a couple of those posters to put in my windows.
I'm told I have the best visibility in town.” He grinned widely.

“You do at that, Jack.” Eleanor smiled. “I'll get them for
you.”

* * *

S
OPHIE
SAT
IN
Emory Wills's office, wondering if the president's scowl could possibly
get any deeper.

She knew why she was here. The fork in her road demanded a
decision. She knew her deepest passion was to help addicts recover, but she'd
worked too hard and too long for her position at the hospital to let it go
without a fight.

Emory folded his hands over his stomach. “I assume you're aware
of why I asked for this meeting.”

“Sir, I believe it's about Jeremy Hawthorne. I was his sponsor
through the Recovery Alliance,” she admitted, so he didn't have to accuse
her.

Emory raised his eyebrow. “And the coroner is calling it a
suicide since his housemate found a note. Did you know that?”

“No, sir.”

“We received a report from Trent Davis at the police
department. For all intents and purposes, the case is closed. Cut and dry.”

Sophie swallowed. “But not for me. Am I being fired?” Better to
get it over with.

“Sophie, you have to understand the position you put me and the
hospital in. Because you were his sponsor, the expectation is that you would
have been able to do something. Counsel him—”

“Save him?”

He shook his head. “No one on staff would think that. But
ordinary, nonmedical people believe those things. And those people might try to
sue the hospital. That's why I have rules in place that staff members here are
not to align themselves with non-hospital-affiliated institutions and groups.
This is Indian Lake, Sophie. A small town where people talk. We'll never know if
Jeremy would have taken his life under other circumstances, in another town. But
do you understand my position?”

“Yes, sir. I do.”

“I don't want to fire you, Sophie. Dr. Caldwell and Dr.
Barzonni came to me to plead your case. They don't want to lose you. If you can
promise me that you will end your work with the Alliance, then I won't fire
you.”

Sophie had known this day would come from the first moment
she'd agreed to help Eleanor. As much as her passion was to help Eleanor and her
clients, Sophie's parents had sacrificed all their lives to give her an
expensive education. She couldn't let them down. Nor could she abandon Dr.
Caldwell and Nate, who'd come to her defense. Her cardiac and ER patients needed
her, too. Perhaps someday she'd find a way to do everything, but today she had
to make a choice.

“I'll stay with the hospital, sir.”

Emory rose and extended his hand. “You're an asset to this
hospital, Sophie. I'm proud of you.”

Sophie left the office and closed the door softly. She didn't
feel victorious. She was sad. She'd had high expectations for all she could do
with the Alliance. She'd wanted so desperately to matter. But in the end, she
knew where her expertise lay. And if she wasn't stretched so thin, she'd be an
even better nurse for all the people who counted on her.

After stepping off the elevator, she passed the ER, feeling the
ghosts of Aleah and Jeremy. It was more than grief that caused her sadness, she
realized; it was also the empty place in her heart where Jack had been.

* * *

J
ACK
ENTERED
E
MORY
W
ILLS
'
S
office and found the man
pacing in front of the large window. Midday sun streamed across the wood floor,
striking dust motes.

“This isn't my day, Jack,” Emory said without turning
around.

“Sorry?”

“I just went to the Indian Lake Deli for lunch and saw posters
for the Recovery Alliance in your windows. I thought we talked about this.”

Jack opened his folder. “We did. I'm ignoring you because I
think you're wrong.” He relished the feeling of taking this stand. He took out
the policies he and Katia had painstakingly put together.

Carter and Associates needed Emory's endorsement and
recommendation to acquire other Indiana hospitals' insurance business. Jack knew
he could be tossing those opportunities away by defying the president. But right
was right. Sophie had shown him that. He also wanted to prove to Sophie that he
was on her side.

“What?” Emory spun around.

“I've looked into the Alliance and what they're doing, and I
don't see where you're coming from with your rules. I'd never be so presumptuous
as to tell you how to run your hospital, but they have a valid place in our
community and I'm already supporting them. If you considered the bigger picture,
you'd see the hospital actually could support them. No laws broken. You could
form a partnership. There are all kinds of ways to go about this, if you'd open
your mind to it. And I'm willing to help with any liability issues. No extra
charge.”

Emory's pursed lips were white and his scowl told Jack he'd
been shot down. Rejected. “Jack, this meeting is over.”

“That's fine, Emory. I've drawn up these policies for you and I
assure you my quotes are the best you'll ever see for the coverage I'm offering.
I'm saving you a great deal of money. If there's any truth to the rumor that
other hospital chains are looking to acquire you, you might want to show them
these.”

Emory appeared stoic and immovable. The man had dug in his
heels. Jack had always relied on his gifts of persuasion to sway clients, but
this was more than a sales pitch. It was the right thing to do for everyone
involved. Jack deeply believed Sophie would eventually make a difference with
her efforts. He wanted to share in that kind of satisfaction. It felt good to
help the Alliance and their clients. He knew that now.

“Listen, Emory. There're a lot of needs in this town. You can't
do it all. The hospital can't, either. Nor can I alone. But, thanks to a certain
employee of yours, Sophie Mattuchi, I've learned that I can do what I can do.
Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll have an impact.”

Emory stared at the folder and gave his head a slight shake. “I
don't see it.”

Jack slid the policy closer to Emory. “Listen, you helped me a
great deal when I came to town. Many of your employees are my clients. I'm a
loyal kind of guy and I like to pay back when I can.” Jack held out his hand. “I
like doing business with you, Emory. I hope you change your mind.”

Emory looked Jack in the eye. “It's not that simple. Right now,
I don't think it's likely, Jack.”

“Well, I'm sorry about that.” Jack shoved his hands in his
pockets, still refusing to accept defeat. He'd leave the folder. Jack wanted to
believe there was still hope. He turned to go and stopped. “Emory, think over
what I said about the Alliance. Please.”

“See you at Rotary, Jack.”

Jack gave him a crisp nod and left.

* * *

T
HE
BACKS
OF
the silver maple leaves glinted in the setting sun as Sophie pushed
herself around the running trail. The west wind whipped across the top of the
lake, turning small whitecaps into beckoning waves. The first chill of autumn
teased the air and already Sophie mourned the end of summer. With summer's
passing, she would have to admit to the end of her romance with Jack.

It had only been a little over a week since she'd sent Jack
away, and she'd never felt so empty or so alone. How was it possible that before
she'd met Jack, she hadn't minded coming home after a long day and simply
curling up with a book? She hadn't minded walks to The Louise House by herself.
She hadn't minded that her phone sat dormant except for calls from her
mother.

Everything was different now. It was as if the sun had lost
half its warmth. Her days were longer—and her nights. The nights were
interminable. All she did was think of Jack, and if she actually managed to fall
asleep, she dreamed of him.

Sophie blew out the heaviness in her chest. It seemed
impossible to miss his silly selfies of Frenchie, but each day that passed
without some crazy photo, another hole opened up inside her. Most of all, Sophie
missed the way Jack would look at her as if she were the only woman in the
world.

Maybe he'd loved her. But not enough to support her the way she
needed.

One thing she knew for sure was that despite all her nursing
education and experience with cardiac care, she didn't have the first clue how
to heal her own heart.

Sophie raced past Jack's condo and peered up through the trees,
only to see his empty deck. No one to wave to. No one to notice her passing
by.

Sophie reached her car and checked her fitness tracker. Three
miles in eighteen minutes and five seconds was still a good run. Not her
personal best, but she'd take it.

She unlocked the car and saw a missed call from Mrs. Beabots.
She grabbed her phone and called her landlady back.

“Hi, Mrs. Beabots. I saw that you called...No. I'm out at the
lake. Is there something you need?...Sure. Sure. I can stop and pick up some ice
cream for you...Oh, Louise has it ready? That's nice...Sure. I'll tell her to
put it on your bill...Okay. See you in a bit.”

Sophie pulled on her black velour zip jacket with silver cords
down the sleeves. The nip in the air was just enough to give her a chill. She
yanked the clip out of her hair and fluffed her waves, knowing the sweat would
dry momentarily.

She used a baby wipe to clean her face and glanced at the
cloth. Apparently she hadn't quite cried off all her mascara.

When she reached The Louise House, Sophie was surprised to find
the place full, considering the cooler temperatures outside. Then she noticed
the chalkboard sign announcing that Louise's pumpkin and gingersnap ice cream
was back.

Now Sophie knew why Mrs. Beabots wanted ice cream tonight.

“Hi, Louise,” Sophie said with a little wave as she walked up
to the counter. “I understand Mrs. Beabots called in an order. I'm here to pick
it up.”

“Huh?” Louise cocked her head. “She did?”

“Uh, yes. I assumed it was for the pumpkin ice cream. If she
forgot to order it, could you scoop up a pint for her?”

“Sure, honey.” Louise smiled broadly. “Tell you what. Why don't
you have a seat? I have another recipe I'm trying out on my favorite patrons.
Would you be willing to taste my gingerbread and brownie ice cream for me?”

“Sure,” Sophie replied. “Anything to help.”

Louise glanced toward the glassed-in candy shelves. “There's a
spot over there. That table.”

Sophie followed her gaze and saw Jack standing up, staring at
her with an apprehensive smile on his lips.