Sand Castle Bay (Ocean Breeze) - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,62
It was rare for anyone to deny Sophia whatever she wanted, Emily included.
“What about you? Are you in?” Sophia pressed.
“Of course I am,” Emily said. “What time is the appointment?”
“Ten o’clock, but I could push it back to the afternoon. That’s the best I can do.”
Emily thought of the flight schedules she’d looked over before her last trip. “Try to set it up for three,” she said. “That should give me time to get in and get to your house. If I’m running late, I’ll call and you can give me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
“You’re an angel, Emily.”
“Hardly that, but I owe you for all the business you’ve sent my way. If this is important to you, it’s important to me.”
Sophia hesitated, then said, “You know, Emily, I honestly thought you’d seize the chance to get back out here with a little more enthusiasm. Is there something back there that has a hold on you, besides the whole family thing, that is?”
It was the most personal question Sophia had ever asked. Usually she was all business, even though she obviously had a soft spot for Emily. It was one more hint at their evolving friendship.
“Just a few things I’ll need to juggle,” Emily replied evasively, thinking that it was best to keep this discussion on a professional footing. Or maybe just not wanting one more person chiming in with an opinion about her personal life. “I’ll work it out.”
“Then I’ll see you at my place around two on Monday,” Sophia said. “With traffic the way it is out here, it could take us an hour to get to this house. You do know that the address can’t become public information, right?”
“Understood,” Emily assured her. She knew that for some of these women their lives and even their children’s lives depended on being someplace where no one could find them. The consequences of a slip could be tragic.
She thought of the women who’d gotten their lives back, thanks to Sophia’s efforts with this particular cause, and it reminded her yet again that all the parties, the galas, the dinners weren’t just a frivolous exercise by someone with too much time and money.
“Sophia, what you’re doing here? It’s pretty amazing,” Emily told her. “Thank you for letting me have a small part in it.”
“Oh, honey, your part won’t be that small,” Sophia said with a laugh. “I’m counting on you to donate your time and to save us a bundle. I expect you to work your magic and create something warm and wonderful on a shoestring. There’s this one room, it’s a mess now, but it will make the most amazing playroom for the children. I can already envision it.”
“I’ll do my best,” Emily promised.
She sighed as she disconnected the call. Now she just had to find the right words to persuade Boone that she wasn’t already going back on her promise to give the two of them a real chance.
13
Boone was about to call Emily to invite her on a formal date when his cell phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and saw she’d beat him to it.
“Great minds,” he commented when he answered. “I was about to call you.”
“Really? Then you go first.”
“How about dinner tonight? I’m thinking it’s about time you tried my restaurant. You’ve never even set foot inside. Of course, the inside’s a construction zone, but you’ll get the idea. And it should be a nice night for eating on the deck. What do you say?”
“I’d love it,” she agreed at once.
“And you won’t start telling me how to redecorate?” he teased. “I know that’s an ingrained habit of yours.”
“Very funny. I’m sure it’s lovely already, even with the repairs you’re having to make. And Grandmother and Jerry certainly give it high marks for the food. I’m anxious to see what’s on the menu.”
“Why don’t I pick you up at the house around six-thirty? That’ll give me time to get B.J. settled over at Alex’s for the night.”
“A sleepover?” she asked, an unmistakably breathless note in her voice.
Boone chuckled. “For him,” he confirmed.
“And us?”
“I suppose we’ll have to see how things go.”
“Way to dangle a carrot, Dorsett.”
Boone chuckled at the frustration she didn’t even try to disguise. “You called me, by the way. Anything in particular on your mind, or were you just calling to hear the sound of my voice?”
She hesitated, then said, “Why don’t we talk about it tonight? It’s something we should probably discuss face-to-face.”