Guarding Sophie by Julie Brannagh

family members and friends. His problems were small compared with hers. The solution to his issues was to man up and tell the people in his life he’d had enough, and things would change—hopefully. He wasn’t sure what he dreaded more: the actual conversation or the fact other people might find out that his own family was more interested in his money than they were in him. A few of his teammates had similar problems, but it wasn’t like they sat around discussing them. They seemed to handle it.
    Sophie encouraged him to talk about his challenges anyway. The years they hadn’t seen or talked to each other melted away as they relaxed on his deck in the sunshine. She listened intently and didn’t laugh at him for being a wimp, which he appreciated.
    â€œI can’t believe they’re not grateful for all the things you do for them, Kyle. That’s awful. And I had no idea they acted this way toward you, either.” Her brow puckered in concern. “You don’t deserve that.”
    â€œIt’s not that big of a deal in comparison to what’s happening with you.”
    â€œIt’s not a contest to see who has it worse.” She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around her knees. “Like you said, maybe we could figure out how to fix some of this stuff.” She glanced over at him. “I’m in if you are.”
    He bumped fists with her. “Absolutely.” He saw her mouth curve into a smile as she relaxed into the chair again. “Hey, what are you up to tomorrow? Do you have to work?”
    â€œIt’s my day off,” she said. “What did you have in mind?”
    â€œHow about a picnic by the river? I’ll drive.”
    â€œI’d love that,” she said. “Would you like me to make some food for us?”
    â€œWe can get some sandwiches from the bakery or something.”
    â€œAnd pass up those prime rib leftovers? I don’t think so.”
    â€œMy kitchen, my expensive cuts of meat . . . ” he joked.
    â€œI’d want to go on a picnic with you if all we had to eat was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” she said.
    They stared at each other.
    â€œI’m looking forward to it too,” he said.
    They hadn’t had dinner yet, and he’d already asked her out on another date.
    S HE CUT INTO the prime rib, which was perfectly done. She decided to make olive oil-laced seasoned roasted potatoes instead of the more traditional mashed potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese. She steamed broccoli and carrots for another side dish and opened a bottle of Syrah so it could breathe. Kyle was in the other room answering some e-mail. It felt like a couple at home for the evening instead of two people who hadn’t talked in ten years.
    â€œAre you sure you don’t need my help?” he said.
    â€œThis is easy,” she said. “Don’t worry about it.”
    She couldn’t wait to see the look on Kyle’s face when he took the first bite. She loved cooking as much as she loved teaching. She’d wondered if there was any way to combine the two, but she didn’t have any formal training. She practiced new recipes on her friends and family instead.
    She missed them so much already. She’d been distracted from her continuing homesickness with Kyle, but she needed to figure out what she was going to do next. He’d said that they should work together to find solutions to the things in their lives that weren’t working. She didn’t want to burden him or anyone else. Mostly, she wanted to forget she’d ever met Peter and resume the happy life she’d had, but she’d realized something over the past three months.
    Peter had taken almost everything from her, but he hadn’t been able to scare her enough that she was willing to give up. She’d left everything she knew at home in Cocoa Beach. She was making a new home in Noel, and she was warmly welcomed by the