Last First Kiss by Vanessa Devereaux

tab for them . In fact, here’s t he receipt and his credit card he forgot to take because he seemed to be in a rush , and by the look of his face, pain , too .”
    Sophie didn’t like the sound of that . Maybe that’s why he’d been sweating earlier. She needed to check on him.
    “Which way are the restrooms?”
    “Over to the left at the back of the store.”
    Sophie put Wade’s credit card into her pocket and headed there . She approached the men’s bathroom and knocked on the door.
    “Wade, it’s Sophie . You okay in there?” She put her ear to the door , but there was no response.
    Next time she tapped lo uder. “Wade, you still in there?”
    “Yep, Soph , and I’m okay.”
    “Anything wrong? The assista nt said it looked like you were in pain . Anything I can do to help?”
    “No, no, I’m fine, really I am. Breakfast just disagreed with me, that’s all. I’ll be out in a minute.”
    “I’ll be waiting.”
    Sophie decided to check out some of the pillows a nd comforters while she waited for Wade . Maybe she’d take some of these back to Seattle for clients who wanted a Western theme. She heard footsteps b ehind her and turned to see him heading her way looking flushed in the face. He slipped his hat on.
    “Sure you’re okay?” she asked him.
    “Never better. I got it all out of my system in the restroom.”
    “Before I forget , here’s your credit card.” She handed it to him. “And it was naught y of you to pay for these .”
    “Think of it as my homecoming gift to you.”
    “Well, thank you. And I might have to do some bending and stretching to get them worn in. You don’t think I should have opted for the next size up do you?” She turned around and bent over slightly. “I ’d hate to rip them.”
    “Soph, I think they’re perfect. They fit you like they were custom made. Now, let’s get going so you can see Emily.”
    ****
    Sophie took a n instant disliking to the police station as soon as she stepped over its threshold.  In fact, despite being born and raised in Greenville , she’d never been inside it . Her nose twitched. It smelt of cleaning fluid , if she wasn’t mistaken. It was cold, stark, and yes, she could do lots with it to brighten it up. Poor Grans being in this awful place all night for something she didn’t do.
    Wade put his hand in the small of her back and encouraged her to walk towards the reception desk where a police officer was writing on a sheet of paper.
    “Good morning. I’m wondering if Emily Richardson will be allowed a visitor. T his is her granddaughter, Sophie , who’s come all the way from Seattle to see her.”
    “Sophie, yes. Your grandm other’s been talking about you non-stop ,” he said.
    Wade nudged her , and Sophie smiled.
    “Yes, I think we can allow you to visit. She’s with her attorney at the moment , but once he’s done I don’t see any problem with you visiting but only for ten minutes or so.”
    Sophie nodded.
    “If you’d like to wait over on that bench, I’ll call you when we’re ready.”
    Sophie went ahead of Wade , and they both sat.
    “If you have other things to do, I’ll be fine by myself,” said Sophie.
    He patted her on the back of the hand. “Nothing more important than being her e for you and Emily. You’re my family , just like Pop and my sister.”
    Sophie squeezed Wade’s hand. “Speaking of your sister , how is she?”
    “She and Pop finally recon nected. She lives in Boulder these days . Her husband works in a law firm there , so they see us a couple of times a year. And she’s expecting again.”
    “How many will that be?” asked Sophie.
    “Her fifth. She’s hoping , and I think her husband is praying , that it’s a boy this time , so t hey can quit making babies , so they don’t have to k eep moving to bigger houses to accommodate them all .”
    Sophie laughed. “I’m sure your dad is happy that he gets to see his grandchildren now .”
    “Oh, yeah, never been a prouder grandpa. He