Rustic Hearts

Sophie

 

“You’re what!” my mother’s panicked voice shrieks across the line as I corral my luggage out of the taxi and into the airport.

“It’s just for a few days, Mom. I want to pay my respects and see Pop.”

I knew she was going to be upset about me going to Poplar Falls, and that’s why I waited until the last possible second to tell her.

“This is a bad idea, Sophia,” she says nervously.

“Maybe so, but I’m about to board the plane, so for better or worse, I’m going.”

“You don’t have to. You can turn around right now. I’ll send you a car myself.”

She sounds even more distressed than I expected.

“It’ll be fine, Mom. I’m a big girl now, and you don’t have to protect me anymore. If it’s too uncomfortable or unpleasant, I’ll come back early. It’s not like they’re going to hog-tie me and refuse to let me leave.”

I try to ease her mind, but she doesn’t laugh.

“I just don’t understand why you have to go. You haven’t seen your grandmother in over twenty years. It’s not like you were close anymore. Sending a condolence card would suffice.”

“Mom …”

“Just the thought of you being around that woman and those children turns my stomach.”

At her admission, I drop some of my a

“Trust me, I’m not looking forward to meeting them either, but this trip isn’t about them. I want to see Aunt Doreen and Aunt Ria, Emmett, and Pop.”

“And your father,” she whispers over the line.

“And my father,” I admit.

She sighs, and there is a long pause.

“Mom, you still there?”

“Yes, darling. Promise me something before you go.”

“Anything.”

“No matter what happens while you’re there, promise me you’ll come back.”

I laugh at her request. “Of course I’ll come back, silly. I live here. My apartment, my office, my friends, you and Stanhope—my entire life is in New York. Nothing could keep me from coming home.”

I hear her sniffle, and I know that she’s crying.

“Mom, don’t you think you’re being a little overdramatic? There’s no reason to be so upset. It’s a quick trip. A vacation. I’ll be there and back before you know it.” I dig in my bag for my ID and ticket as I near the head of the security line. “I have to go. I’m about to go through the TSA check. I’ll call you when I land in Denver.”

“All right, Sophia. Have a safe flight. Remember you’re my onliest only.”

“Bye, Mom. Love you.” I hang up just as I pass my ID to the scowling agent. “Sorry about that. I have a nervous Nelly for a mother.”

He grunts at me as he passes back my card.

Okay, I guess we aren’t in the talkative mood today.

Once I’m through to my gate, I pull out my Kindle. Time to get lost in my latest obsession—historical romance—for a while, so I don’t overthink this trip.

At the Denver airport, I head to baggage claim to grab my luggage before making my way to the information desk to inquire about my car service.

Just as I pluck my bag from the carousel, I hear a deep voice calling my name, “Sophia Lancaster!”

I turn to see a man standing there with his hands in the pockets of his well-worn jeans. He’s wearing a baseball cap on his head, pulled low over his blue eyes. Tendrils of dark hair are escaping at his nape. His ta

I shake myself from my staring and slowly approach him.

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” I ask.

“Are you Sophia?”

“Yes,” I answer hesitantly.

“I’m your ride,” he a

I look around, confused. He’s definitely not a driver for the service we usually hire. Their uniforms consist of black ties and jackets, not fla

“I think you have the wrong girl. I’m Sophia Lancaster, but I’m not expecting a ride. I have a car service picking me up.”

He walks over and firmly takes my bag from my hand. “Lancaster. Yep. You’re the one I’m here for.” He turns and starts walking toward the exit.

“Wait. That’s mine.”

I hurry after him as he rushes toward a parking deck, dodging cars arriving to pick up other passengers.

“No time to wait, sweetheart. Rush-hour traffic is about to hit, and we want to be on the other side of Denver when it does,” he calls behind him.

We make it to a large gray Chevy truck, and he tosses my bag over the tailgate as I skid to a halt behind him.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not getting into your truck. I have no idea who you are. Please give me back my bag before I call for security,” I rasp out as I try to catch my breath.

At that, he smiles a little half grin and walks toward me. I start backing up as he approaches.

“Name’s Braxton. Doreen sent me to get you. The ranch isn’t that easy to find in the dark, and GPS isn’t much help. So, if you don’t mind getting your ass in the truck, we can get on the road and make it back before Emmett scoffs down supper and leaves us nothing but scraps.”

Braxton. The new wife’s nephew. Why would Aunt Doreen send Braxton to get me? He and his sister are the ones who replaced me.

I stand there, rooted in my spot.

I knew I would eventually meet him and his sister, Elowyn. I went over the scenario in my head a thousand times. I’d be introduced to my father’s new family, and I’d be polite but distant. Then, I’d do everything I could to avoid them the rest of my stay.

Here I am, caught off guard at our first meeting, and I can’t seem to get my practiced mask in place.

There’s no way I can ride two hours in a confined space with him.

“I’d prefer to try to make it on my own.”

He lets out an unamused chuckle and shakes his head. “Look, Princess, I’m not thrilled about this either. I have work to do, but it’s important to Doreen, and that makes it important to me. She just lost her mother.”

At that, I deflate a little. I realize I seem like a petulant child at the moment, so I give in. How bad could it be? “All right, fine.”

I walk over as he unlocks the passenger door and swings it wide for me. I climb up and slide into the seat.

“You’re welcome, Princess,” he says sarcastically as he shuts the door and rounds the truck.

This is going to be the longest road trip of my life.

I take my earbuds from my purse and stick them into my ears as I close my eyes. I’ll let Norah Jones sing me all the way to Poplar Falls without sparing a single word or glance at my companion.