“How long ago did he call you?”
“As soon as you left, but I wanted to give you a few minutes to yourself,” Darren replied without looking at her. “You okay? Do you want to talk about it?”
“I know she’s been gone for over forty years, but giving her stuff away seems so…finaland permanent, you know.”
Sophia felt Darren’s eyes on the side of her head. “She’s always going to be with you, Soph. Even if you decide to give all of her things away.”
Sophia twisted to face him, tears burning the back of her eyes. “Thank you.”
Darren stood up and drew her to him. He wrapped his arms around her, and she brought her head to rest in the crock of his neck, allowing the familiar smell of him to waft up her nostrils. His hands fell to her waist, and they stayed there, trying not to move.
Until Teddy wedged his way between them and started licking their faces.
Sophia pulled a face and stepped back. “Teddy, that’s disgusting. Your breath stinks, and I know what you lick with that tongue.”
“He’s got no respect for personal space, does he?” Darren took the leash out of her hands and draped an arm over her shoulders. “Come on, why don’t I treat you to some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream? I know a good place nearby.”
Sophia matched her pace to his. “You mean the place I introduced you to?”
“Did you, though? I remember things very differently.”
Sophia rolled her eyes. “Of course, you would because you’re a credit taker.”
Darren threw his head back and laughed, the sound slicing through the air like music to her ears. “I don’t think that’s an actual word, but fine, whatever makes you sleep at night.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Thank you all for coming to my retirement party.” Uncle Frankie lifted his beer up and patted his stomach. “I’m starting to think it’s the reason why I can’t lose all this extra weight.”
“Don’t blame my cooking,” Paula added from where she sat a few feet away. “Everyone here knows what the real issue is.”
Uncle Frankie nodded, his expression turning serious. “Yeah, it’s these old genes. Exercising just isn’t in my DNA.”
A ripple of laughter rose through the crowd.
Sophia lifted the glass of lemonade up to her lips and smiled.
“As usual, I’ll be accepting gifts in the form of cash, credit cards, and checks,” Uncle Frankie continued, his bright eyes sweeping over the room. One gnarled hand darted out to swat away a fly and slick back a lock of thinning hair. “There’s a table set up in the living room for that express purpose.”
More laughter rose through the crowd.
“And as usual, I’ll tell you all not to waste your time or money until his actual retirement comes.” Paula stood to face the crowd, her skirt billowing with the wind and amusement etched onto her face. “Please don’t encourage him any further.”
Another ripple of amusement moved through the crowd, leaving some members of the Wilson clan to wipe the tears off of their faces. Since this was her Uncle Frankie’s fifth retirement, it was now becoming something of a running joke between all of them. Not only was it becoming clear that he had no intention of retiring anytime soon, but Sophia was also pretty sure that Wilson Realty was such an integral part of his identity that it was engraved in his bones and embedded in his DNA.
As she stood in the doorway to the backyard, sipping on her drink, Sophia couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if hedidactually retire. Considering Paula herself had quit teaching a few years back, she thought her aunt was itching to have more time with her husband and their children.
Emily materialized next to her in a long skirt, a button-down blouse, and a glass of wine already in hand. “So, do you think he’ll actually go for a theme next year?”
Suzie sidled up to Emily, chewing on a sausage-filled appetizer. “Are you kidding? Dad nearly got away with a theme this year. Mom had to pull out all the stops to keep this from turning into a sci-fi fest.”
“I thought theGame of Thrones-themed birthday party was cool.” Jonathan came to a stop in front of them and shoved a hand into his pocket. “At least up until Dad decided to play the Red Wedding theme song.”
“Nothing kills the mood like knowing what that music means,” Sophia added with a smile. “I just hope he doesn’t decide to pull one of his murder mystery parties. Do you remember how the town reacted last time?”
“Hasn’t the mayor banned him?” Tara showed up with Jeff in tow, the two of them holding plastic plates piled with food. “I’m pretty sure his exact words were he’d run Uncle Frankie out of this town before he allowed him to have another murder-mystery event.”
Jeff lifted the beer bottle up to his lips and snorted. “Yeah, likethat’sgoing to stop Uncle Frankie from having one if he wants to. You know how single-minded he gets.”
