A Treasure Worth Keeping

So maybe he’d misjudged her. But he knew one thing for sure. He had to get to Sophie before Evie did.

It didn’t take Evie long to understand why Faith frequently “ran away” to Sophie’s house. And it wasn’t just to visit the puppies or because Sophie’s home, filled with simple yet comfortable furnishings, created a peaceful retreat. Sophie was the reason Faith returned. The older woman radiated a warmth and inner peace that instantly made a person feel welcome. And accepted.

“I wish I could keep all four of them,” Sophie said as Faith wrestled on the braided rug with two of the more active puppies while their mother, Sadie, kept a watchful eye from her wicker basket in the corner. “A few days after my diagnosis, Sadie showed up in the yard. I knew right away she was a stray—her fur was matted, and, even pregnant, she looked like she hadn’t eaten for days. I called your dad and he came over and helped me bathe her. He even offered to take her home with him, but I’d already fallen in love with her. God must have known I’d need her.” Sophie smiled. “She’s a very good listener.”

Was Sadie the only one you fell in love with?

Evie didn’t voice the question that sprang into her mind. Whenever Sophie mentioned Patrick’s name, her eyes sparkled with affection. The two of them had obviously become close. But had the friendship developed into something more?

And how would she feel if it had?

The previous summer, Evie had scolded Caitlin for her strong reaction to Patrick and Sophie’s friendship. If Sophie Graham brought some happiness into their dad’s life, shouldn’t they be supportive?

She had to admit, though, that the possibility of making room for another person in her dad’s life was a little unsettling. Especially when Evie had been the one looking out for Patrick since Laura died.

“I don’t know what I’d do without Jacob and Patrick,” Sophie went on. “They fuss more than they ought to, but I wouldn’t be able to live out here if they didn’t help me keep the place up. The Lord sent those two wonderful men. I was in the hospital with complications from pneumonia, worried I’d have to sell my house, when Patrick showed up one Sunday with a group of men from his church to read to the patients. Your father got stuck with me.” Sophie chuckled at the memory.

“We had a nice chat afterward and found out that we both loved antiques. The next Sunday, he introduced me to Jacob. They brought Monopoly along and convinced me to play. I don’t think I ever laughed so much in my life. By the time I came home from the hospital, they’d spruced up the place and every day one of them would stop by or call to check up on me. I think they adopted me like I was a stray—just like Sadie.”

Evie hid a smile. Somehow, she doubted it was an accurate comparison!

“They were a reminder that no matter what the future holds, God’s already there, preparing the way. Oh, He doesn’t always smooth out the rough spots in the road ahead. Those are the places we have to exercise our spiritual muscles, you know. To build our faith, so to speak. But God always provides the strength I need to keep going.”

The sincerity in the words touched Evie and explained the source of the peace in Sophie’s eyes. Evie knew that the woman’s deep faith, the fruit of years of walking with the Lord, was another quality Patrick would have been drawn to.

A sudden movement on the stairs caught Evie’s attention. The man glowering at them over the railing looked to be only a few years older than she was, but the expression on his face made him look like a cranky toddler who’d just awakened from a nap.

“Evie, this is my son, Tyson.” Sophie ignored Tyson’s sullen look while she made the introductions. “Tyson, this is Evie McBride, Patrick’s daughter.”

“Hey.” His hooded stare fixed on Evie. It reminded her of a crocodile. Cold and flat.

This was Sophie’s son?

A shudder chased up Evie’s spine, but she forced a polite smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Tyson.”

“Evie is taking care of Beach Glass while Patrick is away on his fishing trip,” Sophie told him.

“There’s not much to do around here.” Tyson’s gaze burrowed into her. “We should hang out sometime.”

A shiver coursed through her. “I’m afraid I don’t have much free time. I’ll either be minding the shop or tutoring Faith.”

Tyson shrugged and stomped down the rest of the stairs. “I’m going out for a while.”

“Ty, where—”

The door snapped Sophie’s question in half.

Evie’s heart went out to her. It was hard to believe someone as rude as Tyson was Sophie’s flesh and blood. With his unkempt appearance and surly attitude, Tyson didn’t seem to be someone Sophie could depend on. No wonder she was so grateful for Patrick and Jacob’s help.

Faith broke the awkward silence as she plopped next to Sophie on the couch, the puppy draped over her arm. It raised its head and tried to lick her cheek, igniting a fit of the giggles.

Sophie smiled but Evie didn’t miss the pensive look in her eyes. Compliments of Tyson. Impulsively, Evie patted Sophie’s hand before rising to her feet.

“We should go back, Faith. We still need to go over your homework for tomorrow.”

“I’ll have to do it on the boat. Sam promised we could spend the whole day on the water. And I get to make lunch.” Faith launched to her feet and put the puppy back on the rug with his littermates.

Evie kept her expression neutral. She didn’t want Faith to pick up on the fact she wasn’t happy with Sam for taking her out on the boat. The thought of them at the mercy of Superior’s changing moods made her uneasy.

It’s not your business, Evie, and Sam Cutter would be the first person to tell you so.

“Come back soon.” Sophie escorted them outside. “When I talked to Patrick this morning, he asked me if I had plans to stop by Beach Glass soon and introduce myself. I can’t wait to tell him that you beat me to it.”

“Dad called you? This morning? I thought they weren’t going to be able to contact us until they got to the lodge.”

Sophie looked away, flustered. “We talked only a few minutes. I think he called from a gas station and the connection wasn’t very good…. Look, there’s Sam.”

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