Читать онлайн книгу «Hired by Her Husband» автора Anne McAllister
Hired by Her Husband
Anne McAllister
Back in her husbands bed!Once Sophy and George Savas were happily marriedThen Sophy woke up and realised that her blissful marriage was a sham. Shes never looked back until the day she learns her husband has been critically injured and her world is shakenNow, though hes stubborn and proud, George wants Sophys help. He knows she wont come willingly, so he hires her to be his wife for as long as he needs her! But playing happy families is dangerous, and soon George realises that his need for Sophy runs deepand strong
George sucked in a breath.
For the first time in nearly four years he and Sophyhis wifewere face to face.
Wife? Ha.
They might have stood side by side in a New York City judges office and repeated after him. They might have a legally binding document declaring them married. But it had never meant anything more than a piece of paper.
Not to her.
Not to either of them, George told himself firmly, though the pain he felt was suddenly different than before. He resisted it. Didnt want to care. Sure as hell didnt want to feel!
The very last thing he needed now was to have to deal with Sophy.
Hired by Her Husband
by
Anne McAllister
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Award-winning author ANNE MCALLISTER was once given a blueprint for happiness that included a nice, literate husband, a ramshackle Victorian house, a horde of mischievous children, a bunch of big, friendly dogs, and a life spent writing stories about tall, dark and handsome heroes. Where do I sign up? she asked, and promptly did. Lots of years later, shes happy to report the blueprint was a success. Shes always happy to share the latest news with readers at her website, www.annemcallister.com, and welcomes their letters there, or at PO Box 3904, Bozeman, Montana 59772, USA (SASE appreciated).
Chapter One
WHEN THE PHONE RANG that evening, Sophy grabbed it as fast as she could. She didnt need it waking Lily. Not just when her daughter had finally fallen asleep.
Lilys fourth birthday party that afternoon had exhausted them both. Normally an easygoing sunny-natured child, Lily had been wound up for days in anticipation. Five of her friends and their mothers had joined them, first at the beach and then here at the house for a cookout, followed by ice cream and cake.
Lily had been on top of the world, declaring the party, the bestest ever. Then, in the time-honored fashion of overtired four-year-olds everywhere, shed crashed.
It had taken a warm bath, a cuddle on Sophys lap, clutching her new stuffed puppy, Chloe, and half a dozen stories to unwind her.
Now finally she was asleep, sprawled in her bed, but still clinging to Chloe. And, with the house a wreck all around her, Sophy didnt need Lily wide awake again. So at the phones first shrill ring, Sophy snatched it up.
Hello?
Mrs. Savas?
The voice was a mans, one she didnt know. But it was the name she heard that gave her a jolt. Of course her cousin and business partner Natalie was now Mrs. Savashad been ever since her marriage to Christo last yearbut Sophy wasnt used to getting calls asking for Natalie at home. For a split second she hesitated, then said firmly, No. Im sorry. Youve got the wrong number. Call back during business hours and you can speak to Natalie.
No. Im not trying to reach Natalie Savas, the man said just as firmly. I need to reach Sophia Savas. Is this He paused as if he were consulting something, then read off her telephone number.
Sophy barely heard it. Her mind had stuck on Sophia Savas.
That had been her name. Once. For a few months.
Suddenly she couldnt breathe, felt as if shed been punched. Abruptly she sat down wordlessly, her fingers strangling the telephone.
Hello? Are you there? Do I have the correct number?
Sophy took a quick shallow breath. Yes. She was relieved that she didnt stammer. Her voice even sounded firm to her own ears. Cool. Calm. Collected. Im Sophia. Sophia McKinnon, she corrected, then added, formerly Savas.
But she still wasnt convinced he had the right person.
George Savass wife?
So much for not being convinced. Sophy swallowed. Y-yes.
No. Maybe? She certainly didnt think she was still Georges wife! Her brain was spinning. How could she not know?
George could have divorced her at any time in the past four years. Shed always assumed he had, though shed never received any paperwork. Mostly shed put it out of her mind because shed tried to put George out of her mind.
She shouldnt have married him in the first place. She knew that. Everybody knew that. Besides, as far as she was concerned, a divorce was irrelevant to her life. It wasnt as if she were ever marrying again.
But maybe George was.
Sophys brain abruptly stopped spinning. Her fingers gripped the receiver, and she felt suddenly cold. She was surprised to feel an odd ache somewhere in the vicinity of her heart even as she assured herself she didnt care. It didnt matter to her if George was getting married.
But she couldnt help wondering, had he finally fallen in love?
She had certainly never been the woman of his dreams. Had he met the woman who was? Was that why she was getting this call? Was this official-sounding man his lawyer? Was he calling to put the legal wheels in motion?
Carefully Sophy swallowed and reminded herself again that it didnt matter to her. George didnt matter. It wasnt as if their marriage had been real. Shed only hoped
And now she told herself that her reaction was only because the phone call had caught her off guard.
She mustered a steadying breath. Yes, thats right. Sophia Savas.
This is Dr. Harlowe. Im sorry to tell you, Mrs. Savas, but theres been an accident.
Are you sure about this? Natalie asked. She and her husband, Christo, had come over the minute Sophy had rang them. Now they watched as she threw things in a duffel and tried to think what else she needed to take. Going all the way to New York? Thats clear across the country.
I know where it is. And yes, Im sure, Sophy said with far more resolution than she felt. It had nothing to do with how far she was going. It was whom she was going to see when she got there. He was there for me, wasnt he?
Under duress, Natalie reminded her.
Snap, Sophy said. There was going to be a fair amount of duress involved in this encounter, too. But she had to do it. She added her sneakers to the duffel. One thing she knew from her years in New York was that shed have to do plenty of walking.
I thought you were divorced, Natalie said.
So did I. Well, I never signed any papers. But she shrugged I guess I thought George would just take care of it. God knew hed taken care of everything elseincluding her and Lily. But that was George. It was the way he was.
Look, she said finally, zipping the duffel shut and raising her gaze to meet Natalies. If there was any way not to do this, believe me, I wouldnt. Theres not. According to the papers in Georges personnel file at Columbia, Im his next of kin. Hes unconscious. They may have to do surgery. They dont know the extent of his injuries. Theyre in wait and see mode. But if things go wrong She stopped, unable to bring herself to voice possibilities the doctor had outlined for her.
Sophy, Natalies voice was one of gentle warning.
Sophy swallowed, straightened and squared her shoulders. I have to do this, she said firmly. When I was alonebefore Lily was bornhe was there. It was true and she made herself face that fact as much as she told it to her cousin. He had married her to give Lily a father, to give her child the Savas name. I owe him. Im paying my debt.
Natalie looked at her doubtfully, but then nodded. I guess so, she said slowly. Then her eyes flashed impatiently. But what kind of grown man gets run over by a truck?
A physicist too busy thinking about atom smashing to watch where he was going, Sophy thought privately. But she didnt say that. She just told the truth.
I dont know. I just know I appreciate your dropping everything and coming over to stay with Lily. Ill call you in the morning. We can arrange a time and do a video call, too. She patted her briefcase where shed already packed her laptop. That way Lily can see me and it wont be so abrupt. I hate leaving her without saying goodbye.
She had never left Lily in four yearsnot for more than a few hours. Now she knew that if she woke Lily shed end up taking her along. And that was a can of worms she didnt intend to open.
Shell be fine, Natalie assured her. Just go. Do what needs to be done. And take care of yourself, she advised.
Yes. Of course. It will be fine, Sophy assured her, picking up the briefcase as Christo hefted the duffel and headed out to the car.
Sophy allowed herself a quick side trip into Lilys room. She stood there a moment just looking at her sleeping daughter, her dark hair tousled, her lips slightly parted. She looked like George.
No. She looked like a Savas, Sophy corrected herself. Which Lily was. George had nothing to do with it. But even as she told herself that, her gaze was drawn to the photo on the bedside table. It was a picture of baby Lily in Georges arms.
Lily might not remember him, but she certainly knew who he was. Shed demanded to know about him ever since she discovered such people as fathers existed.
Where was her father? shed asked. My daddy, she said. Who is my daddy? Why wasnt he here? When was he coming back?
So many questions.
For which her mother had had such inadequate answers, Sophy thought miserably now.
But how could she explain to a child what had happened? It was hard enough to explain it to herself.
Shed done her best. Shed assured her daughter of Georges love. She knew that much was true. And shed even promised that some day Lily would meet him.
When? her daughter had demanded.
Later. Sophy kept the promise deliberately vague. When youre older.
Not now. And yet, at the same time Sophy thought the words again, another thought popped into her head: What if he died?
Impossible! George had always seemed tough, impervious, imminently indestructible.
But what did she really know about the man who had so briefly been her husband? She only thought shed known
And what man, even a strong tough one, could fend off a truck?
Sophy? Natalies voice whispered from the door. Christos waiting in the car.
Coming. Quickly Sophy bent and gave her daughter a light kiss, brushed her hand over Lilys silky hair, then sucked in a deep, desperate breath and hurried out of the room.
Natalie was waiting, watching worriedly. Sophy mustered a smile. Ill be back before you know it.
Of course you will. Natalie gave her a quick smile in return, then wrapped Sophy in a fierce tight hug intended, Sophy knew, to supply a boatload of encouragement and support. You dont still love him, do you? Natalie asked.
Sophy pulled back and shook her head. No, she vowed. She couldnt. She wouldnt! Absolutely not.
They werent giving him any painkillers.
Which would be fine, George thought, though the pounding in his head was ferocious and moving his leg and elbow made him wince, if they would just let him sleep.
But they werent doing that, either. Every time he fell blessedly asleep they loomed over him, poking and prodding, talking in loud kindergarten-teacher voices, shining lights in his eyes, asking him his name, how old he was, who was the president.
How idiotic was that? He could barely remember his age or who the president was when he hadnt just got run over by a truck.
If theyd ask him how to determine the speed of light or what the properties of black holes were, he could have answered in the blink of an eye. He could talk about that for hoursor he could have provided he was able to keep his eyes open long enough.
But no one asked him that.
They went away for a while, but then came back with more needles. They did scans, tutted and muttered, asked more of their endless questions, always looking at him expectantly, then furrowed their brows, worried, when he couldnt remember if he was thirty-four or thirty-five.
Who the hell cared?
Apparently they did.
What month is it? he demanded. His birthday was in November.
They looked askance when he asked them questions.
He doesnt know what month it is, one murmured and made quick urgent notes on her laptop.
Doesnt matter, George muttered irritably. Is Jeremy all right?
That was what mattered right now. That was what he saw whenever his eyes were closedhis little four-year-old dark-haired neighbor darting into the street to chase after his ball. That andout of the corner of his eyethe truck barreling down on him.
The memory still made his breath catch. Hows Jeremy? George demanded again.
Hes fine. Barely a scratch, the doctor said, shining a light in Georges eyes. Already gone home. Much better off than you. Hold still and open your eyes, George, damn it.
Ordinarily, George figured, Sam Harlowe probably had more patience with his patients. But he and Sam went back to grade school. Now Sam gripped Georges chin in firm fingers and shone his light again in Georges eyes again. It sent his head pounding through the roof and made him grit his teeth.
As long as Jeremys okay, he said through them. As soon as Sam let go of his jaw, George lay back against the pillows and deliberately shut his eyes.
Fine. Be an ass, Sam said gruffly. But youre going to stay right here and youre going to rest. Check on him regularly, Sam commanded the nurse. Keep me posted on any change. The next twenty-four hours are critical.
Georges eyes flicked open again. I thought you said he was all right.
He is. The jurys still out on you, Sam told him gruffly. Ill be back.
As that sounded more like a threat than a promise, George wanted to say he wouldnt be here, but by the time he mustered his wits, Sam was long gone.
Annoyed, George glared after him. Then he fixed his gaze on the nurse. You can leave, too, he told her irritably. Hed had enough questions. Besides, his head hurt less if he shut his eyes. So he did.
He may have even slept because the next thing he knew there was a new nurse pestering him.
So, how old are you, George? she asked him.
George squinted at her. Too old to be playing games. When can I go home?
When youve played our games, the nurse said drily.
He cracked a smile at that. Im going to be thirty-five. Its October. I had oatmeal for breakfast this morning. Unless its tomorrow already.
It is, she told him.
Then I can go home.
Not until Dr. Harlowe agrees. She didnt look up while she checked his blood pressure. When she finished she said, I understand youre a hero.
George squinted at her. Not likely.
You didnt save a boys life?
I knocked him across the street.
So he wouldnt get killed by a truck, the nurse said. That qualifies as saving in my book. I hear he just got a few scrapes and bruises.
Which is what Ive got, George pointed out, about to nod toward the ones visible on his arm. So I should be able to go home, too.
And you will, she said. But head injuries can be serious.
Finally, blessedly, sheand all her persistent colleaguesleft him alone. As the hours wore on eventually the hospital noises quieted. The rattle of carts in the halls diminished. Even the beeps and the clicks seemed to fade. Not the drumming in his head, though. God, it was ceaseless.
Every time he drifted off, he moved. It hurt. He shifted. Found a spot it wasnt quite so bad. Slept. And then they woke him again. When he did sleep it was restlessly. Images, dreams, memories of Jeremy haunted his dreams. So did ones of the truck. So did the grateful, still stricken faces of Jeremys parents.
We might have lost him, Jeremys mother, Grace, had sobbed at his bedside earlier.
And his father, Philip, had just squeezed Georges hand in his as hed said over and over, You have no idea.
Not true. George had a very good idea. There were other memories and images mingling with those of Jeremy. Memories of a baby, tiny and dark-haired. A first smile. Petal-soft skin. Trusting eyes.
She was Jeremys age now. Old enough to run into a street the same way Jeremy hadHe tried not to think about it. Tried not to think about her. It made his throat ache and his eyes burn. He shut them once more and tried desperately to fall asleep.
He didnt know how much sleep he finally got. His head was still pounding when the first glimmers of dawn filtered in through the window.
Hed heard footsteps come into the room earlier. There had been the sound of a nurses voice speaking quietly, another low murmured response, then the sound of the feet of a chair being moved.
He hadnt opened his eyes. Had deliberately ignored it all.
All hed thought was, please God they would go away without poking him or talking to him again. He didnt want to be poked. He didnt want to be civil.
He wanted to go back to sleepbut this time he didnt want the memories to come with it. The nurse left. The conversation stopped. Yet somehow he didnt think he was alone.
Was that Sam whod come in? Was he standing there now, staring down at him in silence?
It was the sort of juvenile nonsensical thing theyd done as kids to try to psych the other out. Surely Sam had grown out of it by now.
George shiftedand winced as he tried to roll onto his side. His shoulder hurt like hell. Every muscle in his body protested. If Sam thought this was funny
George flicked open his eyes and his whole beingmind and bodyseemed to jerk.
It wasnt Sam in the room. It was a woman.
George sucked in a breath. He didnt think he made a noise. But something alerted her because she had been sitting beside his bed looking out the window, and now as he stared, dry-mouthed and disbelieving, slowly she turned and her gaze met his.
For the first time in nearly four years he and Sophyhis wifewere face-to-face.
Wife? Ha.
They might have stood side by side in a New York City judges office and repeated after him. They might have a legally binding document declaring them married. But it had never meant anything more than a piece of paper.
Not to her.
Not to either of them, George told himself firmly, though the pain he felt was suddenly different than before. He resisted it. Didnt want to care. Sure as hell didnt want to feel!
The very last thing he needed now was to have to deal with Sophy. His jaw tightened involuntarily, which, damn it, made his head hurt even worse.
What are you doing here? he demanded. His voice was rough, hoarse from tubes and dry hospital air. He glared at her accusingly.
Irritating you, obviously. Sophys tone was mild, but there was a concern in her gaze that belied her tone. Still, she shrugged lightly. The hospital called me. You were unconscious. They needed next of kins permission to do whatever they felt needed doing.
You? George stared in disbelief.
Thats pretty much what I said when they called, Sophy admitted candidly, crossing one long leg over the other and leaning back in the chair.
She was wearing black wool trousers and an olive green sweater. Very tasteful. Professional. Businesslike, George would have said. Not at all the Sophy of jeans and sweats and maternity tops he remembered. Only her copper-colored hair was still the same, the dark red strands glinting like new pennies in the early morning sun. He remembered running his fingers through it, burying his face in it. More thoughts he didnt want to deal with.
Apparently you never got around to divorcing me. She looked at him as if asking a question.
Georges jaw tightened. I imagined you would take care of that, he bit out. Since she had been the one who was so keen on it. Damn, but his head was pounding. He shut his eyes.
When he opened them again it was to see that Sophys gaze had flickered away. But then it came back to meet his. She shook her head.
No need, she said easily. I certainly wasnt getting married again.
And neither was he. Hed been gutted once by marriage. He had no desire to go through it again. But he wasnt talking about that to Sophy. He couldnt believe she was even here. Maybe that whack on the head was causing him to hallucinate.
He tried shutting his eyes again, wishing her gone. No luck. When he opened them again, she was still there.
Getting hit by a truck was small potatoes compared to dealing with Sophy. He needed all his wits and every bit of control and composure he could manage when it came to coping with her. Now he rolled onto his back again and grimaced as he tried to push himself up against the pillows.
Probably not a good idea, Sophy commented.
No, it wasnt. The closer he got to vertical, the more he felt as if the top of his head was going to come off. On the other hand, he wasnt dealing with Sophy from a position of weakness.
You should rest, she offered.
Ive been resting all night.
I doubt you had much, Sophy said frankly. The nurse said you were restless.
You try sleeping when theyre asking you questions.
They need to keep checking, you have concussion and a subdural hematoma. Not to mention, she added, assessing him slowly as if he were a distasteful bug pinned to paper, that you look as if youve been put through a meat grinder.
Thanks, George muttered. Yes, it hurt, but he kept pushing himself up. He wanted to clutch his head in his hands. Instead he clutched the bedclothes until his knuckles turned white.
For heavens sake, stop that! Lie down or Ill call the nurse.
Be my guest, George said. Since its morning and I know my name and how old I am, maybe theyll finally let me sign myself out of here and go home. I have things to do. Classes. Work.
Sophy rolled her eyes. Youre not going anywhere. Youre lucky youre not in surgery.
Why should I be? He scowled. I dont have any broken bones. He was half-sitting now so he stopped pushing himself up and lifted his arm to look at his watch. His arm was bare except for the intravenous tube in the back of his hand. He gritted his teeth. Damn it. What time is it? I have a class doing an experiment tomorrow. I need to go to work. I need to get away from this womanor I need to grab her and hold on to her forever.
Sophy rolled her eyes. Like thats going to happen.
For a terrible moment, George thought she was responding to the words that had formed in his concussed brain. Then he realized she was talking about him going to work. He sagged in relief.
The world doesnt stop just because one person has an accident, he told her irritably.
Yours almost did.
The baldness of her statement was like a punch to the gut. And so was the sudden change in Sophys expression as she said the words. There was nothing at all light or flippant about her now. She looked stricken. You almost died, George! She even sounded as if she cared.
He steeled himself against believing it, making himself shrug. But I didnt.
All the same he knew the truth of what she said. The truck was big enough. It had been moving fast enough. If hed been half a step slower, she would likely be right.
Would they have called Sophy if hed died? Would she have come and planned his funeral?
He didnt ask. He knew Sophy didnt love him, but she didnt hate him, either.
Once hed even thought they actually stood a chance of making their marriage work, that she might have really come to love him.
What happened? she asked him now. The nurse said you got hit saving a child.
He was surprised shed asked. But then he realized she might want to know why theyd tracked her down and dragged her here. It didnt have anything to do with caring about him.
Jeremy, George confirmed. Hes four. He lives down the street from me. I was walking home from work and he came running down the sidewalk to show me his new soccer ball. He dropped it so he could dribble it, but then as he got closer he kicked it harderat me. But it he dragged in a harsh breath went into the street.
Sophy sucked in a breath.
There was a delivery truck coming
Sophy went very white. Dear God. Hes not?
George shook his head, then instantly wished he hadnt. Hes okay. Bruised. Scraped up. But
But not dead. Sophy said it aloud. Firmly, as if to make it more believable. She seemed to breathe again, relief evident on her face. Thank God. And her gaze lifted as if she was in prayer.
Yes.
Then she lowered her gaze and looked at him. Thank George.
There was a sudden flatness in her tone, and George heard an unwelcome edge of finality, of inevitability. Almost of bitterness.
His teeth came together. What? Did you want me to let him run in front of a truck?
Of course not! Sophys eyes flashed. A deep flush of color rushed into her pale cheeks. How could you say such a thing? I was justrecognizing what youd done.
Sure you were. He gave her a hard look, an expectant look, waiting for her to say the words that hung between them.
She wet her lips. You saved him.
He almost expected it to be an accusation. She had certainly made it sound that way when shed flung the words at him the day shed said she didnt want to be married anymore.
Thats what you were doing when you married me, shed cried bitterly. You married me to save me!
He had, of course. But that wasnt the only reason. Not that she would believe it. He hadnt replied then. He didnt reply now. Sophy would think what she wanted.
George stared back at her stonily, dared her to make something of it.
But whatever anger she felt seemed to go out of her. She just looked at him with those wide deep green eyes for a long moment, and then she added quietly, You are a hero.
George snorted. Hardly. Jeremy wouldnt have been out there running down the street at all if he hadnt seen me coming.
What? Youre saying its your fault? She stared at him in disbelief.
Im just saying he was waiting for me. He shrugged. We kick the ball around together sometimes.
You know him well, then? Hes a friend? Sophy sounded surprised, as if she considered it unlikely.
Were friends. Jeremy with his dark hair and bright eyes had made him think about Lily. He didnt say that, though.
Sophys brows lifted slightly, as if the notion that he knew who his neighbors were surprised her as well. Maybe it should. He hadnt known any of their neighbors during the few months theyd been together.
But he hadnt had time, had he? Hed been too busy finishing up the government project he was working on and trying to figure out how to be a husband and then, only weeks later, a father. The first had been time-consuming, but at least in his comfort zone.
Marriage and fatherhood had been completely virgin territory. He hadnt had a clue.
Now Sophy said, I was surprised you were back in New York. It wasnt a question, but he assumed that she meant it as one.
For the past two years.
Uppsala didnt appeal?
Ah, right. Uppsala. That was where she thought hed gonethe job he had supposedly been up forat the University of Uppsala in Sweden.
He couldnt have told her differently then. He hadnt been permitted to talk about it. And there was no point in talking about it now.
It was a two-year appointment, he said.
That much was the truth. And though he could have continued to work on government projects, he hadnt wanted to. Hed agreed to the earlier one before hed ever expected to be marrying anyone. And if things had worked out between him and Sophy, he would have bowed out and never gone to Europe at all.
When their marriage crumbled, he went, grateful not to have to stay in the city, grateful to be able to put an ocean between him and the reason for his pain.
But after two years, hed come home, back to New York though hed had several good offers elsewhere. This one at Columbia is tenure track, he told her.
Not that tenure had been a factor. Hed taken the job because it appealed to him. It was research work he wanted to do, eager graduate students to mentor, a freshman class to inspire and a classload he could handle.
It had nothing to do with the fact that when he took it hed thought Sophy and Lily were still living in the city. Nothing.
Sophy nodded. Ah.
When did you leave? he asked. At her raised brows, he said, I did drop by. You were gone.
I went to California. Not long after you left, she said. I started a business with my cousin.
So I heard. My mother said she talked to you at Christos wedding.
Yes. Then she added politely, It was nice to see your parents again.
George, who knew exactly what she thought of his father, said drily, Ill bet.
Hed been invited to Christos wedding, too. He hadnt gone because he had had no clue who his cousin Christo was marrying and no interest in flying across the country to find out. To discover later that Christos bride was a second cousin of Sophys blew his mind. He wondered what would have happened if hed gone to the wedding, if theyd run into each other there.
Probably nothing, he thought heavily. There were times and places when things could happen. It had been the wrong time before. And now? Now it was simply too late.
Yet even knowing it, he couldnt help saying, What about your business? My mother said its called Rent-a-Bride?
Rent-a-Wife, Sophy corrected. We do things for people that they need a second person to cope with. Things wives traditionally do. Pick up dry cleaning, arrange dinner parties, ferry the kids to dental appointments and soccer games, take the dog to the vet.
And people pay for that?
They do. Very well, in fact. She met his gaze defiantly. Im doing fine.
Without you.
She didnt have to say the words for him to hear them. Ah. Well, good for you.
Their gazes locked, hers more of a glare than a gaze. Then abruptly she looked away, shifted in her chair and tried to stifle a yawn. Watching her, George realized she must have had to fly all night to get here from California.
Did you sleep?
She bit off the yawn. Some. But her gaze flicked away fast enough that he knew it for the lie it was. And he felt guilty for her having been called for no reason.
Look, he said roughly, Im sorry they bothered you. Im sorry you felt you had to drop everything and fly clear across the country to sign papers. It wasnt necessary.
The doctor said it was.
My fault. I should have updated the contact information.
To whom? Her question was as quick as it was surprising. And was she actually interested in his answer?
George shrugged. My folks. My sister, Tallie. She and Elias and the kids live in Brooklyn.
Oh. Right. Of course. Sophy shifted in the chair, sat up straighter. I just wondered. I thought But she stopped, not telling him whatever it was shed thought, and George didnt have enough working brain cells to try to guess. Never mind.
Ill get it changed as soon as I get out of here, he promised.
No problem. Sophys easy acceptance was unexpected. At his blink of astonishment, she shrugged. You were there for me. Its my turn.
He frowned. So this is payback?
She spread her hands. Its the best I can do.
You dont need to do anything!
Apparently not, she said in a mild nonconfrontational tone that reminded him of a mother humoring a fractious child.
George set his teeth. He didnt want to be humored and he damned well didnt want Sophy patronizing him.
Fine. Its payback. So consider your debt paid, he said gruffly. Hed had enough. Now, if you dont mind, Id like to get some rest. And, he went on for good measure, as you can see, Im conscious and I can sign my own papers now. So thank you for coming, but I can take care of things myself. You dont need to hang around taking care of me. You can go.
As the words left his mouth he knew he heard the echo of almost the exact words she had thrown at him nearly four years ago: I dont need you! Im not a mess you need to clean up. I can take care of myself. I dont need you doing it for me. So get out of here! Leave me alone. Just go!
And from the expression on her face, Sophy knew it, too. She looked as if hed slapped her.
Of course, she said stiffly and stood up, pulling her jacket off the back of the chair and putting it on.
George watched her every move. He didnt want to. But, as usual, he couldnt look away. From the first moment hed seen her on his cousin Aris arm at a family wedding, Sophy had always had the power to draw his gaze.
She didnt seem to notice. Something else that hadnt changed. She zipped up her jacket and picked up her tote from the floor by the chair. Then she stood looking down at him, her expression unreadable.
George made sure his was, too. Thank you for coming, he said evenly. Im sorry you were inconvenienced.
She inclined her head. Im glad youre recovering.
All very polite. They looked at each other in silence. For three seconds. Five. George didnt know how long. It wasnt going to be enough. It never would be.
He couldnt help memorizing her even as he told himself it was a stupid thing to do. And not the first, he reminded himself grimly, where Sophy was concerned.
She gave him one last faint smile and turned away.
Her name was out of his mouth before she reached the door. Sophy.
She stilled, glanced back, one brow lifting quizzically.
Hed thought he could leave it at that. That he could simply let her go. But he had to ask. Hows Lily?
For a moment he thought she wouldnt answer. But then the smile he hadnt seen yet suddenly appeared on her face like the sun from behind a bank of thunderheads. Her expression softened. And she was no longer supremely self-contained, keeping him determinedly outside the castle walls. Lilys fine. Amazing. Bright. Funny. So smart. We had her birthday party yesterday. Shes
Four. George finished the sentence before she could. He knew exactly how old she was. Remembered every minute of the day she was born. Remembered holding her in his arms. Remembered how the mantle of responsibility felt on his shouldersunexpected, scary, yet absolutely right.
Sophy blinked. You remembered?
Of course.
She swallowed. Would youlike to see a picture of her?
Would he? George nodded almost jerkily. Sophy didnt seem to notice. She was already opening her purse and taking out her wallet. She fished out a photo and came back across the room to hand it to him.
George took one look at the child in the photo and felt his throat close.
God, she was beautiful. Hed seen some snapshots that his mother had given him from the wedding so he had an idea of what Lily was like. But this photo really captured her.
She was sitting on a beach, a bucket of sand on her lap, her face tipped back as she laughed up at whoever had taken the photo. It was like seeing a miniature Sophy, except for the hair. Lilys was dark and wavy and, in this photo, wind-tossed. But her eyes were Sophys eyesthe same shape, the same color. British sports car green, hed once called them. And her mouth wore a little girls version of the delighted, sparkling grin that, like Sophys, would make the world a brighter place. Her fingers were clutching the sides of the sand pail, and George remembered how her much tinier fingers had clutched his as shed stared up at him in cross-eyed solemnity whenever he held her.
He blinked rapidly, his throat aching as he swallowed hard. When he was sure he could do it without sounding rusty, he lifted his gaze and said, Shes very like you.
Sophy nodded. People say that, she agreed. Except her hair. She has yAris hair.
Aris hair. Because Lily was Aris daughter. Not his.
For all that George had once dared to hope, like her mother Lily had never been his.
They both belonged to Arialways hadno matter that his cousin had been dead since before Lilys birth. Some things, George found, hurt more than the pounding in his head. He ran his tongue over his lips. She looks happy.
She is. Sophys voice was firm and confident now. Shes a happy well-adjusted little girl. Shes actually pretty easygoing most of the time. Once she got over the three-month mark, she stopped having colic and settled down. I managed, she added, as if it needed saying.
He supposed she thought it did. Shed had something to prove when shed told him to get out. And shed obviously proved it.
Now he took a breath. Im glad to hear it. George took one last look at the picture then held it out to her.
You can have it, she said. I can print another one. If you want it, she added a second later, as if he might not.
Thanks. Yes, Id like it. He studied it again for a long moment before turning slowly in an attempt to set it on the table next to the bed.
Sophy reached out and took it from him, standing it up against his water pitcher so he could see it if he turned his head. There. She stepped back again. She canwatch over you. As soon as she said the words, she ducked her head, as if she shouldnt have. You should get some rest.
Well see.
No well see. You should, she said firmly.
He didnt reply, and she seemed to realize that was something else she shouldnt have said, that she had no right to tell him what he should or shouldnt do. Sorry, she said briskly. None of my business. She turned toward the door again. Goodbye.
He almost called her back a second time. But it would simply prolong the awkwardness between them. And when you got right down it, there was nothing else.
It had been kind of her to have comeeven if it was simply payback on her part. Still, it was more than he would have expected.
No, that was unfair.
She might not love him, but she was tenderhearted. Sophy would do the right thing for anyone she perceived to be in needeven the man she resented more than anyone on earth.
He didnt need her, he reminded himself. Hed lived without her for nearly four years. He could live without her for the rest of his life. All he had to do was end things now as he should have done four years ago.
Sophy!
This time she was beyond the door and when she turned, she looked back with something akin to impatience in her gaze. What?
He made it clearto both of them. Dont worry. It will never happen again. As soon as I get out of here, Ill file for divorce.
Chapter Two
OF COURSE GEORGE would get a divorce.
The only surprise as far as Sophy was concerned, was that he hadnt got one already. But even accepting the fact, Sophy felt her knees wobble as she walked away from Georges room.
She moved automatically, going to fetch her duffel, which one of the nurses had allowed her to leave in a storage area near the nurses station. But when she got there, her hands were shaking so much that she nearly brought down a load of paper supplies while trying to pull the duffels handle out.
Here. Let me help you. The nurse who had let her put it there in the first place took the duffels handle, slid it out and pulled it easily out of the storage space. She tipped it toward Sophy, then looked at her closely. Are you all right?
Yes, sure. Fine. Justtired. Something of an understatement. Its all right, Sophy murmured. Im fine. Truly. She did her best visibly to pull herself together so the nurse could see she was telling the truth. She shoved her hair away from her face and tried to smile. I just need some sleep.
Of course you do. Its been a bit traumatic. You go home now and get some sleep. Dont worry. She patted Sophys arm. Well take care of your husband.
Sophy opened her mouth to correct the nurse, but what could she say? And why? Even though she wouldnt let herself think of George that way, it was impossible to lie to herself, impossible to say that walking into his hospital room had left her unaffected.
The very moment shed laid eyes on him this morning, the years since shed seen him fell away as if theyd never existed.
And even worse was the realization that, however desperately she might wish it, she wasnt over him at all.
When shed walked into the hospital room to see George lying there, his head bandaged, his arm in a sling, his whisker-shadowed jaw bruised, his normally tanned face unnaturally pale, she felt guttedexactly the same way shed felt seeing her daughter fall off the jungle gym at her preschool.
The sight of Lily slipping and tumbling, then lying motionless on the ground, had shattered Sophys world. That same sickening breathlessness had hit her again at the sight of George in his hospital bed.
The difference was that Lilly, having landed on wood chips that cushioned her fall, had only had the wind knocked out of her. Seconds later, shed bounced up again none the worse for wear.
But George hadnt moved.
It was early when shed arrived, straight from the airport, still stiff and groggy from a sleepless night on the plane. He should have been asleep. But it looked like such an unnatural sleep. And Sophy had stopped dead in the doorway, clutching the doorjamb as she stood watching him never flutter so much as an eyelash. She had been too far away to see the rise and fall of his chest.
She must have looked stricken because the nurse had said, Watch the monitor. Its squiggly line was moving up and down jerkily. But at least it proved he was breathing because absolutely nothing else did.
You can wake him if you want, this same nurse had said.
But Sophy had shaken her head. If George wasnt dead yet, the sight of her first thing when he opened his eyes might very well do it for him.
No. Let him sleep, she said in a voice barely above a whisper. Ill just wait.
If hes not awake in an hour, Ill be back. We have to wake him regularly to see how he responds and if he remembers everything.
No doubt about his memory, Sophy thought grimly now.
She turned to the nurse. He thinks hes going to leave today, to go to work. The doctor wouldnt really let him
The nurse smiled. I dont think you need to worry about that. Theyll be watching him today and probably tomorrow. You should go home now and get some rest. Come back this afternoon. Chances are hell be much brighter by then. She gave Sophy one more encouraging smile, then checked her beeper and hurried down the hall.
Sophy stood there with her overnight bag and her briefcase and realized she didnt have a home to go to.
Home was three thousand miles away.
On the other hand, why shouldnt she go home? What was keeping her here? George had clearly dismissed her. As far as he was concerned, she neednt have bothered to come in the first place.
And she certainly wasnt going to come back this afternoon. Shed done her duty. Payback, hed called it.
And hed rejected it. Consider it paid, hed said.
That was fine with her. Shooting one last glance toward his room, she turned and wheeled her overnight bag down the hall to the elevator and pressed the button and waited, trying to keep her eyes open and stifle a yawn.
She was in the midst of the latter when the elevator door opened. There were several people in it, but only one, a young, dark-haired, very pregnant woman, swept out, then stopped dead and stared at her.
Sophy?
Sophy blinked, startled. Tallie?
Oh, my God, it is you! And before Sophy could do more than close her gaping mouth, Georges sister, Tallie, swept her into a fierce delighted hug. Youve come back!
Well, I But whatever protest she might have made was muffled by the enthusiastic warmth of Tallies embrace. And Sophy couldnt do much more than hug her back. It was no hardship in any case. Shed always adored Georges sister. Losing the right to count Tallie as her sister-in-law had been one of the real pains of the end of her marriage.
Before she could say anything, a firm thump against her midsection had Sophy jumping back. Was that the baby? She looked at Tallie, wide-eyed.
Tallie laughed. Yes. My girl likes her space. She rubbed her burgeoning belly affectionately. This ones a girl. But more about her later. Its so good to see you. She gave Sophy another fierce hug, but was careful to move back before the baby kicked again. George should get run over by trucks more often.
No. Even for the pleasure of seeing Tallie again, she didnt want that.
Well, not really. Tallie laughed with a shake of her head. But if it brings you home She beamed at Sophy.
Im not home, Sophy said quickly. Im justhere. For the moment. I got a call from the doctor last night. When George was unconscious they needed his next of kins permission for any medical procedures, and because were not officially divorcedyetthat was me. And so she shrugged I came.
Of course you did, Tallie said with blithe confidence. Besides, its about time. How is he? Her smile faded a bit and she looked concerned. He wouldnt let me come see him last night.
He looks like hes been hit by a truck, Sophy said. If Tallie hadnt seen him yet, Sophy wanted to prepare her. Seriously. Hes pretty battered. But coherent, she added when Tallies expression turned worried.
He flat-out refused to let us come last night. Well, theres only Elias and me around. Mom and Dad are in Santorini. And none of the boys her other brothers, Theo, Demetrios and Yiannis, she meant are here. So he was safe. He probably wouldnt have contacted me at all if he hadnt needed someone to take care of Gunnar.
Gunnar?
His dog.
George had a dog? That was a surprise. Did he rescue it? Sophy asked.
Tallie frowned. I dont think so. I think he got him as a puppy. Why?
Sophy shook her head. Never mind. I was justnever mind. She could hardly say, Because George rescues things. Tallie wouldnt understand.
Georges sister shoved a strand of hair away from her face. He said to go to his place and feed Gunnar, put him out and absolutely dont come to the hospital. He didnt need me hovering. She shook her head.
George is an idiot, she went on with long-suffering sisterly fondness. As if I would hover. Well, I will. But at least I waited until this morning. Ill go annoy him for a few minutes, just to let him know he cant push me around. And because the rest of the family will fuss and worry if someone hasnt set eyes on him in the flesh. But now youve come, you take the keys. She dug in the pocket of her maternity pants and thrust a set of keys into Sophys hand.
Me? Immediately Sophy tried to hand them back. Theyre not mine, she protested. I cant take Georges keys!
Why not? Because you and George are separated? Big deal.
Were not separated! Were divorcing. I thought we already were, Sophy said. Divorced, she clarified.
But youre not? Good. Easier to work things out, Tallie said with the confidence of someone who had done just that and was living happily ever after. Elias and I
Were not married when you went your own ways, Sophy said firmly. It is not the same thing. And I cant take Georges keys. She tried to hand them back again, but a yawn caught her by surprise and so she ended up covering her mouth instead.
Youre exhausted, Tallie said. How long have you been here?
Not that long. A couple of hours. I got into LaGuardia before dawn.
You took a red-eye? Did you get any sleep at all?
Not really, Sophy admitted. But Im hoping I will on the way home.
Tallie looked appalled. On the way home? What? Youre going home now?
Sophy shrugged. He doesnt need me here. Or want me here. He made that quite clear.
Tallie snorted dismissively. What does he know? Besides, it doesnt matter if he needs you or wants you. I do.
You? What do you mean?
You, my dear Sophy, are going to save my life, Tallie told her, taking her by the arm and steering her to a pair of chairs where they could sit.
Dont you want to see George? Sophy said hopefully.
In a minute. First I want to get you on your way. The CEO Tallie had once been came through loud and clear. I need your help.
What sort of help?
George, bless his heart, thinks that I can simply drop my life and take over the running of his. And admittedly, there might have been a time I could have done it, Tallie said with a grin. But that time is not now. Not with three little boys, a baby due in three weeks, a homemade bakery business that has orders up the wazoo, orders I need to get taken care of before the arrival of my beautiful baby girl Tallie rubbed her belly again not to mention a husband who, while tolerant, does not consider sharing me with a dog for more than one night to be the best allocation of my time.
Besides, she went on before Sophy could say a word, he has to go to Mystic for a boat launch this afternoon. He took the kids to school, but I need to be home to get Nick and Garrett from kindergarten and Digger from preschool. I was planning to bake today before I had to go get them. And Id take Gunnar home but he doesnt get along with the rabbit, er, actually vice versa. So she took a breath and gave Sophy a bright, hopeful smile what do you say? Will you save me? Please?
Sophy was even more exhausted just thinking about it. She swallowed another yawn.
And you can sleep while youre there, Tallie said triumphantly.
George wont like it.
Whos telling George? Tallie raised both brows.
Not me, Sophy thought. She should say no. It was the sane, safe, sensible thing to do. The less she had to do with George or any of his family before the divorce was final, the less likely she was to be hurt again.
But life, as she well knew, wasnt about protecting yourself. It was about doing what needed to be done. Payback wasnt always what you thought it would be. It didnt mean you had a right not to do it.
All right, she said resignedly. Ill do it. But as soon as George can come home, Im leaving.
Of course, Tallie said, all grateful smiles. Absolutely.
Sophy hadnt let herself think about where George might be living ever since hed walked out of her life.
If shed wanted to guess, shed have picked some sterile but extremely functional apartment where hed be called upon to do as little interaction with his environment as possible.
She couldnt have been more wrong.
George had a brownstone on the Upper West Side. Not just an efficient studio in a brownstone or even a complete floor-through apartment. George owned the whole five-story building.
And while most of the brownstones in the neighborhood had long since been subdivided into flats, Georges had not.
When he came home he said he wanted a house, Tallie told her. And he got one.
He had indeed. And what a one it was.
Sophy stopped on the sidewalk in front of the wide stoop and stared openmouthed at the elegant well-maintained facade. It had big bay windows on the two floors above the garden entrance, and two more floors above that with three identical tall narrow arched windows looking south across the tree-lined street at a row of similar brownstones.
It had the warm, tasteful, elegant yet friendly look that the best well-kept brownstones had. And to Sophy, whose earliest memories of home were the days spent in her grandparents brownstone in Brooklyn, it fairly shouted the word home.
It was exactly the sort of family home shed always dreamed of. Shed babbled on about it to George in the early days of their marriage. Hed been preoccupied with work, of course. Not listening. At least she hadnt thought he was listening
No, of course he hadnt been. It was coincidence.
All the same it wasnt helpful. Not helpful at all.
At least, she thought as she climbed the steps, the sound of a ferocious dog barking his head off on the other side of the front door belied any homey feelings that threatened to overtake her.
So that was Gunnar.
He sounded as if he wanted to have her for brunch.
Hes lovely, Tallie had said. Adores George.
But apparently he wasnt keen on rabbitsexcept perhaps for mealsand the jury was still out on what he thought of her.
Good thing she liked dogs, Sophy thought, fitting the key in the lock and putting on her most upbeat, confident demeanor. She had no idea if it would convince Gunnar. She just hoped she convinced herself long enough to make his acquaintance.
Hey, Gunnar. Hey, buddy, she said as she cautiously opened the door.
The dog stopped barking and simply looked at her quizzically. He was a good-size dog, all black with medium-length hair and some feathering.
A flat-coated retriever, Tallie had told her, and when Sophy looked blank, shed elucidated. Think of a lean, wiry black golden retrieverwith Opinions. Capital O Opinions. Gunnars opinion of her was apparently being formed even as she talked to him.
I hope you like me, Sophy said to him. Shed at least had the wisdom to stop at a pet shop on her way down Broadway, where shed bought some dog treats. Now she offered one to the dog.
In her experience, most dogs took treats eagerly and without question. Gunnar took his, too. But instead of grabbing it, he accepted it delicately from her fingers, then carried it over to the rug by the fireplace where he lay down and nosed it for a few moments before consuming it.
She dragged her bag in over the threshold and shut the door behind her, then turned to survey Gunnarsand Georgesdomain.
It was as impressive inside as it was out. From the mahogany-paneled entry she could see into the dining room where Gunnar was finishing his dog treat, up an equally beautiful mahogany staircase to the second floor and down a hallway to the back where a glimpse of a sofa told her she would find the living room.
But before she could go look, Gunnar came back and poked her with his nose, then looked up hopefully. Treats are the way to your heart? she said to himand was surprised when he replied.
He didnt bark. He didnt growl. He just sort oftalkedmade some sort of noise that had her looking at him in astonishment. So he poked her again.
Right, she said. Yes. Of course. And she fetched another treat out of the bag shed bought. He accepted it with the same gravity with which hed accepted the first one. But he didnt eat it. He simply carried it down the hall.
Sophy followed. She thought he was going to take it into the living room, which indeed was at the end of the hall. But instead Gunnar turned and went down the stairs. He obviously knew better than she did what she was supposed to be doing and was showing her where to go to open the door to the garden.
She let Gunnar out into the back garden with its cedar deck and table and chairs and the bucket of tennis balls that George must toss for Gunnar. Even though it was small and utilitarian, it was still far more appealing than the parking lot behind her apartment in California. She left Gunnar there and went back inside because she was more curious about Georges office.
What would have been billed the garden apartment in a split-up brownstone, obviously served as Georges office. One big room contained a wide oak desk, a sleek state-of-the-art computer with what was probably the biggest computer screen shed ever seen. There were file cabinets, a worktable and shelf after shelf of scientific books. There were papers in neat stacks on the desk and worktable, and a few spread out that were filled with equations in Georges spiky but very legible handwriting. When theyd been together, he had made out shopping lists in the same precise way.
Feeling a bit like a voyeur, though goodness knew she couldnt understand any of whatever he was working on, Sophy deliberately went back out into the garden and threw some tennis balls for Gunnar.
She made a friend for life. He was tireless. She was even more exhausted by the time she said, Last one, and threw it across the small yard. Gunnar caught it on the rebound from the wall and trotted back to look at her hopefully. Later, she promised him.
She could have sworn he sighed. But obediently he followed her back into the house, up the stairs and on up the next flight where there was a spacious yet homey family room that looked decidedly lived inright down to the toys in one corner.
Toys?
Surprised, Sophy looked closer. Yes, there were toys. Blocks, LEGOs, Lincoln Logs and a fleet of scratched and dented Matchbox cars. Boy toys, Sophy thought. But it was clear that Tallies boys were welcome at Uncle Georges. Or did George have a lady friend with children? Not that she cared.
The family room was on the back of the house, just above the living room. Sophy found it cozy and friendly, drawing her in. There were books on the shelves, not only scientific tomes, but also popular mysteries and sailing magazines. She picked them up, noting that they werent pristine. They had obviously been read.
She scanned the shelves curiously, then spotted a photo album as well. She opened it before she could think twiceand was quite suddenly confronted by memories that seemed almost like a blow to the heart.
The album was full of pictures from the reception after their wedding. Not the more formal portraits, but lots of casual family ones. She and George laughing as they fed each other cake. She and George dancing on the deck of his parents home. She and George surrounded by his whole family, all of them smiling and happy.
Numbly she turned the pages. After the ones from the reception, there were others of the two of them. On the beach. In a small cozy house before a fire.
Sophys throat tightened at the sight. At the memories of their honeymoon.
Well, it hadnt been a honeymoonnot really. There hadnt been time to plan one because the wedding had been so hastily arranged and George couldnt take time off work.
All theyd had was a weekend in a tiny groundskeepers cottage behind one of the Hamptons mansions near his parents home by the sea.
But for all that it had been impromptu, it had been memorable. They had, shed thought, forged a bond that weekend. Theyd talked. Theyd laughed. Theyd cooked together, swum together, walked on the beach together. Theyd slept together in the same bedthough they hadnt made love.
Her pregnancy was too far along for that.
Still, for all theyd had a less than orthodox beginning, shed dared to hope, to believe
Now she shut the album and stuck it back on the shelf. She didnt want to look. Didnt want to remember the pain of dashed hopes, of lost love.
No, she corrected herself. It hadnt ever been lovenot really. Not to George.
Deliberately she turned away. Come on, Gunnar, she said to the dog. Lets take a look at the guest room.
Thats the most she was in Georges house, in his life. A guest. She needed to remember that.
I didnt change the sheets, Tallie had apologized. I figured Id either be back there tonight or George would be home. There are other rooms up above. Theres a room for the boys up there, but George probably hasnt changed the sheets since the last time they were there. And thats where Georges room is, of course.
Sophy felt enough like Goldilocks eavesdropping further in a house where she didnt belong. The last place she wanted to look at was Georges bedroom.
Georges bed. She didnt want to remember the nights shed spent sharing a bed with George. Making love with George
Ill just take the room where you were, shed told Tallie. It will be fine.
It was Spartanbut perfectly adequate. It had a bed, sheets, a blanket and two pillows. What more could she ask?
Sophy kicked off her shoes and pulled off her jacket, already heading for the bed when she remembered that she needed to get on the computer and put through a video call to Natalie and Lily.
She opened her laptop on the bed and was glad she often used the video program to help out and advise the wives in the field who worked for her and Natalie. So she was quickly up and running, and felt an instant pang of homesickness when the call went through and she could see Lily at home with Natalie in her living room.
Mama? Lily demanded, sticking her face right up against Natalies laptop. Are you in the computer?
Sophy laughed. No, darling. Im in New York. I had to come here last night, just for a couple of days. Ill be home soon. Are you being good for Auntie Nat?
Course I am, Lily said. Im helping.
Great. Though whether Natalie would think the help of a four-year-old was such a blessing, Sophy wasnt sure. What are you going to do today?
The three-hour time difference meant that Natalie and Lily were just getting started on their day. But clearly Natalie had given some thought to what they would do. Lily rattled off an entire list of things that included after lunch going to the beach with Uncle Christo, undoubtedly so Natalie could get some real work done.
Is that a dog? Lily demanded, abruptly breaking off her recitation.
Dog? Sophy was confused, then realized that Lily wasnt just seeing her. Her daughter could see at least a part of the bedroom behind her. And Gunnar was standing by the bed looking equally curiously at the computer screen.
Um, yes, Sophy said. Thats Gunnar.
Hes big, Lily said solemnly. An really, really black. Would he like me?
Oh, I think so, Natalie said. Gunnar, for all his ferocious barking while she was on the doorstep, had been an absolute gentleman since shed crossed the threshold. He actually seemed to be looking at Lily.
Hi, Gunnar, she said.
He looked quizzical and tentatively wagged his tail.
He likes me! Lily crowed.
Who likes you? Natalie reappeared and bent down to peer into the screen, eyes widening when she spotted the dog. Whos that? Whered he come from? Where are you? she shot out the questions rapid-fire.
Thats Gunnar. He lives here.
Here where? Natalie demanded.
At Georges, Sophy said reluctantly.
At Daddys? Lily demanded, sticking her face close to the screen to peer around the room eagerly. Are you at Daddys?
Yes, but
Where is he?
Yes, where is Daddy? Natalie demanded, frowning her concern.
Sophy heard the archness in Natalies tone. Hes in the hospital. She tried to sound calm and matter-of-fact.
Is Daddy okay? Lily asked. Hes okay, isnt he, Mommy?
He will be, Sophy assured her.
So what are you doing at his place? Natalie wanted to know.
Feeding his dog. And taking a nap. In the guest room, she added in case Natalie had other ideas.
Fortunately whatever ideas Natalie had she wasnt sharing them in front of Lily. She pressed her lips together, then shrugged and said, Well, get some sleep then.
I will. I just wanted to see Lily. Love you, kiddo.
Love you, Mommy, Lily responded. An Daddy. An Gunnar, too. She put her hand on the computer screen, as if she could reach out and pet him. Then she brought Chloes face up to the screen and pointed out Gunnar to her. Hes your friend, Chloe, she told her stuffed dog. An hes mine, too. Oh, Uncle Christos here. Bye, Mommy. Bye, Gunnar. See you later. And Lily skipped off, dragging Chloe away by a paw, leaving Sophy staring at the empty chair in the kitchen.
Sorry about that. Natalie suddenly appeared. Christo just came in bringing fresh cinnamon rolls from the bakery.
Ah, well. A girls got to have her priorities. Give her a hug for me.
Of course. There was a pause. Then Natalie said, I didnt realize Lily was quite so gung ho about George. She doesnt know him.
Shes fixated. All families have mommies and daddies. Or theyre supposed to. We dont. She wanted to know why. Then she wanted to know everything about him.
You should have told her about Ari. Hes her father.
No. Sophy didnt accept that. He sired her. He would never have been there for her. George was.
Briefly.
Yes, well But Sophy didnt want to get into that. She had never told Natalie all the reasons for the breakup of their marriage. It was personal. Anyway, she asked. I told her. Shes curious. Its the lure of the unknown.
Natalie looked doubtful. What about the lure for you?
Im fine, Sophy said firmly. Besides, its only one afternoon. Im only putting the dog outand grabbing a few hours shut-eye. George isnt here. His sister asked me. Im doing her a favor.
If you say so, Natalie said doubtfully.
I do.
Right. Natalie shrugged, still looking concerned. Be careful, Soph.
Im being careful, Sophy replied. Dont worry. Ill talk to you later, let you know what flight Ill be on.
So youre coming soon?
Tonight. Theres nothing to stay for.
Natalie smiled. Great.
Sophy shut down the computer and put it on the nightstand by the bed. Then she finished undressing down to her underwear, drew back the covers and slid into the bed. It was heaven. And what shed told Natalie was true: she was being careful. Very careful.
She closed her eyes and didnt let herself think about the photos in the album. She didnt let herself remember those months of hope and joy. She tried not to dwell on the fact that she was in Georges house, that she could go up one more flight of stairs and lie in Georges bed.
She didnt want the memories of loving himof making love with him. She didnt want the pain.
The bed dipped suddenly. Her eyes snapped open to see Gunnar had leapt lightly onto the foot of the bed. He stood peering down at her.
She reached up and fondled his velvety soft ears, then scratched lightly behind them. He arched his back, almost like a cat. Then he turned in a circle and lay down next to her, so close that she could feel the press of his body through the covers.
She didnt know if he was supposed to be on the bed or not. She didnt care. The solid warmth of his body was comforting, reassuring. Even if he was Georges dog, she liked him. She told him so.
Gunnar twitched his ear.
Sophy smiled, gave him a pat, Then shut her eyes and very carefully and resolutely did not let herself think about George. She slept.
And dreamed about him instead.
George wanted out.
Now. This afternoon.
You cant keep me here, he told Sam, who was standing beside Georges bed saying he needed to do exactly that.
Sam wasnt listening. He knew George. Theyd ridden bikes together, climbed trees together and played lacrosse together. Theyd even got drunk together and pounded on each other a few timesas friends do. George hadnt decided yet whether it was a stroke of good or bad luck that Sam had been the neurologist on duty when they brought him in last night.
He was leaning toward the latter right now as Sam was standing there with a stethoscope, looking grimly official.
Well, no. I cant ground you. Or tie you to the bed, Sam agreed drily. I did think that perhaps I could appeal to your adult common sense, but if thats a problem
George bared his teeth. It made his head hurt like hell. But then so did everything else hed done today, which was pretty much nothing. Hed tried to read and couldnt focus. Hed tried to write and couldnt think. Hed tried to get up and walk around, but when he did, hed barely made it back to the bed without throwing up. If theyd let him go home, he could at least get some sleep.
It would be different if you didnt live alone, Sam was saying. Having someone who can keep an eye on you would make it more feasible.
Babysit me, you mean, George grunted.
Sam grinned. If the shoe fits
George glared. Sam just raised his brows, shrugged and looked back implacably.
Scowling, George folded his arms across his chest. Ill be fine, he insisted. I promise Ill call if I think its worse.
No, Sam said.
I have work, a dog, a life
A life? Sam snorted at that. I dont think so. You teach physics, for heavens sake!
It wasnt all hed ever done, but George didnt go there. He just stared stonily at Sam and waited for him to give in.
No, Sam said. Just because I broke your nose in sixth grade doesnt mean Im going to surrender my obligation as a doctor to give you my honest medical opinion.
The hell you did! I broke your nose!
Sam laughed. Well, at least your memorys not totally shot. He lifted a hand and rubbed it ruefully across the bump in his nose. At least I gave you the black eye.
It wasnt that black.
Pretty damn, Sam said. Anyway, well talk about it tomorrow. We need to make sure the bleeding has stopped. He nodded toward Georges head.
But George didnt notice. His attention had been grabbed by the glimpse of someone just beyond the door. Sophy?
Was he seeing things? Shed gone, hadnt she? Done her duty and hightailed it back to California?
But just as he thought it, she poked her head around the doorjamb. Sorry. I didnt mean to disturb you. I thought Tallie might have come back.
Tallie? George started to shake his head, then thought better of it. No. She went to get the boys from school. You talked to Tallie?
Tallie certainly hadnt mentioned it. His sister had breezed in this morning to see how he was doing. Well, breeze might not have been the right word. Waddle, maybe. Shed looked as if she was going to have her baby any minute. He hadnt seen her in a month, and she hadnt been nearly that big last time he had. He felt a little guilty calling her last night and asking her to take care of the dog.
.
.
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Anne McAllister
Back in her husbands bed!Once Sophy and George Savas were happily marriedThen Sophy woke up and realised that her blissful marriage was a sham. Shes never looked back until the day she learns her husband has been critically injured and her world is shakenNow, though hes stubborn and proud, George wants Sophys help. He knows she wont come willingly, so he hires her to be his wife for as long as he needs her! But playing happy families is dangerous, and soon George realises that his need for Sophy runs deepand strong
George sucked in a breath.
For the first time in nearly four years he and Sophyhis wifewere face to face.
Wife? Ha.
They might have stood side by side in a New York City judges office and repeated after him. They might have a legally binding document declaring them married. But it had never meant anything more than a piece of paper.
Not to her.
Not to either of them, George told himself firmly, though the pain he felt was suddenly different than before. He resisted it. Didnt want to care. Sure as hell didnt want to feel!
The very last thing he needed now was to have to deal with Sophy.
Hired by Her Husband
by
Anne McAllister
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Award-winning author ANNE MCALLISTER was once given a blueprint for happiness that included a nice, literate husband, a ramshackle Victorian house, a horde of mischievous children, a bunch of big, friendly dogs, and a life spent writing stories about tall, dark and handsome heroes. Where do I sign up? she asked, and promptly did. Lots of years later, shes happy to report the blueprint was a success. Shes always happy to share the latest news with readers at her website, www.annemcallister.com, and welcomes their letters there, or at PO Box 3904, Bozeman, Montana 59772, USA (SASE appreciated).
Chapter One
WHEN THE PHONE RANG that evening, Sophy grabbed it as fast as she could. She didnt need it waking Lily. Not just when her daughter had finally fallen asleep.
Lilys fourth birthday party that afternoon had exhausted them both. Normally an easygoing sunny-natured child, Lily had been wound up for days in anticipation. Five of her friends and their mothers had joined them, first at the beach and then here at the house for a cookout, followed by ice cream and cake.
Lily had been on top of the world, declaring the party, the bestest ever. Then, in the time-honored fashion of overtired four-year-olds everywhere, shed crashed.
It had taken a warm bath, a cuddle on Sophys lap, clutching her new stuffed puppy, Chloe, and half a dozen stories to unwind her.
Now finally she was asleep, sprawled in her bed, but still clinging to Chloe. And, with the house a wreck all around her, Sophy didnt need Lily wide awake again. So at the phones first shrill ring, Sophy snatched it up.
Hello?
Mrs. Savas?
The voice was a mans, one she didnt know. But it was the name she heard that gave her a jolt. Of course her cousin and business partner Natalie was now Mrs. Savashad been ever since her marriage to Christo last yearbut Sophy wasnt used to getting calls asking for Natalie at home. For a split second she hesitated, then said firmly, No. Im sorry. Youve got the wrong number. Call back during business hours and you can speak to Natalie.
No. Im not trying to reach Natalie Savas, the man said just as firmly. I need to reach Sophia Savas. Is this He paused as if he were consulting something, then read off her telephone number.
Sophy barely heard it. Her mind had stuck on Sophia Savas.
That had been her name. Once. For a few months.
Suddenly she couldnt breathe, felt as if shed been punched. Abruptly she sat down wordlessly, her fingers strangling the telephone.
Hello? Are you there? Do I have the correct number?
Sophy took a quick shallow breath. Yes. She was relieved that she didnt stammer. Her voice even sounded firm to her own ears. Cool. Calm. Collected. Im Sophia. Sophia McKinnon, she corrected, then added, formerly Savas.
But she still wasnt convinced he had the right person.
George Savass wife?
So much for not being convinced. Sophy swallowed. Y-yes.
No. Maybe? She certainly didnt think she was still Georges wife! Her brain was spinning. How could she not know?
George could have divorced her at any time in the past four years. Shed always assumed he had, though shed never received any paperwork. Mostly shed put it out of her mind because shed tried to put George out of her mind.
She shouldnt have married him in the first place. She knew that. Everybody knew that. Besides, as far as she was concerned, a divorce was irrelevant to her life. It wasnt as if she were ever marrying again.
But maybe George was.
Sophys brain abruptly stopped spinning. Her fingers gripped the receiver, and she felt suddenly cold. She was surprised to feel an odd ache somewhere in the vicinity of her heart even as she assured herself she didnt care. It didnt matter to her if George was getting married.
But she couldnt help wondering, had he finally fallen in love?
She had certainly never been the woman of his dreams. Had he met the woman who was? Was that why she was getting this call? Was this official-sounding man his lawyer? Was he calling to put the legal wheels in motion?
Carefully Sophy swallowed and reminded herself again that it didnt matter to her. George didnt matter. It wasnt as if their marriage had been real. Shed only hoped
And now she told herself that her reaction was only because the phone call had caught her off guard.
She mustered a steadying breath. Yes, thats right. Sophia Savas.
This is Dr. Harlowe. Im sorry to tell you, Mrs. Savas, but theres been an accident.
Are you sure about this? Natalie asked. She and her husband, Christo, had come over the minute Sophy had rang them. Now they watched as she threw things in a duffel and tried to think what else she needed to take. Going all the way to New York? Thats clear across the country.
I know where it is. And yes, Im sure, Sophy said with far more resolution than she felt. It had nothing to do with how far she was going. It was whom she was going to see when she got there. He was there for me, wasnt he?
Under duress, Natalie reminded her.
Snap, Sophy said. There was going to be a fair amount of duress involved in this encounter, too. But she had to do it. She added her sneakers to the duffel. One thing she knew from her years in New York was that shed have to do plenty of walking.
I thought you were divorced, Natalie said.
So did I. Well, I never signed any papers. But she shrugged I guess I thought George would just take care of it. God knew hed taken care of everything elseincluding her and Lily. But that was George. It was the way he was.
Look, she said finally, zipping the duffel shut and raising her gaze to meet Natalies. If there was any way not to do this, believe me, I wouldnt. Theres not. According to the papers in Georges personnel file at Columbia, Im his next of kin. Hes unconscious. They may have to do surgery. They dont know the extent of his injuries. Theyre in wait and see mode. But if things go wrong She stopped, unable to bring herself to voice possibilities the doctor had outlined for her.
Sophy, Natalies voice was one of gentle warning.
Sophy swallowed, straightened and squared her shoulders. I have to do this, she said firmly. When I was alonebefore Lily was bornhe was there. It was true and she made herself face that fact as much as she told it to her cousin. He had married her to give Lily a father, to give her child the Savas name. I owe him. Im paying my debt.
Natalie looked at her doubtfully, but then nodded. I guess so, she said slowly. Then her eyes flashed impatiently. But what kind of grown man gets run over by a truck?
A physicist too busy thinking about atom smashing to watch where he was going, Sophy thought privately. But she didnt say that. She just told the truth.
I dont know. I just know I appreciate your dropping everything and coming over to stay with Lily. Ill call you in the morning. We can arrange a time and do a video call, too. She patted her briefcase where shed already packed her laptop. That way Lily can see me and it wont be so abrupt. I hate leaving her without saying goodbye.
She had never left Lily in four yearsnot for more than a few hours. Now she knew that if she woke Lily shed end up taking her along. And that was a can of worms she didnt intend to open.
Shell be fine, Natalie assured her. Just go. Do what needs to be done. And take care of yourself, she advised.
Yes. Of course. It will be fine, Sophy assured her, picking up the briefcase as Christo hefted the duffel and headed out to the car.
Sophy allowed herself a quick side trip into Lilys room. She stood there a moment just looking at her sleeping daughter, her dark hair tousled, her lips slightly parted. She looked like George.
No. She looked like a Savas, Sophy corrected herself. Which Lily was. George had nothing to do with it. But even as she told herself that, her gaze was drawn to the photo on the bedside table. It was a picture of baby Lily in Georges arms.
Lily might not remember him, but she certainly knew who he was. Shed demanded to know about him ever since she discovered such people as fathers existed.
Where was her father? shed asked. My daddy, she said. Who is my daddy? Why wasnt he here? When was he coming back?
So many questions.
For which her mother had had such inadequate answers, Sophy thought miserably now.
But how could she explain to a child what had happened? It was hard enough to explain it to herself.
Shed done her best. Shed assured her daughter of Georges love. She knew that much was true. And shed even promised that some day Lily would meet him.
When? her daughter had demanded.
Later. Sophy kept the promise deliberately vague. When youre older.
Not now. And yet, at the same time Sophy thought the words again, another thought popped into her head: What if he died?
Impossible! George had always seemed tough, impervious, imminently indestructible.
But what did she really know about the man who had so briefly been her husband? She only thought shed known
And what man, even a strong tough one, could fend off a truck?
Sophy? Natalies voice whispered from the door. Christos waiting in the car.
Coming. Quickly Sophy bent and gave her daughter a light kiss, brushed her hand over Lilys silky hair, then sucked in a deep, desperate breath and hurried out of the room.
Natalie was waiting, watching worriedly. Sophy mustered a smile. Ill be back before you know it.
Of course you will. Natalie gave her a quick smile in return, then wrapped Sophy in a fierce tight hug intended, Sophy knew, to supply a boatload of encouragement and support. You dont still love him, do you? Natalie asked.
Sophy pulled back and shook her head. No, she vowed. She couldnt. She wouldnt! Absolutely not.
They werent giving him any painkillers.
Which would be fine, George thought, though the pounding in his head was ferocious and moving his leg and elbow made him wince, if they would just let him sleep.
But they werent doing that, either. Every time he fell blessedly asleep they loomed over him, poking and prodding, talking in loud kindergarten-teacher voices, shining lights in his eyes, asking him his name, how old he was, who was the president.
How idiotic was that? He could barely remember his age or who the president was when he hadnt just got run over by a truck.
If theyd ask him how to determine the speed of light or what the properties of black holes were, he could have answered in the blink of an eye. He could talk about that for hoursor he could have provided he was able to keep his eyes open long enough.
But no one asked him that.
They went away for a while, but then came back with more needles. They did scans, tutted and muttered, asked more of their endless questions, always looking at him expectantly, then furrowed their brows, worried, when he couldnt remember if he was thirty-four or thirty-five.
Who the hell cared?
Apparently they did.
What month is it? he demanded. His birthday was in November.
They looked askance when he asked them questions.
He doesnt know what month it is, one murmured and made quick urgent notes on her laptop.
Doesnt matter, George muttered irritably. Is Jeremy all right?
That was what mattered right now. That was what he saw whenever his eyes were closedhis little four-year-old dark-haired neighbor darting into the street to chase after his ball. That andout of the corner of his eyethe truck barreling down on him.
The memory still made his breath catch. Hows Jeremy? George demanded again.
Hes fine. Barely a scratch, the doctor said, shining a light in Georges eyes. Already gone home. Much better off than you. Hold still and open your eyes, George, damn it.
Ordinarily, George figured, Sam Harlowe probably had more patience with his patients. But he and Sam went back to grade school. Now Sam gripped Georges chin in firm fingers and shone his light again in Georges eyes again. It sent his head pounding through the roof and made him grit his teeth.
As long as Jeremys okay, he said through them. As soon as Sam let go of his jaw, George lay back against the pillows and deliberately shut his eyes.
Fine. Be an ass, Sam said gruffly. But youre going to stay right here and youre going to rest. Check on him regularly, Sam commanded the nurse. Keep me posted on any change. The next twenty-four hours are critical.
Georges eyes flicked open again. I thought you said he was all right.
He is. The jurys still out on you, Sam told him gruffly. Ill be back.
As that sounded more like a threat than a promise, George wanted to say he wouldnt be here, but by the time he mustered his wits, Sam was long gone.
Annoyed, George glared after him. Then he fixed his gaze on the nurse. You can leave, too, he told her irritably. Hed had enough questions. Besides, his head hurt less if he shut his eyes. So he did.
He may have even slept because the next thing he knew there was a new nurse pestering him.
So, how old are you, George? she asked him.
George squinted at her. Too old to be playing games. When can I go home?
When youve played our games, the nurse said drily.
He cracked a smile at that. Im going to be thirty-five. Its October. I had oatmeal for breakfast this morning. Unless its tomorrow already.
It is, she told him.
Then I can go home.
Not until Dr. Harlowe agrees. She didnt look up while she checked his blood pressure. When she finished she said, I understand youre a hero.
George squinted at her. Not likely.
You didnt save a boys life?
I knocked him across the street.
So he wouldnt get killed by a truck, the nurse said. That qualifies as saving in my book. I hear he just got a few scrapes and bruises.
Which is what Ive got, George pointed out, about to nod toward the ones visible on his arm. So I should be able to go home, too.
And you will, she said. But head injuries can be serious.
Finally, blessedly, sheand all her persistent colleaguesleft him alone. As the hours wore on eventually the hospital noises quieted. The rattle of carts in the halls diminished. Even the beeps and the clicks seemed to fade. Not the drumming in his head, though. God, it was ceaseless.
Every time he drifted off, he moved. It hurt. He shifted. Found a spot it wasnt quite so bad. Slept. And then they woke him again. When he did sleep it was restlessly. Images, dreams, memories of Jeremy haunted his dreams. So did ones of the truck. So did the grateful, still stricken faces of Jeremys parents.
We might have lost him, Jeremys mother, Grace, had sobbed at his bedside earlier.
And his father, Philip, had just squeezed Georges hand in his as hed said over and over, You have no idea.
Not true. George had a very good idea. There were other memories and images mingling with those of Jeremy. Memories of a baby, tiny and dark-haired. A first smile. Petal-soft skin. Trusting eyes.
She was Jeremys age now. Old enough to run into a street the same way Jeremy hadHe tried not to think about it. Tried not to think about her. It made his throat ache and his eyes burn. He shut them once more and tried desperately to fall asleep.
He didnt know how much sleep he finally got. His head was still pounding when the first glimmers of dawn filtered in through the window.
Hed heard footsteps come into the room earlier. There had been the sound of a nurses voice speaking quietly, another low murmured response, then the sound of the feet of a chair being moved.
He hadnt opened his eyes. Had deliberately ignored it all.
All hed thought was, please God they would go away without poking him or talking to him again. He didnt want to be poked. He didnt want to be civil.
He wanted to go back to sleepbut this time he didnt want the memories to come with it. The nurse left. The conversation stopped. Yet somehow he didnt think he was alone.
Was that Sam whod come in? Was he standing there now, staring down at him in silence?
It was the sort of juvenile nonsensical thing theyd done as kids to try to psych the other out. Surely Sam had grown out of it by now.
George shiftedand winced as he tried to roll onto his side. His shoulder hurt like hell. Every muscle in his body protested. If Sam thought this was funny
George flicked open his eyes and his whole beingmind and bodyseemed to jerk.
It wasnt Sam in the room. It was a woman.
George sucked in a breath. He didnt think he made a noise. But something alerted her because she had been sitting beside his bed looking out the window, and now as he stared, dry-mouthed and disbelieving, slowly she turned and her gaze met his.
For the first time in nearly four years he and Sophyhis wifewere face-to-face.
Wife? Ha.
They might have stood side by side in a New York City judges office and repeated after him. They might have a legally binding document declaring them married. But it had never meant anything more than a piece of paper.
Not to her.
Not to either of them, George told himself firmly, though the pain he felt was suddenly different than before. He resisted it. Didnt want to care. Sure as hell didnt want to feel!
The very last thing he needed now was to have to deal with Sophy. His jaw tightened involuntarily, which, damn it, made his head hurt even worse.
What are you doing here? he demanded. His voice was rough, hoarse from tubes and dry hospital air. He glared at her accusingly.
Irritating you, obviously. Sophys tone was mild, but there was a concern in her gaze that belied her tone. Still, she shrugged lightly. The hospital called me. You were unconscious. They needed next of kins permission to do whatever they felt needed doing.
You? George stared in disbelief.
Thats pretty much what I said when they called, Sophy admitted candidly, crossing one long leg over the other and leaning back in the chair.
She was wearing black wool trousers and an olive green sweater. Very tasteful. Professional. Businesslike, George would have said. Not at all the Sophy of jeans and sweats and maternity tops he remembered. Only her copper-colored hair was still the same, the dark red strands glinting like new pennies in the early morning sun. He remembered running his fingers through it, burying his face in it. More thoughts he didnt want to deal with.
Apparently you never got around to divorcing me. She looked at him as if asking a question.
Georges jaw tightened. I imagined you would take care of that, he bit out. Since she had been the one who was so keen on it. Damn, but his head was pounding. He shut his eyes.
When he opened them again it was to see that Sophys gaze had flickered away. But then it came back to meet his. She shook her head.
No need, she said easily. I certainly wasnt getting married again.
And neither was he. Hed been gutted once by marriage. He had no desire to go through it again. But he wasnt talking about that to Sophy. He couldnt believe she was even here. Maybe that whack on the head was causing him to hallucinate.
He tried shutting his eyes again, wishing her gone. No luck. When he opened them again, she was still there.
Getting hit by a truck was small potatoes compared to dealing with Sophy. He needed all his wits and every bit of control and composure he could manage when it came to coping with her. Now he rolled onto his back again and grimaced as he tried to push himself up against the pillows.
Probably not a good idea, Sophy commented.
No, it wasnt. The closer he got to vertical, the more he felt as if the top of his head was going to come off. On the other hand, he wasnt dealing with Sophy from a position of weakness.
You should rest, she offered.
Ive been resting all night.
I doubt you had much, Sophy said frankly. The nurse said you were restless.
You try sleeping when theyre asking you questions.
They need to keep checking, you have concussion and a subdural hematoma. Not to mention, she added, assessing him slowly as if he were a distasteful bug pinned to paper, that you look as if youve been put through a meat grinder.
Thanks, George muttered. Yes, it hurt, but he kept pushing himself up. He wanted to clutch his head in his hands. Instead he clutched the bedclothes until his knuckles turned white.
For heavens sake, stop that! Lie down or Ill call the nurse.
Be my guest, George said. Since its morning and I know my name and how old I am, maybe theyll finally let me sign myself out of here and go home. I have things to do. Classes. Work.
Sophy rolled her eyes. Youre not going anywhere. Youre lucky youre not in surgery.
Why should I be? He scowled. I dont have any broken bones. He was half-sitting now so he stopped pushing himself up and lifted his arm to look at his watch. His arm was bare except for the intravenous tube in the back of his hand. He gritted his teeth. Damn it. What time is it? I have a class doing an experiment tomorrow. I need to go to work. I need to get away from this womanor I need to grab her and hold on to her forever.
Sophy rolled her eyes. Like thats going to happen.
For a terrible moment, George thought she was responding to the words that had formed in his concussed brain. Then he realized she was talking about him going to work. He sagged in relief.
The world doesnt stop just because one person has an accident, he told her irritably.
Yours almost did.
The baldness of her statement was like a punch to the gut. And so was the sudden change in Sophys expression as she said the words. There was nothing at all light or flippant about her now. She looked stricken. You almost died, George! She even sounded as if she cared.
He steeled himself against believing it, making himself shrug. But I didnt.
All the same he knew the truth of what she said. The truck was big enough. It had been moving fast enough. If hed been half a step slower, she would likely be right.
Would they have called Sophy if hed died? Would she have come and planned his funeral?
He didnt ask. He knew Sophy didnt love him, but she didnt hate him, either.
Once hed even thought they actually stood a chance of making their marriage work, that she might have really come to love him.
What happened? she asked him now. The nurse said you got hit saving a child.
He was surprised shed asked. But then he realized she might want to know why theyd tracked her down and dragged her here. It didnt have anything to do with caring about him.
Jeremy, George confirmed. Hes four. He lives down the street from me. I was walking home from work and he came running down the sidewalk to show me his new soccer ball. He dropped it so he could dribble it, but then as he got closer he kicked it harderat me. But it he dragged in a harsh breath went into the street.
Sophy sucked in a breath.
There was a delivery truck coming
Sophy went very white. Dear God. Hes not?
George shook his head, then instantly wished he hadnt. Hes okay. Bruised. Scraped up. But
But not dead. Sophy said it aloud. Firmly, as if to make it more believable. She seemed to breathe again, relief evident on her face. Thank God. And her gaze lifted as if she was in prayer.
Yes.
Then she lowered her gaze and looked at him. Thank George.
There was a sudden flatness in her tone, and George heard an unwelcome edge of finality, of inevitability. Almost of bitterness.
His teeth came together. What? Did you want me to let him run in front of a truck?
Of course not! Sophys eyes flashed. A deep flush of color rushed into her pale cheeks. How could you say such a thing? I was justrecognizing what youd done.
Sure you were. He gave her a hard look, an expectant look, waiting for her to say the words that hung between them.
She wet her lips. You saved him.
He almost expected it to be an accusation. She had certainly made it sound that way when shed flung the words at him the day shed said she didnt want to be married anymore.
Thats what you were doing when you married me, shed cried bitterly. You married me to save me!
He had, of course. But that wasnt the only reason. Not that she would believe it. He hadnt replied then. He didnt reply now. Sophy would think what she wanted.
George stared back at her stonily, dared her to make something of it.
But whatever anger she felt seemed to go out of her. She just looked at him with those wide deep green eyes for a long moment, and then she added quietly, You are a hero.
George snorted. Hardly. Jeremy wouldnt have been out there running down the street at all if he hadnt seen me coming.
What? Youre saying its your fault? She stared at him in disbelief.
Im just saying he was waiting for me. He shrugged. We kick the ball around together sometimes.
You know him well, then? Hes a friend? Sophy sounded surprised, as if she considered it unlikely.
Were friends. Jeremy with his dark hair and bright eyes had made him think about Lily. He didnt say that, though.
Sophys brows lifted slightly, as if the notion that he knew who his neighbors were surprised her as well. Maybe it should. He hadnt known any of their neighbors during the few months theyd been together.
But he hadnt had time, had he? Hed been too busy finishing up the government project he was working on and trying to figure out how to be a husband and then, only weeks later, a father. The first had been time-consuming, but at least in his comfort zone.
Marriage and fatherhood had been completely virgin territory. He hadnt had a clue.
Now Sophy said, I was surprised you were back in New York. It wasnt a question, but he assumed that she meant it as one.
For the past two years.
Uppsala didnt appeal?
Ah, right. Uppsala. That was where she thought hed gonethe job he had supposedly been up forat the University of Uppsala in Sweden.
He couldnt have told her differently then. He hadnt been permitted to talk about it. And there was no point in talking about it now.
It was a two-year appointment, he said.
That much was the truth. And though he could have continued to work on government projects, he hadnt wanted to. Hed agreed to the earlier one before hed ever expected to be marrying anyone. And if things had worked out between him and Sophy, he would have bowed out and never gone to Europe at all.
When their marriage crumbled, he went, grateful not to have to stay in the city, grateful to be able to put an ocean between him and the reason for his pain.
But after two years, hed come home, back to New York though hed had several good offers elsewhere. This one at Columbia is tenure track, he told her.
Not that tenure had been a factor. Hed taken the job because it appealed to him. It was research work he wanted to do, eager graduate students to mentor, a freshman class to inspire and a classload he could handle.
It had nothing to do with the fact that when he took it hed thought Sophy and Lily were still living in the city. Nothing.
Sophy nodded. Ah.
When did you leave? he asked. At her raised brows, he said, I did drop by. You were gone.
I went to California. Not long after you left, she said. I started a business with my cousin.
So I heard. My mother said she talked to you at Christos wedding.
Yes. Then she added politely, It was nice to see your parents again.
George, who knew exactly what she thought of his father, said drily, Ill bet.
Hed been invited to Christos wedding, too. He hadnt gone because he had had no clue who his cousin Christo was marrying and no interest in flying across the country to find out. To discover later that Christos bride was a second cousin of Sophys blew his mind. He wondered what would have happened if hed gone to the wedding, if theyd run into each other there.
Probably nothing, he thought heavily. There were times and places when things could happen. It had been the wrong time before. And now? Now it was simply too late.
Yet even knowing it, he couldnt help saying, What about your business? My mother said its called Rent-a-Bride?
Rent-a-Wife, Sophy corrected. We do things for people that they need a second person to cope with. Things wives traditionally do. Pick up dry cleaning, arrange dinner parties, ferry the kids to dental appointments and soccer games, take the dog to the vet.
And people pay for that?
They do. Very well, in fact. She met his gaze defiantly. Im doing fine.
Without you.
She didnt have to say the words for him to hear them. Ah. Well, good for you.
Their gazes locked, hers more of a glare than a gaze. Then abruptly she looked away, shifted in her chair and tried to stifle a yawn. Watching her, George realized she must have had to fly all night to get here from California.
Did you sleep?
She bit off the yawn. Some. But her gaze flicked away fast enough that he knew it for the lie it was. And he felt guilty for her having been called for no reason.
Look, he said roughly, Im sorry they bothered you. Im sorry you felt you had to drop everything and fly clear across the country to sign papers. It wasnt necessary.
The doctor said it was.
My fault. I should have updated the contact information.
To whom? Her question was as quick as it was surprising. And was she actually interested in his answer?
George shrugged. My folks. My sister, Tallie. She and Elias and the kids live in Brooklyn.
Oh. Right. Of course. Sophy shifted in the chair, sat up straighter. I just wondered. I thought But she stopped, not telling him whatever it was shed thought, and George didnt have enough working brain cells to try to guess. Never mind.
Ill get it changed as soon as I get out of here, he promised.
No problem. Sophys easy acceptance was unexpected. At his blink of astonishment, she shrugged. You were there for me. Its my turn.
He frowned. So this is payback?
She spread her hands. Its the best I can do.
You dont need to do anything!
Apparently not, she said in a mild nonconfrontational tone that reminded him of a mother humoring a fractious child.
George set his teeth. He didnt want to be humored and he damned well didnt want Sophy patronizing him.
Fine. Its payback. So consider your debt paid, he said gruffly. Hed had enough. Now, if you dont mind, Id like to get some rest. And, he went on for good measure, as you can see, Im conscious and I can sign my own papers now. So thank you for coming, but I can take care of things myself. You dont need to hang around taking care of me. You can go.
As the words left his mouth he knew he heard the echo of almost the exact words she had thrown at him nearly four years ago: I dont need you! Im not a mess you need to clean up. I can take care of myself. I dont need you doing it for me. So get out of here! Leave me alone. Just go!
And from the expression on her face, Sophy knew it, too. She looked as if hed slapped her.
Of course, she said stiffly and stood up, pulling her jacket off the back of the chair and putting it on.
George watched her every move. He didnt want to. But, as usual, he couldnt look away. From the first moment hed seen her on his cousin Aris arm at a family wedding, Sophy had always had the power to draw his gaze.
She didnt seem to notice. Something else that hadnt changed. She zipped up her jacket and picked up her tote from the floor by the chair. Then she stood looking down at him, her expression unreadable.
George made sure his was, too. Thank you for coming, he said evenly. Im sorry you were inconvenienced.
She inclined her head. Im glad youre recovering.
All very polite. They looked at each other in silence. For three seconds. Five. George didnt know how long. It wasnt going to be enough. It never would be.
He couldnt help memorizing her even as he told himself it was a stupid thing to do. And not the first, he reminded himself grimly, where Sophy was concerned.
She gave him one last faint smile and turned away.
Her name was out of his mouth before she reached the door. Sophy.
She stilled, glanced back, one brow lifting quizzically.
Hed thought he could leave it at that. That he could simply let her go. But he had to ask. Hows Lily?
For a moment he thought she wouldnt answer. But then the smile he hadnt seen yet suddenly appeared on her face like the sun from behind a bank of thunderheads. Her expression softened. And she was no longer supremely self-contained, keeping him determinedly outside the castle walls. Lilys fine. Amazing. Bright. Funny. So smart. We had her birthday party yesterday. Shes
Four. George finished the sentence before she could. He knew exactly how old she was. Remembered every minute of the day she was born. Remembered holding her in his arms. Remembered how the mantle of responsibility felt on his shouldersunexpected, scary, yet absolutely right.
Sophy blinked. You remembered?
Of course.
She swallowed. Would youlike to see a picture of her?
Would he? George nodded almost jerkily. Sophy didnt seem to notice. She was already opening her purse and taking out her wallet. She fished out a photo and came back across the room to hand it to him.
George took one look at the child in the photo and felt his throat close.
God, she was beautiful. Hed seen some snapshots that his mother had given him from the wedding so he had an idea of what Lily was like. But this photo really captured her.
She was sitting on a beach, a bucket of sand on her lap, her face tipped back as she laughed up at whoever had taken the photo. It was like seeing a miniature Sophy, except for the hair. Lilys was dark and wavy and, in this photo, wind-tossed. But her eyes were Sophys eyesthe same shape, the same color. British sports car green, hed once called them. And her mouth wore a little girls version of the delighted, sparkling grin that, like Sophys, would make the world a brighter place. Her fingers were clutching the sides of the sand pail, and George remembered how her much tinier fingers had clutched his as shed stared up at him in cross-eyed solemnity whenever he held her.
He blinked rapidly, his throat aching as he swallowed hard. When he was sure he could do it without sounding rusty, he lifted his gaze and said, Shes very like you.
Sophy nodded. People say that, she agreed. Except her hair. She has yAris hair.
Aris hair. Because Lily was Aris daughter. Not his.
For all that George had once dared to hope, like her mother Lily had never been his.
They both belonged to Arialways hadno matter that his cousin had been dead since before Lilys birth. Some things, George found, hurt more than the pounding in his head. He ran his tongue over his lips. She looks happy.
She is. Sophys voice was firm and confident now. Shes a happy well-adjusted little girl. Shes actually pretty easygoing most of the time. Once she got over the three-month mark, she stopped having colic and settled down. I managed, she added, as if it needed saying.
He supposed she thought it did. Shed had something to prove when shed told him to get out. And shed obviously proved it.
Now he took a breath. Im glad to hear it. George took one last look at the picture then held it out to her.
You can have it, she said. I can print another one. If you want it, she added a second later, as if he might not.
Thanks. Yes, Id like it. He studied it again for a long moment before turning slowly in an attempt to set it on the table next to the bed.
Sophy reached out and took it from him, standing it up against his water pitcher so he could see it if he turned his head. There. She stepped back again. She canwatch over you. As soon as she said the words, she ducked her head, as if she shouldnt have. You should get some rest.
Well see.
No well see. You should, she said firmly.
He didnt reply, and she seemed to realize that was something else she shouldnt have said, that she had no right to tell him what he should or shouldnt do. Sorry, she said briskly. None of my business. She turned toward the door again. Goodbye.
He almost called her back a second time. But it would simply prolong the awkwardness between them. And when you got right down it, there was nothing else.
It had been kind of her to have comeeven if it was simply payback on her part. Still, it was more than he would have expected.
No, that was unfair.
She might not love him, but she was tenderhearted. Sophy would do the right thing for anyone she perceived to be in needeven the man she resented more than anyone on earth.
He didnt need her, he reminded himself. Hed lived without her for nearly four years. He could live without her for the rest of his life. All he had to do was end things now as he should have done four years ago.
Sophy!
This time she was beyond the door and when she turned, she looked back with something akin to impatience in her gaze. What?
He made it clearto both of them. Dont worry. It will never happen again. As soon as I get out of here, Ill file for divorce.
Chapter Two
OF COURSE GEORGE would get a divorce.
The only surprise as far as Sophy was concerned, was that he hadnt got one already. But even accepting the fact, Sophy felt her knees wobble as she walked away from Georges room.
She moved automatically, going to fetch her duffel, which one of the nurses had allowed her to leave in a storage area near the nurses station. But when she got there, her hands were shaking so much that she nearly brought down a load of paper supplies while trying to pull the duffels handle out.
Here. Let me help you. The nurse who had let her put it there in the first place took the duffels handle, slid it out and pulled it easily out of the storage space. She tipped it toward Sophy, then looked at her closely. Are you all right?
Yes, sure. Fine. Justtired. Something of an understatement. Its all right, Sophy murmured. Im fine. Truly. She did her best visibly to pull herself together so the nurse could see she was telling the truth. She shoved her hair away from her face and tried to smile. I just need some sleep.
Of course you do. Its been a bit traumatic. You go home now and get some sleep. Dont worry. She patted Sophys arm. Well take care of your husband.
Sophy opened her mouth to correct the nurse, but what could she say? And why? Even though she wouldnt let herself think of George that way, it was impossible to lie to herself, impossible to say that walking into his hospital room had left her unaffected.
The very moment shed laid eyes on him this morning, the years since shed seen him fell away as if theyd never existed.
And even worse was the realization that, however desperately she might wish it, she wasnt over him at all.
When shed walked into the hospital room to see George lying there, his head bandaged, his arm in a sling, his whisker-shadowed jaw bruised, his normally tanned face unnaturally pale, she felt guttedexactly the same way shed felt seeing her daughter fall off the jungle gym at her preschool.
The sight of Lily slipping and tumbling, then lying motionless on the ground, had shattered Sophys world. That same sickening breathlessness had hit her again at the sight of George in his hospital bed.
The difference was that Lilly, having landed on wood chips that cushioned her fall, had only had the wind knocked out of her. Seconds later, shed bounced up again none the worse for wear.
But George hadnt moved.
It was early when shed arrived, straight from the airport, still stiff and groggy from a sleepless night on the plane. He should have been asleep. But it looked like such an unnatural sleep. And Sophy had stopped dead in the doorway, clutching the doorjamb as she stood watching him never flutter so much as an eyelash. She had been too far away to see the rise and fall of his chest.
She must have looked stricken because the nurse had said, Watch the monitor. Its squiggly line was moving up and down jerkily. But at least it proved he was breathing because absolutely nothing else did.
You can wake him if you want, this same nurse had said.
But Sophy had shaken her head. If George wasnt dead yet, the sight of her first thing when he opened his eyes might very well do it for him.
No. Let him sleep, she said in a voice barely above a whisper. Ill just wait.
If hes not awake in an hour, Ill be back. We have to wake him regularly to see how he responds and if he remembers everything.
No doubt about his memory, Sophy thought grimly now.
She turned to the nurse. He thinks hes going to leave today, to go to work. The doctor wouldnt really let him
The nurse smiled. I dont think you need to worry about that. Theyll be watching him today and probably tomorrow. You should go home now and get some rest. Come back this afternoon. Chances are hell be much brighter by then. She gave Sophy one more encouraging smile, then checked her beeper and hurried down the hall.
Sophy stood there with her overnight bag and her briefcase and realized she didnt have a home to go to.
Home was three thousand miles away.
On the other hand, why shouldnt she go home? What was keeping her here? George had clearly dismissed her. As far as he was concerned, she neednt have bothered to come in the first place.
And she certainly wasnt going to come back this afternoon. Shed done her duty. Payback, hed called it.
And hed rejected it. Consider it paid, hed said.
That was fine with her. Shooting one last glance toward his room, she turned and wheeled her overnight bag down the hall to the elevator and pressed the button and waited, trying to keep her eyes open and stifle a yawn.
She was in the midst of the latter when the elevator door opened. There were several people in it, but only one, a young, dark-haired, very pregnant woman, swept out, then stopped dead and stared at her.
Sophy?
Sophy blinked, startled. Tallie?
Oh, my God, it is you! And before Sophy could do more than close her gaping mouth, Georges sister, Tallie, swept her into a fierce delighted hug. Youve come back!
Well, I But whatever protest she might have made was muffled by the enthusiastic warmth of Tallies embrace. And Sophy couldnt do much more than hug her back. It was no hardship in any case. Shed always adored Georges sister. Losing the right to count Tallie as her sister-in-law had been one of the real pains of the end of her marriage.
Before she could say anything, a firm thump against her midsection had Sophy jumping back. Was that the baby? She looked at Tallie, wide-eyed.
Tallie laughed. Yes. My girl likes her space. She rubbed her burgeoning belly affectionately. This ones a girl. But more about her later. Its so good to see you. She gave Sophy another fierce hug, but was careful to move back before the baby kicked again. George should get run over by trucks more often.
No. Even for the pleasure of seeing Tallie again, she didnt want that.
Well, not really. Tallie laughed with a shake of her head. But if it brings you home She beamed at Sophy.
Im not home, Sophy said quickly. Im justhere. For the moment. I got a call from the doctor last night. When George was unconscious they needed his next of kins permission for any medical procedures, and because were not officially divorcedyetthat was me. And so she shrugged I came.
Of course you did, Tallie said with blithe confidence. Besides, its about time. How is he? Her smile faded a bit and she looked concerned. He wouldnt let me come see him last night.
He looks like hes been hit by a truck, Sophy said. If Tallie hadnt seen him yet, Sophy wanted to prepare her. Seriously. Hes pretty battered. But coherent, she added when Tallies expression turned worried.
He flat-out refused to let us come last night. Well, theres only Elias and me around. Mom and Dad are in Santorini. And none of the boys her other brothers, Theo, Demetrios and Yiannis, she meant are here. So he was safe. He probably wouldnt have contacted me at all if he hadnt needed someone to take care of Gunnar.
Gunnar?
His dog.
George had a dog? That was a surprise. Did he rescue it? Sophy asked.
Tallie frowned. I dont think so. I think he got him as a puppy. Why?
Sophy shook her head. Never mind. I was justnever mind. She could hardly say, Because George rescues things. Tallie wouldnt understand.
Georges sister shoved a strand of hair away from her face. He said to go to his place and feed Gunnar, put him out and absolutely dont come to the hospital. He didnt need me hovering. She shook her head.
George is an idiot, she went on with long-suffering sisterly fondness. As if I would hover. Well, I will. But at least I waited until this morning. Ill go annoy him for a few minutes, just to let him know he cant push me around. And because the rest of the family will fuss and worry if someone hasnt set eyes on him in the flesh. But now youve come, you take the keys. She dug in the pocket of her maternity pants and thrust a set of keys into Sophys hand.
Me? Immediately Sophy tried to hand them back. Theyre not mine, she protested. I cant take Georges keys!
Why not? Because you and George are separated? Big deal.
Were not separated! Were divorcing. I thought we already were, Sophy said. Divorced, she clarified.
But youre not? Good. Easier to work things out, Tallie said with the confidence of someone who had done just that and was living happily ever after. Elias and I
Were not married when you went your own ways, Sophy said firmly. It is not the same thing. And I cant take Georges keys. She tried to hand them back again, but a yawn caught her by surprise and so she ended up covering her mouth instead.
Youre exhausted, Tallie said. How long have you been here?
Not that long. A couple of hours. I got into LaGuardia before dawn.
You took a red-eye? Did you get any sleep at all?
Not really, Sophy admitted. But Im hoping I will on the way home.
Tallie looked appalled. On the way home? What? Youre going home now?
Sophy shrugged. He doesnt need me here. Or want me here. He made that quite clear.
Tallie snorted dismissively. What does he know? Besides, it doesnt matter if he needs you or wants you. I do.
You? What do you mean?
You, my dear Sophy, are going to save my life, Tallie told her, taking her by the arm and steering her to a pair of chairs where they could sit.
Dont you want to see George? Sophy said hopefully.
In a minute. First I want to get you on your way. The CEO Tallie had once been came through loud and clear. I need your help.
What sort of help?
George, bless his heart, thinks that I can simply drop my life and take over the running of his. And admittedly, there might have been a time I could have done it, Tallie said with a grin. But that time is not now. Not with three little boys, a baby due in three weeks, a homemade bakery business that has orders up the wazoo, orders I need to get taken care of before the arrival of my beautiful baby girl Tallie rubbed her belly again not to mention a husband who, while tolerant, does not consider sharing me with a dog for more than one night to be the best allocation of my time.
Besides, she went on before Sophy could say a word, he has to go to Mystic for a boat launch this afternoon. He took the kids to school, but I need to be home to get Nick and Garrett from kindergarten and Digger from preschool. I was planning to bake today before I had to go get them. And Id take Gunnar home but he doesnt get along with the rabbit, er, actually vice versa. So she took a breath and gave Sophy a bright, hopeful smile what do you say? Will you save me? Please?
Sophy was even more exhausted just thinking about it. She swallowed another yawn.
And you can sleep while youre there, Tallie said triumphantly.
George wont like it.
Whos telling George? Tallie raised both brows.
Not me, Sophy thought. She should say no. It was the sane, safe, sensible thing to do. The less she had to do with George or any of his family before the divorce was final, the less likely she was to be hurt again.
But life, as she well knew, wasnt about protecting yourself. It was about doing what needed to be done. Payback wasnt always what you thought it would be. It didnt mean you had a right not to do it.
All right, she said resignedly. Ill do it. But as soon as George can come home, Im leaving.
Of course, Tallie said, all grateful smiles. Absolutely.
Sophy hadnt let herself think about where George might be living ever since hed walked out of her life.
If shed wanted to guess, shed have picked some sterile but extremely functional apartment where hed be called upon to do as little interaction with his environment as possible.
She couldnt have been more wrong.
George had a brownstone on the Upper West Side. Not just an efficient studio in a brownstone or even a complete floor-through apartment. George owned the whole five-story building.
And while most of the brownstones in the neighborhood had long since been subdivided into flats, Georges had not.
When he came home he said he wanted a house, Tallie told her. And he got one.
He had indeed. And what a one it was.
Sophy stopped on the sidewalk in front of the wide stoop and stared openmouthed at the elegant well-maintained facade. It had big bay windows on the two floors above the garden entrance, and two more floors above that with three identical tall narrow arched windows looking south across the tree-lined street at a row of similar brownstones.
It had the warm, tasteful, elegant yet friendly look that the best well-kept brownstones had. And to Sophy, whose earliest memories of home were the days spent in her grandparents brownstone in Brooklyn, it fairly shouted the word home.
It was exactly the sort of family home shed always dreamed of. Shed babbled on about it to George in the early days of their marriage. Hed been preoccupied with work, of course. Not listening. At least she hadnt thought he was listening
No, of course he hadnt been. It was coincidence.
All the same it wasnt helpful. Not helpful at all.
At least, she thought as she climbed the steps, the sound of a ferocious dog barking his head off on the other side of the front door belied any homey feelings that threatened to overtake her.
So that was Gunnar.
He sounded as if he wanted to have her for brunch.
Hes lovely, Tallie had said. Adores George.
But apparently he wasnt keen on rabbitsexcept perhaps for mealsand the jury was still out on what he thought of her.
Good thing she liked dogs, Sophy thought, fitting the key in the lock and putting on her most upbeat, confident demeanor. She had no idea if it would convince Gunnar. She just hoped she convinced herself long enough to make his acquaintance.
Hey, Gunnar. Hey, buddy, she said as she cautiously opened the door.
The dog stopped barking and simply looked at her quizzically. He was a good-size dog, all black with medium-length hair and some feathering.
A flat-coated retriever, Tallie had told her, and when Sophy looked blank, shed elucidated. Think of a lean, wiry black golden retrieverwith Opinions. Capital O Opinions. Gunnars opinion of her was apparently being formed even as she talked to him.
I hope you like me, Sophy said to him. Shed at least had the wisdom to stop at a pet shop on her way down Broadway, where shed bought some dog treats. Now she offered one to the dog.
In her experience, most dogs took treats eagerly and without question. Gunnar took his, too. But instead of grabbing it, he accepted it delicately from her fingers, then carried it over to the rug by the fireplace where he lay down and nosed it for a few moments before consuming it.
She dragged her bag in over the threshold and shut the door behind her, then turned to survey Gunnarsand Georgesdomain.
It was as impressive inside as it was out. From the mahogany-paneled entry she could see into the dining room where Gunnar was finishing his dog treat, up an equally beautiful mahogany staircase to the second floor and down a hallway to the back where a glimpse of a sofa told her she would find the living room.
But before she could go look, Gunnar came back and poked her with his nose, then looked up hopefully. Treats are the way to your heart? she said to himand was surprised when he replied.
He didnt bark. He didnt growl. He just sort oftalkedmade some sort of noise that had her looking at him in astonishment. So he poked her again.
Right, she said. Yes. Of course. And she fetched another treat out of the bag shed bought. He accepted it with the same gravity with which hed accepted the first one. But he didnt eat it. He simply carried it down the hall.
Sophy followed. She thought he was going to take it into the living room, which indeed was at the end of the hall. But instead Gunnar turned and went down the stairs. He obviously knew better than she did what she was supposed to be doing and was showing her where to go to open the door to the garden.
She let Gunnar out into the back garden with its cedar deck and table and chairs and the bucket of tennis balls that George must toss for Gunnar. Even though it was small and utilitarian, it was still far more appealing than the parking lot behind her apartment in California. She left Gunnar there and went back inside because she was more curious about Georges office.
What would have been billed the garden apartment in a split-up brownstone, obviously served as Georges office. One big room contained a wide oak desk, a sleek state-of-the-art computer with what was probably the biggest computer screen shed ever seen. There were file cabinets, a worktable and shelf after shelf of scientific books. There were papers in neat stacks on the desk and worktable, and a few spread out that were filled with equations in Georges spiky but very legible handwriting. When theyd been together, he had made out shopping lists in the same precise way.
Feeling a bit like a voyeur, though goodness knew she couldnt understand any of whatever he was working on, Sophy deliberately went back out into the garden and threw some tennis balls for Gunnar.
She made a friend for life. He was tireless. She was even more exhausted by the time she said, Last one, and threw it across the small yard. Gunnar caught it on the rebound from the wall and trotted back to look at her hopefully. Later, she promised him.
She could have sworn he sighed. But obediently he followed her back into the house, up the stairs and on up the next flight where there was a spacious yet homey family room that looked decidedly lived inright down to the toys in one corner.
Toys?
Surprised, Sophy looked closer. Yes, there were toys. Blocks, LEGOs, Lincoln Logs and a fleet of scratched and dented Matchbox cars. Boy toys, Sophy thought. But it was clear that Tallies boys were welcome at Uncle Georges. Or did George have a lady friend with children? Not that she cared.
The family room was on the back of the house, just above the living room. Sophy found it cozy and friendly, drawing her in. There were books on the shelves, not only scientific tomes, but also popular mysteries and sailing magazines. She picked them up, noting that they werent pristine. They had obviously been read.
She scanned the shelves curiously, then spotted a photo album as well. She opened it before she could think twiceand was quite suddenly confronted by memories that seemed almost like a blow to the heart.
The album was full of pictures from the reception after their wedding. Not the more formal portraits, but lots of casual family ones. She and George laughing as they fed each other cake. She and George dancing on the deck of his parents home. She and George surrounded by his whole family, all of them smiling and happy.
Numbly she turned the pages. After the ones from the reception, there were others of the two of them. On the beach. In a small cozy house before a fire.
Sophys throat tightened at the sight. At the memories of their honeymoon.
Well, it hadnt been a honeymoonnot really. There hadnt been time to plan one because the wedding had been so hastily arranged and George couldnt take time off work.
All theyd had was a weekend in a tiny groundskeepers cottage behind one of the Hamptons mansions near his parents home by the sea.
But for all that it had been impromptu, it had been memorable. They had, shed thought, forged a bond that weekend. Theyd talked. Theyd laughed. Theyd cooked together, swum together, walked on the beach together. Theyd slept together in the same bedthough they hadnt made love.
Her pregnancy was too far along for that.
Still, for all theyd had a less than orthodox beginning, shed dared to hope, to believe
Now she shut the album and stuck it back on the shelf. She didnt want to look. Didnt want to remember the pain of dashed hopes, of lost love.
No, she corrected herself. It hadnt ever been lovenot really. Not to George.
Deliberately she turned away. Come on, Gunnar, she said to the dog. Lets take a look at the guest room.
Thats the most she was in Georges house, in his life. A guest. She needed to remember that.
I didnt change the sheets, Tallie had apologized. I figured Id either be back there tonight or George would be home. There are other rooms up above. Theres a room for the boys up there, but George probably hasnt changed the sheets since the last time they were there. And thats where Georges room is, of course.
Sophy felt enough like Goldilocks eavesdropping further in a house where she didnt belong. The last place she wanted to look at was Georges bedroom.
Georges bed. She didnt want to remember the nights shed spent sharing a bed with George. Making love with George
Ill just take the room where you were, shed told Tallie. It will be fine.
It was Spartanbut perfectly adequate. It had a bed, sheets, a blanket and two pillows. What more could she ask?
Sophy kicked off her shoes and pulled off her jacket, already heading for the bed when she remembered that she needed to get on the computer and put through a video call to Natalie and Lily.
She opened her laptop on the bed and was glad she often used the video program to help out and advise the wives in the field who worked for her and Natalie. So she was quickly up and running, and felt an instant pang of homesickness when the call went through and she could see Lily at home with Natalie in her living room.
Mama? Lily demanded, sticking her face right up against Natalies laptop. Are you in the computer?
Sophy laughed. No, darling. Im in New York. I had to come here last night, just for a couple of days. Ill be home soon. Are you being good for Auntie Nat?
Course I am, Lily said. Im helping.
Great. Though whether Natalie would think the help of a four-year-old was such a blessing, Sophy wasnt sure. What are you going to do today?
The three-hour time difference meant that Natalie and Lily were just getting started on their day. But clearly Natalie had given some thought to what they would do. Lily rattled off an entire list of things that included after lunch going to the beach with Uncle Christo, undoubtedly so Natalie could get some real work done.
Is that a dog? Lily demanded, abruptly breaking off her recitation.
Dog? Sophy was confused, then realized that Lily wasnt just seeing her. Her daughter could see at least a part of the bedroom behind her. And Gunnar was standing by the bed looking equally curiously at the computer screen.
Um, yes, Sophy said. Thats Gunnar.
Hes big, Lily said solemnly. An really, really black. Would he like me?
Oh, I think so, Natalie said. Gunnar, for all his ferocious barking while she was on the doorstep, had been an absolute gentleman since shed crossed the threshold. He actually seemed to be looking at Lily.
Hi, Gunnar, she said.
He looked quizzical and tentatively wagged his tail.
He likes me! Lily crowed.
Who likes you? Natalie reappeared and bent down to peer into the screen, eyes widening when she spotted the dog. Whos that? Whered he come from? Where are you? she shot out the questions rapid-fire.
Thats Gunnar. He lives here.
Here where? Natalie demanded.
At Georges, Sophy said reluctantly.
At Daddys? Lily demanded, sticking her face close to the screen to peer around the room eagerly. Are you at Daddys?
Yes, but
Where is he?
Yes, where is Daddy? Natalie demanded, frowning her concern.
Sophy heard the archness in Natalies tone. Hes in the hospital. She tried to sound calm and matter-of-fact.
Is Daddy okay? Lily asked. Hes okay, isnt he, Mommy?
He will be, Sophy assured her.
So what are you doing at his place? Natalie wanted to know.
Feeding his dog. And taking a nap. In the guest room, she added in case Natalie had other ideas.
Fortunately whatever ideas Natalie had she wasnt sharing them in front of Lily. She pressed her lips together, then shrugged and said, Well, get some sleep then.
I will. I just wanted to see Lily. Love you, kiddo.
Love you, Mommy, Lily responded. An Daddy. An Gunnar, too. She put her hand on the computer screen, as if she could reach out and pet him. Then she brought Chloes face up to the screen and pointed out Gunnar to her. Hes your friend, Chloe, she told her stuffed dog. An hes mine, too. Oh, Uncle Christos here. Bye, Mommy. Bye, Gunnar. See you later. And Lily skipped off, dragging Chloe away by a paw, leaving Sophy staring at the empty chair in the kitchen.
Sorry about that. Natalie suddenly appeared. Christo just came in bringing fresh cinnamon rolls from the bakery.
Ah, well. A girls got to have her priorities. Give her a hug for me.
Of course. There was a pause. Then Natalie said, I didnt realize Lily was quite so gung ho about George. She doesnt know him.
Shes fixated. All families have mommies and daddies. Or theyre supposed to. We dont. She wanted to know why. Then she wanted to know everything about him.
You should have told her about Ari. Hes her father.
No. Sophy didnt accept that. He sired her. He would never have been there for her. George was.
Briefly.
Yes, well But Sophy didnt want to get into that. She had never told Natalie all the reasons for the breakup of their marriage. It was personal. Anyway, she asked. I told her. Shes curious. Its the lure of the unknown.
Natalie looked doubtful. What about the lure for you?
Im fine, Sophy said firmly. Besides, its only one afternoon. Im only putting the dog outand grabbing a few hours shut-eye. George isnt here. His sister asked me. Im doing her a favor.
If you say so, Natalie said doubtfully.
I do.
Right. Natalie shrugged, still looking concerned. Be careful, Soph.
Im being careful, Sophy replied. Dont worry. Ill talk to you later, let you know what flight Ill be on.
So youre coming soon?
Tonight. Theres nothing to stay for.
Natalie smiled. Great.
Sophy shut down the computer and put it on the nightstand by the bed. Then she finished undressing down to her underwear, drew back the covers and slid into the bed. It was heaven. And what shed told Natalie was true: she was being careful. Very careful.
She closed her eyes and didnt let herself think about the photos in the album. She didnt let herself remember those months of hope and joy. She tried not to dwell on the fact that she was in Georges house, that she could go up one more flight of stairs and lie in Georges bed.
She didnt want the memories of loving himof making love with him. She didnt want the pain.
The bed dipped suddenly. Her eyes snapped open to see Gunnar had leapt lightly onto the foot of the bed. He stood peering down at her.
She reached up and fondled his velvety soft ears, then scratched lightly behind them. He arched his back, almost like a cat. Then he turned in a circle and lay down next to her, so close that she could feel the press of his body through the covers.
She didnt know if he was supposed to be on the bed or not. She didnt care. The solid warmth of his body was comforting, reassuring. Even if he was Georges dog, she liked him. She told him so.
Gunnar twitched his ear.
Sophy smiled, gave him a pat, Then shut her eyes and very carefully and resolutely did not let herself think about George. She slept.
And dreamed about him instead.
George wanted out.
Now. This afternoon.
You cant keep me here, he told Sam, who was standing beside Georges bed saying he needed to do exactly that.
Sam wasnt listening. He knew George. Theyd ridden bikes together, climbed trees together and played lacrosse together. Theyd even got drunk together and pounded on each other a few timesas friends do. George hadnt decided yet whether it was a stroke of good or bad luck that Sam had been the neurologist on duty when they brought him in last night.
He was leaning toward the latter right now as Sam was standing there with a stethoscope, looking grimly official.
Well, no. I cant ground you. Or tie you to the bed, Sam agreed drily. I did think that perhaps I could appeal to your adult common sense, but if thats a problem
George bared his teeth. It made his head hurt like hell. But then so did everything else hed done today, which was pretty much nothing. Hed tried to read and couldnt focus. Hed tried to write and couldnt think. Hed tried to get up and walk around, but when he did, hed barely made it back to the bed without throwing up. If theyd let him go home, he could at least get some sleep.
It would be different if you didnt live alone, Sam was saying. Having someone who can keep an eye on you would make it more feasible.
Babysit me, you mean, George grunted.
Sam grinned. If the shoe fits
George glared. Sam just raised his brows, shrugged and looked back implacably.
Scowling, George folded his arms across his chest. Ill be fine, he insisted. I promise Ill call if I think its worse.
No, Sam said.
I have work, a dog, a life
A life? Sam snorted at that. I dont think so. You teach physics, for heavens sake!
It wasnt all hed ever done, but George didnt go there. He just stared stonily at Sam and waited for him to give in.
No, Sam said. Just because I broke your nose in sixth grade doesnt mean Im going to surrender my obligation as a doctor to give you my honest medical opinion.
The hell you did! I broke your nose!
Sam laughed. Well, at least your memorys not totally shot. He lifted a hand and rubbed it ruefully across the bump in his nose. At least I gave you the black eye.
It wasnt that black.
Pretty damn, Sam said. Anyway, well talk about it tomorrow. We need to make sure the bleeding has stopped. He nodded toward Georges head.
But George didnt notice. His attention had been grabbed by the glimpse of someone just beyond the door. Sophy?
Was he seeing things? Shed gone, hadnt she? Done her duty and hightailed it back to California?
But just as he thought it, she poked her head around the doorjamb. Sorry. I didnt mean to disturb you. I thought Tallie might have come back.
Tallie? George started to shake his head, then thought better of it. No. She went to get the boys from school. You talked to Tallie?
Tallie certainly hadnt mentioned it. His sister had breezed in this morning to see how he was doing. Well, breeze might not have been the right word. Waddle, maybe. Shed looked as if she was going to have her baby any minute. He hadnt seen her in a month, and she hadnt been nearly that big last time he had. He felt a little guilty calling her last night and asking her to take care of the dog.
.
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