Chapter Nine
Her cell phone was ringing before she even made it home, despite that it was only a ten-minute drive. She checked it before answering of course, in case it was Darryl.
It wasn’t. It was Vidalia. She was too nice a person to be sent to voicemail, so Sophia picked up the phone and said hello.
“I’m so glad you’re there, Sophie. I’ve been worrying about you. I was calling because I want to make sure you’ll be home for Sunday dinner. It’s the last one before Christmas. Family should be together.”
She smiled. She’d been longing for a family to spend Christmas with ever since her own mom had passed away three years ago and her dad only a few months later. That was love, what they had. So why was she resisting the open arms of this newly enlarged branch of her family?
That, she thought, bore some consideration. But in the meantime, she decided to open her heart. “Of course I’ll be there. Can I bring anything?”
“I am never opposed to an additional dessert,” she said. “But don’t fuss.”
She glanced at the seat. “How do half moon cookies sound?”
“Well, they sound fine, as long as there are two dozen or so.”
“I’m halfway there.”
“Wonderful.”