"Yes."
"I'm Becca. Would you like to come on back?"
Sophie nodded and rose.I waited too long, Lord. What am I going to do now?
"Here we go." Becca indicated a chair. "Why don't you give me your purse and I'll hang it here, and you can sit down."
Becca hung the purse in plain view, and Sophie settled on the seat, her heart hammering in her chest. She automatically raised her chin when Becca placed a drape around her and secured it at the neck.
"Now then," Becca said with a smile. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well," Sophie began, but stopped. Becca waited, but she did not continue.
"Second thoughts?" Becca's voice was kind.
"Yes. I was look at poster in window and thought-"
"Oh, for heaven's sake," Becca exclaimed as she caught Sophie's words. "She looks just like you."
Sophie nodded.
"Why don't you take your hair down for me and we'll have a look?"
Sophie reached for the pins, and a moment later her hair cascaded down the back of the seat. It wasn't extremely long, maybe four inches below her shoulders, but it was thick and heavy, and the color was like that of a dark mink coat.
"You have beautiful hair," Becca told her sincerely as she gently fingered it. "It's so thick and healthy. I have a firm rule about not talking people into having their hair cut, but I will tell you that your hair's texture and thickness will do very well with that style."
Sophie looked at herself. She had always had nice hair and taken it for granted. She now tried to picture herself with the style from the window, but failed.
You are being ridiculous, Sophie. It's only a haircut. If you hate it, grow it out.
Sophie met Becca's eyes in the mirror. "Please go ahead."
Becca's smile was huge as she swiveled the chair and tipped Sophie back over the sink. There was some conversation between
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them, but Becca was intent on her task, and Sophie was too amazed at what she was seeing to speak. Sophie's heartbeat increased with every snip, but not out of fear. The only thing she could ask herself was why she hadn't done this years ago.
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THE WAY RITA CAME INTO THE KITCHEN that afternoon and stopped in her tracks was very satisfying to a woman who had sweated through her haircut that morning.
"Sophie!" she gasped.
"Did I do right thing, Rita?"
"Oh, yes! Oh, yes!" the younger girl said sincerely. "It's darling on you." She was walking around Sophie to see the back.
"Oh, Sophie." Tory had now come in. "I love your hair."
Sophie was still smiling in appreciation at the girls when she heard Craig say, "Wow, Sophie!"
Sophie's eyes shone with pleasure, and Craig smiled at her, looking very boyish and grown-up, all at once. It was then that the housekeeper realized Rita was still standing there staring at her.
"Go, Rita," she urged. "We are going to be late."
"Oh! Right!" She snapped out of her trance and dashed for the stairs to change.
"You look so pretty, Sophie."
"Thank you, my Tory." She gently touched her soft little cheek and then got down to business. "I left cookies and muffins here for you and Craig. Take good care for each other."
"How long will you be?" Craig wanted to know before he shoved half a sugar cookie in his mouth.
"I am not sure, but oven will come on at 4:15 for casserole, so don't worry for supper."
"All right. What kind is it?"
Sophie was digging in her purse and didn't hear him. Another few minutes passed and Rita appeared. She looked wonderful in a skirt and blouse, too. With just a few more words to the other kids, they were on their way.
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Alec finished obtaining building permits downtown and debated with himself about going out to one of his sites. He didn't think anyone would have been there that day because of the snowfall in the night, so he opted against it. He had been forced into a few late nights that week already. Since it was Friday, he thought it might be nice to start the weekend a little early.
Feeling slightly preoccupied and functioning almost on automatic, he drove toward home and turned into his driveway. Alec usually parked in the driveway, but the garage door started up just then, so he came to a stop and waited. Suddenly, all preoccupation and fatigue fell away.
As the door raised, a pair of the most shapely ankles and calves he had ever seen walked across in front of him. The woman was wearing high-heeled navy dress shoes, and he didn't think any of Rita's were that high. And anyway, Rita's legs were much slimmer. Who was that? The door continued to raise, and first a navy skirt and then a white blouse were revealed. Alec blinked when he recognized Sophie. He had certainly seen his housekeeper before, but never like this. When had she cut her hair?
"Hi, Dad," he heard Rita call and forced himself to wave and not stare at the woman standing innocently with his daughter. He parked out of the way and slowly climbed from the truck.
"We're headed to the tea," Rita spoke as he slowly walked toward them.
Alec dragged his eyes away from Sophie's face and asked his daughter, "What time will you be back?"
"I don't know. Probably a few hours."
"Well, have a good time."
"Thanks, Dad. See you later."
"Bye."
Both women said good-bye and climbed into the van. Rita started the vehicle, but Sophie spoke and stopped her from backing out.
"Rita, I do not know if my clothes are good for this tea."
"You look wonderful, Sophie."
"No, Rita, I do not think. Your father looked at me oddly. I think I am dressed wrong."
Rita stared at her. Her skirt was a simple A-line with a narrow waistband and hemmed just below the knee. The blouse was plain, but the ribbon at her collar gave it just the right touch,
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and Sophie's figure was able to fill the front out in a nice curve. With the new cut, Sophie's hair now hung halfway between her jaw line and shoulder, and Rita didn't know when she had seen anyone more lovely. The new style seemed to frame her face and make her already-stunning eyes leap out at people.
Rita was suddenly feeling things that she didn't know how to handle. Her fatherhadlooked at Sophie, but then who wouldn't? Rita had to admit, however, that his look had not been casual.
"I do not want to be all wrong, Rita," Sophie admitted, and the teen came back to the present.
"Trust me, Sophie, you look great. My dad must have thought so, too."
Sophie still looked uncertain, but Rita smiled and put the van in reverse. The younger girl had momentarily stuffed away some of her more conflicting feelings, but when this tea was over, she knew she had some serious thinking to do.
Sophie, sitting so quietly at Rita's side, was already in deep thought. It never once occurred to her to make sure Mr. Riley thought she should attend this tea. Maybe he thought she was trying to push in where she did not belong. True, he had seen the invitation, but maybe he hadn't known how to tell her it wasn't her place to go with his daughter to a mother-daughter tea. Sophie determined to give Rita a wonderful time this day, but also to make very sure in the future that she did not step in where she did not belong.
***
"Dad!" Tory cried the moment she saw her father and ran to hug him. "Rita and Sophie just left. Did you see 'em?"
"Yes, I did."
"Isn't Sophie's hair pretty?"
"Yes, it is," he told his daughter, managing to keep his voice calm when he felt the very opposite.
"I wish I could go to a tea."
Alec picked her up and marveled at how far she hung down the front of him.
"Your time will come, Tory. Don't rush away from the age you are."
Tory hugged his neck for a moment, and then Alec put her down. He greeted Craig who was in front of the TV and moved into his office. He had some things he needed to look up in his files, but after sitting behind his desk he could only stare
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straight ahead. His gaze was on the wall opposite him, but all he could see were huge, exotic eyes and a perfect fall of dark, silky hair. Why had he never before noticed her full, pretty mouth? Was this unawareness what it was like for all widowers? In all the months since Vanessa died, Alec had not even been remotely interested in persons of the opposite sex. It was as if his feelings had died with her. And then in one flash he was ready to take his housekeeper into his arms and kiss her.
Alec shook his head. It must have been a passing thing. Nothing else could explain his sudden burst of emotions and passion. With another shake of his head, he determined to put her from his mind. He opened one of the file drawers in his desk and pulled out a folder, completely forgetting about starting the weekend early. His plan worked beautifully for the next two hours. He accomplished more than he had expected and didn't give Sophie a thought. Not until Tory told him that supper was on did things start to go to pieces.
He rose from the desk, mind still on work, and walked into the kitchen. There he found Sophie working at the table and still in her dressy outfit. She looked so beautiful and "right" in his kitchen that for a moment Alec seemed incapable of breath. When he finally recovered, he knew in a flash that his feelings earlier had been no passing whim.
For weeks now Sophie had been like a college student in their midst-one who needed to work part-time for school and who had naturally become a part of the family. Too young to really be a mother to his kids, but old enough to be responsible. Now all at once Alec saw her in another light. He had always known she was mature, but now she was womanly as well. He was sure if he tried to explain that to someone, they would think he was nuts. But that's the way he felt. He would have loved to disappear until he had his thoughts in order, but his kids would never understand why he skipped the meal.
Sophie had been eating suppers with them since right after the first of the year, and tonight was no different. For Alec the meal lasted forever. He was certain that Sophie had not changed in the last few hours, but suddenly he noticed everything she did: the graceful way she moved her hands; the fun faces she made at the kids just to see them laugh or smile; the warm, attentive eyes she had for anyone who spoke to her; and the way she was given to touching someone's arm, hand, or head with such ease. All of this and so much more came leaping into Alec's vision as the
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meal progressed. He could hardly wait to get alone and do somevery real soul-searching.
***
"Are you ever going to date again, Dad?"
Alec, who had been bent over picking up something off the family room floor, straightened very slowly and stared at his oldest child. He thought he had been doing very well in the last week, but maybe not.
"I don't know," he told her honestly, studying her as she watched him.
"I think you should," Rita told him, and Alec knew it was time to sit back down. It was late, past 10:30, and they were alone Tory had gone to bed, and Craig was staying at Rick's.
"Did you have anyone in mind, Rita?"
Rita's eyes dropped for a moment. "Well, I think it would b nice if you'd ask Sophie out."
Alec sighed. "I thought I'd been more careful."
Rita looked thoughtful. "I think you have, but I know you better than she does."
"When did you notice?"
"Last week, before the tea."
Alec shook his head. "She sure took me by surprise." Again Him fell silent. "Do you think she's noticed?"
Rita shook her head without hesitation. "She noticed the first time, but I watched her tonight. She doesn't have a clue
"Well, that's good."
"Why, Dad? Why is it good? Don't you want Sophie to knowyou're interested?"
"No, Rita, because I don't know if I am. I mean, I am, but don't know if it's right. I've still got a lot of thinking to do. Plus, I don't see any interest on her part. If I were to approach her, she' probably quit on the spot."
"I don't think so, Dad," Rita started to say, but Alec held Him: hand up.
"Please don't go on, Rita. I appreciate your coming to me an listening to what I have to say, but if there's anything here, I need to find it on my own."
Rita nodded. He was right.
"I will ask you one thing, however," Alec continued. "If something did happen between us, how would you feel?"
"You mean something permanent?"
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Alec shrugged. "At this point, it's impossible to say."
Rita looked across the room at nothing and then, after a moment, back at her father.
"I think if Mom could tell me right now what type of woman would be acceptable as your second wife, she'd probably say that the woman would have to love and care for us kids as much as she did for you. She'd also want her to be strong in the Lord, fun, and have everyone's best interest in mind. I don't know a lot of single women your age, Dad, but even if I did, I can't imagine anyone coming closer to the mark than Sophie."
When did you grow up on me, Rita?was all Alec could think about for a moment. He didn't share his thoughts, but nodded and thanked her.
Within the next five minutes Rita stood, kissed and hugged her father good night, and went to bed. Alec wasn't far behind her, but before he left the family room he had a talk with the Lord. He told God that he was leaving this completely in His hands.
I can't keep fretting this one, Lord. Please help me to know the way. I know what I want. I want Sophie in my life, but down deep, I want what You want more. My whole family's welfare is at stake here, so I can't act for myself. Please help me to be wise. And above all, Lord, don't let me hurt her. Don't let me do anything to bring Sophie pain.
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Tory started the first day of March with the flu. Aleccalled just after 9:00 to say that the school had tracked him down to say that she had been sick in the bathroom. Alec called to see if Sophie had the van that day; she did not. He then told her that he would be leaving the work site right then and bringing Tory home.
Sophie didn't know how long they would be, but she did not waste any time. She prepared Tory's room, turning down the bed and using a heating pad to warm the sheets. She also brought a bucket from the laundry room. Alec brought Tory in just 15 minutes later and Sophie, who met them in the kitchen, took the child in her arms. The kind act brought on tears.
"I feel awful, Sophie," she cried.
"I know, my Tory. Come up to bed and Sophie will make you comfort."
Alec's heart melted at her tenderness and the gentle way she divested Tory of her outer garments. Alec's hands came forward to take the coat, mittens, and hat. When Sophie led her away, he hung them in the laundry room.
By the time he got upstairs, Tory was sick again in the bathroom. Sophie stood outside the door, looking uncertain, but Alec went right in. When they exited, Alec helped Tory into her nightgown and Sophie stood back. With Tory comfortably under the covers, Alec stepped back into the hall, gently catching Sophie's elbow and taking her with him.
"Does vomiting bother you, Sophie? I mean, it's not a problem for me to stay if you'd rather not clean up after her."
"No, no," Sophie assured him. "When I am sick I do not want company, so I did not go in the bathroom."
"You're certain?"
"Yes. We will be fine." Sophie smiled at him, and Alec gave her arm a little squeeze.
"All right. I'll go and say good-bye and check in with you later."
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Alec was gone ten minutes after that, and Sophie did her best to make Tory comfortable. She was sick throughout the morning, but by afternoon was holding down clear fluids. She slept most of the day and through the night, but the next day she still had no color in her face.
"Am I going to school?" she asked her father, who had stayed home that morning to check on her.
"No. It's already Friday, and I don't see any reason to push it." He stopped talking and just looked at her face against the pillow. "You're white as a sheet."
Tory reached up and touched her cheek. "I haven't thrown up for a long time. Do you think I could lie in front of the TV downstairs?"
Alec nodded. "Let me check with Sophie."
Sophie had no problem with the idea, so when everyone else went off for the day, Tory could be found in the family room ensconced in pillows and blankets, and Sophie stood in front of the shelf reading the titles of videos. Tory picked one after several suggestions and Sophie went to work, but not before she had agreed to come back in time to watch "The Price is Right."
In fact, Sophie was back and forth many times. But when the music began and the first four contestants were called down to play, Sophie was at the end of the sofa with Tory's feet in her lap.
"We're going to win big today, Tory," she predicted and earned a sleepy smile.
The action was fast for the first few players, but Sophie was fairly quiet, her sick patient in mind. However, when the last contestant came up, Sophie jumped in with both feet.
"Go for the car," she encouraged the woman on the TV. "Go for the car! She is not going to do it, Tory."
Tory who had spent more time watching Sophie's animated profile than the show, only grinned.
"Maybe the money would be best," she suggested.
"No." Sophie was adamant. "She should go for the car. Look! Her husband is telling her, too. Listen to him," Sophie shouted at the TV, and Alec chose that moment to come home. He came silently into the room, took a chair, and just watched his housekeeper. Sophie had seen him, but was too busy advising the woman, Bob Barker, and even the cameraman.
"Oh, no! Look, Tory. It is as I told you. She took the money, and the last letter was . She could have had the car." She flopped
back in disgust, and then noticed Alec's scrutiny. That he found
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her amusing was more than obvious, and Sophie had to smile at herself. She shrugged helplessly.
"She could have taken the car."
"So you said." His deep voice was nice. "How are you, Tory?"
"I'm better. I had some toast and apple juice."
"Good."
"I think is 24-hour fly," Sophie announced then, and Alec only stared at her. Her brow furrowed. "Is called flu fly," Sophie explained. "I think this is what Rita said."