"You can believe me when I tell you that they are fine with the idea. I haven't told Tory yet, but I'm hoping you'll do that with me."
"What are we telling her?" Sophie had to hear it from him.
"That we're dating each other."
Sophie nodded, her expression serious, but her heart was growing lighter by the second.
"And speaking of which," Alec went on, "I know it's already Thursday, but would you have dinner with me on Saturday night?"
Sophie blinked at him. "A date?"
"Yes."
"With the children?"
Alec's eyes crinkled in amusement. "No. I love my children and want to share my life with them. But on Saturday night I get you all to myself."
Sophie couldn't stop her smile. He made her feel so special.
"If you're too tired to move your things home tonight, I can come by in the morning."
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The smile died on Sophie's face. "I cannot."
Alec watched her without comment, but his expression was open.
"It is not right I should live so close if we are to date," Sophie explained.
Alec hadn't thought of this. "Are you still going to work at the house?"
"Yes, but I want to be example,anexample, to the children, and I cannot live so close and do this."
Alec nodded. It would probably make it harder to see her, but she was right. The apartment could be a real temptation. Alec nearly shook his head then. He had never had a conversation like this in his life. Instead of dating, you would think they were discussing a business contract, but that wasn't all bad. It was when emotions got in the way and clouded judgment that mistakes were made.
"Are you going to live here?"
"For a time, but I must look for a place I can afford."
"I'll adjust your salary."
Right away he could see that this was an embarrassment to her. Alec watched her face warm and realized how rarely he had seen her blush. But he also wanted everything out in the open.
"When I hired you, Sophie, I quoted a salary knowing that room and board were taken care of. Now that's not the case. It's more than reasonable that I adjust your salary."
"But it will cost much. Maybe I should look for other job."
Alec took her hand without thinking. "Please don't think about that right now. If the cost is more than I can handle, I'll tell you. I don't know what the kids would do if you weren't there right now, and I'd be pretty lost myself."
"All right," Sophie agreed. They both realized Alec was still holding her hand. Their eyes dropped to the space between them on the sofa. Alec's hand was larger and darker and calloused with the work he did every day. Sophie's hand was not that of a model, but it was soft and slim with tapered nails that made her fingers look very long.
"I'd better get home."
Sophie looked up to find his eyes on her. She had been staring at their hands.
"All right. I will come in the morning, as usual."
"Okay. I'll try to stop in at lunch so we can talk to Tory. Oh no, that won't work. Tory will be at Crystal's all day. Tomorrow night then."
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"All right. How do you think she will feel?"
Alec shook his head. "Of the three, she's been the least of my worries."
Sophie couldn't help but agree. She walked Alec to the door, and he stood looking down at her for just a moment.
"I'm looking forward to Saturday night."
Sophie smiled. "Is it dress-up or casual?"
"Dress-up," Alec decided in an instant, and again Sophie smiled. Alec had been gone for over a minute when Sophie realized she was still standing by the door and smiling at nothing in particular.
"So you're going to work here, but not live here?"
"That is right, my Tory."
Tory looked from Sophie to her father and then back to Sophie. "But why?"
"Because Sophie and I are going to be seeing each other," Alec answered. He had tried to be subtle about this, but Tory was not catching on. He had thought she was going to be so easy, but she had seemed almost nervous when he'd said they needed to talk with her.
"Seeing each other?"
"Yes, dating."
Now Tory really looked from one to the other. Sophie held her breath.
"All right," Tory said with a shrug. "But I still wish you were going to live here."
"I'll still be here in the morning, and in the fall I will be here when you arrive home from school."
Tory nodded, seeming very satisfied. Sophie was rather relieved herself, but Alec was not at all surprised to find Tory in his room that night. The five of them had watched a movie until rather late, but there she was looking as wide awake as if it were noon.
"Hey, Tory, it's after 11:30. You need to be asleep."
"But I have to talk to you."
"It's Saturday tomorrow. We can talk then."
Tory shook her head. "Sophie might be here."
Alec only looked at her and held the covers out. Tory climbed in and stared at her father.
"Did you hold Sophie's hand during the movie?"
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"No. Would it matter if I had?"
"I don't know. Are you going to hold her hand tomorrow night, or kiss her?"
"I don't know, Tory. Why?"
"I don't want you to go together if you're going to break up."
"Why would we break up?"
Tory shrugged and moved the light blanket that covered them. "I don't know, but Crystal's older sister dates, and then when she breaks up with the guy they don't talk to each other anymore. I mean, they're hardly even friends after that, and I don't want you and Sophie to hate each other."
Alec reached over and pulled her close. She let herself be snuggled, unaware of the way Alec prayed. He couldn't promise her that it wouldn't happen. After all, he and Sophie barely knew one another. But he also wasn't going to change his mind about dating Sophie.
"I think that when you're 39 years old and you date a woman who is all grown up, too, it's different than when you're in junior high. I'm not being critical of Crystal's sister, but I don't think you can really compare the two, Tory.
"You want security," he continued. "You want me to tell you that everything is going to be fine, that Sophie and I are going to be here forever. I can't do that, Tory." His voice was loving, but he knew he had to be honest. "I'm not God, so I just don't know. But I do trust God. I trust Him to take care of all my tomorrows. I have no intentions of dating Sophie and then dumping her, but if the time comes that she's not with us, God will take care of us.
"And there's one more thing I can tell you, Tory: There won't ever be a time when I'm angry and not speaking to Sophie. That would be a sin on my part, and I would never treat her that way. If she's here, then we'll be friends."
Tory knew she was going to have to be satisfied with that and, amazingly enough, she realized she was. So much so that all she wanted to do now was sleep. Alec was just as aware of this and got up. He lifted her in his arms-something that was getting more difficult all the time-and carried her down the hall to bed. He knew she was on the edge of sleep, but he stayed by her side for just a moment asking God's blessing on her life, and also that she would always feel free to come to him as she'd done tonight.
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ALEC FROWNED AT HIS REFLECTION in the mirror and adjusted his tie for the tenth time. He smoothed his perfectly brushed hair again and turned away with a frown.
"How does this tie look?"
"It's fine, Dad," Rita said patiently. Her favorite had been three ties ago, but she decided not to mention this.
"Is that a spot?" Alec now had the tie under his nose, inspecting it like he was looking for germs, and Tory decided to exit on that note.
"No," Rita told him, tempted to run as well. "It's just a part of the design."
"I'd better change." With that he shot into the closet for the thirtieth time.
Rita flopped back on the bed and looked at Craig who was in t
he chair. They seemed to be sharing the same thought:If this was what their father was going to be like for every date with Sophie, then they were going to make themselves scarce the day before.
"What about this one?"
Rita almost howled when she saw that it was the tie she had liked originally.
"It's perfect, Dad. Just put it on and go."
"Yeah, Dad," Craig interjected. "You're going to be late if you keep this up."
Alec's wrist shot out so he could study his watch. "Oh, no! I should be there by now." He whipped his tie into place with practiced ease and ran for the door. He was back a second later.
"Did you wash the van?"
"Yes, Dad." Again Rita's voice was patient.
"All right. Where are my keys?"
"I saw you put them in your pocket," Craig informed him.
"Oh, yeah." He stormed over to Craig now, a man with a purpose, and pulled him from the chair for a hug. Rita was next,
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and then he dashed off without even saying good-bye. The two young Rileys looked at one another for just a few seconds before they broke out in laughter and shook their heads in wonder.
Craig looked out the window as his father nearly tore down the street in the van.
"Did he hit anything?"
"No, but I tell ya, Rita, something better happen pretty soon or Dad's not going to make it."
Rita only shook her head; it was all too true. It was also anyone's guess as to how long this arrangement would last.
Alec could only stare. He hadn't noticed when he picked her up, but after they arrived at the restaurant, Alec saw that his wonderful, practical Sophie was wearing sandals with heels so high and spindly that it hurt to look at her. She looked lovely in a summery, two-piece outfit in mint green and white, but he didn't know how long she would last on those stilts. Their table was called just then, so Alec did not have any more time to speculate. And as soon as Sophie sat down across from him, he forgot about her feet.
"It is nice here, Alec," she said with a smile and contentment flooded him. She had only said his name a few times, but he couldn't hear enough of it. Everyone pronounced his name in two syllables, and Sophie was no exception, but she put the emphasis on theA.Instead of Al-ec, it was A-lec. He loved it.
"I haven't been here very often, but it is nice. What are you hungry for?"
"A baked potato," she said simply, and Alec's brows rose with amusement.
"Is that all?"
"No, but I have not made baked potatoes in long, inalong time, and I am hungry for one."
"Sophie," his voice had turned serious, "have I made you feel like you're not good enough because I correct your English?"
Her eyes saucered. "Oh no, Alec! I want to say the sentences correctly."
"You do very well, Sophie," he told her gently. "I can see that you're really trying, and I'm extremely impressed."
Color rushed over her face from the compliment, as well as the warmth she saw in his eyes. His approval meant so much, and
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her languages had always been important to her. It was almost a relief when the waiter came to take their order.
"How is everything?" Alec asked her about 45 minutes later. They had just been served their entree, and Sophie's meat looked wonderful.
"I think it looks delicious, but I will start with my potato."
Alec grinned. "How different is Czech food from ours?"
"Quite different. If I had not worked at Tony's, I would have served nothing but Czech dishes at your house. But it was so expensive to eat in Chicago that my best meal was at Tony's when I worked, so I learned to like American food."
"Do you have a favorite?"
"No. I like steak and potato, but I also like hamburger and French fries."
"You mean I could have gotten away with taking you to McDonald's?"
He sounded so comical that Sophie could not be shocked. She smiled and offered to leave the tip.
"The tip?" Alec sounded dubious.
"Yes. Craig always offers. He says, 'Buy low, sell high.'"
It took Alec a moment, and then his shoulders shook with silent laughter. Sophie leaned forward, her huge eyes larger than ever and whispered, "I have never been brave enough to ask what it means."
Alec lost it then. He wanted to shout with laughter, but the setting was all wrong. He was only thankful that he had no food in his mouth or he would have choked. His napkin was up to his mouth, and he kept his head down until the worst had passed. Sophie saw tears in his eyes when he looked up and felt very smug. She loved it when he laughed.
Alec only shook his head at her. He knew that she was going to do this to him for the rest of their lives. She was going to enjoy waiting until they were in a restaurant or some other public place and then say something hilarious to see him struggle. It made him think the next 50 years would be anything but dull.
***
The restaurant they had eaten at was across the parking lot from West Towne Mall. Alec suggested they take a walk through the mall and then stop for dessert later. Sophie was all for it, but she was hobbling by the time they reached the doors. Alec got her just inside Boston Store and said, "All right, Sophie, hand
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'em over." His hand was stretched out expectantly. Wishing she didn't understand when she really did, Sophie stared at it and then at him.
"I will ruin my stockings," she said stubbornly.
"Better those than your feet." Alec's voice was reasonable, but unyielding.
Sophie frowned. "I cannot walk through mall without shoes."
"Of course you can. Now hand 'em up."
Sophie did as she was told, but with a long-suffering sigh.
Alec hooked the thin straps over the fingers of his left hand.
"Where did you get these?"
"They were Gladys' and I thought they were so pretty."
Sophie shrugged helplessly, and Alec winked at her before catching her left hand with his right. With that they were off. It didn't take long for Sophie to forget all about her feet.
They talked of dozens of things as they window-shopped through the mall, sometimes walking along and sometimes sitting on the benches and sharing in low tones. The mall was open until midnight because of some sale, and rather crowded as well, but Alec and Sophie didn't notice. They were too busy learning about each other. At a small shop that sold coffee, coffee mugs, teas, teapots, and everything in between, Sophie commented, "My mother collected china teapots. I do not remember, but my babushka has told me. She keeps them packed away. Someday I will send money to her and she can mail them."
"Vanessa was never one for collectibles," Alec spoke thoughtfully. "She was more interested in furniture and decorating."
"She did a wonderful job; your home is lovely."
"Yes, she did. I think if she hadn't married and had children, she might have pursued a career in home interiors."
"Maybe she would have done this after the children were grown."
"Maybe." Alec slanted a look her way. "It really doesn't bother you to talk about her, does it?"
"No. Did you think it would?"
"Well, we talked about her after the picnic on Wednesday and I just-"
"That was when I thought you kissed her," Sophie admitted softly, and understanding dawned on Alec's face. He now looked down into Sophie's eyes and wished that they were alone.
"But you do understand now who I was kissing?" he asked for her ears alone.
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Sophie, feeling trapped by his eyes, could only nod.
"You're certain?"
Again that sweet nod, and Alec took a hold of her hand. It was moist, and he wondered if he made her nervous. He hoped not, but then thought about their situation. What else would she be? It had all been rather sudden, and she must see him as a person completely in control. Alec grinned when he thought of how many times he'd changed ties. She would have seen the real thing then.
"How old are you, Sophie?" Ale
c suddenly realized that he didn't know.
"Almost 29."
"What do you meanalmost?"
"Next week."
Alec stopped, and naturally Sophie stopped with him. "Were you going to tell anyone about this?"
Sophie shrugged. "I was going to bake a cake and put on a million candles to confuse everyone."
Alec only shook his head and began to walk again. "What day is your birthday?"
"The fifteenth."
"That's a Sunday, isn't it?"
"I think so. Can I watch you build a house someday?"
Alec's head snapped around at the change in subject.
"Where did that come from?"
"I was looking at that little house-shaped teapot in coffee store, and I had to ask before I forgot."
"Oh. Well, you can certainly come, but I don't know how interesting it will be."
"I would like to watch you pound nails."
Alec smiled. "It's not exactly like that, Sophie. You see, I'm a general contractor for a large housing firm. They build panelizedhousing."
Sophie stared at him questioningly.
"Panelized housing," Alec explained, "means that when an order comes in, the walls of the home are constructed in the manufacturing plant. They come to the site where we put them into place. I contract it, but there are men to do all the jobs. I make sure the plumber has us on his schedule, and the electrician. There's concrete that has to be poured, sometimes landscaping, painting inside and out, and dozens of other jobs. My job in the midst of all that is a little like an orchestra leader. I don't
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play the instruments, but I make sure the music comes out in tune."
Sophie stared at him in delight. "I did not know. It sounds wonderful."
"What shall we do for your birthday?" Alec changed the subject as fast as Sophie had, and she now blinked at him.
"I do not know."
"Let's eat out."
"Oh, we do not have to do that. I was going to make something I liked and have a cake."
"You can't make your own birthday dinner or bake your own cake." He sounded very adamant, and Sophie's eyes widened charmingly.
"There are rules about this in America?"