A Family Under the Christmas Tree (9 page)

“Grandma said they died in a car accident.” Sophie's voice was soft and gentle.

Searing pain went through him, but he forged ahead with the story. “They were heading home from Seattle,” he told her. “They'd taken Troy to the Space Needle and to the aquarium on the waterfront.”

Sophie let out a small gasp. “Troy was with them?”

“Yes. He'd fallen asleep, and thankfully was strapped securely in his car seat when a drunk driver hit them head-on. They were headed home on the SR520 Bridge.”

“The floating bridge? I thought there was a divider.”

“Yeah, well, this clown got on the bridge going in the wrong direction. He smashed into Daniel's sedan.”

“That's horrible.”

“
Daniel and Beth died within minutes of impact. At least that's what the police told me.”

She rose and came to him. “And the driver of the other car?”

“He died as well.” There was no solace in the man's death. It was so needless.

“No wonder Troy has nightmares.” She touched a hand to his sleeve—lightly, but there was still a connection. “I can't imagine the sorrow you feel. Or the rage at the senselessness of the accident.”

He straightened. She was so close, the scent of vanilla and sugar clinging to her hair wrapped around him, cocooning him in warmth. “No, I don't suppose many people could.” He stared up at the moon. Raindrops hit his face. He didn't mind. He hoped the rain hid the tears that leaked from his eyes. “Daniel had asked me to go with them. He was always doing that, trying to include me. I'd declined because I was working on my project. I was always working, too busy for family.”

“If you'd gone, you might have died, too.”

Her words scored him clean through.

“What would have happened to Troy?” he said.

“Grandma says you and Troy attend her church occasionally,” she said softly.

He sucked in a breath. He went for Troy's sake. “Yes. When we can get ourselves up and out the door in time.”

She slid her hand down his arm until she captured his hand. “I hope you'll seek God's peace and comfort. He has a plan for you. And for Troy.”

He threaded his fingers through hers and started walking back toward Louise's house, Riggs out in front of them, as a way to stall responding. Sophie had such a sweet nature. She was as optimistic as Daniel had been.

“I
appreciate your words,” he finally said. “But Daniel was the one who prayed and went to church. I go because I know that is what Daniel would want for Troy.”

“It's noble of you to honor your brother in that way.” She squeezed his hand. “Wouldn't Daniel want that for you, too?”

His heart twisted in his chest as her words dug in deep. “Yes, he would.”

But just because he was going to church didn't mean he and God were on speaking terms. Not by a long shot.

Late that night, Sophie called her parents again. Dad answered and immediately put her on speaker. “I'm here with your mother,” Dad's voice filled Sophie's ear. “Where are you?”

“In Washington.” She sat on the bed in the guest room and plucked at the thread nubbins on the comforter. “Did you know Grandma was injured?”

“What?” her mother cried. “How did that happen?”

Sophie hesitated before revealing the circumstances of her grandmother's injury. “Well, she tripped over her puppy.”

“Why on earth would she get a dog?” Dad asked.

“She's lonely,” Sophie replied, trying to keep censure from her tone.

“Why did she call you?” Mom asked. “Why are you there? I thought you were on some island paradise for a location shoot.”

“I was. She called to see if I would come help her.”

Her mother let out a huff. “If she needed help she should have called us.”

Then, a little away from the phone, she added, “Maybe it's time to think about a retirement center for Louise.”

“
Mom, no. She doesn't need that.” Sophie stood and started pacing. “She's fine, except for a sprained ankle. I shouldn't have told you. That's probably why Grandma didn't.”

“Nonsense,” Dad said in a soothing tone. “I'll talk to my mother. We won't do anything she doesn't want.”

Sophie took a calming breath. “Anyway, I'm staying here for Christmas.” Silence met her announcement. Had the line dropped? “Hello?”

“Well, if you'd rather spend the holiday with your grandmother than your parents, I guess there's nothing we can do about it,” her mother huffed.

Sophie grimaced. “Mom, I'll come to California as soon as I can.” If she could swing by to see them on the way to Zurich she would, but she couldn't make that promise. “It might not be until after my next job. We can go to your favorite spot for lunch.” Which was a trendy restaurant in West Hollywood where people went to be seen.

“Please give my mother our love,” Dad said. “We'll talk with you on Christmas Day.” The phone clicked off.

Sophie held the phone away from her ear and stared at the device. They never failed to make her feel guilty and unimportant at the same time.

Would Mom or Dad tell the guys about Grandma? Sophie decided to call her eldest brother, Craig.

“Hey, little sis.” Craig's booming voice made Sophie smile. “Are you in town?”

“No, I'm at Grandma's.” She explained the situation.

“A puppy?” Craig whistled. “Riggs sounds more like a horse.”

Sophie laughed. “He is big, that's for sure. I'm calling to see if you would talk to Dean and Sean about coming to visit Grandma soon.” She could hear Craig's wife and kids in the background.

“
Of course. Look, I have to go. We're heading out to do some Christmas shopping.”

“Okay.” She tried not to let her disappointment show in her voice. “Thank you. Love you, biggest brother,” Sophie said.

Craig laughed. “Love you, too, little sis.”

This time when she clicked off, she smiled. Her brothers had turned out pretty well. She hoped they thought the same of her.

W
ednesday morning, David dressed to go into the office. He wore a custom-tailored gray pinstripe suit, white dress shirt, and red tie. He'd shaved and tamed his hair. The suit made him feel powerful, respectable. He made sure his black Florsheims shined.

He stepped into Troy's room. The boy slept curled in a ball on his side in the narrow twin-size bed. Toys and books were piled in the corner. They'd attempted to straighten up last night when they'd returned from having dinner with the ladies next door. Sophie was coming over to watch Troy while David took his meetings.

He could not express how relieved he was not to have to worry about Troy over the next few days. During today's meeting David would be negotiating a deal with the representatives of a large bank to take over their software needs. He needed to be focused and attentive. And thanks to Sophie, he would be.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he put a hand on Troy's shoulder. “Hey, buddy. Time to wake up. Sophie will be here soon.”

Troy stirred and burrowed deeper into the covers.

Undeterred, David tugged the comforter down. “Troy. We talked about this last night. You're going to spend a few hours with Sophie and Louise today. So you need to get up and get dressed so you're ready when she arrives.”

Troy rolled to his back and stretched. “Why are you all fancy?”

“I'm going to the office, remember?”

Nodding, Troy sat up and yawned. David stood and went to the six-drawer dresser, where he took out a set of clean clothes. He laid them on the foot of the bed. “While you dress, I'll get breakfast ready.”

Troy hopped out of the bed. His hair was mussed and standing up in places. His superhero footie pj's were a bit too big and hung on his slim frame. He looked so much like Daniel. A wave of grief hit David, and he had to steel himself. He couldn't let Troy see. He knelt down and gave Troy a hug. “I love you, buddy.”

“I love you, Uncle David.”

Regret lay heavy on David's heart for the distance that had grown between him and Daniel the past few years, but with Troy he had a second chance to do right by his brother.

In the kitchen, David put two blueberry waffles in the toaster. He poured orange juice into a plastic cup and set it at Troy's spot at the dining table.

The doorbell rang. Sophie was here.

David was surprised by the blast of anticipation that hit his chest. He opened the front door and smiled at the woman on the other side. Sophie's hair was down, with the sides clipped back by small silver barrettes. She had on jeans that hugged her curves and a deep blue sweater that reflected in the brightness of her
eyes. Her warm smile twisted his chest up into knots. She was so pretty. He could stand there all day and be content to look at her.

“Good morning,” she said.

Giving himself a mental shake, he stepped back so she could enter. “Good morning. How are you today?”

“I'm doing well. Grandma is sleeping in,” she remarked with a laugh. “Too many rounds of UNO.”

He chuckled. They'd played several hands of the card game last night after dinner. “I hadn't realized how competitive I could be. And Troy, too. Apparently it's a Murphy trait.”

“It was fun to watch,” she said. “I think in your business being competitive is a plus.”

He conceded her words with a nod. “It has helped.” He moved to the hallway. “Troy, Sophie's here.” He turned back to the lovely lady standing by the dining room table. “I sure do appreciate you doing this for us.”

She waved a hand. “It's my pleasure.”

The sound of the toaster drew her attention. “I'll butter those for you.”

“They're for Troy. Plates are in the cupboard above the toaster and utensils are in the drawer by the sink.”

She nodded as she set about the task. “Does Troy have a car seat?”

“Yes. I'll set it inside the garage door before I leave.”

She placed the plate with the buttered waffles on the table and moved gracefully toward him. “We're set here. Go on. Do what you need to do.”

He hesitated. “You have my number, right? In case you need anything.”

“I have both your cell and the office number.”

“Okay. I'll be back by one.”

“Great. If we're not here, we'll be next door.”

Troy raced down the hall and skidded to a stop. “Hi, Sophie.”

David dropped his chin at what Troy was wearing. He'd disregarded the jeans and long-sleeved shirt David had set out for him and instead wore a pair of red and white basketball shorts and a green-and-black-striped button-down shirt. His feet were bare but at least he'd combed his hair.

“My, don't you look good,” Sophie exclaimed, trying to suppress a smile.

Troy grinned and wrapped his arms around her legs. She placed a hand on his back and met David's gaze.

He grimaced and shrugged. “There are jeans and a thermal shirt on his bed.”

She grinned. “No worries. We'll figure it out. Now, go before you're late to your meeting.”

With a salute, he hurried from the house, but he felt as if he'd left a little bit of his heart at her feet.

David returned home shortly after one in the afternoon, his mood buoyant. The meeting with the bank had gone extremely well. The bank executive had promised to have a signed contract back to David right after Christmas. He couldn't believe how gratifying it was to know the company he'd built from the ground up was garnering such prestigious attention.

He parked his truck in the garage, noting the car seat was not where he'd left it. He entered the house and listened. All was quiet.

“Sophie?” he called out in a hushed whisper in case she'd somehow managed to convince Troy to take a nap.

There was no answer. And David was oddly disappointed.

He headed down the hall to his room, pausing briefly at the door to Troy's room. The bed was made and his toys more neatly arranged than they'd been this morning. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.