A Father for Her Boys by Danielle Grandinetti

Author:Danielle Grandinetti
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-05-19T14:18:21+00:00

* * *

Sofia rested her head against the back of the lounge chair, marveling at how Nathaniel managed to make her feel safe and comfortable even when her foot felt like it was on fire. She didn’t want him to know he’d forced her to put all their combined weight on it. He felt horrible enough.

“Blackberry pie.” Nathaniel returned with two plates, each topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. He scanned her face, and she found a smile for him.

“Much better than wearing it?” She hoped teasing would ease the tension lines around his eyes and mouth. Instead, they ate in awkward silence for a few minutes. “Tell me about your landscaping. Obviously it’s more than mowing lawns. Do you do special projects like the Town Circle often?”

He moved a chunk of ice cream around his plate, turning it purple with blackberry filling. “I enjoy the design side of it. I’ve designed patios and entrances, poolside views and mailbox gardens. Today I worked on the Town Circle’s entrance. A simple arch trellis that will hold a purple clematis vine on each side.”

“That will be gorgeous.” She could picture it.

“None of the flowers will be in final form when I’m finished, but over the next few years it should fill in nicely. At least, that’s my hope.”

“Don’t discredit yourself.” Sofia nudged his shin with her shoe. “You take an idea and turn it into reality. Plus you do it with flowers, which change and grow. You have to have vision to create each unique landscaping design.”

A red tinge highlighted his cheeks. “Seeing it finally take form is the best part.”

“I understand. I feel that way about the projects I oversee for my church. Seeing an event come to fruition is a joy all its own.”

He set his empty plate on the table. “You like your job?”

“I do. Very much. That’s what makes all of this so difficult.”

Nathaniel frowned. “All of what?”

She hadn’t meant to reveal the struggle she’d been battling this week.

Nathaniel took her plate and set it next to his own. “You can tell me.”

Sofia lifted her eyes to the wisps of clouds overhead. They were painted on the blue, canvas sky and tinged with the slightest of pinks from the western sun. A warm breeze blew tonight, promising the summer ahead. She had no need to make a decision now, not with weeks to go before they needed to return home. But she would need those weeks to make preparations if she moved ahead with the idea that had begun with her visit to Dr. Bradley.

She looked at Nathaniel. “Remember I told you how every decision I make must have my nephews’ best interest at heart? They’ve been like new boys since we arrived in River Cove. I could see the change within the first day or two, but the disparity between the way they were before we arrived and now has only grown. It’s thanks to you. I knew that from the beginning.”

“No thanks necessary, Sofia, but you’re keeping me in suspense.

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