Sun in My Heart: A Contemporary Romance With A Twist by Tricia T. LaRochelle

Author:Tricia T. LaRochelle [LaRochelle, Tricia T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Flaming Heart Press
Published: 2024-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

“Somethin’ on your mind, Poppy?” Charlie had just taken his last bite of eggs, his coffee nearly empty. He stared across the kitchen table at Sophie, his eyes doing their best to evaluate the situation.

Sophie knew her time with him was coming to an end but, somehow, couldn’t seem to come out with it. Chad abused me sexually. He tried to choke me to death as he screwed me raw. Nope. That wouldn’t work. If she said that, Charlie would hyperventilate all over her kitchen, not a good prequel for their visit to Monticello.

Charlie sat back in his seat, his hands resting on the table. He exhaled. “I know what’s weighing on you, Poppy.”

Sophie’s chin sprang up, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. “You do?”

Charlie nodded once. “You and Chad been havin’ some problems, I take it?”

Now, it was Sophie’s turn to nod.

“Well, how bad is it? Can you reconcile? Or is it too far gone?”

Sophie studied her answer. “Do you like Chad, Charlie?”

He adjusted the waist of his pants, his jaw working on something. “Don’t matter much what I think.” He met her gaze. “The question is, Poppy, do you like him?”

Man, he was good at batting a question right back at her. Always had been. Charlie liked to help people find their own solutions in life. Realizing their time was short, she finally owned up to her answer. “No, I don’t like him. He’s not who everyone thinks he is.”

“Oh?” Charlie watched her with pinpoint precision. The same precision that had kept their family’s lawns manicured to perfection for years.

Sophie placed the palms of her hands on the table’s surface, the coolness of the wood refreshing against her skin. “He’s gotten abusive with me.” That’s safe, right? She didn’t say sexually.

“Do your parents know about this?” His expression hardened, his eyes trying to read her.

Sophie shook her head in exasperation. “You know my mom. She loves Chad. And my dad’s never around. I don’t know if either of them would even support me.” Her hair up in a ponytail, she started twirling the loose ends at the back of her neck. “I want to divorce him, Charlie. I can’t live with him anymore. It’s just not possible.”

Charlie rubbed his jaw contemplatively. “And counseling is out of the question?”

“Not after what he did to—” She bit her lower lip to stop herself from finishing her sentence.

Charlie let his bushy gray eyebrows rise and fall. “What did he do to you, Poppy?” He reached his wrinkled hand out to cover one of hers. “You can tell me. It’s okay. I’ve always been here for you, and I always will be.”

That did it. The waterworks. Her eyes flooded with tears. She pushed her chair back and wept into her hands. Apparently, crying was her thing now.

Within seconds, Charlie was at her side, consoling her, his arm around her back. “There, there. It’s gonna be okay, Poppy. You don’t have to tell me. I’m sorry I pushed you.” He left her side, but

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