But in the back of his mind, he’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop. When would Sophie realize she could do better? When would she realize he couldn’t measure up? And when she did, would she leave him?

He’d been a fool to pursue her again—that type of reckless hope could only have one kind of ending. Sophie had been right when she said he’d left before that could happen. He wanted to deny it even now. But he could no longer refute the statement when it pierced his heart in a direct hit.

She was better off without him. She might not see that now, but she would eventually. Maybe she’d get together with Joshua after all. Maybe the two of them would hit it off, get married, and have two-point-five children. And a dog. He couldn’t forget Pippa, and even imagined the cute little mutt warming up to the other man.

Gritting his teeth, he closed his email program, pocketed his phone, and rose from behind his desk. As hard as it would be to stay away, it was best for both of them. Because nobody knew better than him—when the going got tough, people left.

chapter thirty-seven

The next morning was a rush. Sophie threw together a quick breakfast, but by the time Jenna appeared, they only had a few minutes to eat. They still had to hitch the Jet Ski trailer to their dad’s truck, and Sophie didn’t want to be late to work.

Once outside Sophie directed as Jenna backed up the truck to the trailer parked at the curb. It took a few tries before they were properly aligned. Then Sophie showed Jenna how to hitch the trailer.

“Grant’s going to love it,” Jenna said once she was settled in the driver’s seat again. “Thanks so much for picking it up for me.”

Her sister had no idea what the favor had cost Sophie. “You’re welcome.”

“Did you see my necklace?” Jenna held the pretty silver necklace, which sported a small ruby, her birthstone. “Grant got it for me on our honeymoon.”

“It’s beautiful. Oh, that reminds me. Did you happen to bring Mom’s necklace with you?”

Jenna winced. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I kind of lost it. I wore it on the flight to Nassau, but when we arrived at the hotel that night it was gone. I guess it fell off somewhere along the way. That’s why Grant bought me this necklace. I didn’t have anything nice to wear when we went out to dinner.”

Jenna kept talking, but Sophie didn’t hear a word. The diamond necklace was her heirloom. It had been a gift to their mom from their dad on their wedding day. Sophie had allowed Jenna to wear it for her wedding, assuming she’d guard it with her life.