The pummeling rain was so loud Sophie couldn’t even hear the Tahoe’s engine. She backed out and started down Bayside Drive. Her wipers were on full blast, but it was still hard to see the road. And even though it was only four o’clock in the afternoon, it seemed much later.

Leaves and small branches flew past. A piece of cardboard fluttered by on a gust of wind.

“You realize this is crazy, right?” Aiden called over the noise.

“Nobody said you had to come.”

“Just drive slowly. And watch for downed lines.”

“I don’t remember you being such a control freak.”

“I don’t remember you being such a daredevil.”

Sophie pressed her lips together. He was one to talk. The man jumped out of planes, hang glided, paraglided, and bungee jumped off bridges. In high school he’d never passed up a dare. Driving through a storm should be a walk in the park for him.

“Seth really needs this document.” She wished she didn’t feel the need to defend herself. “He’s just starting this job and wants to make a good impression.”

When Aiden remained quiet Sophie glanced his way. Face set, he stared out the windshield.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“It’s his first grown-up job. It’s a big deal.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.” Sophie loosened her grip on the steering wheel. She wasn’t normally this prickly, but apparently Aiden brought out the worst in her these days. Besides, he couldn’t possibly understand her devotion. He didn’t even have siblings, much less a twin.

“Watch out.” Aiden pointed out some flooding on the side of the road, and Sophie steered around it.

At this pace the fifteen-minute drive was going to take at least double that, and driving in the storm was making her tense.

She searched for neutral ground to fill the silence. “How’s your dad doing these days? I haven’t seen him in forever.”

“He’s doing well. Still climbing around roofs for a living.”

Dan Maddox was a roofer, an independent contractor. He was also a gem of a guy who’d always been good to Sophie. He had all of Aiden’s good looks and charm, but unlike his son he was a homebody. Aiden must’ve gotten his adventurous spirit from his mother.

“He must miss you.” Aiden was his only child, and as far as she knew, he rarely went home.

“We stay in touch. He’s become a good friend—someone to kick ideas around with. And believe it or not, he’s pretty good on the advice front.”

“I can see that.”

“He comes to visit a couple times a year for a week or two. We put him to work at the office, and he loves it.”