Sophie pulled an afghan from the back of the couch and draped it over her mom’s sleeping form. It’s okay, Mama. I’m going to take care of you.

The sound of Aiden’s truck filtered through the walls. Sophie would recognize that rumble anywhere. She slipped on a sweater and slid out the door, eager to be with him after this rotten day.

As he jumped from his truck, peace rolled over her. She loved his manly swagger and the crooked smile he gave her. When he joined her on the porch she pressed into his solid chest. What would she do without him? Even when her whole world was spinning out of control, he was here to make sense of it all.

He wrapped his arms around her, chuckling. “Well, that’s a nice greeting.”

“What a day. You have no idea how glad I am to see you.”

He squeezed her before letting go. “Tell me about it.”

He looked so happy, and she didn’t want to ruin his good mood just yet. “You first. What’s this opportunity you’re bursting to tell me about? I could use some good news.”

“Let’s sit down.” He led her to the swing. The familiar glide and squeak of the chains had a calming effect on her. They’d spent hours out here talking and snuggling and making out. It was their special spot.

He clasped her hand and rested it on his thigh. “You remember that big house Dad and I roofed last fall? The one in Windemere?”

“The one with all the gables?”

“Right. I think I told you the owner, Ross Givens, and I struck up a conversation and realized we had common ground. He used to own an outfitters business in Colorado, and he was getting ready to open an extreme sporting business in Charleston.”

“Yeah.” Sophie nodded, a feeling of dread worming its way into her heart. “I remember.”

“Well, Ross called me last week and made me an offer. I almost told you about it then, but I wanted to think on it first. Sophie . . .” His gaze sharpened on hers. “He wants me as a partner in that business. He wants me to move to Charleston and handle the adventure side of it. At first we’d just offer kite surfing, wakeboarding, parasailing, and stuff. Eventually he wants to offer tandem jumping—he has a buddy who runs an airfield nearby.”

Something cold swept through Sophie, numbing her from the inside out. She couldn’t seem to unfreeze her tongue from the roof of her mouth.