“Don’t you say that boy’s name. He was dead to me the moment he up and left you, and how you can stand to associate with him now is beyond me. What do you mean he’s still there? What does he want from you, your soul?”

Sophie rolled her eyes as Aiden walked past with the full bucket. He avoided her gaze, as if he might’ve guessed what Granny was saying. The door opened and closed behind him. Still the windows were open, and she didn’t want him overhearing this conversation.

“Hang on a minute,” Sophie said, but the woman continued her rant. Regardless, Sophie pocketed her phone, hobbled over to the seawall, then lifted the phone to her ear.

“Do you hear me, young lady? Oh, I’m just wasting my breath!”

“Calm down, Granny. There’s something I need to tell you, and you need to hear me.” She took a deep breath, making sure she had her grandmother’s attention. “When Aiden took the job in Charleston, he didn’t know Daddy had just left. I didn’t tell him that night. In fact, he didn’t know Daddy left at all until two nights ago.”

There was a beat of silence.

“He thought Mama and Daddy were together until she passed.”

“Well, he still up and left you when you were madly in love with him and expecting to marry him. I haven’t forgotten the mess he left in his wake even if you have.”

“Yes, I was hurt. But it wasn’t like he’d proposed or something. Our plans to marry someday were vague at best and probably more built up in my mind than his. And in all fairness, he did ask me to follow him there. I should’ve told you that at the time, but I was too busy playing the victim.”

“You couldn’t leave with your mama ill! Did he expect you to give up all your dreams too? For heaven’s sake, what kind of boy—”

“That’s right, Granny. He was just a boy, and he’s apologized for being selfish. But he’s a grown man now. When I fell off the ladder I didn’t ask him to stay and help, but he’s been kind enough to do so anyway. He’s the only reason this shop will get finished in time.”

“You’re falling for him all over again! I hear it in your voice. He’s slithered right back into your heart!”

Sophie sighed. “I’ve forgiven him—and now you need to do the same. And that’s all I’m saying on the matter right now. I have to get back to the shop. There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

“Sophie, be careful. I don’t want to see you hurt again.”