“A lot will depend on how much attention the award garners. I’ll have to wait and see what kind of offers I get, if any.”

“Is it possible one of those offers could pull you away from your business?”

“I doubt it. Like I said, I still love what I do. It’s the thrill I love, of course, but it’s more than that. The people I take up inspire me. Make it really worthwhile.”

“Tell me.”

Aiden studied Sophie’s face as if determining if she really wanted to hear. He must’ve been satisfied with what he saw.

“There’s this one guy who jumps regularly. Not tandem jumping, he’s a proficient skydiver. So, his dad calls me one day and tells me he wants to jump with his son, for no other reason than to share the experience with him. So I set it up. The father tandem jumped with me while his son skydived on his own.”

He laughed heartily. “Guy screamed all the way down. But you know what? He did it again the next month. He’s been up four times, and I think it scares the bejeebers out of him every time. I don’t think he really likes it, but his son does, and he wants to share it with him.”

“What a great story. I guess I always thought skydiving was something people did just for the thrill of it.”

“Mostly it’s that. But there are other reasons. A lot of people have it on their bucket list, and I’m happy to help them cross it off. I took up a paraplegic once. Man, that was amazing. He’d always dreamed of skydiving and decided not to let his disability hold him back.

“He was beaming when we landed. I’m told by a lot of customers that the sense of accomplishment they got from their skydiving experience gave them the courage to try other things they were afraid to do.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. But I know what you mean. Going through everything with my mom—it was something I feared I’d be unable to handle. Despite the terrible sense of loss when she was gone, there was also a sense that God had gotten me through it, and He’d get me through the next thing too.”

“That’s it exactly. And the next thing for you . . . your bookshop.”

“Despite all the obstacles this week, it’s working out. Thanks to you and your willingness to stay.”

He ducked his head.

“It means a lot to me that you were willing to miss your big moment for me. Now that you won the award, I wouldn’t blame you if you regretted it.”

Their eyes locked as he set his hand over hers. His long, tapered fingers curled around hers, rough and warm. “I don’t regret it, Sophie. Not for a minute.”