“Yes, but the grand opening will be all day, of course. I’m hoping for a good crowd but at the same time, I’m also afraid we won’t be able to handle that many people. Somewhere between book pricing and shelving, I’ll have to fit in a final meeting with my staff. We have to make a good first impression.”

When they arrived home Sophie noticed a car in the darkened drive.

“Who’s that?” Aiden asked.

“I don’t know. I’m not expecting anyone.”

“Maybe the Fosters decided to come for the weekend.”

Surely they would’ve notified her. But she didn’t know them well, and it was their home after all.

Once Aiden parked, she opened the door and let Pippa down, then climbed from the car. She struggled to retrieve her purse, which was tangled with the seat belt. She spun, hopping to keep her balance until she finally freed it.

Aiden closed his door, chuckling.

She must’ve looked like a giraffe on roller skates. Her own lips twitched.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Wish I’d gotten that on video. It was almost as good as when you tripped over the paint pan a few days ago.”

“That was not funny. I made a huge mess.”

He chuckled again. “And then when Pippa ran through it . . .”

Having joined his side, Sophie nudged him with her shoulder, favoring her good foot and almost losing her balance again.

“Those little blue paw prints . . . I kind of hated to get rid of the carpet after that.”

“She made a mess! And it took thirty minutes to get the paint off her paws.”

“Aiden?”

Sophie jumped at the voice coming from the darkened entryway.

A woman descended the porch steps. Even though it was too dark to make out her features or expression, Sophie knew instantly who she was.

*  *  *

“Tiffany.” Aiden finally found his tongue. His humor scattered in the wind. “What are you doing here?”

Pippa yapped at Tiffany as her gaze darted between Sophie and Aiden.

“Tiffany, this is Sophie Lawson. Sophie . . . Tiffany.”

They exchanged unenthusiastic pleasantries, then Tiffany addressed him. “Since you’d been delayed again, I thought I might surprise you.”

Well, she’d certainly managed to do that.

“And I brought your award.” She extended it to him. “In case you wanted to see it in person.”

“That was thoughtful.” As he received it he dimly noted the trophy’s substantial weight, but it was too dark to appreciate its aesthetics.

Sophie stooped down, gathering the yipping dog. “I think I’ll head inside and get Pippa some water.”

He held out the trophy. “Would you take this inside, please?”

“Sure.”

Aiden watched her walk between the house’s pilings and inside through the lower door, wanting with everything in him to follow her inside.