SANTORINI GLEAMED like a jewel in the Mediterranean Sea as Greece’s noonday sun beamed down on Sophie and Nate. They were staying in a nice hotel built into the side of a mountain. Beautiful foliage and the traditional whitewashed exterior and peacock-blue roofs of the island backdropped them as they stretched out on lounge chairs at the pool. Sophie stared out at the sea and blanked her mind.
“You okay, Soph? You haven’t said much since we got here.”
“I’m fine.” She glanced over at Nate. He’d shaved his head and it was a good fit for him. It made his blue eyes stand out more. He’d also built world-class muscles since he joined the army years ago. “You’re lookin’ good, bro.”
“You, too. What’s with the one-piece suit?”
“Um, black-and-blue marks.”
He winced. “Ribs still hurt?”
She touched them gingerly. “Not much. Sore, mostly.”
He nodded to her cast. “That really cramps your style.”
“I’m managing. At least I have some strength back.”
“The sun, good food and great company.”
With her uncasted arm, she reached over the chairs and squeezed her brother’s hand. “How true.” Trying to get the focus off her, she nodded out to the volcano that sat in the middle of the sea. “So are we gonna climb the caldera tomorrow?” On Christmas day.
“Whatever you want, babe.”
“I wanna do that. The history of this place still boggles me.”
Santorini had been a normal, circular island until the volcano in its middle had erupted, making the land mass crescent shaped, with the active volcano out hundreds of yards in the middle of water. It was rumored to be the lost city of Atlantis.
Nate motioned to a waiter who was serving patrons at the pool. “I’ll have another beer.”
“Me, too.”
When the ice-cold Mythos was served, Sophie sipped it and forced herself to stay in the present. Forced herself not to think about Liam and Mike and Cleary today on Christmas Eve or tomorrow morning, opening presents, spending their holiday with the O’Neil clan.
Which she would never be a part of. That was a done deal. Over. Fini.
“Where are they?” Nate asked.
“Excuse me?”
“I know you said you didn’t want to talk about Liam, that it was over between you two, but you’re thinking about them, so we might as well hash it out.”
“I don’t want to hash it out. I want to forget them.”
He stared at her in the way he always did until she caved.
“They’re in DC at the vice presidential residence. Shit, they’re having Christmas day dessert at the White House.”
Nate laughed. “And yet he’s an ordinary guy.”
“They all are.”
“Sorry I never got to meet him.”
“Me, too. There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t adore him.”
He waited a beat before he said, “Including my big sister.”
“Nate...”
“Okay, change of subject. What’s the latest on Joey?”
“When I left, he was out of the coma. Thank God.” The relief she’d felt when she’d gotten the news had briefly eclipsed the gnawing pain inside her at losing Liam and the boys. “Joe’s pissed as hell that he’s got to turn the arson case over to his new female partner. Especially after we were all hurt by the guy.”
“Joey’s all bluster. He’s a feminist if I ever saw one. He was your biggest supporter when you wanted to join the FDNY.”
“Yeah, he was.” She laid her head back and let the hot sun beat down on it. “Be grateful for the people you do you have in your life, I guess.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool, talking about the Carusottis, their jobs; finally both dozed in the chairs.
At seven, they decided to go into Fira, one of the towns nearest the hotel, for dinner. Sophie donned a peach sundress, which looked good with the tan she’d gotten today. She added strappy flat sandals for the walk down the sloping narrow pathways to the shopping area.
A variety of stores lined the cobblestone walkways, winding around the curves and jutting out after them. Sophie smiled at the colorful clothing and admired the expensive jewelry.
She noticed Nate checking out the jewelry shops. “What interests you there, kid?”
“Nothing. Just admiring the craftsmanship.”
He linked their arms and the made their way through the throngs of people to Nicolas’s, a restaurant rumored to be the most authentic Greek eatery in the area. As they waited for a table in the small entrance, they laughed as they watched the waiters bring out lamb, beef stew and fish, all the while being grumpy with the patrons.
“Eat up...”
“What do you mean you’re not going to dunk the bread in the artichoke sauce?”
“Aye, Americans!”
It reminded her of places in Little Italy.
Once they sat and ordered, she said to her brother, “Is something going on, Nate?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”
His phone rang.
“Who’s calling you in Greece?”
“I don’t know. I’ll check later.”
“Nathaniel!”
“Okay, okay, let me get this then I’ll come clean.”
He ducked outside, and Sophie tried to take interest in the wall décor—mountainous scenes of Greece, a faded vineyard mural, some bronze shields and crests. When she’d exhausted that distraction, she tried to think about the pretty church they’d seen yesterday, and how they watched the sunset on lo with five thousand other people.
But it was no use. Her mind went back to New York City—walking the streets decorated for Christmas, with Liam holding her hand. At the pub, watching him cook at the stove and seeing him smile over at her intimately. In bed. Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! He’d be in DC now, with the kids in front of a fire maybe, with a huge tree in the background.
When Nate returned, she said, “Spill it.”
“Okay, okay.” He plunked down. “I got a girl.”
“A girl?”
“Uh-huh.” He shrugged. “I was going to tell you about it this holiday, but when I found out what happened with you and Liam, I changed my mind.”
“You jerk. I can be happy for you under any circumstances. Tell me about her.”
“She’s a soldier, too. A captain, like me. Married and divorced. She’s on her last tour of Afghanistan.” He smiled like a man in love. “We have so much in common. We’re both career military.”
“Will you always be stationed together?”
“If we get married.”
“Married?” she said with a gulp. Then, she added, “I get it, that’s why you were scoping out the jewelry stores.”
“Uh-huh. Wanna help me pick out a ring? Her eyes are blue and I thought diamonds and sapphires.”
“How sweet. Where is she now?”
“At her parents’ house, telling them, too. She’s from Kansas.”
“What’s her name?”
“Anna.”
Sophie picked up her napkin and wiped her mouth. “I can’t wait to meet Anna.” She took out money from her pocket. “My treat. You save your cash for some bling.”
This time they thoroughly investigated each jewelry store and finally settled on one. Nate was like a little kid. Sophie joined in the fun and refused to let her own aborted relationship interfere with this monumental occasion in her brother’s life.
But it was hard when the jeweler asked her to try on the rings so Nate could see them on a woman’s hand. As she slipped a beautiful marquis-cut sapphire surrounded by diamonds onto her finger, she felt a sense of loss so great it stole her breath.
No matter what she said to anyone else, or told herself, down deep, she’d been hoping Liam would be the one to slip a ring on her finger this Christmas.
o0o
THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL residence on Observatory Circle was big enough to sleep all the O’Neils. The kids took over the basement opposite the Secret Service office down there, and the adults shared the bedrooms. Liam was in the great room, staring out the window at the snow that drifted to the ground just in time for Santa, when his mother came up to him.
“Wasn’t Mass nice?”
He smiled at her, all dressed in red and green, looking like a present herself. “Can’t believe the monsignor came here to say it.”
“Even your father was impressed.”
Over her shoulder, Liam caught a glimpse of the Christmas tree, high enough to touch the ceiling. “We’re going to open a few presents before bed, right?”
“That we are. Aidan and C.J. have to leave early tomorrow morning to get to her parents in Queens for their Christmas.” She thought for a minute. “I’m praying the youngsters will go to sleep, being together and all.”
“Clay told the big kids they’d better play along about Santa.” He slid his arm around his mother. “Remember when the guys told me and Aidan there was no Santa? You had a fit.”
“You didn’t believe them. Aidan did. He punched Dylan. But you refused to believe Santa Claus didn’t exist.”
“That’s me, the eternal optimist.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” She petted his arm. “Even if it gets your heart broken.”
What was there to say? His mother was right...his heart was broken, and he missed Sophie so much he could hardly function. He knew from experience that the pain would recede and eventually he’d feel better. But damn it, how many times would he have to go through this recovery process?
“Where is she, son? I haven’t wanted to ask since you’re seeming so upset about it.”
He told his mother about Greece and the plans Sophie had made with her brother. He didn’t tell her how they’d fought about it. How they’d fought about pretty much everything in the last month.
“I always wanted to see Santorini. I hear it’s lovely.”
“Pa should take you.” Still thinking about Sophie, he added, “At least she’s got Nate. I’d hate to think she was alone on Christmas.”
“Did you get her a present?”
He thought about the ring he’d been eying at Tiffany’s. “No.”
“We all love you, a stor. I’m wishing something fierce I could help you.”
“I know, Mama, thanks.”
An hour later the family gathered around the tree to open some gifts. After the kids finished theirs and went to play or listen to music, his mother was first to go among the adults. With “White Christmas” in the background, the mood was cheerful. “Oh, what’s this now?”
“Pearls for you, Mama,” Aidan said of Dylan’s idea. “From us guys.”
“Why is it you would spend so much on me?”
“Because we love you.”
Dylan, Aidan and Pat had gotten Liam a slick leather sports coat. The three of them had gone in on an expensive headset Dylan wanted, then on a watch for Patrick. The whole family had bought a soft-looking cashmere sweater for Bailey that matched her eyes and one in red for Clay.
They gave Brie a glittering gold choker, and for C.J. a Coach purse that was supposed to be a big deal but looked like any other bag to Liam. Seeing the girls open their gifts made Liam wonder if there were any presents for Sophie that had to be returned to the store.
Finally, they finished and Liam needed space. He took a glass of eggnog into the library for some peace and quiet. After a while, his sister came in.
“Babies down?” he asked her.
“Yeah, finally.”
Before she sat, she went to a closet and took out a big brown bag.
“What’s that?”
“I hope this is okay. It’s from Sophie. There’re gifts for the boys and for you.”
Liam shook his head. “They shouldn’t have them. It’ll just be harder to deal with her absence.”
“The note said it was your call.”
“No.”
“Okay. I’ll just leave it here for you, in case you want yours. If not, I’ll send them all back to her.”
He nodded.
“Liam...”
“Don’t, honey. There’s nothing to say. It’s over.”
When he was alone again, he stared at the bag for a long time. Then, when the clock struck twelve, and it was Christmas day, he got up and walked out of the room, leaving the presents and Sophie behind.
o0o
FEELING LIKE A cooked noodle after the ten-hour flight back from Greece and a slippery cab ride into the city, Sophie dragged herself into her apartment. Nate had flown back to Afghanistan in time to meet Anna for New Year’s Eve, when he was planning to propose. Sophie was truly happy for her brother.
Setting her suitcase down in the foyer, she noticed a package by the door. Without opening the cardboard box, Sophie knew what it was that her neighbor Mrs. Conklin had brought in for her. Bailey had returned her gifts for Liam and his kids.
Just perfect.
God, she wished she could go to work. On January second, she was meeting with Chief Marconi to find out what light duty she could do. She couldn’t stand this idleness. Any kind of work would take her mind off losing Liam. She looked at the package again. Fuck! Heading straight to the bedroom, she stripped and fell into bed.
The shrill ringing of the phone woke her.
She blinked at the bright sunlight coming in through the window. The clock on the nightstand said it was noon. The next day? She rummaged for the phone. “Hello?”
“Sophie Tyler?”
“Yes.” She didn’t recognize the female voice.
“This is Anna Lund.”
“Who?”
“Nate’s...friend.”
“Oh, Anna, hello.” Maybe she was calling about the ring. No, wait, he wouldn’t have given it to her until tonight, New Year’s Eve. “How are you?”
“I’m hoping you can make me better. Did Nate leave Athens when he was supposed to?”
“Yes. I watched him get on the plane. It must be two days ago.” She sat up in bed and her heart catapulted in her chest. “Two days, Anna. He should have been back long before this.”
“I was afraid of that. He never made it to the base.”
“What?”
“There was some action on the route he would have taken here. I was praying he never got on the plane.”
“What are you saying, Anna? That he’s missing?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. The brass is checking it out, but they don’t know anything yet. And it’s been forty-eight hours, Sophie. Forty-eight hours.”
No, no, this couldn’t be happening. Not this. “Oh, God.”
“I’m sorry to call with bad news. I waited a day, thinking maybe he was just delayed and couldn’t phone us for some reason.”
Sophie swallowed hard. “Can I do anything from here?”
“No.” The woman’s voice broke but the soldier pulled it together. “I don’t think we can do anything but wait.”
Wide awake now, Sophie pushed back the fear lodging in her throat. “Don’t bet on it. Give me a number where I can reach you. I’ll call you back.”
After taking Anna’s information, Sophie climbed out of bed and, still holding the phone, she stumbled over to her desk. Her hands were clumsy as she searched for the number she’d been given months ago. She found it in the middle drawer and managed to punch it in.
He answered after three rings. “Clay Wainwright.”
“Clay.” She had to swallow hard. “I-It’s Sophie Tyler. You said to call your private number if I ever needed anything.”
“I remember, Sophie. What happened?”
“I need some help.”
“Then I’m your man.”
o0o
ON NEW YEAR’S Eve afternoon Liam was at the pub getting the food ready for the big evening ahead. At least he’d have something to do tonight—celebrate with mobs of people. When his phone rang, he left the Irish lasagna he was making and picked up the cell from the kitchen’s butcher block. “Hello.”
“Liam, it’s Bailey.”
“Hey, Sis. Happy New Year.”
“Something’s happened.”
“Happened?” Please, please, God, not to them. “To you? Your family?”
“No, to Sophie.”
She wasn’t fighting fires yet. How could she be hurt? “Tell me.”
“It’s her brother, Nate.”
Liam was stunned when he got off the phone. Poor Sophie. He knew how close she and Nate were, and more so, he knew what it was like when your family was in jeopardy. Hurrying out to the front of the pub, he found Dylan loading beer into the coolers. “Dyl, I gotta go.”
“Go? You can’t go. We got a big night ahead of us.” He finally looked over. “What’s wrong?”
He explained about Nate as he whipped off his apron and donned his L.L. Bean jacket. “I’m going over to her apartment.”
“Give her our love and stay in touch.”
A half hour after he got the call from Bailey, Liam arrived at Sophie’s doorstep. This time he used his key, which he’d never returned. It was dark inside the apartment. For a minute, he wondered if she was home. Switching on the light, he could see a figure shift on the couch. “Sophie? It’s me, Liam.”
No response.
He crossed the room. Still, no movement. Kneeling down in front of her, he took her hands in his. They were ice-cold. “Soph, I know.”
Her eyes were bruised when she looked up. “I asked Bailey not to call you.”
“We don’t keep secrets in this family.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.” She drew in a heavy, shaky breath. “You should go, Liam. I’m bad company.”
He stood and shed his jacket, sat on the couch and slid an arm around her. “I’m not going anywhere.” When he tried to tug her close, she resisted, just for a minute. Then she curled into him and buried her face in the sweater he wore over his pub shirt.
Later, the doorbell rang. Sophie startled. She’d dozed off and Liam had, too. He checked his watch and saw it was seven. Once she roused, Sophie flew to the door. On the other side was his mother. “Mrs. O’Neil?”
She held up bags. “I brought you supper.”
Liam joined them at the entryway and took the food. “Thanks, Mama.”
“It’s hot now.”
“We’ll eat. Want to stay?”
“No, I’ll be needed at the pub. She grasped Sophie’s shoulders. “Have faith, girl. We’re all praying for you.”
“T-thank you.”
After his mother left, Liam led Sophie back to the couch. He took the food to the kitchen, portioned out the lasagna, cut the bread and brought it and two beers into the living room. He set the tray down in front of her.
“I can’t eat.”
Her stomach growled loudly.
“Your body says otherwise. When was the last meal you had?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Eat. We don’t have to talk. But you gotta keep up your strength. Want me to turn on the TV?”
She stiffened. “Do you think anything will be on there about Afghanistan?”
“Someone would have called you, love.”
“No, then.”
They ate in silence. She managed to down most of the lasagna and a chunk of bread. When she finished, she laid her head on a pillow and stared up at the ceiling. She was dressed in navy sweats, socks and her hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and once again he was reminded of her vulnerability.
“I do feel better. Not so weak.”
“I’m glad for that at least.” He picked up his beer, sat back, too, and linked their hands.
She held on tight. “He’s the only thing I have, Liam. I don’t know what I’ll do if he isn’t found alive. I just don’t know what I’ll do.”
“Let’s not jump the gun.” Bringing their linked hands to his mouth, he kissed her knuckles. “And he’s not the only thing you have.”
“Not you. Not anymore.”
“No, not like we planned. But I’ll always be here for you. So will my family. And you have the Carusottis, your crew.”
“All related to the fire department.”
“You told me they were second families to you.”
She shrugged.
“So hang on to that. And we’re in no way giving up on Nate.”
At eleven, Bailey called. Liam answered this time. “There’s no news. Clay’s been working on this all day long.”
“No news,” he said to Sophie. Then into the phone, “I appreciate this, Bay.”
“We’re doing everything we can here, Liam. And if Clay has to fly to Afghanistan to get to the bottom of this, he will.”
“Here, talk to Sophie.” He handed her the phone and Bailey must have reiterated everything.
“I hope he doesn’t have to go over there.” Sophie’s voice broke on the last word and she gave the phone back to Liam.
An hour later, they’d switched on the TV and watched the ball drop from Times Square. Sophie was leaning against him, absently stroking his chest. Neither commented on the arrival of a new year.
Finally Sophie said, “You can go. Catch the end of the celebration at the pub.”
“Forget it.” Easing her to her side, he stretched out on the couch with her, covered them with a throw, and clicked off the TV. “Maybe things will be better tomorrow.”
She nestled into him. She didn’t share his sentiment, he knew, but he was trying to have faith.
o0o
AGAIN, SOPHIE AWOKE to the doorbell. Liam stirred, but stayed asleep. She slipped off the couch and hurried to the door. This time Patrick and Brie stood at the entrance.
“What are you doing here so early?” she asked.
“It’s ten, honey.” Brie held up a basket and Patrick carried coffee. “Breakfast.”
Sophie smiled weakly. “More food.”
Pat hugged her. “Sometimes there’s nothing else you can do.”
They came inside and she nodded to the couch. “Liam’s still asleep.” She led them back to the kitchen where Brie hugged her, too. “I’m so sorry. Clay’s doing everything he can.”
“I know.”
“So’s C.J.” Patrick said. “She went to the office today to see if she could find out any intel. She’s got connections.”
Brie set coffee in front of her at the table.
“Are Mike and Cleary okay?” Sophie asked.
“They’re at our house. They wanted to come to see you but Pat thought it best they didn’t.”
“Probably. I’m a mess.” And she felt like a zombie. But now that she was conscious, the terror was seeping back in.
“You’re entitled, lass.”
Brie made herself comfortable in a chair. “We’re staying for a while.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, we do. For you and Liam.”
“You’re his family.”
“We care about you, too, Sophie.” Pat touched her arm. “No matter what’s happened between you and my brother.”
Her eyes moistened and a few tears slipped down her cheeks.
A couple of minutes later, Liam came into the kitchen. He acted like it was nothing out of the ordinary to see his oldest brother and sister-in-law at the table.
The four of them made it through the day watching football, though much of the time was passed in somber silence. Pat and Brie left at six, and Aidan and C.J. showed up at seven. She’d put some things in the works and had her cell phone to be contacted when any news came in.
“Guys,” Sophie said. “Really, this isn’t necessary.”
Aidan scowled at her statement, C.J. hugged her and they joined the vigil.
A half hour later, Liam stood. “I’m gonna go check in with the boys. See if I can do anything for them.” He squeezed Sophie’s shoulder. “I’ll only be gone an hour or so.”
“Liam, you don’t have to come back.”
“Hush.” He kissed her nose. “See you in a little while.”
Cleary and Mike were reassured by Liam’s visit, he told Sophie when he returned ninety minutes later. Aidan and C.J. left shortly after.
Liam nodded to her wrist. “Can you shower with that?”
“Yeah, but baths are easier.”
“I’ll run you one.”
“Do I need it?”
His smile was soft and warm. “Well, I cleaned up at home.” She hadn’t noticed he’d changed into a Syracuse football sweatshirt and jeans.
“Okay, I’ll take a bath.”
He left her alone after he drew the water, and she wished he hadn’t because the demons came then. Images of the war she’d seen on TV. Nate’s smiling face in his uniform. The broken and bloody possibilities that threatened to level her. She hurried through the rest of the bath, put on pretty blue pajamas Nate had given her for Christmas and found Liam in her bedroom, stretched out watching the news.
“Anything on there?”
“Yes. But Clay just called to tell us in person. There’s a report of a landmine going off near his base. Four soldiers were killed. Four are missing.”
Sophie gripped the edge of a nearby dresser. “Did they release the names of those killed?”
“No, pending notification of relatives.”
She felt her knees go weak. Liam leapt up, caught her and led her to the bed.
The phone rang again. “It’s me,” Bailey said. “He isn’t dead. He’s missing.”
Sophie began to cry. Once again she had to hand the phone to Liam. At least there was still a chance.
When he clicked off, he squeezed her hand. “It’s good news, love.”
“I know.” She swiped at her face. “We should call Anna.”
Anna burst into tears when she heard the news that Nate wasn’t among the dead. They promised to stay in touch.
Drained, Sophie lay down on the bed with Liam and cuddled in close. He covered them with a light blanket and just held her, with the low drone of the TV in the background. She could hear the thump of his heart and it calmed her some.
She was still there, four hours later, when the phone rang again.
“Sophie, it’s Clay. Nate’s all right. He wasn’t captured. He and three other guys who were on their way back to base hid out in the city. He managed to contact their colonel. The group was picked up just a bit ago.”
“H-he’s not hurt?”
“Some scrapes. One of the other guys lost a leg, though. Nate saved his life.”
Relief flooded her and tears flowed again. “Clay,” she said between hiccups. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You already did, girl. By the way, the offer still holds, if you need anything else. Now go celebrate. We’ve notified Anna Lund. She’s on her way to the hospital.”
When Sophie ended the call, she looked over the bed at Liam. Stretched out with his arm crooked, his head resting on his palm, he smiled at her. “I take it he’s all right?”
She broke into sobs, between which she explained what had happened.
“As I said once, heroism runs in your family.”
Finally composed, Sophie stood and went to the bathroom to put water on her face. “I feel like a whipped puppy, now.” She picked up her brush and ran it through her hair. “Thanks for staying with me,” she called out to him.
“You’re welcome. “
He hadn’t moved from the bed when she came back into the bedroom. He was all masculine grace and beauty, just waiting for her. “What do you need now, Soph? I won’t be offended if you want me to leave.”
Watching him, she thought of how he’d been there with her the whole, awful time, took care of her and asked nothing in return. All of this after they’d officially broken off their relationship.
So her answer to his question was to release the first button of her pajamas. Then the second, the others.
She slipped the top off and crossed to bed. There, she let the bottoms slide to the floor.