Sophie hung her winter clothes at the back of the closet and rubbed at her arm where a wool skirt had brushed. The very thought of wool on a day like today was unbearable. There was a fan overhead in her bedroom, and Sophie hit the switch. Even with the air-conditioning it was hot, and the swirling air felt wonderful.
Sophie was back out in the living room gathering more bags of clothes when Alec knocked at the door. Sophie was not really surprised, but neither did she feel ready to face him. He looked very serious as she let him in, and Sophie didn’t know what to do when he only leaned against the door and looked at her.
“I think I owe you an apology,” Alec said quietly.
Sophie felt better just hearing his voice. “Come and sit down, Alec.” Sophie rushed ahead of him and cleared a path.
“Is this all your stuff from the apartment?”
“Yes. I do not remember getting all of it, but there it was.”
“It’s awfully hot out for a move.”
“Yes, it was.”
“What did you use, the van?”
Sophie blinked at him and shook her head. He was sitting on the end of the sofa now, and Sophie took the chair. She would have sat on the sofa as well, but suddenly feared his disapproval.
“Did you borrow Gladys’ car?”
“No, I just walked.”
“Why?”
“Rita had the van yesterday.” Alec had worked and completely forgotten about this.
“Well, you didn’t need to do it all in one day.”
“I did not. I did today, too.”
“In this heat? Why?”
“Because I had time.” Sophie was feeling slightly exasperated.
“But you could have had the van.” Alec was frowning at her.
“You had van at mall!”
This last sentence told him he had frustrated the life out of her. “I’m sorry, Sophie. I didn’t mean to attack. I just never dreamed that you would walk everything down here.”
Sophie shrugged. “It was hot. It would have been easier with the van, but it is over and I am fine.”
“And you’re all moved?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re fine. But if you move from here, will you please talk to me?”
Sophie nodded. She knew her motives had been pure; she had not done it to spite him or to prove her worth. It was as she said: She had the time and took care of it. However, she would gladly take his help the next time, especially if the weather was scorching hot.
“I’m sorry about the way I left you at the house,” Alec suddenly said, and Sophie didn’t know how to reply to this change in subject. “I was thinking about what you said about joy, and not until after I left with Craig and Tory did I realize that I hadn’t told you.
“In fact, I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon. I mean, Craig will mow the lawn, but only after he’s made sure I know he doesn’t want to. And the same goes for Tory. She hates to unload the dishwasher and complains the whole time. The jobs get done, but not with the right attitude. I’ve been just as bad about certain things.
“Sometimes I need time to think things through, and that’s what I was doing when Tory interrupted us. I wasn’t angry at you or ignoring you. I just needed some time.”
“I am glad you were not angry. I was afraid I could not talk with you. I thought I was out of lines.”
It was such a cute mistake that Alec couldn’t correct her. He smiled and said, “I’ll tell you if I feel that way, and I want you to do the same for me.”
Sophie nodded.
“I wish I could stay for a while, but I have to pick up Craig at Rick’s. Want to come and stay for supper?”
“I do, but I must work on this mess.”
Alec stood. “Walk me to the door then.”
He came forward, took her hand, and started toward the door. Sophie pulled her hand away, and Alec turned back. His eyes were full of questions, and Sophie’s fingers knotted together in her embarrassment.
“I do not want to hold hands until you are ready to hold hands.”
Alec now turned fully to face her. “I don’t know what that means.”
Sophie swallowed. “You do not wish to hold my hand in front of Tory, and I felt like I am deceitful.”
“I did drop your hand, didn’t I?” Alec’s voice spoke of his own amazement.
Sophie, who was still feeling the rejection, could only nod.
“I’m sorry, Sophie. I don’t know why I did that. I’ll have to think that one through as well.”
Sophie’s eyes dropped for a moment; she felt horrible. “You are going to think I am difficult to please.”
“Look at me, Sophie.” She obeyed, and for some odd reason there were tears in her eyes. “I won’t think that. I still want to get to know you, and I hope you want to know me.”
“I do want that.”
“Then it’s just a matter of time. Do you see?”
“Yes.”
“I wish we could talk some more right now, but I’ve gotta run. You might not think it’s any of my business, but why don’t you get to sleep early tonight.”
“I will.”
“I’ll probably see you sometime tomorrow.”
“Yes. Good-bye, Alec.”
“Until tomorrow.” With that he slipped out, and Sophie watched through the window as he walked away. In some ways their relationship was odd. They knew each other, but then there was so much they didn’t know. Sophie had washed his clothes and cleaned his house, just like a wife would, but there was nothing intimate in their relationship. Sophie wasn’t even sure if Alec wanted there to be. He was an affectionate person, but did that mean he wanted a lasting relationship? Sophie knew that she did. She didn’t know exactly what love felt like, but she was feeling something very strong for Alec Riley—something that made her want to be with him all the time.
An hour later, Sophie ate some toast and eggs and felt like she’d lied to Alec since she hadn’t touched the mess in the living room. There was simply no help for it. Too tired to do anything, she went to bed long before sundown and slept straight through the night.
Sophie checked her appearance for the second time and then reached for her purse. It was Friday night already, and she’d been invited to a barbecue at the Riley home. They said this was going to be her birthday dinner and time for cake, since Rita wanted to go shopping with her on Saturday, and they would be spending all day Sunday at the Dells.
Sophie had just rounded the corner of Gladys’ house, when Alec pulled up in the van. She smiled at the sight of him and climbed into the air-conditioned comfort.
“This is a surprise.”
“Well, it’s hot and I didn’t want the mosquitoes to carry you away.”
“You are very chivalrous.”
“Not at all,” he said with a laugh. “Rita said we needed ice, and I felt sorry for you.”
Sophie chuckled, and Alec smiled across at her before he pulled away from the curb. He had not touched her since the previous Sunday, but that was more from the fact that he hadn’t had time to discuss it with her. He wasn’t ashamed to have anyone see them touch, and truly hadn’t known at the time why he’d dropped her hand. But now that he did, he believed they needed to discuss the matter to make sure they were thinking along the same lines.
The purchase of ice was uneventful, but Alec seemed in no hurry. He drove slowly and took his time putting the ice bags in the back while Sophie stayed in the van. They talked about the week and Alec’s latest project—a 3500-square-foot home in Madison that was going to take some extra time. They pulled into the driveway and parked in the garage. Sophie never noticed when Alec did not retrieve the ice from the back. She was listening so intently to what he was saying that when they came in the kitchen door and 13 people shouted “Surprise!” Sophie almost fainted. Her mouth kept opening and closing, but no words would come out. Cries of “Happy Birthday” and “Were you surprised?” sounded everywhere as she was hugged and kissed all around.
“I cannot believe—” Sophie said to a smiling Janet Ring. David came right behind her, along with their three kids. Gladys was there, and so were Carl and Candy Nickelberry. She recognized Jim and Marlyce Parman from her Sunday school class. Along with Sophie, a grand total of 15 people were crowded into the kitchen. Sophie was so flabbergasted that she could only shake her head and start sentences that she never finished.
“I never— How could you have— You must have called— And the cake, it is so—”
Sophie found herself in a chair in the kitchen, and a moment later Alec’s face was close to hers.
“Are you all right?” he actually managed to whisper.
“Yes,” she whispered back. “Only very surprise.”
His smile was tender before he dropped a kiss on her cheek and moved away. Janet and David came next, and Sophie learned how Alec had called everyone the Sunday night after their date to set things up. Friday night had been chosen for the party so that the Rings could come for the weekend. Alec had originally asked Gladys for Saturday night, but that was before he had called Chicago. The shopping trip with Rita was a hoax from the start, but they would still go to the Dells right after early service and Sunday school. Sophie could only laugh at all their schemes. She knew from the smug looks on Rita’s and Craig’s faces that they had been behind most of the plans.
In the midst of all the noise, Sophie heard Alec shout something about the ice. He dashed for the van and, much to everyone’s amusement, came back with two dripping bags. Rita materialized with an ice chest, and the drips were kept to a minimum. From there the evening was a wonderful blur. A lovely talk with Jim and Marlyce led to a great chat with David Ring and Carl Nickelberry. The gifts given to Sophie were wonderful and thoughtful. Stationery and pens, a devotional book by Chuck Swindoll (Sophie loved to hear him on the radio), a manicure set, a bouquet of flowers, in-line skates from the Riley children, and a beautiful cotton throw for the back of her couch were included in her stash. She didn’t get anything from Alec, but she hardly noticed with all the lovely gifts she had received.
The evening was perfect from one end to the other, and it was well after midnight when Alec drove her home and walked her to her door. They stood just inside to say good night. Sophie’s eyes were shining with delight, and Alec had everything he could do not to sweep her into his arms.
“It was a wonderful time. Did I say thank you?”
“About five times.” Alec’s voice sounded amused. Sophie, a little embarrassed, turned to her small kitchen area and dug around for a vase for her flowers. When the bouquet was settled in the middle of the kitchen table, Sophie came back to where Alec stood.
“We are never going to want to wake up in the morning.”
“That’s true,” Alec agreed, “but we’ll have such nice dreams.”
Sophie smiled, and Alec took both her hands in his. “It’s different this time,” he suddenly began. “I had no children when Vanessa and I courted. This time I’ve given hours of thought as to how I would want someone to treat Rita, and I know that I need to proceed in the same way with you. There can’t be any areas of thought that are off-limits for us. If you want to know something about me, then ask. I want to feel free to do the same.”
Sophie nodded. She had given this great thought on her own and couldn’t agree with him more. It wasn’t going to work any other way.
“I also want to tell you that I want very much to hold your hand when the time is appropriate, no matter who we’re with. Do you have any objections to that?”
Sophie laughed softly. “I was so sorry I had opened my mouth. I missed your hand touching mine.”
Emotion surged through Alec. She was so transparent. Her eyes looked up at him with such trust and honesty. I love you, Sophie, his heart whispered, but he only reached with one hand and touched her nose.
“I like your nose,” he told her.
The aforementioned object wrinkled, and Sophie’s look became comical. “It is handy for holding up my sunglasses.”
Alec laughed a little too hard.
“You are tired,” Sophie told him. “Go home. I will see you tomorrow.”
“All right. Jan tells me you’ll be apartment hunting.”
“Yes, and David said you will golf with him.”
“Right. We’re going to grill again tomorrow night, so save a little energy.”
“I will.”
Alec let go of her hand reluctantly, and Sophie sighed ever so gently. He was gone in the next second and, even though she really was tired, she stood for a time and savored the moment. Suddenly she was back in his kitchen on the Fourth of July. They could not rush this, but his arms had been so nice and his lips so gentle.
“Go to bed, Sophia,” she said to herself. “The timing must be God’s, not yours.”
Sophie did believe this with all of her heart, but she was also glad Alec had gone. Had he been in the room just then, she would certainly have thrown her arms around him and hugged him with all her strength.