“Blue.” She’s already at work on a blob of yellow.
Sofie wanders over and plops down into the other chair, her backagainst the wall and her legs crossed at the ankles, a bottle of beer cradled in her lap. A burst of laughter rings out from the kitchen where the rest of our family and their significant others are gathered.
“Mommy,” Tanya coos.
Sofie reaches over and brushes her daughter’s hair from her forehead. “Love you, buttercup.”
Tanya switches colors and starts humming as she draws. The simple exchange tugs at my heartstrings. Watching my children turn into loving, capable parents has been the biggest reward of my life. That they’ve done so without influence from their mother makes it downright awe-inspiring. To think Eliza’s missing out on all of this—all for what, a mansion with servants and some palm trees? To hobnob with L.A.’s elite?
“I thought the boys weren’t going to play catch in the house anymore?” I tease Sofie.
She huffs a laugh. “Lamps are cheaper than marriage counseling.”
I give her a look to make sure she’s kidding, and she winks.
“Plus, Zach’s right. Think of all the extra practice Curren’s getting.” She sips her beer. “How was skiing yesterday?”
I resist the urge to rub my sore calves and complain about my hip. Only old people complain about their health issues, and I’m not planning on getting old. Ever. “We had a great time. Even had a few sun breaks.”
“I’ll bet Linn tired you out.”
I chuckle. “I don’t think she broke a sweat.” Months of winter fieldwork has made her strong. But how’s her tender heart? Not for the first time, I curse that asshole Nathan. At first he was great. Supportive, kind, patient. At the time, I was relieved. Linnie finally had someone who understood her and cared for her. God, what a disaster that turned out to be, and though I know it’s not all my fault, it’s hard not to hold onto the simple truth that if I’d been paying better attention, I could have saved her.
She’s been free of him for two years, but recovering from something like that takes time. Time I absolutely want her to have.
So why didn’t I consider that before bringing CJ over the other night? Because of course he’d show an interest. Not only because Linnea is a beautiful young woman, but the two of them have several obvious common interests based on their careers. I want to trust my daughter to make decisions about her life, but I don’t have that same faith in a wild card like CJ Parks. And maybe I’m hovering too close, but my failure to recognize Nathan’s twisted take on love meant my daughter ended up trapped in a toxic relationship. I know my influence is limited, but I’m keeping a careful eye on who gets close to her. Not forever, but definitely for the time being.
“Has she opened up to you at all about her new job?” Sofie’s tone is even, but I detect a hint of worry.
I switch my pencil for a turquoise one and start shading. “Opened up how?”
Sofie gazes at the party going on behind me in the kitchen. “I got the sense she’s not excited about it.”
I glance to the group, but at that moment, Linnie is playing a hand-clapping game with Skye, the smacking of their palms punctuated by their laughter. Beyond her, William stands behind Charlotte with his arms around her, both of them arguing with something Morgan and Jesse are saying, their smiles easy and full. For one moment, I try to capture it all in my mind, seal it inside my chest for safekeeping. My entire world is safe and happy inside these walls, and I never want to take that for granted.
“We haven’t really talked about it all that much,” I reply. Not even yesterday while skiing. Instead, Linnie told me stories about her wolverine project in the Selkirks and about the scientists she learned from there, and life at the field station.
“I’m probably overthinking it.” After another sip of beer, Sofie pokes my knee with her toe. “You never answered my text about—” After a quick glance at Tanya to make sure she’s still engrossed indrawing, she adds, “Kirilee and I met this woman, and we both think she’s perfect for you.”
I work on shading the tail. “Uh, pass.” Especially if Sofie’s roping her besties into this project. Though I respect Kirilee’s judge of character almost as much as I do Sofie’s.
Sofie sighs. “Come on, Pop. Meet her for coffee. She’s super interesting. And funny too. I really think you’d like her. Plus…” She flashes me a knowing smirk “I believe you two might have already met.”
“Huh?”
“Due to privacy laws, I’m, er, a bit limited, but…” She slides an envelope from her back pocket and sets it on my lap. “This might help.”
Still baffled, I open the envelope. Inside is a hand-written note, scrawled in tight cursive that indents the paper.
Dear Miss Keo and Mr. Rowdy,
Thank you for the clothes. The people here are nice. I miss being outside.
Colton
Relief softens in my chest that Colton’s settling in, but I’m still not seeing the connection to my daughter’s ridiculous matchmaking. “You’ve still lost me.”
She sips her beer. “Keo has been volunteering at the community art center.”