Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

T om saved Sophie from having to reply when he hurried out a massive double-wooden door and opened her truck door. She accepted his hand, and he helped her to the ground. Sophie smiled at her savior and turned to admire the large, custom log home. A wide, gleaming wood porch ran the length of the front and invited people to sit on swings or comfortable-looking chairs.

“Sophie, we’re so glad you could make it.” Tom gently took her elbow and led her up the porch and into the warm interior of a wide entryway. The smell of apple pie filled the air while soft country music floated throughout.

Directly ahead, floor-to-ceiling windows showcased Mineral Lake and the surrounding mountains. A massive stone fireplace took up one wall while beautiful Western oils filled the other. Sophie took a moment to admire the deep colors of a Gollings painting of barely tamed horses stamping the snow near a jagged mountain, and then she swept her gaze around the rest of the room.

Leather couches and hand-carved wooden tables sat comfortably on a thick Native American style rug. Several coloring books and a smattering of crayons scattered across the largest table, and the smell of leather and pine mixed with the apple pie scent.

A delighted feminine shriek made Sophie jump when Leila flew into her with Colton on her heels.

“Help, Sophie, help me.” Leila shielded herself behind Sophie’s body, her tiny hands tight on Sophie’s waist.

“She can’t protect you,” Colton growled out in a low, monster-like voice.

“Yes, she can.” Leila poked her head around to stick her tongue out at her uncle. “I’ll tell the sheriff on you, Uncle Colt.”

Colton grabbed for her just as she dodged to the other side of Sophie, who struggled to keep her balance. “Then I’ll have to tickle both the sheriff and you, squirt.”

“Don’t let him get me.” Leila giggled from behind her.

“I’m pretty sure we can take him, Leila,” Sophie said solemnly, trying not to laugh.

The game ended when Jake yanked his daughter into the air to smack noisy kisses along her face. “Is Colton picking on you, precious?” He kicked the front door shut.

“Yes, Daddy.” Leila giggled again. “Beat him up.”

Jake swung her onto his back. “Ah, Leila, it’s just too easy. A man my age needs a challenge.”

“A man your age needs a walker,” his brother retorted. Then he turned vibrant blue eyes on her, reaching in. “Hi, Soph.”

His easy hug brought a lump to her throat. They were just like the families she used to watch on television.

“Oh, hello, Sophie.” Loni walked in from the left, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “Come give me a hand in the kitchen, would you?” She nodded to the men. “The salmon isn’t going to barbecue itself, boys.”

Sophie watched as the men headed through the kitchen and gathered around a humongous silver barbecue on the outside deck with Leila still perched on her father’s shoulders.

“What can I do?” Sophie glanced around. Chopped vegetables sat on a large cutting board near a deep red bowl.

“Sit at the bar and keep me company.” Loni nodded toward thick brown barstools on the other side of the spotless silver granite countertop. Sophie took a seat while Loni poured them both a glass of wine.

“How are the garden designs coming?” Loni asked while resuming her chopping.

Sophie took a sip. The buttery chardonnay tasted of smooth sweetness. “Great. I should have something concrete for you by tomorrow’s meeting.”

Loni sobered. “I’m so glad. Also, the council met, and we all really like your golf course design.”

“But?” Sophie steeled herself for the news.

Loni waved one hand in the air. “We don’t like it in that location. We’ve put out some feelers for alternate places. Sorry.”

They were rejecting Sophie’s design and not her, but her stomach rolled. “I was afraid of that. Jake already warned me the council wouldn’t support the project.”

“Really?” Loni raised an eyebrow.

“That’s the only property the Charleton Group owns, and they’re pretty determined to develop it.” There had to be a way to convince the tribe to back the design. What if her uncle lost his business? Failure tasted like ashes.

“Well, the county commissioner meeting should be interesting, then.” Loni scraped the veggies into the bowl. “Let’s head out to the deck.”

Sophie took a deep breath. She’d enjoy dinner with a nice family, and then go back to her room and figure out another angle. Her proposal could still be accepted by the county without the tribe’s backing.

She grabbed the other salad sitting on the counter, followed Loni to the deck, and settled into a cushioned chair between Jake and Leila at the round glass patio table. The sun set to the west, spreading fingers of pink and orange across the sky. Colton sat across from her, and the withdrawing sun highlighted the myriad of colors in his hair. She should’ve brought her oil paints.

They all dug into the fish and salad, and Loni passed homemade rolls around that smelled better than anything found in the city. After a short time, Sophie relaxed and started to enjoy the excellent meal.

The casual teasing between Jake and Colton made her laugh. Their easy camaraderie was something she’d missed, being an only child. Both brothers stilled when she asked about Dawn’s absence. Apparently the girl was on a date. Maybe having older brothers had its drawbacks.

“Who is she out with?” Sophie took another sip of wine after Tom topped off her glass.

“Some college senior.” Colton said the word college like an expletive.

Tom nodded. “She’s just out with Frankston to make Hawk jealous.”

“Hawk’s too old for her.” Jake reached over to tug his daughter’s ear. She squealed and slapped him playfully before digging back into her apple pie.

Loni placed another piece of pie onto Colton’s plate. “He’s only a few years older.”

“I wasn’t talking birthdates, Mom.” Jake’s eyes hardened as he stared at something only he could see.

“He’s a good kid.” Tom pushed his plate away from himself and groaned. “But Jake’s right. He’s too old for our girl.”

Loni watched as Jake yanked on his daughter’s braid again. “Our girl knows her own heart, boys.”

“Knock it off, Daddy.” Leila grinned around a mouth full of apple pie. “Or I’ll tell the sheriff on you.”

Colton frowned. “What’s up with all this telling the sheriff talk, kid? I’m the cool uncle.”

“Yeah, but Uncle Quinn has a badge. And a gun.” Leila’s eyes lit up as Colton sat forward.

“I’m way tougher than the sheriff,” Colton said.

“Yeah, but he really loves me, Uncle Colt,” Leila said.

Sophie didn’t miss the sly grin Jake gave his mother.

“I love you more, baby doll,” Colton said.

“Enough to give me that new pony Merriment foaled last month?” The little girl pursed her lips.

Tom guffawed in laughter. “Boy did you walk into that one, son.”

“I was thinking the new foal would make a good Christmas present for a really good little girl.” Colton raised an eyebrow at Jake, who gave an imperceptible nod.

“I’m really good.” Leila widened her eyes to pure adorable innocence.

Colton shook his head. “Hm. I don’t know.”

“You’d be my favoritest uncle, Colton.” The little girl flung herself onto his lap and wrapped tiny arms around a strong neck.

Colton’s eyes softened as he gazed at the little minx. “You are going to be one very dangerous woman someday, baby doll.”

“Then it’d be good to be my favoritest uncle, wouldn’t it?” Leila smacked his cheek with a wet kiss.

“Without question.” Colton pecked her on the nose before Leila jumped down, a successful smile on her face as she returned to her seat.

So this was what families could be. Should be. A pang hit Sophie in the solar plexus.

“Speaking of the unfavoritest uncle, where is Quinn?” Colton finished off his pie.

Tom shrugged. “I heard that maybe he was dating someone from Maverick.” Tom rolled his eyes at Loni as if she’d put him up to introducing the subject.

“Her name’s Juliet, and she tolt Uncle Quinn to take a flying leap,” Leila piped up.

“I knew it!” Loni exclaimed, leaning forward. “How do you know that, sweetheart?”

“I axed him.” The little girl pushed her plate away. “When me and Uncle Quinn got smoothies at the ice-cream place, Juliet was just leaving. I tolt Uncle that she was pretty and he should take her to the movies, and he said he’d already axed, but she said to take a flying leap.” Leila screwed her face into a frown. “He didn’t say where he was ’posed to leap to.”

“The plot thickens,” Colton murmured with a pointed look at his brother.

Jake snorted. “Nah, she somehow got the gist of his sparkling personality.”

Sophie shook her head. The family was so involved with one another, whether they all liked it or not.

In too short a time, she sat in Jake’s truck next to Leila as they drove her back to the B she felt anything but safe sitting like easy prey behind the metal table with this citizen group. What had she gotten herself into? She mentally shook her head. Boy, was her imagination going crazy.

Billy cleared his throat. “The second item on the agenda involves the new development proposal in front of the county commissioners. It includes a golf course. The designer, Sophie Smith, has graciously agreed to answer your questions today.” He inclined his head toward Sophie.

She stood, her legs shaky. Was she supposed to go to the podium or just turn around? Not wanting to be too near Billy, she just faced the audience with her back to the wall so she could see everybody.

A sandy blond haired man with a thick goatee raised a hand, and Billy nodded at him. “I’m Fred Gregton. I’m wondering how much human life is worth to your development group?”

Sophie frowned. “I don’t understand your question, Mr. Gregton.”

“Of course you don’t. More traffic on the road from Maverick is going to kill somebody, Miss Smith. I’m just wondering if your development group gives a shit about that,” Gregton said.

A couple of people nodded.

“Well…” Sophie leaned forward, her heart beating rapidly. “It’s my understanding the traffic study conducted by the developer shows that the road is fine.”

“Bullshit.” Gregton spat on the floor.

Sophie’s temper began to stir among the fear.

Another hand went up, this one belonging to a middle-age woman wearing a denim jumper. “I’d like to know why you’re the only one here today. It’s my understanding that you are just the designer of the golf course community. Where is the actual developer?”

Sophie floundered for an answer. “Their headquarters is in southern California.”

“Will they be attending the hearing in front of the county commissioners?” the woman asked.

Sophie nodded. “I know one of the Group’s attorneys will be there, but I haven’t heard who else will attend.”

“So,” Gregton spoke up again as the crowd seemed to get restless, “we’re not important enough for them to meet with.”

“They sent me, Mr. Gregton.” Just how out-of-hand would this crazy group get? It was apparent most of them were armed. Why were so many guns needed just for an informational meeting? Sophie’s gaze flew to the door at the sound of hoofbeats outside. Great. More people to add to the tension.

Within seconds, two imposing forms filled the doorway.