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Her history with this people went back forever. She loved the support she had always received from them. This time would be no different.
“Mom, the town has never had a good art store. Why don’t you think about that? Maybe offer, a wine and arts night. A lot of places are doing that now,” Heath suggested.
She glanced at Josh. “We have plenty of land at Russack, maybe we could build there or look at some of the businesses for sale in town?”
She was suddenly feeling excited about the prospects. Things she hadn’t even given thought of yet.
“You could offer to sell local artists’ works too Mom,” Heath made another great suggestion. “I could keep your books for you, so you could focus on your business.”
She felt herself tearing up. It was something she had dreamed of as a high school student. She wanted her life to be about art, but she hadn’t decided what to do then she got pregnant with Heath. “Thank you, for this.” She reached out and took Josh’s hand. For always loving us and supporting us no matter what.”
“Sophie,” Brad said, clearly emotional himself. “You’ve nothing to thank us for. You’ve made us proud.”
She leaned her head on Josh’s shoulder. “I wish Micki and John and the kids could have been here this year. Kai and Roman too.”
“How’s Alexander?” Her mother asked her.
“I talked to her yesterday. He should be fine soon. She’s been working from home to take care of him since he came down with chicken pox. Roman’s mother isn’t sure he had them though.”
“Oh dear,” Maria responded. “That’s not good.”
“John still sick?”
“He’s still fighting a cough. They didn’t want to risk exposing me to anything.”
“The flu is really bad, this year,” Brad shook his head. “Really hitting the small children hard.”
“I keep hearing that on television,” Josh replied.
The rest of dinner was small talk. The women cleaned up while Sophie held Joshua. He was quiet today, content to sit on his Nana’s lap and she was happy to hold him, sneaking in a kiss or two.
They moved to the living room after the kitchen was done. Hannah had to carry him for Sophie. “When are you leaving for Columbus? Did you hear, Columbus got ice last night and is expecting snow on and off till morning?” Hannah was talking with Ally. She handed Joshua to Sophie when she was settled in the recliner.
“I did. Brian’s parents drove in yesterday and had dinner with him last night and today.” Ally sounded grumpy about that bit of news. “He admitted he hadn’t thought of that but with the bad, weather coming in they decided to come in early. I could have hung out with his parents.”
Sophie gazed at her daughter. Then she looked between her husband and Jagger who seemed uncomfortable with this conversation. Maybe she was reading too much into this. Maybe she wasn’t, and he was developing feelings for Ally?
“I’ll take it slow when I leave tomorrow. Coach won’t allow the boys to have women in their room on Friday night so I’m staying in a hotel and Brian is staying in the dorm.”
Ally didn’t clarify about the remaining nights that she was staying in Columbus. Sophie and Josh exchanged glances. She wanted her daughter to slow down and think these things through before she made a mess of her life.
The grandparents asked more questions about the boy they hadn’t met yet. She and Josh had only met him once. He seemed nice enough. Polite. Brian cared for Ally, but he had priorities right now that might come between them. Sophie was afraid Ally was going to get hurt.
Jagger decided to go home, shortly after dinner. He had to revamp the proposal for the town after their meeting on Wednesday. They were meeting again on Monday to review the changes.
Sophie and Josh walked outside with him. She tucked her arm through his, talking quietly with him. Wanting to reassure herself that he was okay. She could tell he was sad. He felt alone in the world now that both his parents were gone. His grandparents gone a long time ago. He was an only child with an uncle on his dad’s side who lived out of state. A few cousins that he wasn’t that close to. His mom’s sister lived in California. She was divorced. He thought he would visit her at Christmas time if they could afford to let him have time off. The big house he grew up in was empty.
“I’m sorry, Jagger. If you need anything let us know.”
“Thank you, Sophie. Thank you for everything that you’ve done since Mom died. I appreciate all the help from you and Josh with the estate.” They had only had a few conversations with him.
“You’re very welcome.” She tugged him down to her level and kissed his cheek before he got into his truck.
They waved to Jagger as he pulled out of the drive. “Everything is good about that man but his truck,” Josh teased her.
She elbowed him in the ribs. “You concerned about tomorrow?” He asked.
“I’ve gotten over the fear of the treatments now. It’s just become a necessity that I have to do.”
