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“I’m always working in the best interests of my clients,” Noah said.
“Good to know, Catalano. I would hate to think you had aligned yourself with Sophie rather than the man who’s employing you.” The line went dead just as Noah was about to respond.
Noah felt a chill sweep across his back. Something about Sussex’s tone had sounded fairly ominous. He was a man who obviously liked getting his way, not only in life but in matters of the heart. Sussex didn’t seem like the sort who would take defeat lying down. Clearly, he hadn’t accepted Sophie’s decision to walk away from their relationship, but Noah sensed there was way more going on than Sussex was revealing.
All his instincts were telling Noah that this was about way more than an ex-fiancé trying to get his beloved back. The man seemed almost desperate. And sadly, it didn’t seem to have a single thing to do with love.
Chapter Ten
Sophie woke up to a beautiful Alaskan morning. She padded to her front door and flung it wide, then stepped out into the cold. After looking up at the sky—it was the color of a robin’s egg—she spread her arms as far as she could. She knew it wasn’t possible, but she wanted to embrace the day. She was still dressed in her pajamas, flannel robe and fuzzy cat slippers.
“Happy Birthday to me!” she shouted, feeling a little thrill at celebrating her twenty-eighth birthday in a remote fishing village in Alaska. A year ago she never would have imagined the twists and turns her life would take. This, she realized, was her reward for stepping out on a ledge of faith.
Today was the day she stood to inherit half of the Java Giant empire. Strangely, the realization didn’t make her feel happy. Her heart did ache due to missing her father. With every day that passed, Sophie realized more and more how she needed to make amends with him. It didn’t mean she was going back to her life in New York City, but it would mean reconciliation and forgiveness.
The last few weeks had been wonderful. Sophie knew she was falling for Noah, and it felt like the greatest thrill ride of her life.
“Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with another year of life. I promise to make this my best year yet.”
Sophie went back inside and began preparing her breakfast. Cameron had told her not to even think about coming into work this morning until after ten o’clock, so she could be a lady of leisure. It felt luxurious to sit around in her pajamas, watching television and drinking a hot cup of coffee. Feeling celebratory, Sophie added extra sugar and cream.
“Why not?” she asked as she stirred her coffee, her voice ringing out in the stillness of her cabin. “It’s my birthday!” She let out a squeal.
Lucy, one of her friends from the gym, swung by and picked her up a little later. Lucy also lived at the Black Bear Cabins, and worked in town at the bookstore. The whole way into town she grilled Sophie about Noah, asking a million questions about their relationship.
“That Noah sure is dreamy,” Lucy said with a sigh. “Is he officially your boyfriend?”
“Umm...no. So far we’re really just friends,” Sophie stated, not wanting gossip about them to spread any further around town. Although she loved Lucy to pieces, Sophie knew her friend liked to run her mouth. And she felt guilty about being involved with Noah when he had no idea about her true identity. Noah was a solid, working-class man who might have very strong opinions about her being a wealthy heiress.
“You two sure would make a great-looking couple,” Lucy said, casting a quick glance at her.
The compliment made Sophie feel great, but she knew a relationship was about more than looks and easy charm. Not that she knew anything about a lasting one, but she believed there were certain principles tying couples together.
Faith. If a man didn’t love the Lord, Sophie knew she didn’t belong with him. God wasn’t something she wavered on. And even though Noah’s faith had been challenged, he still believed. He still loved God and was working toward mending his shaken faith.
But he had to be willing and able to love her with all his heart and soul and mind. And he would have to care about her for the woman she was today and accept the fact that she would never live the life of an heiress. She was simply Sophie the barista.
Any man she might fall in love with had to walk in truth. He couldn’t betray her or lie to her face or harbor harmful secrets. Sophie knew this was a tough one, considering no one in Love knew her real identity. She wondered if she was giving herself a slight pass, since she truly felt as if her secret wasn’t hurting anybody.
Or maybe she was just telling herself it wasn’t. How could a lie be innocent?
Sophie truly believed Noah had all the attributes she was looking for, plus many more. Perhaps it was a sign of healing to believe so strongly in him. She wasn’t in the same place as she’d been a year ago. She was blooming like a rose in springtime.
Being in Love had served as a panacea for all her hurts. Working at the Moose Café had given Sophie a purpose. It had allowed her to develop friendships with Cameron and Hazel. And Jasper had become her best customer and honorary grandfather.
When they reached the Moose Café, Lucy decided to come inside with her so she could order a white chocolate hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin. As soon as they stepped inside the café, pandemonium broke loose.
“Happy Birthday, Sophie!” Cameron, Hazel and Noah stood by the entrance and shouted at her as she walked in the door. Jasper stood a few feet away holding a bouquet of balloons. A beautiful banner hung above the entra
nce to the kitchen, announcing her special day. Colorful and festive and cheerful, it made Sophie want to cry with gratitude.
All the customers present began to clap and call her name. Warmth filled Sophie’s insides at the many greetings being sent her way. Tears pricked her eyes, but she didn’t even try to hide her emotion.
“You guys are the best,” she said, looking around at the beaming faces. She locked gazes with Noah and sent him a sweet smile. He grinned back at her, showcasing his perfect set of dimples. The adorable expression on his face made her want to walk right up to him and kiss him.
“Time to get to work,” Sophie said, after walking the gauntlet of well-wishers.
Jasper pulled her into his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Happy Birthday, Sophie.” He pushed a box tied with a ribbon into her hands.
