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Sophia's warmth and kindness are exactly what my family needs right now.
And it's what I need too.
"Thank you," my mom says, looking at Sophia. "You don't know how much this means to us."
Sophia smiles at her, her eyes bright. "Of course. I'm here for Ryan and all of you."
I feel a sudden surge of gratitude towards Sophia, and I can't help but feel like I made the right decision in bringing her here. She fits in seamlessly already, like she's been a part of our family for a long time.
And I'm already thinking about how, when we get back to New York, I'm going to make that official.
Chapter twenty
Sophia
Of course, the place where Ryan grew up would be adorable.
We drive through the streets of Summerville after leaving the hospital, passing small businesses and happy people, restaurants, and boutiques. I've never spent much time outside the city, but I feel perfectly at ease as we drive to his parents' house.
Downtown is small enough that the area only takes up a few blocks, and then we're out in the rolling green landscape again, passing pastures with cows, horses, and even a few goats. Tex starts to get excited, and I realize he must recognize this place.
"You come home a lot?" I ask.
"It's close enough that I try to get back every few months," Ryan says. "Especially with my siblings so far away, and with my parents getting up in age, I like to check in on them."
"And you love it," I infer with a smile.
Ryan shrugs. "Well...yeah," he says. "It's home. In all honesty, I keep considering coming back for good."
A few weeks ago, it might have made me nervous that he wanted to leave me behind, but now I'm wondering if he wants to take me with him.
And I don't think I'd mind going with him.
After about a half hour of leaving the hospital, Ryan turns at a gravel driveway with a painted white mailbox reading WRIGHT in big copper lettering above it. He stops the car and gets out to open the gate, and Tex whines excitedly, hopping up like he's going to follow him. Ryan stops him, and I hang onto his collar.
"I know, buddy," Ryan says with a chuckle. "I'm sure Westley and Buttercup are just as excited to see you."
"The Princess Bride?" I ask.
"My folks love that movie," Ryan nods. "Made me a hopeless romantic for life. Now...just gimme a sec, and I'll get this gate open, then we can head inside and settle down."
As Ryan opens the gate, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement despite the less-than-ideal circumstances. I've never been to a country house before, and the idea of staying in one makes me feel like a character in a romance novel. I smile at Ryan as he gets in the car, and I reach out to squeeze his hand.
"Thank you for bringing me with you," I say. "I know you didn't grow up in this house, but…I'm so grateful for seeing this piece of your history."
"Me too," he smiles back, then gestures at Tex. "Now, let's get this guy up to the house—Wes and Buttercup are gonna go nuts."
We drive up the long gravel road, and I see a few horses grazing out on the green grass, flicking their tails and otherwise perfectly serene. "How many horses do they have?" I ask.
"Ten on twenty acres," he says.
"I have to admit I have no idea how many acres that is," I laugh.
"It's a small ranch," he says. "Only two of the horses are theirs, and the other eight are owned by folks who pay them for space inthe barn and on the land. My cousin Craig lives on the other end of the property and cares for the horses full-time with his wife."
"Any kids?"
Ryan shakes his head. "Craig is getting up there himself, and his kids are all grown and off to college. There aren't many kids around here anymore, except when my brother and sister come home...and those times are few and far between."
