Firefly Duet: New Beginnings and Lasting Love Read online

  “Kai, would you excuse us for a second.” He put his hand out to Sofia then led her through the house and out the front door. On the porch, he pulled her into his arms and held her. “Fuck, I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to spring anything on you. We’re just dumb idiots, especially Rafe.” Over her head, he saw Jett backing out at the end of the driveway.

  She tapped her cast against his back. Her voice was muffled against his shirt, but her body shook with a tiny laugh. “Stop.” She squeezed her arms tighter. “Can we just stay like this a minute?”

  We can stay like this all night.

  “Of course.”

  Eventually, she stepped out of his arms and wiped under her eyes. “Would you point me to the nearest bathroom and then grab my purse from the kitchen table please?”

  “How is she?” His father asked when he came out on the deck.

  “She’s okay now.” He opened the top of the cooler and grabbed a beer. “Where’d Jett go, by the way? I didn’t even see him.”

  “Who knows.” Kai answered. “He was here in the yard for a few minutes, said hi to the kids and left.”

  Good. There’s one saving grace.

  “Okay, let’s get everyone to the table.” Kai smiled past him. “Here she is.” She linked arms with Sofia. “You and Rafe are down there.” Kai pointed him to the other end of the table. “Dad, come sit next to Sofia and me.”

  He gave his sister a sour look and sat next to his nephew, Will, and across from his niece, Jocelyn, and her friend, Nicki, who stuck their heads together, giggling.

  After dinner he sat on the deck with his dad and Leo, watching the sunset. Relieved that no one cried during the meal, he enjoyed soft voices and occasional laughs coming through the kitchen window where Kai, Suze, and Sofia were hanging out.

  Impressive. I would have tugged on my ear hours ago.

  “I’m heading home now.” Ben stood and put a hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Thank you. This was nice. Tell the kids I’ll see them in a few days.” He turned Jim’s direction. “I’ll leave the backdoor unlocked.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I’ll drop Sofia off in a little bit.”

  “I like her,” Leo said when they were alone again.

  Jim smiled. “She’s easy to like.” He put down his cup. “I’m going to check if she’s ready to leave. It’s starting to get dark. Rafe should be back soon from taking the kids fishing.”

  It was quiet when he entered the house and passed through the empty kitchen. He followed the low murmur of voices down the hall toward the bedrooms. Peeking into the girls’ room he saw Sofia sitting on the floor, her back against the side of Suze’s bed. Only Kai’s legs hanging over the edge of Jocelyn’s bed were visible from where he stood. His sister’s voice soothing as she read a bedtime story. From her perch on the bed Suze haphazardly put multi-colored barrettes in Sofia’s hair.

  He opened the door further and stuck his head in. “It’s nice and peaceful in here. Great job, Suze. She looks like a million bucks.” His niece bounced on the bed. “Dad left,” he said to Kai and then turned to Sofia. “Ready to take off when Rafe gets back?”

  She nodded, then let her head fall back on the bed and made a silly upside-down face at Suze. “Time for my beauty sleep.”

  “Booty sweep,” Suze repeated and put her arms wide. Jim crossed the room to gather a hug. “Love you, Suze Q. I’ll come back in a few minutes.”

  On the ride home, Sofia sat wedged between him and Rafe in the truck. He was all too aware of her body pressed against his side.

  “I’m tired.” She leaned her head against his shoulder for a second, then lifted it nearly as fast as if she suddenly remembered where she was.

  “What time is your appointment tomorrow?”

  “I see Dr. Wheeler at ten or ten-thirty. I don’t remember at the moment. I didn’t bring my phone. It’s on there, though.”

  “How are you getting downtown? Do you need a ride?”

  “Doc Wheeler? I can take her,” Rafe chimed in. “What’s your phone number? You can text me the time and I’ll pick you up in the morning.”

  Jim glanced past Sofia. “Are you serious?”

  “Serious as a heart attack.” Rafe smiled at Sofia. “We got off to a bad start earlier when I scared you by bringing up the robbery. I’d like to make up for it.”

  “That’s not why you’re offering to give her a ride. Tell her the real reason.”

  There was little room to move in the truck but Rafe turned enough to face Sofia. “I am completely and utterly twitter-pated with Doc Wheeler.”

  “I get it. I’m a little intimidated by all the credentials.”

  “I know, right?” Rafe put his head back and closed his eyes. “Did you see the photo of her in the rose-colored pantsuit?”

  “Yes!” Sofia’s voice rose with excitement. “On the website? With the matching everything. Shirt, pants, jacket and shoes. Who even has a full body shot with their bio? I guess people who are that amazing.”

  “I could die a happy man if she’d just give me a chance.”

  “That’ll be the day,” Jim said.

  “Don’t listen to him, Rafe.” Sofia nudged her elbow into his side as he pulled up to the house and put the truck in park. “Of course you can give me a ride.”

  Chapter 10

  In the morning, Sofia climbed the stairs to Dr. Wheeler’s office above the Queen Bee Bookstore in downtown Ashnee Valley. She’d left Rafe on the street below. He offered to meet her in the lobby of Dr. Wheeler’s office in an hour, and she smiled knowingly, wiggling he eyebrows. “Sounds good.”

  Entering, she found an empty reception desk and two closed doors. Soft voices carried from one of the rooms. She was a few minutes early, so she sat on a comfortable white couch next to a small round table. Muted recessed lighting gave the room a soft glow. The walls and carpet were a soft gray. Other than her chair, the room was monochrome. It reminded her of Rafe’s fascination with Dr. Wheeler’s rose-colored outfit.

  She sat up straight when an office door opened, then stood as Dr. Cindy Wheeler walked toward her smiling. “Sofia? Hi.” She put a hand out to shake. “Come on back.”

  The room was warm with a colorful oriental rug and brown leather furniture and several plants. Unlike her professional photo, Dr. Wheeler wore different colors – black bootleg cut slacks, a white V-neck sweater, and black pumps. Perfect pearl earrings adorned her ears. Half glasses hung from a silver chain like a necklace.

  “Should I sit on the couch?” Sofia asked.

  “Couch or chair, wherever you like is fine.” Dr. Wheeler opened a mini-fridge. “Would you like a water?”

  “Thank you.” She held up her cast. “You’ll have to open it for me, if you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind at all. When does the cast come off?”

  “I think in a couple weeks. I broke it recently.” Sofia sat in a brown leather chair and Dr. Wheeler took a seat in a similar chair across from her.

  “I spoke with Dr. Platt. She called with your referral. She mentioned you’ve been seeing her since sometime in June.”

  “Yes.” Sofia bit her lip. “My brother died in early June.”

  “That’s such a short time ago. I’m so sorry. What brought about the decision to visit Colorado?”

  “Dr. Platt didn’t mention why?”

  “No.” Dr. Wheeler tilted her head. “Just a quick referral, one doctor to another.”

  “I was part of a bank robbery. Wait, that sounds wrong.” She laughed nervously glancing up. “I was caught in the middle of a bank robbery. The security guard was shot. I helped him and he lived. Jim Mannis was the police officer that saved my life. He shot the gunman, who later died.”

  “This was how long ago?”

  “About two weeks. There was a lot of media attention on it. On me. Some crazy people were threatening online to kill me. Someone smashed my apartment window with a brick. It seemed a good idea to get away from New York for a bit. Let things settle down. Jim was already coming b
ack here and got stuck bringing me with him.”

  Dr. Wheeler smiled when she made eye contact. “That must have been very frightening. I didn’t mean to make you jump in so fast. Is this the first time you’ve talked about the robbery since you got here?”

  “Yes. I mostly wanted to see you about my brother. Everyone thinks it would be a good idea to keep talking to someone.”

  “Who’s everyone?”

  “Well, my parents, my best friend, Dr. Platt, and the entire Mannis family.”

  “And you?”

  Sofia shrugged. “I suppose.”

  Dr. Wheeler got up and walked to a small desk and picked up a leather notebook. “Are you okay if I write some things down while we talk?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ve known the Mannis family off and on my whole life. You probably know that?”

  “Yes. I know you lost a sister.”

  Dr. Wheeler nodded. “I did. Cammie. She was my twin and she drowned in a flood when we were five years old.”

  “I’m sorry, Dr. Wheeler.”

  “Me too. You can call me Cindy.”

  “Jim calls you Doc Cindy.” Sofia smiled.

  “A lot of people in Ashnee Valley do. The Mannises are a good family. They know their share of grief too. Most families do, but that doesn’t make this any easier, does it?”

  “No,” she choked out. “I didn’t want to cry.” Sofia took a tissue from the box Cindy held out. “I want to put myself back together, my life, and go home.”

  “That’s understandable. What was your life like in New York?”

  Sofia held the tissue tight in her hand as she stared out the small office window. “Before Anthony got sick and died, it was perfect. I had my photography career, my best friend, my parents. Anthony lived nearby.”

  “Anthony was older or younger?”

  “Four years younger. I’m twenty-nine and he had just turned twenty-five before he passed away.”

  “One thing that can help when someone dies is working through how to reconcile a prior life with a new life.”

  Sofia closed her eyes. “That sounds a little like Dr. Platt wanting me to unpack the past.”

  “It doesn’t sound like that’s what you’re looking for. So, what do you mean when you say, ‘put yourself together?’”

  Sofia sighed. “It means, getting back to New York. Getting my old job back. Moving closer to my parents. Finding a husband. Having kids.”

  “And that was the plan before your brother died?”

  “No,” Sofia blurted, heat spreading across her cheeks.

  “Go on.”

  “That wasn’t the plan.” Her frustration rose along with her voice. “I saw myself in New York. I saw myself as a photographer.”

  “What about the other things on the list?”

  Marriage? Maybe.

  Moving back to Staten Island? Never.

  Kids? No, but I’ll do it for Anthony. For my parents.

  The sound of a door closing outside the room made her look to the clock on the wall. “That’s probably my ride.” Sofia sucked in a breath and puffed it out. “Can we stop for today?”

  “Of course,” Cindy said. “If you’d like to come back, I have appointments on Tuesdays and Fridays. I’m working on a book the rest of the time. You could come once a week or twice a week or play it by ear.”

  Sofia scooted to the edge of her seat. “I’d like to come back on Tuesday.”

  “Good, let’s meet at the same time then.” Cindy handed her a business card and stood. “My personal cell number is on the back. Don’t hesitate to call for any reason. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”

  She expected Rafe to be in the lobby when she walked out of the doctor’s office. Instead, Jim sat on the couch.

  “Hi, Doc.” He stood and stuck out his hand. “It’s been a long time.”

  Affection emanated off Cindy as she gently swatted Jim’s hand and hugged him instead. “Jim. It’s been forever. I understand you are home for good this time. Your family must be thrilled about that.”

  “For the most part. Jett and I are still working things through.” Jim turned Sofia’s direction. “How’d it go?

  “Good. I’m going to meet with Dr. Wheeler again next Tuesday.” Sofia fiddled with the strap of her purse, trying not to appear too engaged in their reunion.

  “Cindy,” Dr. Wheeler reminded her before facing Jim again. “I’ve seen Jett since I got back to Ashnee Valley.”

  Jim’s eyebrows shot up. “You have?”

  “Around town mostly.”

  Sofia absorbed the smallest eyelid twitch on Cindy’s face. I wonder if Jett is her patient too?

  “How’s your mom doing? Is she still in Utah?”

  “She’s fine. My brothers are there too.”

  “But you couldn’t stay away from the thriving metropolis of Ashnee Valley?” Jim grinned.

  “Sort of. I’m writing my second book. I took a sabbatical from my practice. I have a few patients here that I see.”

  “I’m fortunate you can fit me in.” Sofia smiled at Cindy then Jim. “I thought Rafe would be here to give me a ride. Not that I’m unhappy to see you.”

  “I wanted to take you to lunch.” Jim turned to Cindy again. “It’s great to see you. Tell your mom and brothers I said hello.”

  “I will. Sofia, I look forward to seeing you again in a few days.”

  “Thank you.”

  She followed Jim down the steps to the street from Dr. Wheeler’s office. “I’m shocked you got Rafe to give up his spot.”

  “Yeah, he’s ticked off. But there’s something I need to talk to you about, just you and me. Are you hungry?”

  She put her hand on his arm and stopped walking. “Not now that you said that.”

  “It’s nothing bad.” He smiled. “Lieutenant Kincaid called with an update on the robbery suspects. Plus, it’s an excuse to have lunch with you.”

  “You don’t need an excuse. You’re my only friend. Besides your dad.”

  Jim tucked her arm in his and began walking again. “Do you miss home?”

  “Yes. I miss my mom and dad and Delia.”

  “Maybe a hamburger and stinky fries would help.” Jim gestured to several outdoor tables with red umbrellas. “Indoors or outdoors?”

  “Outdoors. What are stinky fries?”

  “They’re waffle fries with blue cheese on them. You dip them in ranch.”

  “Sounds like we’ll have the windows open on the ride home.”

  She smiled shyly when Jim cracked up. “I’m a lucky man bringing someone with a sense of humor home with me.”

  After the waitress brought them each a soda and they placed their orders, Sofia asked about the phone call from New York.

  “The good news is that all the suspects from the bank robbery have been arrested. There were more robberies than originally thought. Five altogether in varying parts of New York and New Jersey over the last few months. Lieutenant Kincaid thinks at some point you’ll be called to testify. D.A. Nader is getting a lot of accolades. She’s pleased.”

  Sofia took a sip of her drink and wiped condensation from the side of her glass with a finger. “I’ve never been in a courtroom.”

  “Maybe they’ll gather your deposition by videotape. I wouldn’t get too worried about that part at the moment.”

  She glanced at Jim. “What part would you worry about?”

  Jim smiled. “There’s nothing to worry about. You’re here and everything is fine. However, bringing in all the suspects has ramped up the threats again, that’s all. I know you’re homesick, but everyone agrees that you should stay here for now. Keep a low profile.”

  “Oh, everyone agrees? So there’s been another discussion among all the macho guys plus my mother?” She put her hand on her chest, “And my part is to smile pleasantly, right?”

  He put his hands up. “Macho guys? Slow down a little. It’s not like that.”

  Sofia used the brief pause in conversation when the waitre
ss delivered their burgers and fries to try to calm her rapid pulse.

  “By your reaction, I’m guessing you didn’t really want to stay and help with the lodge. I get it. You want to leave. You can’t now. And it sucks.”

  “Really? You’re going to act like you’re hurt because I’m not thrilled to have no control over my own life. Who knows how long I’ll be stuck here? I’m totally out of the loop in my career. Plus surrounded by men all the time. Why are there no women in this town besides your sister, by the way? Oh wait, now I have Doc Cindy to talk to. Thank God for that.” She plunked a waffle fry in dip and smashed it into her mouth. That’s good. She shook the ketchup bottle, watching as Jim sat back clasping his hands behind his head.

  “You’ve been holding out.”

  “What are you talking about?” She lifted the top bun and poured ketchup on her burger.

  “You’re pissed off.”

  She picked her burger up one-handed, took a bite and spoke around it. “Gee, you think?”

  “It’s about time.”

  “I’m glad you approve. I’m sick of being sad. I thought I’d try something new today.” She stuffed a fry in her mouth. “Like bitchy.”

  “It’s brought out your appetite.” He reached across with his napkin and wiped her cheek. “Kind of sloppy though.”

  How can he make me want to laugh when I also want to strangle someone?

  “It’s because I can only use one hand.”

  “I know. I’ll stop teasing you. It’s good to see you eat and let a little bit out.”

  “We can’t all be as disciplined as you.” She raised her eyebrows at his wide-eyed look. “You’re so perfectly behaved.”

  “What are you trying to say?” He took a bite of his burger then sat back.

  “Nothing.” She wiped her hands on her napkin. “Forget it. That was not okay of me to say. I’m all over the place emotionally. Stuff came up at my session with Dr. Wheeler. I’m bound to pick a fight with anyone today if I open my mouth.”

  “You think I’m perfectly behaved?”