“I would never hurt you like that, Sophie.” John Granger said, gazing into her eyes.
She could almost believe it. God knew why. She didn’t even know the man and had no response to his promise but silence.
He smiled and passed her a piece of paper. “Here’s the document. Please read over it. If you want a lawyer to look it over, feel free to get one. You can have it faxed to me if you need to.”
Sophie waved his words away. “I can read it. I had a bit of paralegal training before the baby came along.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” John sipped his tea. “That’s a good skill to have.”
“Yes, it is, but I wish I would have done more with it, especially with how things have turned out.” She sighed, taking the document from him.
“Perhaps you still can. It’s not too late. You’re quite young.” John finished his tea and put his cup on the dinged end table next to him.
“I’m 23, but I feel 50 these days.” Sophie laughed softly as she read through the document.
“You don’t look a day over 45,” he said, laughter in his voice.
“I’ll let that comment pass,” Sophie said.
Everything looked perfectly legal and generous. She would travel to meet him in February in South Dakota and would live with him at Haven House until they could be legally married, hopefully, shortly after. Once she signed the agreement, the marriage contract was binding. Sophie wouldn’t be released from it without a fight.
She had no reason or will to fight, so she signed and handed it back to him.
“Wonderful. So, I’ll see you in February. I’ll send the tickets by mail. I wish I could spend more time, but I have a plane to catch,” John said, standing.
“I understand. Thank you,” Sophie said, feeling awkward. She wondered if this was how women of the night felt—selling themselves for money or security. This arrangement was scarcely different. She didn’t have to give him her body—yet. Just the rest of her life and freedom, possibly.
* * * *
February 18, 1972
Sophie scanned the airport crowd for John Granger when she and Maya got off the plane in South Dakota. They had flown on his airline, of course—first class. Sophie felt like she was in a dream the whole time. She’d only flown once before in economy class. Would she get used to a life with a wealthy man like Granger when all she had ever known was a lower middle class or poor existence? David had hardly kept a job for more than a year each time he had one, so money was terribly tight. When he walked out, it was worse.
Maya snuffled against her shoulder.
She shushed her and swayed. “Soon, baby. We’re going to our new home now.” Just then, she spotted John.
He waved at her, a huge smile on his face. Granger was even more handsome than she remembered, if possible. His glossy dark hair was so black, it appeared blue, and his eyes were dark depths she couldn’t fathom. He leaned lightly on his cane, but it made him no less handsome or vital.
She waved back, her chest tightening with a twinge of anxiety. This was insane, but it felt too late to turn back. And she had nothing to go back to really.
John had them swept up into a limousine within minutes. “How was your trip?” He asked.
“Wonderful,” Sophie said, feeling tongue tied as she leaned against the plush seats of the limo.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. If it’s agreeable to you, we’ll be going to Haven House straightaway. There, you can meet the staff of the house—one of whom is the nanny, Ms. Roche. She will love Maya.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” A nanny? Sophie hadn’t even considered the prospect and wasn’t sure how she felt about it.
“You can use her services as much or as little as you would like, of course. I think you’ll like her and that Maya will, too.” John smiled, offering her a glass of champagne.
She accepted. The bubbles rose pleasantly around her nose.
“Have you heard any news on the divorce progress?” John sipped his champagne.
“Not yet. From what I understand, it could be the end of March before the divorce is official. I’ll get the papers at Haven House. The law firm has my new address.”
David had laughed uproariously when he’d heard about her impending nuptials and move to South Dakota. “That’s good. Found yourself a rich man. Now you won’t need to try to rely on me for anything. You are a smart one, Soapy.” She’d wanted to kill him. She hated the nickname now since he was the one who had given it to her at age 17, and she hated him more than she had ever thought one could hate another human being. David was heartless and wouldn’t have cared to give any support to his daughter whether Sophie remarried or was living homeless in a gutter.
John’s words tore her away from her dark thoughts. “We’ll be there soon. It’s outside the city on a hill. I can’t wait for you to see Haven House.” John smiled and touched her shoulder.
Sophie nodded, feeling the heat of his fingertips. How strange to be marrying a man she barely knew! At least she would know him a little better by the time they said their vows.
“I have something for you and something to ask you formally. I wanted to wait until the timing was better.” His lips curled in a smile.
Her breath caught as John took a small jewelry box out of his pocket.
“Will you marry me, Sophie Banister?” John opened the jewelry box. A huge diamond sparkled there. It was oval shaped, flanked with rubies and set in gold.
“Yes, yes, I will.” She couldn’t seem to catch her breath as she stared at the brilliant gem.
He slipped the ring on her left ring finger gently. “This was my
