To his shock he thought he felt the whisper soft touch of a breeze on his cheek just then. He glanced across the room, but the windows were closed. His gaze returned to the photo.
“Thanks,” he said, putting a finger to his lips and then to hers.
When he crawled between the sheets, he fell right to sleep. For the first time in what seemed to be forever, he wasn’t tormented by nightmares and regret.
* * *
Emily sighed when she saw the message from Sophia on her cell phone Thursday morning. She’d already spoken to her twice since the successful fund-raiser. It was hard to imagine what more she could have to say. Because she was an important client, Emily called her back.
“Good morning,” she said cheerfully when she reached her. “Are you still basking in all the glory of that fortune you raised at your dinner?”
“That women’s shelter needs all the help it can get,” Sophia told her. “What I raised was just a pittance compared to what they could use. I was over there yesterday and they said they’re running out of room. It just breaks my heart to think that there are women out there in need of a safe place to stay and the shelter can’t accommodate them.”
“But you have a plan,” Emily guessed. “I know that tone of voice, Sophia. It hasn’t been twenty-four hours since you were over there, and you already have something in mind.” It was Sophia’s generous spirit that made all the petty annoyances of working with her easier to take.
“Well, of course, I do,” Sophia said. “But I’m going to need your help with this, Emily. How soon can you get here?”
Emily thought of her promise to Boone. She couldn’t go running off today, or even tomorrow, not even for Sophia.
“The beginning of next week,” she told her.
“Not soon enough,” her number one client said. “Make it Monday. I already have an appointment scheduled for us.”
“That’s only a few days from now,” Emily protested, thinking of her promise to Boone. “I don’t know that I can wrap things up here that quickly.”
“Monday,” Sophia repeated, unrelenting. “It’s not for me. It’s for these women who need our help.”
“Why don’t you fill me in now?” Emily suggested, knowing that she was already hooked. If Sophia wanted her there Monday, she’d find a way. Not only was this woman her top client, they were slowly becoming friends, as well. Either status might be enough to lure Emily back, but combined, they assured it.
“I found another potential safe house,” Sophia said, sounding pleased. “I’ve already spoken to the board, and we’re ready to move on this. The problem is that it needs a little work. That’s where you come in. I’m hoping you can call in some favors, get us a break on some materials and furnishings. We won’t have a lot of time to make this happen, not if we want some of these women to have a place to stay before Thanksgiving.”
“Sophia,” Emily protested with a groan. “Thanksgiving? That’s impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough,” Sophia contradicted. “Everyone should have a safe place to spend Thanksgiving. Especially single mothers with kids. I’m already working on turkey donations, and my caterer has agreed to provide an absolute feast.”
“Of course he has,” Emily said. It was rare for anyone to deny Sophia whatever she wanted, Emily included.
“What about you? Are you in?” Sophia pressed.
“Of course I am,” Emily said. “What time is the appointment?”
“Ten o’clock, but I could push it back to the afternoon. That’s the best I can do.”
Emily thought of the flight schedules she’d looked over before her last trip. “Try to set it up for three,” she said. “That should give me time to get in and get to your house. If I’m running late, I’ll call and you can give me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
“You’re an angel, Emily.”
“Hardly that, but I owe you for all the business you’ve sent my way. If this is important to you, it’s important to me.”
Sophia hesitated, then said, “You know, Emily, I honestly thought you’d seize the chance to get back out here with a little more enthusiasm. Is there something back there that has a hold on you, besides the whole family thing, that is?”
It was the most personal question Sophia had ever asked. Usually she was all business, even though she obviously had a soft spot for Emily. It was one more hint at their evolving friendship.
“Just a few things I’ll need to juggle,” Emily replied evasively, thinking that it was best to keep this discussion on a professional footing. Or maybe just not wanting one more person chiming in with an opinion about her personal life. “I’ll work it out.”
“Then I’ll see you at my place around two on Monday,” Sophia said. “With traffic the way it is out here, it could take us an hour to get to this house. You do know that the address can’t become public information, right?”
“Understood,” Emily assured her. She knew that for some of these women their lives and even their children’s lives depended on being someplace where no one could find them. The consequences of a slip could be tragic.
She thought of the women who’d gotten their lives back, thanks to Sophia’s efforts with this particular cause, and it reminded her yet again that all the parties, the galas, the dinners weren’t just a frivolous exercise by someone with too much time and money.
“Sophia, what you’re doing here? It’s pretty amazing,” Emily told her. “Thank you for letting me have a small part in it.”
“Oh, honey, your part won’t be that small,” Sophia said with a laugh. “I’m counting on you to donate your time and to save us a bundle. I expect you to work your magic and create something warm and wonderful on a shoestring. There’s this one room, it’s a mess now, but
