male influence in his life would be the best way to reassure her that Will was receiving steady, hands-on supervision.”
He didn’t mind accepting the responsibility. He and Will already spent a lot of time together. Though it would mean a tighter schedule, he could fit in at least an hour a day with the boy. Or perhaps Will could spend afternoons at his place, helping out around the farm, learning from Nathan, a stand-in father figure.
The more he thought about it, the better it sounded. They’d both benefit. He relaxed against the chair back. At last, a solution.
* * *
“You’re brilliant!” Sophie suddenly exclaimed, an ecstatic smile chasing away her gloom like sunshine after a rainstorm.
His brows met over his nose. He hadn’t shared his conclusions with her. “I am?”
“Why did I ever doubt you?” Shoving upright, she bounded around the table and planted a kiss right on his cheek. “A husband is exactly what I need!”
“A what? ”
She playfully batted his shoulder. “Don’t go acting all humble. You’re right, if I marry, she won’t have any objections to him staying with me. And even if she did pursue legal action, a judge would be far less likely to take Will away from two loving guardians. Oh, thank you, Nathan. I could kiss you right now!”
He absently rubbed his tingling cheek. “You already did.”
“Oh, right.” Soft pink color surged. She resumed her pacing, and he could practically see the wheels turning.
Her leap of logic left him reeling. Husband? For Sophie? That wasn’t what he’d meant at all. The thought of her as someone’s wife...well, he just couldn’t fathom it.
“Ah, Sophie—”
“I’m not exactly marriage material, though. The men around here see me as a pal. A buddy, not a potential wife.”
Sidetracked, bothered by this negative view of herself, he responded, “The only reason those men don’t have romantic inclinations toward you is because of the way you dress. If you were to fix yourself up and maybe wear a dress once in a while, I guarantee they’d have their eyes opened real fast.”
She chewed on her lower lip. “You really think so?” she murmured doubtfully.
He could’ve kicked himself. You’re supposed to be discouraging her from this ridiculous notion of marriage, not stoking the fire.
“I don’t own any dresses, but your cousin Nicole is an excellent seamstress. Maybe she would agree to make some for me in exchange for my services. I could do her chores for a week or maybe she likes sausages?”
“Sophie, wait. I didn’t mean—”
“I know!” She halted midstride. “We’ll make a list of eligible bachelors. A list of decent, upstanding men whom I wouldn’t mind marrying and who might not be averse to marrying me.” Scanning the kitchen, she said, “Now where did I stash my pen and paper?” She snapped her fingers. “Right. Upstairs. I’ll be right back.”
Nathan’s tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. Nonplussed, he watched her disappear up the ladder. How could an innocent suggestion blow up in his face? His plan was so much easier. A mentor for Will. And yet here she was making a list—an actual list—of potential husbands.
Typical Sophie. Seize on an idea and run with it without giving it proper consideration. Woe to the unsuspecting males in this town!
When she sat across from him and began her list, he braced his forearms on the edge of the table and clasped his hands. “You misunderstood me.”
His quiet yet forceful words brought her head up, forehead bunched in confusion.
“I wasn’t suggesting you marry. I was actually thinking of taking Will under my wing. You know, spend more time with him here and at my place, teaching him things.”
“Oh.” Her lips puckered. “I thought... My mistake.” Her gaze bounced around the room before finally zeroing in on him once more. Her chin came up. “A husband is a good idea, though. Better than your idea. Spending an extra hour or two with Will
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