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Sophia's Pilot

By Seralynn Lewis

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Sophia Nelson applied extra concealer to the dark bruises that appeared on her cheek and near her eye. Even the ice pack hadn’t helped.
After the morning she had had, she was in no mood for the Saturday marathon cooking day she and her cousin’s wife planned twice a month. Today was the day they’d agreed upon. And Sophia rarely went back on promises. Despite the air-conditioning, the mid-August day would make the kitchen hotter than Hades.
She groaned in the mirror. “I look like a clown… And I’ll never get away with it.” Maybe she could keep her sunglasses on all day. Who was she kidding? They’d still know. Even at thirty eight, Sophia never wore this much makeup, not even when she worked at the bank.
It was no use. She was out of time, and a stop at the grocery store would make her even later. Swiping on lipstick, she pulled on her favorite ball cap and adjusted her ponytail through the hole. Sophia pushed on her sunglasses, grabbed the three bags by the garage door, and loaded them into the older model hatchback. Lord, help me! I’ve got to get through this day.
The only good thing about this morning was that her college-aged daughters, Anna and Missy, had both left for work and hadn’t seen her.
Her phone pinged with a text from Linda, her cousin’s wife, and she glanced at the text, muttering she’d be there soon.
A silver BMW with Virginia plates sat in the condo’s driveway next door as she pulled out of her garage. Vacant units were vandal magnets, even in the slightly upscale areas like this one. Over the summer, someone had vandalized the unit next door several times, and it made her nervous. Sophia hoped whoever sat behind those dark-tinted windows would buy it. If she wasn’t in such a mad rush, she’d stop and talk up the neighborhood.
More than a half hour later, she pulled into her cousin Eric’s driveway and took a deep breath. The hatch released, and she gathered the items strewn about in the trunk. Her denim cutoffs rode up into the unknown and her favorite periwinkle t-shirt stretched across her back.
Alerted to a presence behind her, she pulled the bags and stray items closer to her. In her mind’s eye, she could picture her cousin’s son walking toward her and throwing the football in the air. “Gabe, you want to give me a hand? Your mom will call in the cavalry if I don’t get in there ASAP.”
“I’m not Gabe, but I’ll give you a hand,” a deep voice said.
She popped up, nearly dropped the bags, and stared at the hunky man in mirrored sunglasses. Dark blond stubble covered his imposing chin, and the quasi-military haircut gave her the chills. But she held her body still and breathed in the scent of an exotic aftershave.
“Who… Who are you?” She sounded like an owl.
“Ben Garrison, Eric’s friend.” He held out his hands to take the bags and gave her a lopsided grin. “And you are?”
Surprised, she could feel the rush of blood to her face. “Sophia Nelson, Eric’s cousin.” She thrust several bags in his hands, slammed the trunk, and led him to the wraparound porch shielded by tall trees. Eric and Linda were the only family she had left, and Linda had been her childhood best friend long before she married Eric.
“You and Linda feeding an army?”
His voice vibrated all the way to her toes, and she took a quick glance at him, checking out the number of bags in her hands and his.
The door opened before Sophia could find her voice.
Linda stood with crossed arms and a frown. “Well, it’s about time. I texted you. Where’ve you been?” Then her best friend glanced behind her and gushed. “Ben! Eric’s been waiting for you. He’s in the back yard. Put the bags on the counter on your way out.”
Ben followed Sophia and Linda, dropped them on the island, then made his way to the back door as Eric rushed inside.
His friend shouldered past him into the kitchen. “Hey, babe, can you get us all some tea?”
Sophia unloaded the bags and organized the items on the counters. She avoided Ben’s stares, but her cousin’s grim face told her something was up.
Eric stepped around the island and took her upper arm. “We need to talk.”
“We have a lot of prep today if you want your dinner on the table by six. No time for chit chat.” She tried to break out of his hold, but he tightened his grip.
The cousins sat in their usual spots, with Ben to the left of Eric and Linda to his right. The kitchen’s homey atmosphere with its cheery yellow and white checkered curtains and big oak table didn’t comfort her today like it usually did.
Linda frowned at her husband and then at her. “What’s this all about?”
Eric crossed his arms with an intense laser stare at Sophia.
Nowhere to run. A cornered rat, that’s what she was. Lord, help me.
He leaned forward. “Lose the sunglasses and the cap, Soph.”
Her heart dropped. Somehow, Eric had found out. Certain the makeup covered the bruises, she stole a glance at Ben, who shifted his eyes from her to Eric and back again.
Eric drummed his fingers on the table. “I’m waiting, Sophia.”
He drew out her name like he had done when she was a teenager, and she was in trouble. But she was twenty years past teenager status, and it still rankled he could have that effect on her. She couldn’t give him grief for his penchant to protect her, though, because he was her hero in more ways than she could count.
She removed her cap and darted her focus around the room, searching for a hole she could bury herself in.
Linda placed her hand on Eric’s muscled forearm. “Why are you badgering her?”
Not a sound, not even a bird chirped outside.
Eric leaned in and with gentle fingers pulled the sunglasses from her face. She turned away from him and Linda to stare beyond Ben’s shoulder. The newcomer took a deep breath and eyed Eric.
“What happened, honey?” Her best friend’s gentle voice almost undid her.
Still silent, she’d wished she had had the courage to cancel today to spare everyone this scene.
With gentle fingertips that were out of place for a man his size, Eric took her chin and moved her face to examine it closer. Then he brushed her bangs away from her eyes. She couldn’t look him in the eye, her embarrassment acute.
“Want to tell us why you have five pounds of makeup on your face when you never wear that much. You look like a street walker.” His voice was soft, but gruff.
“Eric!” Linda shot him a frosty glare. “Did you really just say your cousin looks like a hooker?”
Mortified that a stranger listened to this conversation, she hadn’t answered. Lord, please get me out of here.
“Let’s have it, Sophia. I know something happened at the high school this morning, but I want to hear your side of the story,” Eric said with a little more force.
Her head shot up and anger clenched her stomach. “My side of the story? Who told you? And what did they say? This town is unbelievable.” She turned to Ben and fumed. “I hope you haven’t planned to live in Worthy, Ohio because everybody in town will be in your business.”
Ben had the excellent sense to not respond to her outburst but glanced at her cousin. More than embarrassed, she wanted to race home and crawl into bed.
“That’s enough, Sophia.” Eric breathed. “If you must know, Gabe was worried about you and told me about it an hour ago.”
Linda’s eyebrows drew together as she gazed from one cousin to the other.
“How is it our son is privy to this?”
Eric’s eyes never left his cousin’s face. “Gabe saw the whole thing.”
Sophia groaned and clapped both hands to her heated face.
Her cousin pulled her palms from her face and held them. “He won’t say anything, Soph. But I want to make sure he wasn’t mistaken.” His voice rumbled low but soft.
She could tell her cousin worried about her, despite his brusque ways. And those were courtesy of his former commanding military background. His daunting presence forced anyone unfortunate at the other end of his steely stare to quake in their shoes.
Ben took advantage of the silence and moved to leave and placed a hand on Eric’s shoulder. “This appears to be family business. I’d better go.”
Eric grabbed his arm. “Stay put. We have the game on the big screen later, remember?”
Ben dropped into the chair and exhaled. His scent wafted over to her, and she couldn’t think.
Her cousin stared at her, and his voice got softer. “I’m still waiting, Soph.”
There’d be no way around it. He already knew.
“If I tell you what happened, will you promise not to do anything about it?”
Eric shook his head. “Can’t make that promise, Soph, and you know it.”
She sighed and knew none of them would move on with their day until she confessed. “I went to the high school this morning to run the track even though Coach McNair barred me earlier this summer.”
“Why?”
“He said I distracted the team.”
Eric continued to frown as he shot a glance at his wife.
Her cousin’s voice took on a serious timbre. “But that’s not the reason, is it?”
More embarrassed than ever, she hung her head. “No. Ever since Missy graduated, Coach McNair has been…” She chose her words carefully. “Pursuing me.
He has popped up all around town. The more I told him I wasn’t interested, the more he pestered me.” She exhaled. “Then he told me the track was off limits, but I thought he was joking since there were other folks walking and running the track… But he wasn’t.”
Eric seethed and his eyes narrowed. “He’s a jerk. Did he tell the other people they couldn’t use the track?”
She lowered her eyes. “I don’t know, but I don’t think so.”
“So, what happened?”
“He followed me to the parking lot and called my name several times. I
ignored him and ran, but he chased me. It happened so fast. Like a crazy silent movie.” Her face twisted into a scowl. “He went to grab my arm and missed. His fist cuffed me in the face. I fell, and he landed on me. I hit the ground with the side of my face. I pushed him off and told him never to touch me again.”
Eric’s face registered a fierceness that made her long-ago breakfast curdle. “I’ll pay McNair a visit at the next practice. Why didn’t you tell me he’s been stalking you?”
“Your attitude is precisely why I didn’t say anything.”
His voice hardened. “I protect my family.”
She reached across the table and laid her hand on his whitened knuckles. “I know you do, and I love you for it, but it’s your son’s senior year. Dave doesn’t deserve to be cut from the team because of me. You can’t say a word. It’ll all blow over and Coach will pursue someone else. Everyone knows he’s dated almost every widow and single woman his age in town.”
“This is not OK, Soph. You need to file assault charges.” Linda squeezed her hand. “He’s been a menace to the women of this town long enough.”
She gave her best friend a meaningful stare. “I know it’s not OK, Linda. And if the boys weren’t playing ball, I would. But I’m not filing assault charges. Period. I’ll just stay away from him and run somewhere else,” she said. “He’ll get tired of getting nowhere with me and stop on his own.” At least she hoped he would.
“Where will you run?” Eric said.
“Silverston Park.”
“No way. Too many assaults there. I’ll go to the superintendent if I have to. McNair has no right to keep you off the track.”
Linda sat up. “What about your neighborhood? There are a lot of trails there.”
“Too many kids on bikes and pedestrians.” She hadn’t wanted to say the break-ins had alarmed her because Eric would insist she install an alarm system and she knew he wouldn’t let her pay for it, so she turned her attention to him.
“You’ll do nothing to jeopardize your son’s chances on the team. He has an excellent shot at a scholarship, and Gabe is right behind him. I can’t… And I won’t have that on my conscience. It’s a big deal to those boys.”
“I don’t agree with her, Eric, but she has to do what she feels is the right thing to do. Ben, can’t you make my husband see reason?” Linda said.
Sophia’s eyebrows shot up. “I don’t think…”
“Actually, I have a solution,” Ben said.
All eyes focused on Eric’s hunky friend.
Her cousin gestured to her. “And the solution is?” His face set in an angry mask.
“I’ll meet Sophia at the high school and run with her. If I’m with her, chances are the coach won’t bother her. And if he does, I’ll take pleasure in punching his lights out.” Ben’s face registered a smugness.
A slow smile formed on Eric’s face. “Excellent idea.”
“I can’t let you do that, Ben,” she said.
Why had he interfered in this situation? The last thing she needed was Eric’s military-friend invading her life.
Eric’s smile grew wider. “Why not? It’s the perfect solution. I won’t have to interact with the coach, you’ll have protection and still run, and the boys won’t be affected. Thank you, Ben.”
Linda’s breath whooshed out. She could tell her best friend hadn’t liked the direction this conversation was taking and was ready to jump in again. No way would Sophia cause a rift between them.
“I said, no.” She glared at her cousin and her best friend. “I don’t need a protector.”
Eric’s face hardened. “You have two choices. Either you go along with Ben’s suggestion, or I go see McNair. Take your pick.”
“That’s blackmail.”
Eric gave a half-smile and crossed his meaty arms. “I’m waiting.”
He took over the role of big brother after her brother died years ago that left the entire family devastated, especially her parents, who drowned themselves in grief. And she loved him for it. But not today.
She directed her gaze at Ben and hoped to wiggle out of it. “I don’t want to impose on your time. I can run in my neighborhood.”
Ben’s silver-blue eyes sparkled and held hers. “No imposition. Besides, you just said there are too many kids to make a run worthwhile.”
“Maybe you can run when football practice season is over or go when they aren’t there.” Linda said.
“Because I’m training for the Pumpkin Spice Marathon in Columbus the weekend before Thanksgiving.”
“Nice,” Ben said.
“Neither of you will take no for an answer, will you?” Sophia sighed.
“Nope.” They said in unison, both with wide smiles.
She threw her arms up and Linda frowned at her husband and Ben.
“It’s settled. Sundance and I will be out back.” Her cousin bussed his wife’s cheek and stroked her hair.
Eric grabbed the pitcher of iced tea and two glasses on his way out the door.
“I’m warning you,” Sophia muttered, “I’m not happy about this situation at all.”
She’d be running with the hunk, and it could get messy in more ways than one.

***

No one had called Ben ‘Sundance’ since he’d been under Eric’s command in the Navy. He grimaced and followed Eric.
The yard was incredible. He’d always dreamed of having a place like this. Towering pines, oaks and elm trees, and a beautifully manicured lawn gave it privacy and a peacefulness that drew him in. The trees’ woodsy scent filled his nostrils, and the pristine flower beds spoke of Eric’s meticulous nature. Five blue Adirondack chairs with matching striped pillows had been placed around a stone firepit and welcomed anyone who visited the backyard oasis.
He swirled his finger in the condensation on the opaque glass. “Want to give me background on your cousin?”
Eric gave him a sidelong glance. “Since you offered to run with Sophia, can I assume you’re taking my offer?”
When Ben had contacted Eric about moving to Worthy, his friend was ecstatic because he needed another person to pick up the slack to analyze security issues for his alarm business. Ben had been reluctant to accept on the spot because he hadn’t yet met with his great-uncle’s attorney about his inheritance. And now that he knew the extent of his wealth, he wouldn’t have to work for the rest of his life, but that wasn’t who he was. He wasn’t sure about what Eric had in mind and how his dream business would be impacted by it.
Ben hedged and took a sip to cool his throat for the conversation.
“Conditionally, yes.”
“And that is?”
“Don’t call me Sundance.”
“That’s it?”
“Not exactly.”
Eric snorted. “You sound like Sophia. Out with it.”
He rested his forearms on his knees. “I’m opening a helicopter business. Service won’t be ready until next spring. I can work with you now and off-and-on during the harsh winter months. But come next April, I’ll be busy with flights. I could fill in when I don’t have a trip planned.”
“Agreed.” They clinked glasses and took long draughts. “I’ll have a contract drawn up with those conditions. Shall we say, you’re on my payroll from now until March and then from November until March thereafter on an as-needed basis?”
Ben sat back in the soft cushions. “Works for me.”
“What’s your business model?”
“Top priority runs. CEOs and courier services for now. Possible joy rides later. Do you know Carson Brown?”
Eric shook his head.
“He inherited a little airport outside of Worthy that’ll house the aircraft and give me office space. I’m making contacts. It’s a great location, but the airport is under renovation so there’s not much activity. He has given me a great deal on rent because of it. Four major airports in a four-hundred-mile radius makes it the perfect location for the business. I prefer a smaller airport. Less red tape and I trust Carson with my life. He’s an incredible friend and ace mechanic. He’ll fly it in on Monday and my personal stuff is in transit.”
“What about housing?”
“Looking to rent for a while. I’ll meet with the realtor tomorrow afternoon.”
“Where’re you staying in the meantime?”
“Booked a room at Amy’s B&B in town.”
“Call and cancel your reservation and stay here.”
“I can’t impose on your wife and family.”
“Nonsense. You’ll be working for me. Besides, my boys will get a kick out of your helicopter, and you can take them for a ride sometime.”
“OK.” Ben knew his new boss had an ulterior motive for his invitation to stay here, and he inwardly groaned. “You want to tell me about my protection detail, or will I have to figure it out on my own?”
Eric narrowed his eyes. “No messing with Sophia.”
He held up his palms. “Just wanted to know if there’s anything I need to know to keep her safe.” Ben hadn’t told Eric he’d sworn off women since his fiancée gave him the heave-ho a year and a half ago or that he’d gotten caught up with going to church with her and became a Christian, and he’d struggled with it ever since. Too embarrassing.
Eric gave a single nod. “She’s been a widow a long time. Was there when Linda gave birth to both boys. After her husband died, she returned to Worthy and focused on her daughters. Sophia held the family together until my discharge and I came home. I want to take care of her as much as I can.”
“How’d her husband die?”
Eric grimaced. “Drunk driver. Rod shouldn’t have been on the road that night. He should’ve tried to have someone else see to the client, but he didn’t.” He arose from his chair. “I’ll let Linda know you’re staying. Call the B&B and cancel your reservation. Tell Amy you’re staying with us. It won’t be a big deal. She and her brother Bryan are good people.”
He understood why his former commanding officer warned him off Sophia. Doing this for Eric was payback. A small thing for Ben to do since Eric saved his life a time or two.
Except for one thing. Sophia’s soulful eyes hit him straight in the heart. He generally wasn’t attracted to brunettes with dark eyes, but she was exceptional. And her lithe body had the look of a runner and yet, she was soft and curvy at the same time. How could it be possible? He’d just met her. He didn’t believe in being struck in the heart by a woman the first time he set eyes on her, but her situation and the bruising on her face compelled him to protect her. Any guy who laid a hand on a woman wasn’t much of a man in his opinion.
Eric’s boys interrupted Ben’s musings. They threw the football back and forth, jogged over, and introduced themselves just as Eric came out of the house.
“Dad, Aunt Sophia can’t come to the track anymore. Coach was on the warpath for some reason.” He cocked his head to his brother, Gabe. “It has something to do with her. And bozo, here, knows something, but he’s being quiet about it.” Dave, Eric’s eldest boy, said.
Ben’s head shot up. “Why does he call her Aunt Sophia? I thought you were cousins.”
“I’m headed inside,” Gabe said with a disgusted look at his brother.
Eric gave him a sideways glance. “We’re first cousins. Our parents raised us to call older cousins Aunt and Uncle, so we taught our kids to do the same.” Then he focused on his son. “And don’t call your brother a bozo.”
Dave threw the ball in the air and caught it. “Will you tell Aunt Sophia not to come to the field anymore?”
“I will not. She’s free to run the track if she wants.”
“But Coach might…”
The angst in Dave’s eyes showed Ben how important football was to the boy, and he was certain Eric saw it too.
“Not happening, Dave.” Eric squeezed his son’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, son. Ben will run the track with Sophia when she goes to the field.”
Dave’s breath whooshed out, and he shook his head. “Oh boy! Do Anna and Missy know? They won’t like it.”
“Stow it, Dave. Go get cleaned up. Your mom might need some help.”
“Yes, sir.”
With a mock salute, the kid sprinted toward the house. When the teen was far enough away, Ben glanced at Eric. “Missy and Anna are Sophia’s daughters?”
Eric rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Missy just graduated and Anna will start her junior year at Carnegie Mellon. Missy will join her there this fall.”
“Why won’t her kids like it if I run with her?”
“It’s just been the three of them since the girls were toddlers. Sophia has never had a man in her life since her husband died, and her daughters are…protective.”
He smirked. “Like you.”
Eric grabbed the tea and his glass. “Come on. Grab your tea and let’s go watch the game.”
That’s a new development. Maybe his offer to run with Sophia wasn’t such a good idea after all. But when he committed to a task, he’d see it through. Definitely hands off. But his mind went back to her eyes. They had fire, but he was unwilling to get burned. Not again. Mostly out of respect for Eric, he’d do his best to keep their relationship in the friend zone. How long he could keep the promise, he didn’t know.

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