Unbreakable (9 page)

“I have to agree, honey. I couldn’t have made them better myself.” Her aunt smiled as she clasped Sophie’s hands. “You’ve turned into quite the cook, sweetheart.”

“Really?” Sophie couldn’t stop herself from breaking into a grin. “I’ll review the situation in twenty-four hours and make sure you’re not both suffering from delayed food poisoning, but I’m so relieved things turned out okay.”

“Better than okay.” Her aunt poured more tea for Sophie before settling back in her chair. “This has been a real treat not having to cook this morning, honey. I’m really proud of you.”

“It was nothing, Aunt Kay.”

“That’s not true. You’ve made incredible progress since you’ve been here.”

Sophie smiled into her mug as she drank, pleased with the praise. It was nice to do well at something again and be appreciated for her efforts, instead of getting disapproving looks all the time. It gave her a boost to her confidence that she hadn’t realized she’d been lacking for the past few months. The morning passed very pleasantly, with her aunt and uncle telling her stories about previous Christmases on the ranch as they helped each other out with the initial food preparation before everyone moved through to the lounge and presents were exchanged next to the Christmas tree. Sophie received an incredibly soft and warm blanket that her aunt had knitted for her as something cozy and comforting wherever she might find herself in life, and her uncle gave her a framed collage of photographs of herself in various locations around the ranch.

“When where these taken?” Sophie looked in surprise at the various photographs that ranged from her playing with the dogs in the garden to cooking in the kitchen with her aunt to examining the cattle with her uncle. There was even one of her and Miller together, backs turned to the camera as they leaned on the stall door and stroked Blizzard’s neck.

“It was a joint effort between your aunt and myself. We’d take photos whenever the opportunity presented itself and then decided on the best ones to make a collage out of. We hoped it would help you to look back on your time here with fond memories.”

“I love it…” Sophie felt tears forming in her eyes but blinked them back. “Thank you so much, Aunt Kay and Uncle Philip. Both my presents are fantastic...” She hugged Philip and Kay in turn before wrapping the collage in the blanket and taking the gifts upstairs with her as she went to get ready for Christmas lunch. Miller and his parents were coming over to share the meal with them and from all accounts it was going to be the meal to end all meals. Miller’s mom, Stacy, and her aunt had been planning it for weeks.

Sophie changed out of the jeans and long-sleeved shirt she’d pulled on for cooking into a plum-colored dress her mom had insisted she take with her in order to have something “suitably presentable” to wear for Christmas. She was actually glad she had brought it with her. She felt like dressing up for the occasion and she could admit that the dress did add a touch of sophistication to her appearance. She slipped in some silver drop earrings and surveyed the collection of shoes she had brought with her. They ranged from sneakers to slippers to a pair of black winter boots that reached to just below her knees. With no heels to choose from – she hadn’t seen the point of bringing any to a ranch in winter – she opted for the boots as the best match for the dress.

For the most part she had kept her hair tied back in a bun or ponytail to prevent it falling into her face while she was cooking or helping out on the ranch but today she decided to let it hang loosely. Applying a small amount of makeup in the form of eyeliner and a light shade of pink lipstick, she stepped back to view the results as best she could in the bathroom mirror. It wasn’t the best angle but from what she could make out, things seemed coordinated okay.

Heading back downstairs she followed the sounds of chopping and running water into the kitchen, where she found her aunt well and truly in action mode. Sophie surveyed the scene with fond affection. “What can I do to help, Aunt Kay?”

Kay looked up from her chopping board and smiled. “Well, don’t you look just lovely, honey.”

Sophie glanced down at her attire. “Does it look okay? I wasn’t sure if this would be suitable.”

“Pretty as a picture, darlin’,” her uncle confirmed as he came into the kitchen. “I better make sure I scrub up well myself so I don’t disgrace you.” He winked playfully at Sophie before heading to the kettle. “So who’s up for a cup of hot chocolate?”

With unanimous yeses all around, Philip busied himself with the drinks while Sophie got to work laying the larger dining table in the adjacent room. An hour later everything was cooking, the table had been laid and Sophie sat in the lounge rubbing Tilly and Badger’s tummies as they sprawled in front of the fire. Turning at the sound behind her, she grinned at her aunt and uncle. “Wow, you make quite the couple.” Kay looked elegant in a blouse and skirt while Philip looked ruggedly handsome in a long-sleeved shirt and smart jeans.

“It’s not hard when I have this lovely lady on my arm. Everyone’s so busy looking at her that I can just slide under the radar.” Her uncle winked at Sophie and then grabbed Kay by the waist, dipping her down before bringing her back up and kissing her soundly. Kay laughed and swatted him playfully on the arm before they both came to settle in front of the fire with Sophie. Kay reached for a book, keen to enjoy some downtime before the guests arrived, while Philip turned to Sophie and asked “So how about a game?”

“Sure.” Sophie nodded and reached for the chess board, positioning it on the side table between them. Her uncle had been teaching her how to play and she had a good grasp of the basic rules by now. Back in San Francisco chess was something that never would have interested her but she found she enjoyed the strategy behind it, trying to predict her opponent’s moves while trying not to make her own so obvious. She was engrossed in the game when a knock on the door disturbed her thoughts and she glanced up as the dogs moved excitedly into the hallway. A few seconds later she heard voices and stood up with her uncle as Joe and Stacy Rhodes appeared in the lounge entranceway, an assortment of tubs and containers in their arms.

“Hi, Philip. Hi, Sophie. Merry Christmas. I’ll greet you properly when I’m done with my duties as a pack horse.” Joe grinned as his wife directed a disapproving look in his direction before he headed off down the hallway.

“Merry Christmas, folks. Ignore that ungrateful husband of mine. He won’t be complaining when he’s eating all that food he carried here.” Stacy followed Joe down the hallway towards the kitchen, making way for Miller who was laden with parcels. He wore a pair of fitted black jeans that accentuated his long legs, paired with a navy sweater that hugged his form and displayed the muscles in his biceps. Sophie couldn’t help the wave of pure feminine appreciation that washed over her.
Well so what? I’m allowed one look, it’s Christmas after all
.

However, as Miller stepped into the lounge with the gifts, he stared at Sophie for several seconds, an unreadable expression on his face that made her suddenly self-conscious, before he came forward and deposited the parcels on the couch. Sophie glanced down quickly at herself while he wasn’t looking, wondering if she had gotten a stain on her clothing, but unable to detect anything wrong in the brief amount of time before Miller straightened up again, she decided to ignore his odd look as he hugged her uncle and wished him Happy Christmas before he turned his attention to her.

“Merry Christmas, Sophie,” he murmured softly. “Do you mind if I give you a Christmas hug?”

“No…that’s fine.” She stepped forward as his arms enfolded her in an embrace that was both firm and gentle at the same time. It was impossible not to feel the strength in his body as he hugged her against him.

“You look beautiful, Sophie.” His words, which were quietly murmured near her ear before he stepped back, caused an unexpected tingling heat to spread over her. They had sounded like a caress – which was ridiculous – but she was unable to stop the thoughts that rose in her mind, coupled with a surprising longing that the tone she had imagined was real. However, snapping herself back to the present, she glanced at him, noting his perfectly normal expression as he turned his attention to the chessboard.
What an idiot you are, Soph. He’s going into the army and you barely escaped jail time. You’re the last person someone like Miller would be interested in
.
Besides, it’s not like you’re interested in him either
.

She scowled as she berated herself, before realizing that Miller had said something to which her uncle had replied it was too close to call at this stage. Assuming they were talking about the game, Sophie cleared her throat before uttering “Uncle Philip is teaching me to play. He’s taking pity on me and keeping me in the game. I’m sure if it was anyone else he was playing, the game would have been finished ages ago.”

“You’re doing just fine, darlin’.” Her uncle gave her an encouraging smile. “Everybody’s got to start somewhere and you’re learning quickly.”

“When I was just learning to play, your uncle went easy on me as well.”

Sophie glanced at Miller. “Uncle Philip taught you to play?”

“Yes he did. He’s a good teacher.” Miller smiled affectionately at Philip.

“Well you were a good student. You can certainly give me a run for my money now.”

Sophie looked from her uncle to Miller before asking “Do you mind if I watch you guys play? How about now since we’ve got some time before lunch?”

“You should finish your game first,” Miller gestured to the board. “Every bit of practice helps.”

“No, I think I’d learn just as much watching you both play. You guys get started, I’ll be right back.” Leaving the pair to set up the board again, Sophie hurried upstairs and retrieved her Christmas blanket before returning and settling herself on the couch, cozy and content to watch as they began to play. After a few minutes, it was evident how much her uncle had been holding back while playing against her. The game had a much quicker pace than her one had, far too quick for her to stay ahead of all the potential moves and see them coming. In less than half an hour her uncle had won but it had been close on more than one occasion.

As her uncle moved to join Kay, Stacy and Joe in conversation, Miller turned to Sophie enquiringly. “Would you like to play with me?”

Yes, just not the kind of game you have in mind…
Sophie pinched herself under the blanket.
Seriously? Do not even go there
. “I can’t play anywhere near the speed you and my uncle can. I wouldn’t be much of a challenge.”

“I disagree. You can be quite a challenge when you set your mind to it.” Miller smiled teasingly at her.

“Hold on, I don’t believe it. Did you, Mr. Serious, just make a joke?” Sophie scoffed in reply.

“Who said I’m joking?” He stared at her neutrally for a few seconds before grinning.

“You know what? You’re on. I’ll beat you through boredom as you have to sit and wait while I make up my mind what to do each turn.” Sophie gathered the blanket up, stood and made her way to the chair her uncle had vacated.

“Nice blanket,” Miller commented as he set up the board. “Christmas present?”

“Aunt Kay made it for me.”

“She’s multitalented. She made me this sweater for Christmas last year.”

“It suits you.”

“You think so?” He seemed pleased by her comment as he placed the final piece on its square and angled the board towards her. They played for twenty minutes before Kay announced that lunch was ready and they made their way to the dining table.

“So, how am I doing?” Sophie asked as she sat down next to Miller.

“You’re doing fine.”

“I’ve taken more pieces than you have.” She looked pleased with herself.

“Yes, you have a lovely collection of pawns. The knight, bishop and rook I captured from you pale in comparison.”

“Well maybe it’s just my clever plan to let you think you’re winning. Maybe you’re just a pawn and you don’t know it.”

“Hmm, possibly…in which case I must congratulate you on doing an excellent job of convincing me so well that I’m winning.” Miller looked at her sideways before smiling at Sophie’s slight scowl.

“Yeah, yeah. Just keep smiling. When I win – and I’m not saying it’ll be today but I’ll do it sometime – you won’t think it’s so funny.”

“That’s fine by me, Sophie. If you win then you’ve done it on your own merit. I won’t just let you win. There’d be no fun in that, no challenge.”

“So is that what you consider fun?”

“I don’t understand…” Miller looked at her questioningly as she eyed him thoughtfully.

“Challenges, is that your idea of fun? If something is a challenge?”

“Depends what the challenge is, but yes, it does hold a certain appeal for me. So what’s your idea of fun, Sophie?”

She considered the question before responding “I suppose challenges as well, depending on what they are. I have a problem of not backing down from dares.”

Miller laughed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Before he could ask her to elaborate on what dares she had done, Kay announced that the food was ready to be served and everyone should help themselves – and help themselves they did. Kay and Stacy had produced a magnificent feast with more than enough food to feed everyone present until they were completely satiated while still having leftovers. Sophie had accepted a glass of red wine and was feeling very satisfied and mellow as she looked at the faces around the table. Everyone was so happy, laughing or joking…it was one of the best Christmases she had had in a long time. Suddenly, however, a ringtone pierced the air, snapping her out of her reveries.