From Boardroom to Bedroom

Seventeen

Sophie stared at her sketch pad and what she’d laid out so far, then she stared back at the nearly completed room. The architect and contractor had done a marvelous job of restoring the burnt portion of the clubhouse. Now she was trying to find a way to keep the decor true to the rest of the clubhouse, plus add in some special touches to really celebrate the reopening of this wing.

“Looks like some things still need decorated.”

Sophie nearly dropped her sketch pad as she spun around at the familiar voice. “Nigel,” she gasped. “What are you doing here?”

He casually leaned against the doorway that had yet to be trimmed. With a gray T-shirt and worn jeans and even a pair of cowboy boots, he fit in perfectly. She’d never seen him in boots and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Are you relocating to Texas?” she asked, nodding to his new attire.

With his hands in his pockets, he shrugged. “I figured I should at least try to look the part. I draw the line at the hat, though.”

How could he have her smiling when looking at him hurt so much? But as conflicted as she felt, she knew he was here for a reason. She only hoped she was that reason.

you come here looking for me or are you filming

“Maybe both,” he replied.

the door and took a slow walk around the open space. He didn’t say a word as he continued to survey everything...which

done to him. Although, she didn’t know how much more she could suffer

hear you’re doing the decorating,” he finally said

chest. “I am. I wouldn’t

what you do,” he replied. “They’re lucky to

accolades, Sophie simply said,

then another, until he came to stand within inches of her. His eyes roamed over her face, her

back,” he murmured, reaching out to smooth a

his touch and leaned in just enough to feel his warmth. “I wanted to get back to myself

around the proverbial elephant in the room. Seeing him again only reminded her of all that she’d had that she’d then thrown away...not that she’d thought

as he dropped his hand,

her recall laying against his chest and sleeping when they were in England. Making