the problem?”
“I would really like to go back to Santa Fe. Will it be too big an inconvenience for me to cancel my appearance at your anniversary party? Have you already sent invitations with the names of the artists who will be present?”
“Actually, I have. But if you need to miss, you may be excused.”
“I can wait until after the party and then go.”
“Is there an emergency?” Edgar asked, looking at her closely.
“No, not at all. I just wanted to get away.”
“Taking Garrett Cantrell with you?” Edgar asked and she sucked in her breath.
“No, I’m not,” she snapped and then wished she had not answered so abruptly. “It’s over with him, Edgar. He’s from Dallas and he was sent by the Delaneys.”
“So how did you learn this bit of information?”
“He told me. He was sent to get me to talk to them. I told him how I felt about the Delaneys, particularly my father. I don’t want the inheritance. I don’t want to meet my half brothers. Garrett tricked me and I never want to see him again,” she said.
“Seems as if he didn’t trick you if he told you that they sent him.”
Just as she opened her mouth to answer, their waiter appeared with lunches. She had no appetite for her tossed salad. She sipped water as she watched the waiter place chicken salad in front of Edgar.
“Edgar,” she said as soon as they were alone, her curiosity growing. “You don’t sound offended and you don’t sound surprised.”
Edgar sighed. “Garrett told me, Sophia. I knew why he was here.”
“Why on earth didn’t you warn me?” she asked, aghast at another betrayal from a man she had trusted all her life.
“You know why, Sophia,” Edgar stated, putting down his fork and gazing at her intently. “You and I have been over this and I dropped it because it is your decision, but since it has come up again, I’ll make another plea. I hate to see you hurt yourself. And you will be hurting yourself in a huge, lifelong manner that I think you will come to regret. You may be hurting yourself terribly in losing Garrett. He seemed like a good man, Sophia.”
“Edgar, I’m shocked. You’re my friend. Why did you side with the Delaneys on this? When did you turn against me?”
“Far from ‘turning against you,’ I want what’s in your best interests and I was thankful when Garrett told me why he was here. Sophia, stop being a wounded child about this.”
Edgar’s words stung. He had always been a mentor, her champion, always supportive and helpful until this argument about the Delaneys and even then, until now, he had backed off and kept quiet.
“Edgar, you know how Argus Delaney hurt Mom and me.”
“That has nothing to do with your brothers.”
“They’re grown men and probably just like their father. They’re half brothers, and they’re strangers to me.”
“You know there is a grandchild. A little girl who looks very much like you.”
“Edgar, these people are worth billions. They’re all going to be just fine.”
“You don’t really enjoy money the way some people do. But you do know how to help others with it. You could put it to so much good use. And what did you do—send Garrett packing?”
“Yes, I did. And he deserved it.”
“Sophia, I got the impression that he cares for you deeply. Don’t throw everything away because of his mistake. Someday, you might look back with enormous regrets that you may not be able to live with. You can take this inheritance and help so many others who have never been as fortunate as you.”
“Edgar, I’m shocked that you and Garrett talked and you didn’t tell me. I’m finished here. I don’t want to argue this with you. I’ve had enough arguing with Garrett.” She stood, tossed her napkin into her chair, grabbed up her purse and left. She couldn’t believe Edgar had known why Garrett was here. Another betrayal that cut deeply.
Tears stung her eyes, adding to her anger. She rushed outside the restaurant.
“Sophia—”
She turned as Edgar appeared. Startled he had caught up with her, she stopped. “Leave me alone, Edgar,” she snapped, wiping her eyes.
His blue eyes narrowed. “I daresay those tears are not over me. We’ve known each other too long. You’re crying over Garrett.”
“I am not,” she blurted, knowing as she said the words that Edgar was right.
Edgar bent down slightly to look into her eyes. “I think you’re in love with him.”
“Edgar, you’re not making me feel any better.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. You’re making a mistake and you’ll be miserable. Sophia, don’t mess up your life this way. Life can be harsh, cold and lonely. You’re tossing away opportunities and family with both hands. And maybe tossing away love.”
“I have to go and I don’t want to hear this.”
“You may not want to hear it, but you know I’m right,” he said gently. “I told Garrett that I hoped he succeeded not just because you need to accept your legacy, but because it’s time you let someone love you.”
“Goodbye,” she said, turning away.
“Sophia.” Edgar’s commanding tone was so unusual she stopped instantly and turned to face him.
“I’ll be here if you want me. I suspect Garrett would be, too, if you let him.”
She rushed to her car, climbing in and locking the door while tears poured down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop her crying. It took several minutes, but finally when her emotions were more under control, she started the car and drove carefully.
When she got home, she changed and went to her studio, losing herself in paints, brushstrokes, colors. As she worked, she thought of the things both Garrett and Edgar had said to her about the Delaneys. You’re harming yourself as much as you’re hurting them…. You can’t select your parents and you didn’t pick Argus…. Why are you doing this to the brothers?
Garrett’s gray eyes had been dark as he’d spoken. His words had cut, yet she couldn’t deny that there was truth in them. Was she making mistakes she would regret the rest of her life? Should she take the inheritance and then distribute it to worthwhile causes?
Should she let these brothers—these Delaney men—into her life?
She stopped painting to clean her brushes and then continued cleaning tables and doing housekeeping tasks she had put off. It was all she was suited for at the moment. Her concentration on her painting was poor with her thoughts continually returning to her conversation with Garrett. His words rang
