Page 73 of A Pen Pal for Christmas

“It still needs work. But, it’s easy to picture what it’ll be.”

“And when are you going to make it official?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “I know your grandmother gave that ring to me instead of your mother because I was the responsible one, but you know what I think?”

“What?”

“I never married, so maybe… Well, I think it was always meant for Sofia.”

My throat closed up, and I had to look away so I didn’t lose it. Overprotective jokes were one thing, but jokes about me crying while dancing with the woman who raised me?

No, thanks.

Ida patted my shoulder. “Anyway, don’t wait too long to give her that ring. She’s a keeper.”

“I know.” My voice was low, but the conviction in it was clear, even to my ears. “Trust me. I know.”

“Also, if you really want to thank me for bringing you two together, I’ll take a couple of grandchildren.”

I barked out a laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”

“What? I’m not getting any younger. And when those kids grow up to be little geniuses or sports champions or whatever they’re destined to be, I want to be around to take the credit.”

I shook my head, a genuine smile tugging at my lips. “You’ve got it. All the credit will be yours.”

“Good,” she said, patting my arm. “Now, I believe this dance is over. Go find your girl.”

I nodded, stepping back as I scanned the room, looking for Sofia’s familiar dark hair and that long, black dress that had left me completely speechless earlier. I ventured toward the long hallway where the bathrooms were, but before I made it down the hall itself, that was when I saw him.

Dane.

He’d just walked through the front door, his winter coat still on, and he scanned the room like he was looking for someone.

My chest tightened, and I instantly did the same. I turned toward the empty bathroom hallway, then scanned the room for Sofia with narrowed eyes. I made a full circle, and then my gaze landed on Tommy and Grace. They stood by the refreshment table, and Tommy’s relaxed posture straightened the second our eyes met. He followed my line of sight back to Dane, his brows snapping together as soon as he saw him.

But Sofia hadn’t been with them.

She wasn’t anywhere in the room that I could see.

I was vaguely aware of Grace heading toward the bathroom. Good. That was good. I hadn’t seen her come out, so maybe?—

“She’s not in there,” Grace said as she reappeared, breathless and shaking. “Sofia’s… gone.”

Her words hit me like a freight train. I didn’t wait. Didn’t think. Just moved.

My body surged forward on autopilot, pure adrenaline propelling me across the room. By the time Dane realized I was coming for him, it was too late.

I grabbed him by the front of his coat and slammed him into the nearest wall. The force of the impact echoed around us, cutting through the festive hum of conversation and music. Gasps rippled through the crowd, but I barely registered them.

All I could see was Dane.

“What did you do with her?” My voice was low and lethal, barely restrained. My fingers twisted in the fabric of his coat, keeping him pinned against the wall.

Dane’s eyes went wide, his hands coming up defensively. “What? I didn’t?—”

“Don’t lie to me!” I snapped, my control slipping. “Where’s Sofia?”

“I don’t know! I don’t know where she is. That’s why I’m here—to warn you!”

“Warn me?” I slammed him back against the wall. “You’ve got two seconds to start making sense, or?—”

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