Page 76 of Forever Fallen

She had bought the dress, loved it, and rarely wore it. She’d had to wear it with a black jacket because the open shoulders were a violation of dress code at work.

“Not anymore…” she smirked wryly.

Maybe she would wear her hair back in a ponytail or curl it into a chignon? She wanted something to emphasize the shoulders and wanted to feel pretty next to Ryan.

She’d seen him in his uniform at her grandmother’s funeral and it did a number on her… seeing it again? Knowing him better now?

Oh, she was definitely wanting to get her husband’s attention…

Her phone dinged, notifying her that she had received a text message. Sweeping the screen with her thumb, she read the note from Ryan.

Can we meet at Valkyrie’s? I can have someone pick you up, if that’s okay? I’ve got three more students to take up and I don’t want to be late for dinner.

Of course. That’s no problem.

I’ll have Armadillo swing by on his way – thank you.

Sure thing.

Sophie stared at her phone, torn. Everything in her screamed to call Flyboys… yet he’d asked her repeatedly to trust him and that he was planning something to surprise her.

Maybe it was the dinner?

“Don’t do it, Sophie…” she whispered aloud, closing her eyes and turning her face to the ceiling in frustration.

Instead of calling Flyboys – she texted Ryan one more time.

I love you and will see you soon…

I love you, Sophie – always and forever!

Smiling, she took a deep breath and smiled at his response.

CHAPTER24

SOPHIE

Forty-five minutes later,Sophie was not smiling.

Armadillo picked her up and drove home to get Delilah and Luke – both of which were not ready. She was sitting at the kitchen table waiting, drumming her fingers nervously on the wooden surface, and listening to the pilot wrestle with the little boy in the distance.

Delilah was curling her hair in the bathroom and seemed to be taking her sweet time about it. The very pregnant woman came to check on her three times, made a pot of coffee, and then went back to curling her hair.

Armadillo finally emerged in his uniform – and frowned as Luke was busily taking off his socks and shoes again.

“Luke, we are going to see Valkyrie. You have to wear shoes, buddy.”

“With the froggies?”

“Yes… but,” Armadillo cut the child off before he could start shrieking in happiness. “You cannot get in the pond this time. If you can catch a frog on the grass, I’ll show you how to hold ’em by their feet so you don’t hurt them.”

“Won’t he get a wart?” Delilah asked, leaning out of the bathroom.

“Nahhh… all boys catch frogs when they are little.”

“What time are we supposed to meet at Valkyrie’s?” Sophie asked brightly, trying to steer the trio into that direction. Didn’t they need to head out soon, or was this a late dinner?

“I guess we need to get moving, don’t we?” Armadillo began and looked at Delilah who gave him a pointed glance.

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