The younger man nodded. “Don’t I know it. My father had money. It’s all he talked about.” He drained his soda can and pitched in the recycling bin. “He was never home. My mother took me to all my practices. She was there for me while my dad was a virtual stranger.”
“That’s why Sophie and I decided to forgo college. We wanted to be with Heath. We got lucky in some respects, but we put in a lot of hard, work and made a lot of sacrifices to have what we do.”
“How long have you been married?”
Josh finished his soda. He twirled the can between his fingers. “Twenty-three years.”
“Not one regret?” Jagger asked him.
“Not one,” Josh replied. They heard the men coming in the door. “Come on. I’ll introduce you.” He pitched his own empty can into the recycling bin and led Jagger to the front.
After introducing Jagger to the entire crew, Josh asked Sam and Miguel to meet with him and Jagger in his office. He told the three of them the next six months were going to be hard. He explained that Monday morning he would be out while Sophie had her port inserted then she started chemo on Friday.
He watched Sam and Miguel’s head drop. Their eyes were filled with sadness before their gaze hit the floor. These weren’t sensitive men who showed emotion easily. Sophie was a part of their lives every day from Monday through Saturday when they worked. She took a personal interest in them. More than they knew at least in Miguel’s case. This was difficult for them because they cared about her.
“I’ll need to be with her if the chemo leaves her in a bad way. We’ll just have to see how she does. I need for you, Miguel,” he pointedly started with him, “and you, Sam to guide Jagger until he gets on his feet.”
“You got it,” Sam replied.
Josh’s eyes traveled between Sam and Miguel. The younger man was having trouble keeping his emotions in check. He wiped his arm across his face. “I’m sorry, Josh.” He knew that Miguel meant for more than just that Sophie was ill.
“I understand, Miguel. She means a lot to everyone. Marcy stopped by last night. I told her how bad it was, and she wants to do whatever she can. I really appreciate that.”
“My Marcy adores Sophie. So, do I.” Miguel couldn’t meet Josh’s eyes. “I’ll do whatever Jagger needs.”
He thought Jagger was beginning to see the picture. They were more than co-workers. These men were more than his employees. They were family at Russack Landscaping. He hoped he liked it here because he thought Jagger was a good fit.
“Gentleman, I need to head home. We’re either having a house full of family tonight to discuss Sophie’s treatment plan or we’re going to someone’s house. I don’t know which yet. I have to call Sophie to find out.”
All three men sitting on the other side of Josh’s desk rose. They shook hands. He had a good feeling about this. He needed one less thing to worry about while he concentrated on Sophie and making sure she was getting well.
“I’ll touch base with everyone after Sophie is home on Monday sometime probably after noon.”
They walked outside together, each getting into their own vehicle. Josh was the last one out of the parking lot.
**
Sophie
She pulled in her driveway at home and was surprised to find her parents car. They were early if they were here for dinner. Sophie got out of her truck and headed inside the house. She called to them, but no one answered. Frowning, Sophie dropped her purse and her jacket in the chair and went searching for them.
She started to head to the kitchen when she heard voices down the hall. Sophie stepped backwards and heard a familiar voice she wasn’t expecting to be in their house today.
Sophie moseyed to the end of the hallway by the entrance to the living room where she listened a moment longer. Then she went down the hall where her daughter’s room was next to her own. She stopped just outside the door and heard her mother and daughter talking. She didn’t knock which normally she would. She opened the door.
Her mother was sitting on the bed while Ally was putting her things away in the closet. Sophie scowled at the two of them, as she leaned in the doorway of her daughter’s room.
“What’s going on?”
Both her mother and Ally turned their guilty gazes to her. “Mom, you’re home early.” She picked up another shirt in the box, put it on a hanger and put it on the rod in the closet.
“And you are home,” Sophie responded. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I am home,” Ally agreed.
“Your dad and I went to Columbus and got her,” her mother informed her with a firmness that only irritated Sophie.
She had gathered that. Six boxes remained to be unpacked. Obviously, Ally was home for good. Her heart raced against her chest. Sophie chewed on her lower lip to keep from saying anything while she collected herself by silently counting.