Free Love So Unexpected (The Lawson Brothers Book 6) by Marquita Valentine Page A

terrible with names.” Actually, she wasn’t terrible with names at all, but something about Apple rubbed her the wrong way. A small part of her felt guilty because she knew she was judging her on appearance, but the rest of her bristled at the way Apple spoke to her.
    “Is there something specific you’re looking for—plane, train, or automobile. I’m sure there are Ubers somewhere around that could take you the rest of the way.” Apple gave her a sunny smile, but Sofia wasn’t fooled. She also didn’t think Apple was trying to fool her either.
    “Not yet. My stay here has been extended.” Sofia waved a hand in the air, just like she’d seen Dinah do. “You know how those unexpected things happen.”
    “I do indeed.” Apple adjusted her purse on her shoulder. “How are you liking Jessamine?”
    “What I’ve seen of it is beautiful, but I haven’t had a chance to get into town much. Too much to do on the Lawson farm.”
    Apple sucked in a breath. “You work there?”
    “Actually, I live there. My mother and Dinah Lawson were old college roommates. It’s like fate brought me here.”
    “Sounds like something my readers would love to know more about.”
    Sofia bet they would. “Then they can ask me.” She spun around, intending to walk away, but Apple grabbed her shoulder.
    “What exactly are your intentions with Caleb Lawson?”
    Slowly, Sofia turned around. “Why exactly are my intentions with anyone your business?”
    “Because I don’t want to see him hurt by a woman who plans on leaving.”
    “I think he’s man enough to handle me.”
    Apple’s mouth twisted. “That’s not in question, but his heart ... his mind, there’s not enough pieces of him left to share.”
    Anger rose, making her cheeks burn. “Just because you couldn’t hold on to him doesn’t mean I can’t.”
    A peal of laughter left Apple’s mouth. “I’m not the one you’ll have to compete with.” She shook her head. “You don’t know, do you?”
    Sofia considered lying, but her curiosity got the better of her. “Know what?”
    “That Iris will always own every bit of him, no matter how much he says otherwise.”
    The grocery store seemed to tilt. Music playing in the background faded away. Signs became blurry. “Who’s Iris?” she croaked.
    Apple tsked. “I have said too much.”
    “Tell me.” Please don’t let him be married.
    “Fine,” Apple said, drawing out the word. “Iris is his wife. He goes to see her every Wednesday.”

Chapter Nine
    C aleb stood at Iris’s grave, a fresh bouquet in his hand. He took out the old ones and placed the new ones in the vase.
    “I met someone,” he confessed. “You would like her, I think. She’s ah ... I like her. Maybe more than like her.”
    The wind blew, ruffling his hair. For a moment, he slipped back into his grief and pretended it was Iris touching him.
    “Can’t keep doing that,” he mumbled, then cleared his throat. “Sofia—that’s her name—is exactly what I need. She doesn’t mind when I’m quiet, and she likes to cook. Back home, she used to be a chef in fancy restaurants that the two of us couldn’t afford.”
    He laughed a little, then got quiet and sat down on the bench beside her grave. He felt like he owed Iris by coming here every Wednesday. Her parents had long since moved away, their grief for their daughter too overwhelming to stay in Jessamine.
    They still visited her grave, just not as often as he did, but she’d been his wife.
    “We tease each other a lot, and I got Old Blue working for her. Remember when we drove that truck down to the beach and got it stuck? Should’ve known the sand was too soft for two-wheel drive.”
    There was a light touch on his shoulder, and he jerked his head around. Sofia stood there, tears in her beautiful brown eyes.
    “Hey, uh...” he began, unable to find the words to finish his explanation.
    “I didn’t mean to disturb you. Thought I could sit with you and pay my respects.” Without