Free Wrapped in You by Jules Bennett Page A

grin. “Liam is happy with working in an upscale, city restaurant and he doesn’t want another burden.”
    â€œWhat are you and Zach going to do with the place?”
    Braxton shook his head. “That’s what I came to discuss with you. Zach told me about the binders.”
    Sophie couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “And?”
    â€œA resort? What the hell would we know about running a resort?”
    Shrugging, Sophie came to her feet and rounded her desk. “Who says you guys would have to run it? Fix it up the way Chelsea envisioned and then hire someone to run it.” She sat on the edge of her desk directly in front of Braxton. “It is a women’s resort. Would be a little silly to have you two brutes hanging around.”
    Braxton massaged the back of his neck and groaned. “I know Chelsea is somewhere laughing at us. Leave it to her to have some harebrained idea we’re stuck with.”
    â€œYou loved her and her harebrained ideas.”
    A sad smile stretched across his face. “Yes, I did. I wouldn’t expect less of her than to leave us this surprise.”
    â€œSo you two are going to fix it up?” she asked, hopeful.
    â€œYeah. We haven’t gone into any specifics, but that’s the goal in mind. I’ll be heading back to Savannah on Monday. We’re figuring I’ll be more of the financial backer and Zach will be the manual labor portion. We’re partners for now.”
    Sophie couldn’t be happier to hear this plan. Although telling Martin wouldn’t be fun, she still was so excited that Chelsea’s brothers were moving ahead with their sister’s vision.
    â€œZach and I are planning to meet at the house Sunday morning to look over the structure and get a list of basic improvements to be done, to take to the zoning commission for a building permit. You can join us if you’d like.”
    Sophie quirked a brow and smiled. “Did you run that by Zach before you invited me?”
    Braxton eased forward, placing his hand on her knee. “You and I are friends, Soph. No matter what turmoil lives between you and Zach, that has never, and will never, affect you and me. Got it?”
    Sophie nodded, knowing he was right. The issues she and Zach had were a world apart from her relationship with anyone else.
    â€œSo, you want to meet us there to walk through? I know you’ve seen it, since you sold it to Chelsea, but I’d like your opinion, now that you’ve seen her vision.”
    Sophie smiled, reached down and squeezed his hand. “I’d love to.”
    â€œGreat. We’re meeting at nine.”
    Coming to her feet just as he did, Sophie wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you for seeing this through for Chelsea.”
    Enveloping her in a brotherly hug, Braxton patted her back. “I’d do anything for my family.” Easing back, he looked her in the eye. “I include you in that, too.”
    â€œI know,” she told him with a smile. “See you Sunday.”
    Once he was gone, Sophie sank back against her desk. The notes and pictures, drawings and dreams Chelsea had poured into two thick binders were going to become a reality.
    The fact that hardheaded, impenetrable Zach had really thought this through said so much about the man he kept hidden from the world. He might want to keep people far outside the perimeter of that wall he’d erected around himself, but Sophie knew, deep down, there was a man with feelings. Knowing that Zach had a passion for something gave Sophie hope.
    Zach had once been reckless, but he’d been full of life and they’d been friends. She wanted that back. Wanted to be close with all three men, as she used to be before the car accident that left her scarred, handicapped, and infertile. Before Liam had been injured and had pushed Zach out of his life.
    Before Zach had been arrested for aggravated vehicular assault and