Friends

Sophie planted both her hands in her chest and shoved him away as hard as she could. She broke away from him. They stared at each other breathlessly before Sophie slapped him across the face with all her energy.

"Owe!" Thomas yelled holding his face. "What was that for?"

"I did not give you permission to kiss me!" she hissed.

"I didn't know I needed it. For crying out loud you've asked me to marry you!"

"And you said no!" she screamed. "You have made it abundantly clear that you are not interested in me. In what world does your previous behavior indicate that you have permission to treat me so?"

"Listen," he said calmly, putting his hands out to calm her. "I'm sorry I said no to you. I'm sorry I've been a little hot and cold, so to speak.".

"A little?" she said her voice thick with sarcasm.

"Alright, a lot," he admitted. "But give me a little break. You came here expecting marriage, I wasn't even considering marriage until you so boldly asked me. I need some time to warm up to the idea."

"Well," she crossed her arms. "When you decide that you do, don't be surprised if the offer is no longer available to you," she growled.

"Sophie, don't be like that," he pleaded.

"Like what? Reasonable?" Sophie shook her head in irritation. "Let's just forget this happened. Can we go now?"

"Yes," he nodded in agreement.

They finished hooking up the horses and went to Owen Gerber's residence to pick up the materials he had arranged to get the day before. Sophie didn't sit on the bench next to him, she chose to ride in the back of the cart. They did not speak the entire ride to the Castro farm.

Phil had the area prepped and ready for them when they arrived. Sophie helped pass them material and tools as they laid out the frame and structure of the addition. She watched them work with admiration and appreciation. She was so excited to have her own little space. As the walls went up she was nearly jumping with delight.

"Oh, I can't believe you are really going to let me live here Phil! I'm just so grateful!"

"We will be delighted to have you," he said kindly.

Thomas avoided making eye contact with her and worked solemnly. Sophie felt a little guilty. He was doing her such a kindness. What did he owe her? Nothing, and yet here he was slaving away in the hot sun to help her.

Later in the afternoon, as he was taking a break leaning against a big tree trunk in the shade, she quietly approached him. He didn't notice her until she was standing next to him.

"I'm sorry," she said simply.

"Don't be," he said. "You had every right to react the way you did."

She leaned against the trunk of the tree, her shoulders touching his.

"How can we fix this?" she asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," she paused to consider it. "You are very important to me," she said finally. "I love my girls," she said motioning to the house. "But they are all living their new lives and getting on. You're the only real friend I have and I don't want to lose you.'

He nodded.

"This is where you say, you're important to me too Sophie," she said urgingly.

"You are important to me too Sophie," he said with a big grin.

"Do you actually mean that? Do you want to be my friend?"

"Does it matter," he said with a shrug.

"It is if we want to try and make this work!" She said with irritation. "Should we fix this or should we continue ignoring each other and driving each other crazy?"

"Well, it is fun to drive you crazy," he said.

"Be serious!" she shoved him in the shoulder.

"Okay fine. Yes, how do you propose that we fix this?" he asked reluctantly.

"I don't know. What is it about me that makes you go from angry at me to kissing me?"

"I'm afraid that is all in my mind," he said pointing to his head. 'You can't fix that."

She sighed and began fiddling with her key around her neck.

"I will be a better gentleman," he promised. "But I need you to be just a little more patient with me."

"Right, in what way?"

"Just because I said earlier that I don't want to marry you that doesn't mean the option is off the table. Be patient with me. Be my friend. Let's just get to know each other."

"Huh," she said. "I've never thought about getting to know someone before marrying them." She thought about it for a moment. "I think I like that idea. Kind of novel you know? I mean it shouldn't be. If you're going to spend your entire life with someone it is smart to discover if you are compatible with them first."

"Yeah, I came up with that idea all on my own," he teased.

She smacked his shoulder playfully. "You are teasing me," she smiled.

"Yes," he admitted. "That's how us common folk have done it for a long time. I never understood why you high and mighty types marry people you hate."

"That is kind of weird now that you mention it," she said considering.

Thomas slowly reached down and held her hand in his. She leaned her head against his shoulder and kissed the top of her head.

"Okay, friends then," she said.

"Friends," he agreed.