Sophie lifted the photo again, and this time, Colby suddenly grabbed her wrist. The move was so unexpected, Sophie barely had time to process it before Colby was leading her down the stairs.


    Not sure what he was up to, Sophie''s face showed rare panic. "Hey! What are you doing? Let go of me!"


    When they reached the front yard of the Aldridge estate, Colby abruptly let her go.


    She almost bumped into him as he spun around to face her.


    They were standing so close, and Colby looked at her with an intensity that made her heart race.


    "What happened today stays between us, or else..."


    Before Sophie could make sense of his words, Colby stepped straight into the fountain.


    The water drenched him, highlighting his toned body. He wasn''t wearing much, to begin with, and now everything was on disy.


    "Mercy, mydy!"


    His dramatic plea left Sophie speechless.


    She tried to keep a straight face, but her efforts crumbled in seconds.


    How could someone say something so serious yet so hriously absurd? "Hahahaha!"


    Momentster, Sophie''sughter rang through the Aldridge Estate.


    The next morning.


    Sophie burst into Gordon''s study, buzzing with excitement aboutst night''s events. "I thought he was mad at me, but then he just jumped into the fountain, shouting ''Mercy, mydy!'' three times! Can you imagine, Gordon? The usually icy Colby, pleading like that-it was too funny!"


    Gordon, sitting at his desk, watched her with a warm grin. "Getting under Colby''s skin like that, you''re probably the first in all of Devonport."


    "That''s all thanks to you, big brother."


    Sophie flopped onto the couch, her legs swinging happily. "Too bad such fun only happens once."


    A touch of disappointment flickered across her face.


    After a moment, she asked, "Do you think he''ll try to get back at me for this?"


    "Colby''s not that type."


    "Do you know him well?"


    "Not really."


    "Then how do you know?"


    Sophie pouted. "With a face that stern, I wonder how he''ll ever find a wife."


    She couldn''t resistplimenting


    Gordon, adding, "Unlike you, brothe so kind; I bet lots of girls


    e you." Content belonge


    Rick entered with a tray of tea just in


    time


    Catch Sophie''s words, a


    couldn''t help but chuckle.


    and he


    s to en.


    "Rick, what''s so funny?"


    Sophie asked, curious about Rick''s reaction.


    "It''s nothing... Miss Sophie might not know how Mr. Gordon is when he''s out in the world."


    Sophie''s interest was piqued. "What do you mean?"


    "Rick."


    Gordon interrupted, "Just leave the tea and go."


    "Yes, sir."


    "So, what''s my brother like outside?"


    Sophie tugged yfully at Rick''s arm, trying to get him to spill.


    Rick cleared his throat, hesitating a bit before quietly confessing, "Out in public, sir''s expression is even more intimidating than Mr. Colby''s