Behind The Proposal novel Chapter 30

"You didn't have to marry him!"

"I wanted to. We both did," Sophie shrugged knowing it was the truth.

Kim protested and shook her head, yet again. "What do you even know about him? Where does he live? What are his family like? There's so much you can't possibly know."

"I know all I need to," Sophie raised her chin defiantly. "He's been living in Hawaii the last five years, running one of his family's hotels. He grew up in Australia, mostly. His family live in Melbourne. He has two siblings. And his family are amazing."

"If he lives in Hawaii, then where are you going to live, Soph?" she demanded.

At least Sophie had the answers to that. "Here. He's building a new Sanderson hotel here." She wouldn't mention the fact that the new resort was in Cairns.

"He's one of those Sandersons?"

"Yes," Sophie squeaked.

"Let me get this straight, you didn't just bring home a guy, you brought home a billionaire?" Kim looked momentarily shocked, then put her hands on her hips, disappointment radiating from every pore. "I don't know what you've gotten yourself into. What do you really know about him? Apart from his fancy surname? He could be a serial killer for all you know."

"Nothing like that," Tom's deep voice came from behind her and Sophie turned around to meet her new husband's eyes. She might not know every little detail about him, but she knew that he was a good man - a generous man with a good heart - and he really cared about her and Jasmine. That was all that mattered.

"I'm just a regular guy," he shrugged.

"Who just happens to own a chain of fancy hotels," Kim rolled her eyes.

"My family does, yes," he nodded.

"There's nothing regular about you," Kim spluttered and turned away.

"I'll take that as a compliment," he murmured to her turned back, knowing it was meant to be an insult. "I know this is a shock. And I'll admit that we haven't known each other long, but I really do care a great deal about your sister and your niece."

Kim turned on her heel and glared at him. "But why get married? Why couldn't you have just dated like a regular couple?"

He just shrugged one shoulder. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Thanks," Sophie murmured. At least her sister had thought to do that. Her sister was great. Most of the time.

"Any time," Kim shrugged and handed them both cups of teas.

Sophie took a sip and sank down into one of the kitchen chairs. Hopefully, this would perk her up for a little bit longer. But she'd need a coffee to get though dinner.

"Why don't you go have a shower," Tom suggested gently.

"I might do that," she nodded, hesitating as she looked between them both. "You two won't kill each other while I'm gone?"

"No," Kim sighed heavily and shook her head. "Go. We'll take care of dinner."

Sophie nodded and disappeared into her bedroom for a much needed hot shower. She took the required cup of tea with her.

Once they had dinner in the oven, it was showdown at the okay corral all over again -Tom and Kim were sitting at either ends of the table, staring at each other. It wasn't exactly the warm welcome he'd hoped for, but then from the little Sophie had said, he hadn't really expected that either. He'd expected her sister to be a little less frosty though, and he was actually dreading meeting her parents. No wonder Sophie closed up and had that hurt look in her eyes whenever her family was mentioned.