Not sure how she felt about spending part of her afternoon with Will, Amy climbed the stairs to her room.
Will opened the can of pop he’d gotten from the fridge as he settled down into one of the lawn chairs. The girls were still happily playing on the huge wooden structure Matt and Lance had built for the kids. It had a playhouse in addition to the sandbox, slide and swings. Isabella loved it, and Will knew he needed to take Lance’s advice and get a place with some yard. The problem was he already had a place. It just wasn’t livable yet, and he wasn’t sure when he’d ever be able to bring himself to completing the project. Plus, it really was too big for just him and Isabella. He couldn’t sell it in the condition it was in, so it would continue to sit empty for the time being.
“I can’t believe how beautiful it is up here even on a summer day. Down in Texas I’d be sweltering on a day like this.”
Will looked over to see Amy settling into the lawn chair next to his. She drew her legs up to sit cross-legged as she seta glass on the table beside her chair. The church clothes had been exchanged for a pair of white shorts that accented the tan of her long legs. She wore a white tank top underneath a large bright pink t-shirt that slid off one shoulder. Her hair was now gathered back in a ponytail which left the soft curve of her jawline visible.
Pulling his gaze from her, Will tried to remember what she’d said. “Uh. Yeah. The nice summers make up for the lousy winters.”
“I still remember the winter we were up here for Lance’s wedding. That was super cold. Cami and Josh’s wedding was marginally better.”
“There are days I wonder why I moved here from California,” Will admitted.
“Why did you?” Amy asked.
Will thought back to the day he’d made the decision. “Lance offered me a job with his company. It seemed like the perfect way to be able to spend time with the family I was finally getting to know. Then it was just easier to stay here after everything happened. And now Isabella loves being around her cousins. I don’t really have a good reason to take her away from them.”
“It’s nice she has that kind of relationship. I don’t really have any cousins my age. Most are around Josh and Beth’s age. But they spent most their early years in Kenya so they didn’t have much contact with our cousins either. Josh is fortunate that Lance reached out to him when he did. I think Josh would say Lance is his best friend now. Well, aside from Cami.”
“Guess they’ll be heading this way in a few weeks,” Will said.
“Yep. I can’t wait to see them.”
“Are you planning to stay for the whole summer?”
“Yes, because even if the baby comes early, Jessa will likely need help around here while she recovers. And it willgive me a chance to see Josh and Cami.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Will said, “Listen, I’m sorry about what happened earlier with Maura.”
Amy glanced his way. The corner of her mouth lifted in a half-smile, and she shrugged. “No big deal. It was an understandable conclusion since she didn’t realize who I was.”
“She’s been trying very hard for the past year or so to get me back into the dating world.”
“It does seem that people in relationships like to encourage others to follow their example.” Amy laughed. “I’m not sure if it’s because they want everyone to be as happy as they are or if misery loves company.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Will asked before he could stop himself.
Amy shook her head. “Not at the moment.”
“Do you have people trying to set you up?”
“Nah. I still live with my folks, and I think my mom would be just as happy if I stayed with them forever.” Amy picked up her glass and took a sip. “A couple of my friends are in serious relationships and every once in a while will try to talk me into a blind date. Haven’t given in yet.”
“You’re still young,” Will said.
“Not as young as I used to be, but I’m not rushing into anything. I kind of like being single. Gives me flexibility to do things like come here to Collingsworth for the summer. Besides,” Amy glanced at him, a contemplative expression on her face. “I dealt with a broken heart as a teenager and haven’t been too keen to repeat the experience.”
“Really? Teenage boys can be mean,that’s for sure.” Will wasn’t sure why he’d allowed the conversation to wander into this territory. Between Isabella’s reaction to Amy, and Maura’s comments, he found himself looking at Amy in a new way. A way that appealed to him more than it should have.
Amy didn’t address his observation. “My mom always tells me it’s gonna take a real special guy to catch my attention. And my dad says I can be a real handful sometimes. I, personally, have no idea what they’re talking about.” When she glanced his way again, Will saw a glint of humor in her eyes.
“I’m sure you’re nothing compared to the handful Isabella’s going to be.” Will watched as his daughter pumped her legs on the swing to send it soaring.
“You may be right there,” Amy agreed. “But there’s still time for you to help her learn a different way of dealing with you and others around her.”
“It’s gotten worse in the past year since she went to school. Suddenly she wanted everything her friends had and, frankly, it was just easier to give in than try to argue with her.”
“I’m not a parent, but I do have a little experience with this through my teaching.” Amy uncrossed her legs and stretched them out in front of her, wriggling her pink polished toes. “But it really shouldn’t be an argument. You are the parent and have the final say.”
