“That’s easier said than done,” Will remarked. “But I have a feeling my sisters, whoareparents, would agree with you.”
“I’m sure it must be difficult being a single parent,” Amy said, her voice soft. “Especially in your circumstances.”
“It certainly wasn’t what I had planned for my life.” He watched as Isabella slid off her swing and set off running, Julia hot on her heels, both girls shrieking.
“And I haven’t done a very good job accepting that.” Will surprised himself with that revelation. He hadn’t shared that with anyone before.
“I know what it’s like to plan one thing and have it turn out way different than you thought it would. Although obviously not to the scale you have.”
When Will looked her way, he found that she was nowwatching the girls, a distant expression on her face. He found it interesting how easy it was to talk with her. He hadn’t let his guard down much around the single women of Collingsworth. And he would never have spent a Sunday afternoon chatting with one of them after a family dinner. He supposed it had to do with her not even being remotely interested in trying to snag him.
While Will did understand why women might view him as a catch—his sisters said he wasn’t bad looking and he did have some of the Collingsworth millions—he just hadn’t been interested in any of the women who had crossed his path so far. Ever since Isabella had gone to kindergarten she’d periodically brought up the fact that other kids in her class had a mother and a father. He’d finally told her about Delia, but that hadn’t stopped her from wanting a mommy of her own. However, it wouldn’t be fair to a woman to marry her just because Isabella wanted—and maybe needed—a mother.
He hoped that her fascination with Amy wouldn’t put any ideas in her head. While Maura’s little slip-up had been awkward, it would be nothing compared to Isabella setting her sights on Amy for the role of mother. His little girl was used to getting what she wanted, but Amy would be the one thing he wouldn’t be able to give her. For now, Will was trying to keep Isabella focused on how Amy was a teacher and how she loved little kids like Isabella because of that. If he could keep her thinkingteacherwhen she interacted with Amy, they might be able to avoid any awkwardness during the next couple of months.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” Amy began, “where’s Lily?”
“Who knows.” Will watched as she took another sip of her water. “Last I heard she was hanging out in Paris.”
“Really? What happened to the guy she was with? Nick?”
“Nate. He’s still here. Apparently she wanted to travel and tried to convince him to go with her, but he had responsibilities here. None of us have seen her in a couple of years. Kinda reminiscent of Cami, from what I’ve heard.”
“Maybe she’ll come around like Cami did.”
“We hope that will happen. I know Jessa worries a lot about her. She basically raised Lily, so I think she feels more responsible for her.”
“Did she go to college?”
“Not here. I know she wanted to study art or fashion or something.” Will sighed. “I’m sorry. I sound like a horrible brother. I was kind of in my own little world during the time she up and left. I just know what I hear periodically from the girls.”
“It’s okay to not be as close to one sibling as you are to others,” Amy said. “That’s kind of how it is with me and my older sister, Beth.”
“You don’t spend much time together?”
“Not really. She was around thirteen when I was born, and I’ve always gotten the feeling she resented the fact that I was a girl. Once I arrived on the scene, she wasn’t the only little princess anymore. That’s why I absolutely love Cami. She’s been so great to me, and I feel she’s more like a sister to me than Beth is.”
“Family relationships can be a real challenge,” Will said. “Thankfully, my parents worked hard to make sure we all got along. And then to find out I had a whole other family was an interesting discovery.”
“I think your family is terrific. I’m so glad that both Josh and Lance married into it. Makes me almost family, too.”
Will smiled, surprising himself. “I’m sure they’d happily claim you as sister.”
“I’m sure you’re not looking for another sister. They’ve already got you outnumbered five to one.”
Will realized he wasn’t, in fact, interested in having her as a sister. Nothing he’d thought about her since that first morning in the kitchen had included viewing her as a sibling. “Yes, I do have plenty of sisters, but I’m up for a friend.”
“A person can never have too many friends,” Amy said as she flashed him a smile.
“Daddy!”
Isabella’s yell drew Will’s attention back to the girls. He watched as she skipped in his direction, a determined look on her face. Bracing himself for what was to come, Will straightened in his seat.
“What’s up?” he said as she approached, Julia not far behind her.
“It’s hot. We want ice cream.”
“Ice cream?” Will looked from Isabella to Julia, who nodded her agreement. “I’m sure there’s some in the freezer.”
