CHAPTER EIGHT
“Oops. Sorry about that.” Amy tried not to pay attention to the whiff of his cologne she got. Or how her heart skipped a beat at his nearness. “Trying to see if the loops look the same.”
Will stared at her for a moment then said, “Yeah. Your side looks better than mine.”
Amy glanced at the other side of the aisle and tried not to smile. “There is a bit of unevenness.”
Will scoffed. “A bit? I’m not cut out for this wedding decoration stuff.”
“Here, let me see if I can line them up with the other side.” Amy bent to slide the rope a bit at each hook.
Once they were looped to Laurel’s satisfaction, Amy and Will began the task of hanging bows on each hook with the help of Julia and Isabella.
“This looks so wonderful,” Amy said once they were done. “I remember how beautiful it looked for Cami and Josh’s wedding, too.”
“That was a really beautiful wedding,” Laurel agreed. “I think partly because it was such a long time coming. I was starting to wonder if your brother was ever going to pop the question.”
“All of us were,” Amy said. “But I think he just wanted to make sure it was the right decision. After having such a rough time with his first marriage, he didn’t want to rush into anything.”
“I’m glad it worked out so well for them,” Violet said as she began to close up the boxes. “And I think they are just perfect for each other.”
“I know,” Amy said wistfully. “Watching them together has reinforced for me the importance of waiting for the right person and not just settling. I know I talk about wanting to get married, but honestly, I’m in no rush. I’m trying to just trust God to do His work in that area of my life.”
Amy hoped she sounded more convincing than she felt. It was easier said than done to let God do His work in that part of her life when she still felt the sting of pain from the last time she’d trusted Him with it.
“And that’s how it should be,” Laurel said.
“Will, can you help us take these boxes to the storage room?” Violet asked. “We’ll leave them there to box everything back up after the wedding.”
Since the boxes were light, it didn’t take long to get them put away. They stood at the rear of the sanctuary for one last look, and Violet declared it perfect.
As they walked back to the manor, Amy felt a little hand slide into hers and looked down to see Isabella skipping beside her. In the dusk of the evening, she smiled at her. She had begun to formulate her plans for the birthday party and really hoped that Isabella would love it. At some point in the next few days, she needed to get together with Will to run a few things by him...and ask for the use of his credit card or some cash.
Back at the manor, Violet and Laurel went upstairs to update Jessa on the wedding plans. Amy headed for the kitchen with Isabella and Will.
Mindful of Isabella, Amy looked at Will and said, “Can you give me a call in the next day or two? I have a couple of questions.”
Will nodded. “Yes, I was thinking we needed to touch base about that.”
“I’d also like it if maybe you could stop by on your own one time,” Amy suggested, hating that it sounded so clandestine but hoping that Isabella wouldn’t pick up on what she was saying.
“Will do.” Will turned to look at Isabella. “Think it’s time we headed for home.”
Isabella protested but finally, after saying an extended goodbye to Amy, followed her father out to the car. Amy let out a long breath as she sank down on a stool at the counter. It was hard to push aside the emotions that being around Will had brought to the surface again. But she was determined to not let anyone suspect anything, in hopes that one day the feelings would go away, and no one there would be any the wiser. She had to find that happy balance between not spending too much time with him and yet not avoiding him.
~*~*~
Will opened the door for Isabella to climb out of the SUV. “Did you have fun today?”
Isabella glanced up at him, her brow furrowed. “Yes. Auntie Violet said I swim like a fish.”
“I’m sure that’s true. You always did love your swimming lessons.”
“I wish we had a pool,” Isabella said wistfully as they rode the elevator to their fifth floor apartment. “Then I could go swimming all the time.”
“We’d have to move if we wanted a pool,” Will told her.
“I’d like to move. I want to live in a house like Julia. She can go outside and play whenever she wants. And Uncle Lance built her that super cool playhouse. I want that.”
