Jessa lay back against a stack of pillows while Julia sat cross-legged on Lance’s side of the bed. A bed tray sat between them with a card game on it. “How was the tour of the site?”
“It was good. And I got Will’s credit card, so I’m ready to do some shopping.”
Jessa grinned. “I wish I could go with you. I’d love to put a dent in his credit limit.”
“I promised him he could trust me with it and that I wouldn’t go hog wild.” Amy sank down on the end of the bed, careful to not upset the cards on the tray. “But I’m wondering if you’d be okay with me asking Rose to come out here this afternoon. I’d like to do a little shopping.”
“That would be fine. I don’t want you to feel you have to be here every minute of the day,” Jessa said. “And like I told you, you’re welcome to use my car any time you need it.”
“Thanks. I’ll probably be gone over supper, but I’ll make sure everything for dinner is ready before I go.”
Jessa tilted her head. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Why?”
“You seem a little distracted.”
Amy smiled. “My mind’s going in a million directions with ideas for this party. I just need to start getting things so I can cross stuff off my list.”
“I think it’s so sweet you’re doing this for Isabella.” Jessa glanced at Julia. “Even if it’s going to mean the other little girls in the family are going to want super great parties like this one from now on.”
“Well, let’s just see if I can pull it off before anyone gets too jealous.” Amy stood up. “I’ll let you guys finish your game. Let me know if there’s anything you need. I’ll just be downstairs. I think Will is going to be dropping Isabella off shortly.”
Back in the kitchen, Amy settled down at the table with her notebook and laptop. She made a list of places to go to that she’d seen in town and what she needed to look for at each place. It was likely that she would have to order some things online, so she would need to ask Will about using his credit card for places like that. Before she could reconsider, Amy picked up her cell and placed the call to Will.
“Hey, it’s Amy,” she said when he answered.
“Miss me already?”
Her heart clenched at his teasing. Though her throat was tight, she tried to keep her tone light when she responded. “Something like that.”He only sees you as Josh’s little sister. “Just wondered how to deal with ordering a few things online. I don’t know how you feel about me using your card that way.”
“Are they reputable sites?” Will asked.
“They should be, but I’d actually feel better if I just use my card and then you can reimburse me. If my card gets hacked, there’s not too much damage they can do.”
“If you’re sure you have the room. Just give me the receipts as soon as you get them, and I can get you themoney.”
“Okay. I’ll feel better doing it that way.” Amy ended the call and got up to get something to drink. She sat back down at the table and stared out the window over the sink.Please, God, don’t let him break my heart twice. Why are You letting me feel this all over again? Wasn’t one heartbreak enough?
She’d been horribly naïve to think she could come here and be around Will again without having any of her old feelings for him surface. And even worse than the old feelings were the new ones that had been showing up as well. Resting an elbow on the table, Amy pressed her forehead against her fist. This time around, however, she wasn’t a fifteen-year-old girl with raging teenage hormones. She should be able to deal with this and not let it overwhelm her like it had before.
Determined to get herself some space, Amy phoned Rose and confirmed that she would be able to come out to the manor a little later that afternoon. Will and Isabella often ended up staying for supper, so Amy planned to be gone for that as well.
Thankfully, Will just dropped Isabella off and headed back to town. Amy took her laptop out to the picnic table and looked through some websites while Isabella and Julia played together. Once Rose arrived, Amy showed her what was planned for supper. Laurel and Violet were both going to be arriving at the manor soon for the wedding rehearsal in case anything was needed. Amy was glad that Rose had agreed to come early to help her out. Once the wedding party left for the rehearsal dinner, the family would have their own dinner at the manor.
“Thanks for coming early, Rose,” Amy said as she took Jessa’s keys from the hook by the door.
Rose smiled. “I’m glad to be able to help. And I’m excited about helping with the face painting.”
“I found a couple of sites with costumes for us that aren’ttotally inappropriate for a children’s party. I’ll forward them to you so you can choose which one you want.”
The young woman rubbed her hands together. “I can hardly wait. This is so much fun.”
“Well, I’m going to head off and see what I can find in Collingsworth before resorting to buying online. I have my cell if anything should come up.” Amy slipped the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “Thanks again for coming to watch the girls.”
“You go and have fun shopping. Everything is going to be fine here.”
Once in Jessa’s car on the way into town, Amy took a deep breath and let it out. She hadn’t realized how much she had needed a break until right then. And maybe if it hadn’t been for the complication of the situation with Will, she wouldn’t have needed one at all. But shopping was as good an excuse as any for putting a little distance between her and the man who was slowly bringing all her feelings for him to the surface once again.
