She immediately shook her head. “Daddy lets me have whatever I want.”
Amy tilted her head. She supposed it would make sense that Will indulged his little girl. “Well, I don’t want to spoil your appetite if you’re going to eat lunch soon.”
“It’s okay. I’ll just have one. I love Aunt Jessa’s cookies.”
“Me, too. I had a couple last night.” Amy got up and circled the counter to grab the cookie jar. She picked out two and handed one to Isabella. “I’m going to join you. Any excuse for cookies is good.”
Isabella smiled and once again Amy was tossed back in time. The memory of a similar smile had plagued her for months—years—after Cami and Josh’s wedding.
“What’s wrong with Aunt Jessa?” Isabella asked after she took a small nibble of the cookie. “Did something happen to the baby?”
“No. The doctor just wants her to get lots more rest so the baby can finish growing. While she’s getting rest, I’m going to be helping out around here.”
“Who are you?” Dark eyes gazed at her curiously.
“I’m Lance’s cousin. I have the summer off since I’m a teacher, so I was able to come help them out.”
“You’re a teacher?”
“Yep. I teach first grade. What grade are you in?”
“I just finished kindergarten.”
“Cool. You’ll be in grade one when school starts.”
Isabella nodded. “I did so well that when I asked Daddy for a tablet, he got me one.” She gestured toward the floral bag sitting next to her on the counter. “My favorite color is purple.”
“I know a lot of little girls who like purple.”
“Is that your favorite color, too?”
“One of them,” Amy admitted. “But I also like pink and blue and green. And sometimes red.” She leaned close and with a grin whispered, “I try to be fair to all the colors, sothey don’t feel bad. Don’t want anyone to feel left out.”
Isabella giggled as she lifted her cookie to take another bite.
Someone cleared their throat, and Amy turned to see Will standing in the doorway once again. His hands were on his hips, and Amy wondered if perhaps Isabella had been wrong about her dad’s reaction to a cookie this close to lunch.
“Ready to go, Isabella?” he asked.
“Amy gave me a cookie,” she told him as she slid off the stool. Cookie in one hand, Isabella grasped the handle of her bag and pulled it from the counter.
Amy stood up. “I hope that was okay.”
“That’s fine,” Will said distractedly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Here. This is my business card. Please call if something happens with Jessa. And if you’re unable to reach Lance, don’t hesitate to contact me.”
“Will do.” Amy took the card, hating the fact that his nearness was leaving her breathless. She was supposed to have been over him.
Will looked at her more closely. “Do I know you? I mean, have we met before?”
For a moment, Amy wasn’t sure how to respond. There was a tiny part of her heart that hurt when she realized he didn’t remember her. Finally, she nodded. “Josh is my brother.”
Will’s brows drew together for a moment before comprehension dawned on his face. “You were here for Christmas when Jessa and Lance got married.”
“Yes.” Amy wasn’t surprised that he didn’t remember her from Josh and Cami’s wedding. He’d been a little distracted at the time.
“You must have been here for Cami’s wedding, too,” he said.
“I was her maid of honor,” shereplied, hoping hewouldn’t delve too deeply into that day. She didn’t think it was a place he’d want to revisit either, although for obviously different reasons.
