“Well, now that I don’t have a job, I may have to consider other options,” Amy said ruefully.
“I bet you’d drum up some business once the other mothers see what you did for Isabella,” Violet commented. “I’m sure I could even come up with a reason to hire you.”
Will liked the idea of Amy setting up a business in Collingsworth. It would certainly make it easier to have a relationship with her, but he wasn’t going to let something like a little distance deter him at this point.
“Did you need any more help?” Cami asked. “We didn’t just come to admire your handiwork.”
“I think it’s all good for now. I’ll come back out once the caterer arrives with the food. In the meantime, we have some little girls to get ready.”
“And some big girls, too,” Laurel added. “Rose was super excited about her fairy costume.”
“Are you dressing up?” Cami asked.
Amy grinned. “You bet. After all the work, I want some of the fun, too.”
“But it’s a definite no to me in tights,” Will reminded her.
Josh laughed. “NowthatI would have paid good money to see.”
“Keep your wallet in your pocket, brother,” Will said. “That ain’t ever happening.”
Amy lifted her hands and shrugged. “I did try.”
Will was grateful that the situation had been diffused by Amy. For the time being anyway.
As they made their way back to the manor, Will found himself wondering once again about Amy’s reaction to their kiss. After finally getting to the point where he actually wanted a relationship with someone again, he was anxious to get moving on it.
He stopped to chat with Charlotte and Henry, who were seated in lawn chairs in the backyard watching the kids play. One of the things he loved about the couple was their capacity to just embrace everyone. He’d seen their love for people firsthand during his mission trip to the Philippines. He didn’t think he’d ever met a more selfless couple.
When he looked around, Will realized that Amy had disappeared. Excusing himself, he went into the house to find her.
“I think she went up to her room,” Laurel said when he asked about her. “How did we not know there was something that serious going on between you two?”
“Because there wasn’t until just recently.” Will sat down on a stool at the counter. “Like two days ago.”
“That kiss didn’t look like it belonged to a relationship that is only two days old.”
Will lifted an eyebrow at his sister. “Were you just standing there watching the whole thing?”
“Well, I think we were all shocked speechless. Violet was just the first to recover.” Laurel leaned a hip against the counter and crossed her arms. “Josh and Cami don’t appear to be too happy about this latest turn of events. Not sure why.”
“Where are they?” Will asked, glancing around the kitchen. “And Vi?”
“Violet’s upstairs with Jessa.” She paused. “I think Josh and Cami are with Amy.”
Will tried to tamp down his irritation. Would they try to convince her to steer clear of him? If so, he wasn’t sure why. He didn’t think there was any reason for that. Given the reservation he’d sensed in Amy when he’d first asked her out, he was worried that she’d be swayed by Josh and Cami’s concerns. If they’d only let him in on the issues, it would be much easier.
~*~*~
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“What were you thinking?”
Amy stared at Cami and let out a long sigh. Whathadshe been thinking? That being held in Will’s arms had been the most wonderful thing in the world. That the closeness she’d dreamed of having with him so long ago was even more than she could have imagined.
Instead, she said, “I don’t know.”
“I had no idea when we talked that you were already this involved with him.”
