Rose looked from Will to Amy and then nodded. “Ifyou’re sending me off though, you have to help with the dishes.”
For the first time, Amy saw the hint of a smile on Will’s face. “I think I can handle that.”
Amy scraped plates into the garbage, figuring she wasn’t going to make small talk with the guy. It was beyond her what he could possibly want.
He took the stack of scraped plates on the counter and began to load the large dishwasher. “Isabella tells me you’re a teacher.”
“Yes. I teach grade one at a Christian school in Dallas.” Did he want her to tutor Isabella in something?
“I was wondering—since you have experience with kids Isabella’s age—if you’d be willing to plan her birthday party.”
Amy turned to stare at him. “Her birthday party?”
He nodded. “Usually we do a small family party, but this past year when she went to school, she learned all about friend parties and is insisting on one for her birthday.”
“And you give her everything she wants,” Amy said.
Will’s brows drew together briefly. “I try to. I just don’t know anything about planning that type of party. Laurel and Violet are busy with their own kids and Jessa... Well, I don’t want to impose on her for obvious reasons.”
“So you want me to plan her whole birthday?” Amy knew she’d have no problem doing that, but part of her mind was working to figure out how to draw him into this for his daughter’s sake.
“Yes. You’d have an unlimited budget, and I’d pay you for your time.”
Sometimes Amy forgot how wealthy the Collingsworths were. Josh and Cami were no exception,but,aside from the luxury bus they used for travelling, they didn’t have many of the trappings of the rich.
She leaned back against the counter and crossed herarms. “Okay. I’ll do it, but under a couple of conditions.”
Will gave her a wary look. “Conditions?”
“Yep. She’s your daughter. I want you to help plan it.”
“And?”
“And I won’t take any pay for doing this. Consider it a labor of love.”
“A labor of love? You don’t even know her,” Will pointed out.
“She’s a child. What’s not to love?” Amy said with a smile. “Do we have a deal?”
“What kind of help are you talking about?” Will was obviously not going to agree to anything without a few more details.
“Nothing too elaborate. Just some help with decisions. And maybe a piñata or two.”
“A piñata? Why would you need help with that? Wouldn’t you just buy it?”
Amy grinned. “Never! I have the perfect recipe to make one. And you’re going to help.”
He regarded her for what seemed like forever before nodding. “Okay. Deal.”
“Perfect. When is her birthday?” Even as she asked the question, Amy was mindful of the other memory the day held.
“Two weeks from today.”
“So it’s on a Friday? Would you be willing to maybe have it on the day after? Sometimes that’s easier if parents work during the week. Maybe have it Saturday afternoon?”
His face clouded for a moment, but he still said, “That would be fine. I’ll just explain to her that because she wants a friend -party she’ll have to wait an extra day. Somehow I think she’ll be okay with that.”
“Great! Maybe you could drop her off here a couple of times so we can spend some time together. That way I can get a feel for what kind of party she’d like. We’ll need to get invitations out pretty quickly. Do you know her friends’ addresses?”
