Wrapped Up in Christmas Love (Wrapped Up in Christmas #4)

Chapter Two

“I s Cole planning to wear his fuzzy red Santa suit instead of his military uniform to your wedding, Sophie?”

Despite the exasperation Isabelle hadn’t been able to shake after her lunchtime encounter with the full-of-himself stranger, she smiled at Rosie Hudson as she paced back and forth from one fabric display to another while they waited on Sophie to model her gown.

“You think we could convince him to?” Isabelle straightened a display that Rosie had bumped into on her last spin around.

Waiting in the quilt shop’s Christmas section had been easiest due to the wooden rocking chair that Sarah occupied while nursing her five-month-old daughter. Left up to Isabelle, her soon-to-be brother-in-law would wear his Santa suit rather than his Marine uniform. Not that Isabelle was as big on the holidays as Sophie, but military uniforms reminded her of things she would just as soon not be reminded of on her sister’s wedding day.

“Cole’s not wearing his Santa suit,” Maybelle Kirby assured, her tone brooking no argument from where she browsed Christmas embroidered kitchen towels. If the Butterflies had a leader, Maybelle would be it. The regal, older Grace Kelly look-alike with her no-nonsense attitude and ability to whip a room into shape made Isabelle partial to the woman. Isabelle appreciated order. Maybelle held up a Merry Christmas towel. “These are lovely.”

“Maybe Cole could wear his firefighter uniform,” Ruby suggested, moving next to Isabelle to browse through the holiday fabric she’d just straightened. “Cole and my grandson look so handsome in their uniforms.” The older woman beamed. “Andrew’s coming home from California to be the best man, you know?”

“We know,” Maybelle and Rosie said simultaneously, as if they’d heard Ruby make the comment a few times previously.

Unfazed, Ruby just smiled at her five decades-plus friends. Ruby was an iconic grandma. She cooked. She sewed. She loved with all her heart. “I can’t wait to see him, Morgan, and Grayson. It feels as if it’s been forever since they got married this summer. I know Claudia thinks the same about her granddaughter and great-grandson. I’m glad they chose to spend their honeymoon in Pine Hill, so we got to spend time with them.”

“Not much of a honeymoon.” Rosie fluttered her fake lashes. Rosie was the life of the Butterflies’ party. Always had been and always would be. Just ask her and she’d tell you while tossing Christmas-colored confetti to prove it. “They should have left Greyson with Claudia and gone somewhere exotic.”

“Morgan wanted to stay here after their wedding.” Ruby gave her friend a don’t-you-go-hating-on-my-grandson look. The marriage of Ruby’s grandson to Claudia’s granddaughter had officially cemented the Butterflies into family. Not that it mattered. The women were closer than most blood relatives. Isabelle had thought of them as family long before her second cousin had married Andrew.

While Isabelle decided to redo the fabric display, putting each bolt into order by theme, the group chatted about Andrew and Morgan a few minutes before Cole’s Santa role came up again.

“How Sophie transforms that hunky man into a plausible Santa amazes me.” The large diamond wedding set on Rosie’s left hand sparkled as it caught the quilt shop’s lights when she fluffed her short, punk rock blue hair. The style might appear ridiculous on some sixty-something women, but Rosie pulled off the look. Everything about the exuberant woman was larger than life and made Isabelle feel dull and plain. Or maybe it was lingering thoughts of Zach that had her questioning her stick-straight pale locks cut into a no-nonsense, shoulder-length bob.

Isabelle forced herself away from Zach thoughts for the four millionth time that day to thinking that at the rate they were selling the festive holiday fabric, she’d have to order more soon. Santa patterns here. Holly patterns there. Reindeer patterns next to the Santa ones. A happy snowman print caught her eye, and she sighed as Zach’s teasing gaze popped back into her mind. She’d not felt dull or plain when she’d been staring into those sparkly eyes. She’d felt… alive.

Not alive, she corrected herself. Annoyed. That was what she’d felt. Annoyed. Irritated. Livid. Prickly. Breathless .

Frustrated, she shoved the snowman fabric as far back between the other bolts as it would go, not caring what order it was in, just proud that it could barely be seen. Maybe she’d nix snowman orders of any kind for the rest of the season.

“Oh, that one is perfect for what I’m looking for.” Ruby rescued the hidden material.

Of course it was. Isabelle stepped back to give Ruby room to examine the fabric. In the process, she bumped against a holiday-themed sewing items display and knocked a few pieces to the floor. Stooping to pick up the dropped goodies, she realized what they were and fought screaming. Seriously? Of everything in the shop, she’d hit the silly snowman pincushions Sophie had been so tickled with when she’d unboxed them.

Mumbling under her breath, Isabelle stewed. Would the ladies notice if she opened one of the plastic packages and took out her frustrations on one of the smiling fellow’s round bellies with as many stray pins as she could find? She wished she’d never read that joke at Lou’s. Or ran into her own personal abdominal—um, make that abominable—snowman.

“I knew the first time my Andrew brought Cole over that that young man was a good one.” Ruby brushed her fingertips over the cotton blend as she unwound the fabric bolt to better see the pattern.

Isabelle swore the merry snowmen were taunting her.

“Agreed.” Maybelle gave her verdict, and the ladies sang more of Sophie’s fiancé’s virtues.

Initially, Isabelle hadn’t been convinced, but Cole had won her over. Now, Isabelle trusted him with Sophie’s future happiness and well-being. Mostly. She’d keep vigilance on protecting her impulsive sister long after Sophie had walked down the aisle. Ha, she’d likely still be slaying dragons on Sophie’s behalf when they were Butterfly-aged. It was what she’d always done to protect her prone-to-getting-into-situations younger sister.

Rising from where she’d gathered the snowman pincushions, Isabelle slid the packages onto their metal hooks, repeatedly glancing toward the Employees Only door at the back of the shop. What was taking Sophie and Aunt Claudia so long? All they’d had to do was slip the dress over Sophie’s head and zip the zipper.

With a Butterfly-made pink quilt draped over her shoulder, Sarah cooed at the five-month-old baby she nursed. “I can’t wait to have this little sweetie’s picture made with Santa Cole. Bodie and I will treasure pulling it out to display each Christmas.”

“Of course you will. Now, finish feeding my god-granddaughter so I can love on my Jeannie May,” Maybelle pointed out, pursing her lips and giving Sarah an expectant look.

Sarah had named her daughter after her belated Aunt Jean and Maybelle. Maybelle and Jean had been best friends right up until Sarah’s aunt had passed from pneumonia a few years back. Maybelle and the Butterflies had taken Sarah under their wings and were doing the same with Jeannie. Ha, the ladies seemed to have the entire town under their matronly wings. Thank goodness Isabelle managed, for the most part, to stay on the outskirts of their good-intentioned, but interfering, ways.

“What makes you think you get to hold Jeannie first?” Rosie frowned at Maybelle, flashing her diamond as her hand went to her hips.

“That cutie pie doesn’t want to look at your Jack Frost-colored hair right after she eats.”

“ Humph .” Rosie gave Maybelle a down-her-nose sneer. “I’m like a Rockefeller Center Christmas tree with a beautiful blue star on top and you’re that pitiful one branch, no leaves twig from that seventies dog cartoon.” She batted her long lashes. “Of course, Jeannie prefers me.”

“Rosie’s got a few cobwebs in that tree she’s comparing herself to, as well,” Ruby teased, still eyeing the snowman fabric that Isabelle wished she’d hurry and put back on the rack.

The fabric wasn’t even of the abominable snowman, so it shouldn’t remind her of Zach. He looked nothing like a rounded snowman, not with his chiseled jaw, dimpled cheeks, broad shoulders, and those abs… ugh. No more Zach thoughts .

Isabelle added No more Zach thoughts to her to-do list, then crossed it off. There. She was so over thinking about him.

“Sarah, tell old blue there how you chose me as Jeannie May’s godmother.”

“Sophie revamped Cole’s Santa suit. It looks and feels real with the new padding, and she’s gotten really good with doing his face and wig.” Isabelle rushed to distract the two women from their lifelong bickering habit.

For as long as she could remember, Rosie and Maybelle had been exchanging barbs, with the other two Butterflies often egging them on. Yet, without a doubt, they loved each other. Theirs was a friendship that had lasted, and would continue to last, a lifetime. Still, Isabelle wasn’t risking a Butterfly smackdown in the quilt shop. She could just imagine fabric and thread flying every which way. Not that she’d mind the snowman material being shredded.

“Sophie has an artistic gift. It’s part of what makes your quilt shop so successful, your business acumen and her creativity.” Giving Rosie one last glare, Maybelle put the Merry Christmas towel back on the shelf. “Cole gets a big kick out of being Santa for the kids.”

“Cole knows it’s better to give than to receive.” Ruby finally tucked the snowman fabric onto the rack and pulled out a reindeer print. “From the moment he moved to Pine Hill, he’s been a giver. That’s why he and Andrew get along so well. Two birds of a feather.”

A commotion sounded from the back of the shop. Peeking through the doorway, Aunt Claudia cleared her throat, then made a drumroll sound. “Ladies and Butterflies, I present to you the loveliest of brides wearing a one-of-a-kind gown.”

Smiling so big she looked as if she might burst with joy, Sophie stepped through the door and floated into the quilt shop. A vision in antique white satin and lace, she stopped in front of a Christmas tree decorated with big red bows and various sewing items for sale and turned to three-sixty showcase her mermaid-style dress. When she faced them again, her gaze met Isabelle’s, obviously wanting reassurance that she wasn’t imagining the dress’s exquisiteness.

Isabelle’s eyes watered. “Oh, Sophie, you look beautiful.”

“This dress makes me feel beautiful.” Sophie lifted the hem, revealing a thin underlayer of fluff. “See the adorable butterflies in the lace’s pattern? It’s perfection.”

The women glowed at the compliment and converged on the bride-to-be.

“It’s going to be.” Maybelle moved in for a closer look, turning Sophie. “It’s not finished yet.”

“Just wait until we get the remainder of the lace and pearls attached,” Aunt Claudia said. Maybelle had overseen the making of the gown, but Aunt Claudia had been the one to assure the design was the way Sophie described her fantasy dress.

“You’re going to be the talk of the town,” Ruby promised, her expression dreamy.

Rosie tugged at the zipper seam to make sure there was no give. “I still think you should have worn my wedding dress as your something borrowed.”

“Right.” Maybelle rolled her eyes heavenward. “As if anyone wants to wear the wedding dress an old clown wore a year ago in her circus-act ceremony.”

Aunt Claudia cackled as she studied Sophie. “She could have borrowed your hair for her something blue.”

Isabelle suppressed a giggle, as did Ruby, Sarah, and Sophie, based on how their hands covered their mouths.

“Don’t mind Rosie. She can’t stand not being the center of attention. That’s why she keeps offering her dress.” Maybelle measured various points on the back of the dress. “Mark down twenty inches. Rosie’s wedding is last year’s old news. Old being the key word.”

“You’re just jealous because you couldn’t convince John to marry you if you got down on one knee and begged him.” As she spouted her accusation about the gentleman Maybelle had been spotted around town with over the past year, Rosie made a note on a clipboard while the others fluttered around Sophie.

“If any of us got down on one knee, we might never get back up.” Ruby slapped her thigh. “You thinking about marrying John, Maybelle?”

Maybelle gave a horrified look. “Absolutely not. I’m a once and done bride. My Robert was the love of my life. John is a good friend whom I go to dinner with when I’m not busy with one of our projects or helping Rosie look for her reading glasses yet again.”

“If that was a dig at my age, might I remind you that I’m not as old as you?” Rosie asked.

Isabelle wasn’t sure of what the real age difference between the women was, but Rosie frequently let it be known that she was younger than Maybelle.

“No worries, Rosie. Nothing is ever going to outdo your wedding last Christmas.” Isabelle smiled at the blue-haired newlywed. “I mean, an ice-skating rink and snowman building at a wedding reception? That’ll be impossible to top.”

Isabelle immediately had to kick the thought of making a six-pack snowman out of her head. Crossed off her list or not, Zach’s flirty grin popped into her head, and she fought frowning. Why wouldn’t he stay out of her thoughts?

“Isn’t this just the best dress ever?” Sophie’s happy sigh drew everyone’s attention.

Watching Sophie turn, her smile so brilliant she outshone the angel topper on the Christmas tree behind her, Isabelle embraced her sister’s happiness. This , she thought. Seeing her sister happy. That was why she’d moved back to Pine Hill. Sophie had the best heart and deserved every good thing. Isabelle intended to make sure she had it and that her wedding was everything Sophie had ever dreamed.

“Yes, I do believe it is.” Aunt Claudia’s eyes filled with pride, then she turned to Isabelle. “Just as your maid of honor dress will be. Don’t think we’ve forgotten that we’re in charge of making it, too.”

Isabelle had insisted the women finish Sophie’s gown first. What Isabelle wore wasn’t important. She could always find something that would work in a pinch.

“I just appreciate that Sophie isn’t going with Rosie’s ugly Christmas sweater bridesmaid dresses.” Isabelle’s reminder earned glares from Maybelle, Claudia, and Ruby.

Rosie had made sure her bridesmaids hadn’t overshadowed her. Sophie seemed to want the opposite, insisting that Isabelle’s gown be glamorous, whimsical, and feminine. Her sister should know that she preferred practical. As silly as some of the things had been, Rosie’s wedding had been special in so many ways, not the least of which was that Cole had proposed to Sophie there.

“The whole fiasco was more like a three-ring circus than a wedding,” Maybelle grumbled, moving the measuring tape over a smidge. “Poor Lou. You know the man wonders what possessed him to marry our Rosie.”

“No one asked you.” Rosie lifted her chin. “Lou is a very happily married man who wakes up to every day feeling like Christmas morning thanks to our perfect wedding.”

“Your perfect mess, you mean.” Maybelle snorted. “The man thought he was getting sugarplums and instead he got lumps of coal.”

Coal . Zach’s grin danced through Isabelle’s mind again and she swallowed.

“My wedding is going to be a simple Christmas ceremony at Pine Hill Church.” Sophie’s face glowed. “I want the whole world to know Cole is mine, but for our vows, it’ll just be us and close family and friends with Sarah’s dad officiating.”

“Oh, the world knows. Anyone who sees that man around you knows he’s all yours.” Aunt Claudia’s face expressed approval as she made another mark on the clipboard where they were making notes about the dress.

Isabelle agreed that anyone who saw them together would know how Cole felt. How they both felt. Cole loved Sophie, and her sister was all twinkly lights whenever he was near.

“Fifty years together and everyone who sees us knows my Charles is mine, too.” Ruby beamed. “He looks at me the same way and I just adore looking right back. He’s such a wonderful man.”

Rosie made a gagging sound, then pointed to an area just beneath Sophie’s waist. “The back needs pearly sequins, ladies. A row added right there on both sides. A few pearls, too, the luxurious tiny ones, and it’ll be perfect. Not as perfect as my dress, mind you, but close.”

“Nonsense.” Maybelle frowned as she studied the gown’s back. “What we have planned is just the right amount to catch the light and add a hint of sparkle without being gaudy .”

“We don’t want to shadow Sophie’s inner glow.” Ruby studied the dress back.

“As if you could.” Isabelle smiled as she caught her sister’s eye. “Sophie doesn’t need artificial shine. She sparkles from the inside out.”

It was one of the things she loved most about her sister. Sophie found joy in everything. Her pureness of heart never saw the negative in anyone or anything.

Sophie just smiled. Then, with a gush of pre-wedding emotions, her eyes watered. “I’m so grateful to each of you for all you’re doing to make my wedding so special.”

“Then stop your crying,” Isabelle ordered, not able to stand Sophie’s tears.

She’d never been able to and did whatever was needed to put the joy back onto Sophie’s face.

“Sorry, I’m happy, it’s just…” Sophie’s voice trailed off and she sniffled.

Isabelle’s stomach plummeted. Was something wrong? Had Cole said or done something that was making her sister have second thoughts? She struggled to believe it, but something sure had Sophie upset.

“Just?” Maybelle prompted.

“All of this is wonderful,” Sophie began, a trembly forced smile marring her lovely face. “A dream come true. I’ve so much to be thankful for, and feel guilty for wanting more, only—” She hesitantly looked Isabelle’s way. “As wonderful as everything is, the day won’t be complete without Daddy to walk me down the aisle.”

A strangled cry clawed its way free from Isabelle’s throat. Of all the things she might have guessed Sophie would say, wanting the father they hadn’t seen in over twenty years to walk her down the aisle hadn’t been one of them.

“You can’t let that man ruin your wedding day,” Isabelle urged.

Their father had already ruined enough of their days when they’d been children and unable to do anything about it. Long ago, Isabelle had determined to take that power away from him and had never looked back. If only tenderhearted Sophie could do the same.

The others in the room averted their gazes, even Maybelle, who usually had no qualms at tackling awkward situations. Isabelle couldn’t imagine a more awkward situation than one involving Cliff Davis. The man was a menace to all things good. No wonder the usually chatty women were silent.

“It’s just… I wish Daddy could be there.” Sophie swiped at a tear that ran down her cheek before it could drip onto her dress. “I know you think I’m silly, but what little girl doesn’t dream of having her father escort her down the aisle to her Prince Charming?”

“Little girls whose father walked away from his wife and two young daughters.” Isabelle battled the urge to wrap her arms around her sister to hold her the way she had when Sophie cried when they’d been small. She also fought walking out of the shop to scream so loudly it shook the garland wreaths right off the courthouse windows. She and Sophie had very different takes on their father. For all Isabelle cared, he could stay gone.

“Don’t you ever wonder where he is and what he’s doing?” Sophie’s brown eyes glistened.

“No.” Isabelle rarely thought about their father and when she did, it was never in any way good. Her thoughts ran more along the lines of what she’d like to do to him for how he’d abandoned their family and caused so much pain to her sister and mother.

“I’d do anything if he could be at my wedding. I’ve always prayed he’d come home and believed he someday would. Wouldn’t that just be the perfect Christmas miracle?” Sophie gave a wobbly smile. “For Daddy to be at my wedding to walk me down the aisle to Cole? Oh, Isabelle, can you imagine how wonderful that would be?”

Wonderful? It would be a nightmare. Isabelle fought making a gagging sound similar to the one Rosie had made earlier.

“He’s been gone over twenty years, Sophie. Twenty. Years.” She stressed the words, because Sophie was acting as if their father had just left last month and might pop back into town at any moment. “His showing up for your wedding isn’t something Santa can just stuff in his bag and deliver to you.”

Sophie’s lower lip went out, more in quivery disappointment than a pout. Guilt hit, but before Isabelle could say anything, Maybelle did what she did best and took charge.

“That’s a nice thought, Sophie. Now, let’s get you out of this dress before it gets stained. Plus, much to my disappointment about not getting to smooch on my Jeannie May this evening, Sarah needs to get home. She’s got to get ready for the special tree decorating at Hamilton House in honor of our little darling this Friday evening.”

“Come on, Sophie,” Rosie jumped in. “Claudia, Ruby, and I will help you get out of your wedding gown. Maybelle, you come, too, in case we need to make note of any last minute needed tweaks.”

Hands shaking, Isabelle fiddled with a bin of on-sale button packets, straightening the display. Were the Butterflies rushing Sophie off because they thought she had been too harsh? She normally indulged Sophie’s every whim, just not when it came to their father or the military. It was why Isabelle had little to do with the local Quilts of Valor Foundation group that Sophie headed. The less Isabelle had to do with anything military, the better.

When the Butterflies and her sister disappeared to the back room, Isabelle met Sarah’s empathetic gaze and winced. “You think I’m terrible?”

Cradling Jeannie, Sarah shook her head. “No, I think you love Sophie with all your heart and truly believe what you said.”

Sarah’s comment eased the guilt at how deflated Sophie had looked when the Butterflies led her to the back. Sophie would realize Isabelle was right, that Cliff Davis had no place at her wedding, much less deserved the honor of walking her down the aisle. Surely .

Sarah propped Jeannie onto her shoulder. “I also know that you’re going to do it.”

Isabelle frowned. “Do what?”

“Give Sophie her Christmas miracle.” Sarah’s gaze didn’t waver. “You saw how much it means to her, just as the rest of us did. You have to find your father.”

No, Isabelle really didn’t have to do that.

But rather than point that out, she exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Heaviness weighed on her shoulders. “How would you propose I do that? Call the North Pole and tell Santa my sister has been extra good this year and needs Daddy home for her wedding?”

“Or you could talk to Bodie.”

“You think the sheriff’s department will track down a man who willingly left his family over twenty years ago?” Isabelle shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

Sarah kissed the baby’s temple. “I doubt it, too, but if you wanted to find your father, Bodie may be able to help. When he first came to Pine Hill, he never intended to stay, but had planned to work for his friend Lukas’s company, iSecure. They specialize in everything to do with security and all kinds of secretive stuff. If anyone can track down what happened to your father, it’s them. Plus, Bodie has a friend who—”

“Our father has known where we are all along.” Isabelle was not going to hunt for her father, not even for Sophie. “He hasn’t come back. He doesn’t want to be found. He forgot us a long time ago.”

“You don’t know where his mind has been,” Sarah gently reminded, patting her baby’s back.

Isabelle snorted. “I think it’s safe to say not with his wife and two daughters or he wouldn’t have left us.”

“Maybe he wanted to come home but didn’t know how or if y’all would welcome him home. Maybe he’s just been waiting for a sign. Give him one.”

Sarah was as bad as Sophie. They both saw the world through their bright and shiny Christmas-goodness goggles. Santa probably struggled to know which of their names to put at the top of his nice list each year and ended up with them in a perpetual tie.

“I’m not tracking down my father, Sarah. Not even for Sophie.” Not even if it meant being left off Santa’s list. “Let’s talk about this weekend. What can I do to help with the Christmas tree decorating at Hamilton House?”

*

As Hamilton House’s front door opened, Zach jumped up from where he checked light strings on the living room floor. Before he’d left for his shift at the sherriff’s department, Bodie had asked Zach to make sure all the bulbs worked.

“Down, Harry,” Sarah told the Australian shepherd-blue heeler mix that bounced all around her in a voice so gentle she could have been talking to the baby she carried. She used her hip to push the heavy wooden door closed, shaking the already-in-place outdoor Christmas wreath against its beveled glass center. “Just a sec, and I’ll let you have a peek at your favorite person in the whole world.”

She bent enough for Harry to have a gentle nuzzle of his snout against the baby’s cheek. Jeannie responded by making a gurgling sound, then happily stuck her middle and ring fingers into her tiny mouth.

“Satisfied that I brought her back safely?” Laughing, Sarah straightened from having let Harry see her daughter.

Apparently, the dog was satisfied as he let out a yelp.

“Hey,” Zach greeted, admiring how protective Harry was with Jeannie and how great Sarah was with including the dog, even when her arms were full. Had she brought anything home that needed unloading from her car still? “Can I help you?”

Sarah gave him a bright smile, the kind that made Zach feel truly welcome in her and Bodie’s home. He liked that meeting Sarah in person had lived up to the person he’d imagined from Bodie’s phone descriptions.

“Oh, that would be great. Here. Hold Jeannie while I love on Harry a minute.”

Not what Zach had in mind, but Sarah had already shoved the baby at him and was crouched before he realized what was happening. Panic hit that he was holding a baby. His urge was to grasp her as tightly as he could, to make sure he didn’t drop her. She was too fragile for that, so he just stood frozen.

“Who’s a good boy?” Sarah scratched Harry behind the ears and nuzzled her face against his. “Harry is, that’s who’s a good boy. The best. You’re such a good big brother to our sweet Jeannie. Yes, you are. Did your daddy leave you here to keep Zach company while he was at work tonight, keeping Pine Hill safe?”

His entire body focused on the baby in his hands, Zach suspected that was exactly what his friend had done when he’d realized Zach would be at the house alone. The bed-and-breakfast had been full the night before, but everyone had checked out earlier that day and the next guests wouldn’t arrive until the following morning.

With the awkward way he gripped Jeannie’s middle, her tiny legs wiggled back and forth from where they dangled in his outstretched reach. Her big blue eyes stared at him with forgiving wonder, and he’d swear she’d just batted her long lashes and given him a gummy smile. Warmth spread through Zach with the same force as if he’d been awarded a Medal of Honor. Cute kid, but that didn’t mean he wanted to hold her.

He didn’t want to hold her . Sure, he smiled back at her from a safe distance, but that wasn’t the same thing as having someone so tiny and fragile within his palms. What if his hand failed and he dropped Jeannie?

“She’s not going to bite you.”

Nervous to take his eyes off the baby, Zach hesitated to look toward where Sarah loved on Harry. “Because she doesn’t have teeth?”

Sarah laughed. Standing, she moved next to him. He assumed she planned to take the baby, because she really should. The sooner, the better. Instead, she began teaching Baby Holding 101, as if he needed to add that skill to his arsenal.

“Here, move your hands like this and put her against your body like that,” she instructed in a firm, and yet somehow gentle, voice.

“You should take her.” He pushed the baby toward her, but Sarah shook her head.

“You offered, and I really need you to watch her while I run to the bathroom.”

Zach winced. It wasn’t as if he could insist that she bring the baby into the bathroom with her. Well, he could, but what kind of houseguest would he be if he did that when she and Bodie had taken him in during his vacation ?

“Fine. Go,” he mumbled, thinking he liked held-out-away-from-him Jeannie better than close-against-his-chest-warm-and-snuggly Jeannie. Still, she was safer in his arms than in his palms. “Hurry.”

“Of course.” Sarah’s tone had Zach wondering just how long her daughter was going to be stuck with him.

He took a deep breath, then eyed the poor baby. Not that Jeannie seemed to mind his awkwardness. She just stared up at him with her much-too-trusting eyes.

“Looks like it’s just you and me, kid.”

She blinked.

Okay. He could do this long enough for Sarah to run to the bathroom. No big deal. But when he just stood there, hoping he didn’t drop or break her, her heightening-in-color face crinkled.

“Uh, don’t do that,” he begged. “Your mom will be back soon.” He hoped . “We don’t want her wondering why you’re all red-faced and unhappy.”

At his voice, the quivering stilled. But apparently, she wanted him to keep talking because when he didn’t, her lower lip went out into the world’s most heart-wrenching pout. Nervousness grew in Zach’s belly. What did a burly soldier say to a five-month-old?

“You have a good mom and dad.”

Jeannie’s lower lip retreated a bit and her blue eyes stared up at him expectantly. Okay, he needed to keep talking. Anything. Just talk .

“Your dad was one of the baddest soldiers I was ever privileged to serve with, and I mean that in the best, most complimentary way. We’d been on a search and rescue when our company was surrounded. There wasn’t a way out. We all knew it was likely our end and it’s nothing short of a miracle that we survived. There’s no one else in the world I’d rather have had by my side that day than your dad, Lukas, Matt, and Riley.”

Jeannie made a noise that might have been a happy coo. Keep talking , Zach . Just keep talking.

“Lukas got out and started iSecure. He’s made a fortune catering to the rich and famous, and who knows how many governments’ security needs? Me? I’d do anything if I could get medical clearance to reenlist. Or, currently, get back to work for iSecure. One little blackout spell and Lukas decides I can’t take on any new assignments until January because I need a vacation. I thought the spells were gone. I hadn’t had one since prior to going to work for Lukas, but maybe not?” He sighed. “Can’t say I blame him, since Doc says I have to go thirty days without another spell before I can drive.”

That one hurt. Big time. For months, he’d been incapacitated and not able to do for himself. Numerous surgeries and painful hours of therapy had helped him get some semblance of his life back. Not the military life he craved, but he enjoyed his work at iSecure. Jeannie gurgled something and Zach drudged on, saying whatever popped into his head. The kid liked being talked to. He was a highly trained soldier. He could do anything for a few minutes to get a job done.

“Your mom is a good cook. Those cookies I pilfered out of the kitchen are worth you growing in your teeth.” Growing in her teeth? Was that what babies did? Why didn’t he know these things? It wasn’t as if he thought Santa delivered a full set of incisors and molars on one’s first Christmas. “She makes a mean beef stew, too, but since that’s for the guests tomorrow, we won’t mention how the container may be two bowls short of where it started.”

Harry gave a yelp, as if agreeing on the tastiness of the soup he’d shared a little of. Or maybe the dog was warning him they both should stay out of the stew? Keeping a tight hold around Jeannie, Zach glanced at where the dog eyed him. Shared soup or not, Harry was ready to leap to action should Zach do a single thing wrong with the baby. If he headed toward the door with Jeannie in tow, he suspected he’d be fighting for his life.

“Good dog,” he praised and meant it, grateful Jeannie would grow up with Harry to keep a watchful eye. Zach would have given the dog a pat, but both hands were full of baby. He wasn’t loosening his grip in case Jeannie decided to give an unexpected jolt. Plus, he probably should wait until Jeannie was safely back in her mother’s arms prior to petting the on-alert dog. “In addition to having a good mom and dad, you’ve got a great dog. Harry is one smart guy.”

The dog gave a single bark that sounded a lot like, Yep .

Knowing he needed to keep talking as every time he got quiet for more than a few seconds Jeannie’s lip went out, Zach rambled on, mentioning the weather when he could think of nothing else to say. Of course, that led to him saying how windy the day had been, and that led to Blondie, aka Isabelle Davis.

“I don’t think she liked me very much,” he told the baby, deciding she was a decent listener when she stuck two fingers in her mouth and happily began sucking them, all the while keeping her eyes trained on Zach. “Maybe you could use some of your baby magic and put in a good word for me at your Christmas tree decorating party.”

“Who?”

Had Sarah purposely snuck up on him to check out how his babysitting gig was going? Even if she had, how had he missed her presence? That he had made his right temple pound. He’d always prided himself on being completely aware of his surroundings. Maybe he was having more of a head trauma relapse than he wanted to admit.

“I was talking with Jeannie about the wind.” He thrust the baby toward her.

“You were asking Jeannie to put in a good word for you with the wind?” Sarah wasn’t buying his cover.

No wonder. But she did take Jeannie. Giving her back had him feeling off-kilter, which was odd since holding her had felt so strange.

“Doesn’t the wind whisper into every woman’s ear?” he said flippantly, while debating whether he wanted to discuss Isabelle.

Would Sarah point out that he’d only be there for a week and should stay away from her friend if he admitted that he found Isabelle fascinating?

Sarah shifted the baby in her arms to where now both she and Jeannie stared at him. “But you’re hoping the wind whispers into one particular woman’s ear?”

Why not tell her? It wasn’t as if he’d hid his interest when he’d seen Isabelle at Lou’s, nor did he expect Bodie not to mention the run-in to his wife. He doubted his brother-in-arms kept anything from Sarah. There might be a few things he hadn’t told her for her own protection, but he’d guess Sarah knew more about his friend than anyone. The evidence was in how they looked at each other.

“I met someone today.” At Sarah’s interested and lack of horrified look, he continued, “The wind blew us together. Or, more accurately, blew her wedding checklist to me from across the courthouse.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “You met Isabelle?”

“You guessed who I meant based upon a wedding checklist?” His stomach knotted with a similar intensity as it had when Sarah had handed him the baby.

Sarah laughed. “It doesn’t take your background to figure that one out. You mentioned the courthouse. Isabelle works across the street and is the ultimate list maker.”

Impressed, he nodded. “I bumped into her again at Lou’s when Bodie and I ate lunch. By the way, Bodie said to tell you that Lou sent goodies for you and that he left them in the fridge.”

“Yum. Now, tell me more about meeting Isabelle.”

“There’s not much to tell. She didn’t seem keen on our being friends.”

“She wouldn’t.” Sarah hugged Jeannie closer and kissed her cheek. “But obviously you were.”

There was no denying it. If he hadn’t been, he wouldn’t have brought her up to a five-month-old and her doting mother.

“It’s just as well she wasn’t interested. I’ll only be here a week.” He was positive Isabelle wasn’t the type of girl to knowingly go into a relationship destined to only last a few days. Relationship? He wasn’t the type to knowingly go into a relationship, period.

Sarah eyed him, then gave a smile that made him as nervous as holding her baby had. “There’s no reason you can’t stay longer than a week, Zach. You’re off work until the new year. Bodie and I both want you to stay. Jeannie, too. Isn’t that right?” She glanced at the baby as if she expected an answer and wouldn’t you know, Jeannie cooed, making Sarah smile before returning her gaze to him. “See? She adores you. The timing couldn’t be better as there’s not anyone coming to stay in our Beds for Vets suite until January. The room is yours until she arrives. Please stay.”

“I can’t.” Clamminess coated Zach’s skin. His gut instinct said he should get out of Pine Hill as quickly as he could, while he still could.

“Why not? Bodie said you weren’t going to your family’s, but just headed to the Keys for some deep-sea fishing with Matt. Fishing over Thanksgiving and Christmas?” Her nose wrinkled as if that was the worst idea ever. “Seriously, who does that?”

Not him, but he’d thought to give it a go since his bachelor buddy had a boat he kept docked there and had invited him down for some single bro time on the water. Zach had thought it a good idea to not linger at any of his friends’ places too long. He’d considered visiting his parents, but he’d dismissed the idea almost as quickly as it occurred. If this vacation was supposed to de-stress him, he definitely needed to stay away from Atlanta.

“Why not spend the holidays with us?” With a determined look, Sarah lifted her chin. “You’ve a much better chance of a white Christmas here than in the Keys.”

“Sand’s white.”

Sarah frowned.

“I can’t stay, Sarah, but thanks for the offer.”

“You keep saying you can’t, but you can.” She glanced down at the gurgling baby in her arms, then back up at him with a resilient look. “And you are. I insist upon it. You deserve a magical Christmas surrounded by friends who love you, and you’ve come to the right place.”

Zac started to point out that Bodie was his only friend in Pine Hill, but that wasn’t the case. Apparently, any friend of Bodie’s was a friend of Sarah’s. Bodie had been partially right about the folks in Pine Hill treating you as if you were long-lost family. Sarah sure did. Isabelle, on the other hand…

“I’ll think about it,” he promised.

He would, but he’d leave as planned. Amongst his other reasons, he didn’t want to intrude on Bodie and Sarah’s first Christmas with their daughter.

Besides, he didn’t believe in magical Christmases, much less deserve one.