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

Chapter Seven

Z ach pointed to a photo of Isabelle wearing her mother’s high heels and a pink feather boa. “I see you’ve always had a great sense of fashion.”

“Sophie and I were playing dress-up in Mom’s things.” She smiled at the memory. “You don’t have to look at every photo. The purpose of this is to figure out where my father is, not to gawk at my childhood.”

“Ah, now, Blondie. Nothing wrong with proving that you’re a natural blond.”

“I wish I weren’t.” How many times had she considered coloring her hair to erase the reminder? Hundreds? Thousands?

Zach’s gaze shifted to her. “Why is that?”

“The women in my family resemble my Grandma Belle. Sophie is a younger version of her with her dark eyes and hair.” A resigned expression came over her face. “Then you have me.”

“You look like your father?” he guessed.

She nodded.

“He must have been a handsome man.”

Isabelle shrugged. “My mother must have thought so.”

“There aren’t any photos of him hanging on the walls.”

“Of course not.” Had he thought there would be?

His expression unreadable, he studied her. “But there are photos of him in these albums?”

“We just haven’t gotten to them.” Years ago, she’d wanted to toss every photo of Cliff Davis, but Sophie had made her promise she’d leave them alone. As it had been years since she’d looked at the albums, that they were still there hadn’t mattered.

“You chose an album full of fun photos of you and yet you complain that I’m looking at every photo?” He shook his head and flipped to the next page. “It’s never dull with you around, Blondie.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m just a barrel of monkeys.” Biting her lip, she eyed the stack of photo albums, her gaze lingering on a faded burgundy one in the middle. Her stomach felt as if it were a barrel full of caffeinated monkeys.

“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

His gentle offer had her turning, surprised at how much empathy shined in his gaze.

Not liking his pity, she straightened her shoulders. “If we didn’t have to do this, you wouldn’t be here.” Reaching for the album, she pulled it free and handed it to him. “Here, you look at this. I’m going to get a drink. Do you want something?”

“Me, a drink, and photo albums?” He shook his head. “Nope. Thanks, though.”

He made a good point. As shaky as she felt, she shouldn’t have liquids anywhere near the photos. Then again, if she damaged certain ones, maybe she’d never have to see them again.

Because deep in her gut, she dreaded what opening that binder was going to reveal.

Outside of her mind, she’d not seen Cliff Davis in years. Not in person or in photographs. She’d purposely kept it that way.

In the kitchen, she poured a glass of water, planned to stall for several minutes, but cringed when she heard the front door. What were her sister, mother, and Cole doing back so soon?

Isabelle rubbed her temple, wondering how best to explain that they’d walked in with Zach looking through the family albums. Or maybe she wasn’t going to have to, she thought moments later as Sophie’s exclamation sounded loud from the living room.

“Oh, look at this one of Izzy winning her fourth-grade spelling bee!” No doubt her sister had cozied up on the sofa next to Zach. “She’s always been so smart. She was valedictorian of her senior class and had a full scholarship to an Ivy League school in Nashville.”

“I’ve always been so proud of her,” her mom added. “She’s my rock.”

Heat flooded Isabelle’s face. Guilt plagued her for eavesdropping, but she couldn’t bring herself to return to the living room quite yet, either.

“Mine, too,” Sophie assured. “No one has a better sister, or best friend, because she’s that, as well. My sister, best friend, business partner.” Emotion cracked Sophie’s voice. “She’s the most selfless person I know.”

Her guilt blossomed. She and Sophie had never kept secrets from each other. Would her sister understand that Isabelle hadn’t told her about looking for their father for her own good? That pretending to like Zach had been a necessary evil to give her the wedding she dreamed of?

“I agree. She’s brilliant and her eyes are as blue as the Mediterranean. So beautiful. Now, tell me more,” Zach encouraged. “What about boyfriends? Any past relationships I should be worried about?”

Zach was going along with their cover, but his praise made her breathy, made her wonder if he believed what he said or if it was all just part of his getting her family to open up to him in hopes of gleaning information about where her father might be.

“There was this music exec in Nashville for a few years. They met while in school. We thought they’d marry, but that ended several years ago. These days, she rarely dates.”

Good grief. Any moment Sophie would be telling him that Isabelle’s first kiss had been when she was sixteen and that the guy had broken up with her the next day, making her forever wonder if she’d been that horrible.

“But don’t think that it’s from a lack of interested men,” Sophie assured. “The high school’s music director has been trying to get her attention since he moved to Pine Hill. Trevor’s a sweetheart, kind, stable, and wants a wife and kids. I kept encouraging him to not give up, but as always, Izzy knew best. She’s been waiting for you.”

Isabelle groaned. All along, she’d thought the man had a thing for Sophie, but instead her sister had been encouraging him to like her? No wonder he had made googly eyes when she’d dropped off the Christmas sashes for Annabelle’s choir concert. For that matter, her sister insisting Isabelle be the one to drop them off made more sense, too.

She’d met Zach that windy day. Who would have thought that the handsome man who’d rescued her list would end up pretending to be her boyfriend so he could find her father? What a whirlwind that meeting had ended up being!

“Be sure to let him know that she’s taken.” The possessiveness in Zach’s voice made Isabelle’s head spin. What would it feel like for a man to truly feel that way about her? To want her to the exclusion of all others? What would it feel like for Zach to really feel that way about her?

“I’ll let him know her heart beats to the melody of yours.”

At her sister’s music-teacher pun, Isabelle rolled her eyes and fought putting her hands on her hips as she made her presence known. “Seriously, Sophie? Zach and I barely know each other and you’re talking as if we’re madly in love. We’re”—her gaze met his and the warning reminder there about undid her as she mumbled—“we’re taking things slow.”

How could her sister think she’d have fallen for him? She’d worried her sister wouldn’t buy their charade, and instead, Sophie was all hearts and flowers. Part of her was disappointed that her sister hadn’t picked up on just how much Isabelle didn’t like him.

He was the epitome of what she wouldn’t want in a man. Not true, a nagging voice pointed out. He was intelligent, brave, strong, confident, had a wicked sense of humor, and was honest almost to a fault, except for their fake relationship, and that was forgivable, since it was for a good cause. Inherently, she recognized those things about him. He was also military. She’d never trust that a switch wouldn’t flip and he’d disappear.

Good thing theirs wasn’t a real relationship.

“Mom, do something with your love-sick-so-the-rest-of-the-world-must-be-too daughter.”

“Being in love is the most wonderful feeling in the world,” her mother surprised her by saying from where she perched on the sofa’s armrest, apparently having been peering at the photo album. “Sophie, I think we’re embarrassing your sister. Perhaps tossing your wedding bouquet her way would be a little more subtle.”

And her family wondered why she didn’t date?

“Thanks, Mom. That was helpful.” Isabelle smacked her forehead. “Run while you still can, Zach.”

From where he sat next to her sister, Zach was taking in the exchange. Isabelle wouldn’t blame him if he called off their deal. If Zach had been a real boyfriend, he’d have already been out the door.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Zach said, earning a look of approval from Cole, Sophie, and her mother.

“Because my family behaving as if I’m a desperate old maid is way too entertaining to miss out on experiencing again?” she guessed.

“Something like that.” His gaze was more serious than she would have expected, given the circumstances. That light in his eyes made her think she’d rather see amusement than whatever that look was.

“Smart man,” Cole said, putting his arm around Sophie’s shoulders as she scooted closer.

“He knows when he’s met the most amazing woman in the world.” Sophie patted the place she’d vacated between her and Zach. “Come sit, Izzy. We got our food order to go and brought extras in case you and Zach were hungry. We came home early because we decided to decorate the Christmas tree Cole and I bought at Harvey Farm this morning. Originally, we’d planned to do it tomorrow, but I couldn’t wait.” Sophie’s enthusiasm for Christmas rivaled Santa’s. “But I’ve not looked at these in ages and needed to pull a few more for the wedding. What better way to set the tone for putting up our Christmas tree than sweet memories?”

Glancing at the album Zach held, she realized it was the book they’d been looking at prior to her shoving the burgundy one at him. She’d only been in the kitchen a few minutes before her family had returned. Was it possible that he’d continued looking at the original album after she’d left?

What started out as awkward torture ended up as smiles and belly laughs at some of the crazy photos she and Sophie had taken over the years. That they only made it through the top few albums prior to moving on to decorating helped. Although it was why Zach was there, that burgundy album would have been a certain mood killer.

“Is the star even?” Isabelle asked from where she stood on the seat of a kitchen chair.

“Looks good to me.” Next to her, Zach had his hand on the chair back in a steadying hold.

Glancing down, she realized he was looking at her and not the tree. She narrowed her gaze, but he only grinned.

From across the room, Sophie eyed the tree. “Maybe just a little to the left.”

Isabelle stretched to straighten the star but couldn’t quite reach it.

“Be careful.”

Her gaze shifted to Zach. “You’d catch me if I fell, though, right?”

“Every single time.”

Staring into his eyes, it would be so easy to believe him.

*

“I should have asked to leave earlier but I didn’t want to pull you away from the tree decorating. I’m sorry that you’re having to drive me back to Sarah and Bodie’s so late.” Since squeezing himself into the passenger seat of her sedan, watching Isabelle had fascinated Zach much more than watching Pine Hill’s nonexistent nightlife out the window. He felt quite useless sitting there, twiddling his thumbs. God, he hated being a burden. Always had.

“I can pull over and let you drive.”

As independent as she was, he was surprised she’d offered. He was also frustrated that he couldn’t say yes if he wanted to. Just a couple of more weeks without a spell and his driving restrictions would be lifted. Hopefully, permanently this time.

“From what I’ve seen, you’re a great driver, Blondie.” No rolling through stop signs for Isabelle. Unlike his lead-footed hostess, Isabelle abided by the speed limits, too. “I was referring to inconveniencing you.”

In the glow of the dashboard partially illuminating the car’s interior, she huffed. “Of all the ways you’ve inconvenienced me, this is the one that bothers you?”

“How else have I inconvenienced you?” He studied her profile, taking in her no-nonsense straight haircut, the light makeup highlighting her cheeks and pretty eyes, her twisted with annoyance lips.

His gaze lingered there, wondering what it would feel like to have Isabelle Davis curve her mouth in a smile toward him. A real smile, one full of happiness and… and what? Friendship? More?

When she stopped the car at a traffic light and turned to him, her gaze connecting with his, Zach’s heart rate bypassed every speed sign between her place and Hamilton House, making him glad Bodie wasn’t around with his radar gun, as no way could the thundering in his chest not register.

“I—well.” Her chest rose and fell with a deep breath. “From the moment we met you’ve been completely irritating.”

He arched a brow. “By rescuing your list?”

“By not immediately returning my list and by laughing at me chasing it.” Giving him another annoyed look, she broke eye contact and sighed with relief when the light changed to green.

“I was laughing with you, Blondie. Not at you.” Zach smiled when she glanced both ways twice before letting her foot off the brake to turn the car to drive them through town.

“I wasn’t laughing.” Her gaze stayed on the road.

Garland wreaths with twinkling lights hung from each lamppost and most shops were already decorated to Christmas card perfection.

“Life is short.” Oh, how he knew this one. Everyone, him included, had thought his would be much shorter. At one point, he’d wanted it to be. “You should have been laughing.”

Instead, she carried too much of a load to let herself go often. Seeing her laugh to the point she had to hold her belly, that she had to wipe tears of joy from her lovely face—as she had while Sophie had been ribbing her about some of the photos, or how the two sisters had giggled at various points when they’d shared looks, at how they’d teased each other when they’d been stringing popcorn to hang on the tree—convinced him that Isabelle’s happiness mattered more than it should to a man who was just passing through. Way more.

“I’ll keep that in mind the next time I go chasing after my blown-away list.”

Ah, Isabelle and her lists. Wonder what she’d say if he snatched one of her lists and wrote, Laugh out loud ?

“How’s that going?”

She glanced his way. “My list?”

He nodded and, gaze back to the road, she shrugged.

“You tell me. After our embarrassing walk down memory lane and wasting a bunch of the popcorn while joining in on my family Christmas tree decorating, are you any closer to finding my father?”

“The popcorn looked better on you than the tree.” Shifting in the seat, he repositioned his cramped legs.

Isabelle’s cheeks pinkened. “You made a mess by throwing it at me.”

“I wasn’t the one who dumped out the whole bowl,” he pointed out.

“You deserved it,” she countered.

“Maybe,” he agreed, laughing.

“Definitely. As far as the album, did you look at it before they got back?”

He shook his head.

“And after they did, Sophie was so excited showing you those awful photos of me that we never got to them.”

None of the photos had been awful. Far from it. What they’d been was a record of a girl who’d taken on too much responsibility too early in life. Straight-A student, winner of this award and that award. From what he could tell, the only time Isabelle cut loose and had fun was when it involved Sophie.

“Which means you still want to look at them. Tell me again how looking at old photos is going to find someone who left two decades ago.”

“Just like how you and Sophie were bringing up memories tonight, photos trigger things forgotten.” Wasn’t that what the therapists had told him during the months after his injuries when they’d been working with him? Not that it had worked. That blow to his head had obviously done too much damage for some things to be remembered. If he ever did, well, what he might recall scared him more than he wanted to admit.

“I know you’re right. I’ll even admit that tonight wasn’t as awful as I’ve let on, but as far as the photos triggering memories of Dad—” Isabelle tightened her grip on the steering wheel as she stared at the road. “I really hate to do that to Mom. She doesn’t need that burden, and Sophie and I were so small when he left that our memories aren’t going to help. I know I have to talk to her about this, to make sure she’s okay with his being there, prior to telling Sophie, but I don’t want her hurt by any of this.”

“Yeah, you definitely need to talk to her.”

“I will if you find him.”

“I will find him.” He wouldn’t rest until he did. “We need to look at the albums. I need photos to run through age simulators.”

“Because we need to know what he looks like now.” She sighed. “Fine. We’ll go through that album.” She sounded as excited about doing so as he felt about going to any of his many specialists. “But not at my house. I’ll… I’ll put it in my car, and we’ll go through it soon.”

“Why not at your house?”

“You know why not.” She took a deep breath. “Sophie means well with all her matchmaking, but without thinking things through, she assumes everything will work out all Christmas morning jolly. Even if all this were real, you and I have nothing in common. She should recognize that with our histories, we aren’t a good match.”

Isabelle was right. They weren’t. She was way too good of a person for the likes of him. She was a good girl rule follower, and he was a rebel with a past so bad his brain refused to remember it.

“Besides, I don’t know who Sophie thinks is going to take care of Mom if I ever did meet someone,” Isabelle continued, more to herself than to him, revealing private thoughts that exposed another layer of that protective, responsible-for-everyone depth that she bound herself by.

“I imagine she recognizes that your mother is a grown woman and can take care of herself.”

Isabelle’s sharp intake of breath cut deep to his core because that was how intense her reaction was.

“You don’t really know my family.”

“I know that you feel responsible for your mother and Sophie. Not that there is anything wrong with wanting to take care of one’s family, but you take it beyond what’s normal. Why is that?”

“You think I’m abnormal because I want to take care of my family?” She gripped the steering wheel so tightly that he wondered if she was imagining throttling him rather than the car. “Of course, I’m responsible for them. I have been since my father left.”

Bingo. When Cliff Davis left, Isabelle had made sure her family didn’t fall apart. Only problem was, she’d been a child and shouldn’t have had to carry that responsibility. From what he could gather, Darlene had been overwhelmed with grief and wondering how she was going to support her two daughters after her husband’s disappearance. Isabelle’s mother had thrown herself into working long hours six days a week, leaving her girls in their Aunt Claudia’s care until Isabelle got old enough to watch over Sophie. A role that years later she’d not relinquished.

“Maybe it’s time for you to recognize that your sister is grown and about to be married, that your mother seems to be doing fine, and they don’t need you taking care of them anymore.”

Her jaw clenched. “You’re in no position to be giving me advice on taking care of my family.”

Zach winced. She was right. He wasn’t. Look at his own family. If anything, he’d always been the one to rely on Brett to be the responsible one, leaving his brother to step into the family business and deal with their parents while Zach went off to chase his military dreams.

Looking at the tense set of Isabelle’s jaw, memories of his last row with his brother hit. Was that how Brett felt about him? Was that why he had been so disappointed when Zach had come home a broken man, feeling obligated to put him back together again in ways Zach hadn’t wanted or welcomed? His deepest wounds couldn’t heal because they were locked inside his head. Zach knew that, even if his brother hadn’t recognized anything beyond the surface.

Isabelle pulled the car into Hamilton House’s drive. There were a few cars Zach didn’t recognize, indicating that new guests had arrived. She didn’t look toward him, just sat in the driver’s seat, waiting on him to get out of the car.

“Thanks for bringing me home.”

She nodded and he got out of the car and watched her drive away.

Rather than go into the house, he sat down in one of the front-porch rocking chairs, breathing in the crisp November air and musing over the night with Harry’s company since the dog had wanted to be let out.

Scratching the dog’s scruff, he admitted that Isabelle was right. He did understand and saw what he was positive she didn’t see herself. Sophie wanted her father to walk her down the aisle, but Isabelle needed him there so she could step back from the self-imposed responsibility for her family’s well-being that she’d taken on when he’d left. For whatever reason, Isabelle had felt she had to fill her father’s shoes and had been doing her best to do so ever since.

Zach was going to find Cliff Davis.

Not just for Sophie, but for Isabelle, in hopes it set the little girl inside her free.

*

“Last night was so much fun.” Sophie leaned against Isabelle’s office doorframe. “Mom, Cole and me, and you and Zach. He seems completely smitten, Izzy, and fits right in with us, doesn’t he?”

Because he was faking it. Isabelle really didn’t want to talk about Zach, so she pretended to be absorbed in printing out the shipping labels for the online items they’d sold so she could drop them by the post office on her way home.

“I love that he helped Cole carry in the tree and how he loves to tease you.” Giddiness oozed from Sophie’s voice, making Isabelle guilty that she continued to stare at the computer screen even when Sophie came into the small room and pulled a stackable chair next to Isabelle’s desk.

“You light up when he does that, you know?” From internal combustion where he drove her crazy. “I like him. Cole likes him. Mom likes him. Even Bobbin likes him, and you know how finnicky our cat is.” Traitorous cat. “It makes me happy that you like him, too, Izzy.”

Isabelle winced. She did like him. Only she didn’t. And yet, she did. Was it possible to really truly dislike someone and like them at the same time?

“I have a surprise for you.” Sophie’s voice held its usual cheer as she tapped her fingernails to a Christmas tune.

A sinking feeling in her gut, Isabelle glanced toward her sister’s hand. Sophie’s nails were painted blue, and she had a sparkly white snowflake on her thumbnail. Smiling snowmen covered her other nails. Dragging her gaze from those blasted, happy snowmen, she forced a smile to her face, despite the unease wreaking havoc in her belly.

“What kind of surprise and please tell me that it doesn’t involve Zach?”

“Of course it involves Zach.” Sophie’s exuberant smile said it all, and Isabelle’s sinking feeling Titanicked. “Since y’all never made it to his sewing lesson last night, I’ve rescheduled his lesson.”

Isabelle swallowed, hoping the tightness in her throat eased. “At your class?”

“No, silly. Why would he do that when he has you to give private lessons?” Sophie clasped her hands together. “He’ll be by at six for his first one.”

“We close at six,” she automatically responded, fighting her rising panic.

“Which is why he’s coming by then,” Sophie explained, all smiles. “Mom has a meeting at church regarding the Christmas festival booth. She’s so excited to be helping this year.” Sophie’s expression grew dreamy. “Cole wants me to come out to the farm to make sure I like the paint color for my new sewing room. He’s such a thoughtful man to suggest that we turn one of the spare bedrooms into a sewing room. Isn’t he just the best?”

Isabelle nodded, her mind still processing that Zach was going to be there in—she glanced at her watch—thirty minutes. “Call Zach and cancel.” She gestured to her computer. “I’ve got a ton to do tonight.”

“There’s nothing that can’t wait.” Frowning, Sophie eyed her more closely. “I’ve seen how you are when you’re with him, Isabelle. I know you like him, and he likes you.”

Frustrated, Isabelle glanced toward the computer screen. Sophie was the person she shared everything with. Only, with Zach, she couldn’t share. Why was it the one time she needed to vent to her sister, that she wanted Sophie’s thoughts, she had to hold everything inside?

“My relationship with Zach is complicated,” she admitted, thinking truer words had never been spoken.

“Because he’s military?” Sophie leaned forward, as if being closer would make Isabelle understand better. “You can’t let that get in the way of what’s happening between you two.”

What was happening between them wasn’t real.

“Sarah says he’s wonderful.”

Sophie had discussed Zach with Sarah?

“She barely knows him,” Isabelle pointed out, although that wasn’t how Sarah had told it when she’d called that morning.

She’d gone on about how great Zach was with Jeannie, how helpful he was around Hamilton House, how sweet he’d been to buy her the quilt kits, and how much she loved getting to know Bodie’s friend. She couldn’t say enough kind words about her houseguest. Someone should award her sister and friend future Butterfly badges. Ugh .

“Bodie has known him for years.” Sophie remained unfazed. “He’d never let someone he didn’t trust spend so much time alone with Sarah and Jeannie.”

Isabelle couldn’t argue that. Bodie was relaxed with Zach in ways that she’d never seen him be with other veterans who’d stayed in their Beds for Vets suite. But that was probably because all the other veterans had been strangers prior to their arrival, just individuals sent to Hamilton House by Lukas for Sarah and Bodie to help them find their way again.

Was Zach really just there visiting his friend or had Lukas sent him for the same reason? If so, why? Zach seemed so together, a charmer who didn’t take life too seriously. At least, not on the surface. Appearances could be deceiving, though.

Meeting Sophie’s expectant gaze, Isabelle sighed. “I know you’re so happy in love with Cole that you want me to be just as happily in love, but you can’t force that to happen, Sophie. Throwing Zach and I together, saying the things you said last night, well, they make me feel panicked. I know you mean well, but, just… just don’t, okay?”

Sophie’s eyes widened. “I went overboard in my excitement, didn’t I?”

Isabelle nodded.

“Oh, Izzy, I’m sorry. Please tell me that I haven’t ruined this. I’d never forgive myself.”

Guilt hit. Why had she said all that to her sister about a relationship that was only fake? She didn’t want Sophie worried or thinking she’d been the cause of the demise of something that had never existed.

“You haven’t ruined anything, because regardless of how I feel, or don’t feel,” she added for emphasis, “we both know Zach is only here for a short time and I’m tied to Pine Hill.”

Sophie considered her a moment. “You do realize that if you want to leave, you can?”

“Why would I want to leave?” Isabelle frowned. Was that how her comment had come across? Leaning back, she tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m happy here. Pine Hill is my home.”

“I feel the same,” Sophie agreed, but didn’t relent. “You may not talk about it, but I know you were happy in Nashville, too.”

“I’ve never regretted coming home and buying the shop with you. Please don’t let whatever is happening between Zach and me make you think otherwise.”

Especially when nothing was happening. Nothing but a business deal.

“Good, because I don’t want you to regret that.” Sophie’s smile was genuine, and she seemed back to her joyous self as she said, “Getting to work with you is one of the best parts of my life.”

“Agreed.” She hugged her sister. “For the record, I was happy in Nashville, but I’d always meant to come home. After graduation, my job offer was so good I didn’t think I should turn it down.” She didn’t say that she’d worried how she’d help her sister with college expenses if Sophie decided to pursue that avenue. She’d been tucking every penny away. Her frugalness had paid off when the quilt shop had gone up for sale and, full of dreams, Sophie had asked Isabelle what she thought about their trying to make a go of purchasing it. “I missed you, Mom, and Pine Hill,” she admitted truthfully.

“We are pretty awesome.” Sophie studied her. “Now, let’s get you tidied up before Zach arrives.”

“The shop is still open,” she reminded. “Shouldn’t you be out front?”

“Annabelle and Gwen have things under control.” Sophie grabbed her purse from a filing cabinet. “Here. I know it’s not a color you’d usually wear, but Rosie gave me this for my birthday and says a girl can never go wrong with Christmas red lipstick.”

Isabelle eyed the tube. “Zach’s coming for a sewing lesson, Sophie. I don’t need lipstick.”

Eyes sparkling with mischief, Sophie waggled her brows. “If you’re wearing the right lipstick, you might.”