Page 44 of Cole

Annie hoped that was true. It felt important that this sewing project be perfect. Though she would admit it to no one, she wanted Cole to be impressed by what she’d made for his niece.

“Let’s go show Mom and Aunt Lexi,” Amelia said as she did a pirouette in front of the mirror, then led the way back downthe two flights of stairs to the main floor and the sunroom where Lexi and Charli waited.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Charli said when she got her first look at Amelia. “You look beautiful.”

Amelia twirled around, then curtsied in front of her mom and Lexi. “Isn’t it the best?”

Annie felt a rush of warmth as both Lexi and Charli declared that it was, indeed, the best.

“I’ve designed other costumes in the past,” Lexi said as she lifted the edge of the filmy skirt. “But you’ve breathed life into this one in a way the other seamstresses haven’t been able to.”

“You’ve both done a great job,” Charli said. “And Blake will have no issue with her wearing this one. You’ve somehow managed to keep this modest and age appropriate, and yet still a good representation of the music. It’s stunning.”

“I can’t wait to see you on the ice in it,” Lexi said. “Want to try a few poses here to see how it feels?”

Amelia nodded, then did some stretches at Lexi’s direction. After she’d finished, the teen said, “It feels very comfortable. Nothing is pulling or restricting me.”

“Good. Good.” Lexi circled around Amelia, checking the shoulder seams and waist. “This looks so good.”

Annie knew that her dad—and even Elizabeth, to some degree—didn’t understand why she “wasted” her time sewing things. But for her, it was for moments like these. When she’d used her talent to create something that was special to someone.

“Whoa, Amelia,” Layla announced as she walked into the room. “You look amazing.”

“Annie did a great job with Lexi’s design, didn’t she?” Amelia said as she smoothed her hands over her waist.

“Do you do prom or wedding party dresses?” Layla asked as she sat down beside Annie.

“I haven’t ever attempted them,” Annie said. “My focus has been on baby and toddler items, though I do have a few simple items for women as well.”

“Well, clearly you have a talent for more than that.”

“I agree,” Lexi said. “You did a great job on this. Perhaps it’s time to branch out.”

Annie couldn’t deny that, after making Amelia’s dress, she had wondered if she could do more. However, it wasn’t really something she could do with her current lifestyle. She’d need to have a place where people could come to meet with her for discussions and fittings. That wouldn’t work with her current set-up.

“When are you going to test it on the ice?” Charli asked.

As they discussed Amelia and Lexi’s schedules, Annie found herself watching Charli and seeing bits of Cole in her features. As siblings, it wasn’t strange that they looked alike to some degree. Or maybe she was just seeing Cole because he was always on her mind.

“Would you be interested in joining our ladies’ Bible study at the church, Annie?” Charli asked, making Annie realize that she’d zoned out yet again. “We’re starting up next week.”

Annie recalled hearing something about it in the announcements before the service over the past couple of weeks. She hadn’t given it much consideration because she assumed she’d have to be open about her life in order to participate. And that was just something she couldn’t do.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m not really comfortable in groups where I might have to talk a lot.”

“You don’t have to participate more than you’re comfortable with,” Charli assured her.

“That’s true,” Lexi agreed. “I’ve probably been one of the quieter ones in previous Bible study groups, but I’ve still learned a lot by attending. Maybe you could come with your friend Dawn, so you’re there with someone you’re comfortable with.”

Layla’s words were a reminder for Annie that even that wasn’t a hundred percent the truth. To them, Dawn was simply Annie’s friend. And while, yes, she was a friend, first and foremost, she was her bodyguard. If she was forced to choose between doing her job or being Annie’s friend, Dawn would always choose her job. Of that, Annie had no doubts.

It was why she rarely confided her most intimate thoughts and feelings in Dawn the way she imagined a normal person would with a best friend. She’d probably be even less likely to share stuff if Dawn was present at the study. But there was no chance that Dawn wouldn’t come with her, especially since Dawn was a Christian, too and would no doubt have an interest in the study.

“I’ll think about it.”

“You could come to our first gathering and see what we’ll be doing without committing long term,” Charli told her, then smiled. “No pressure.”

“I’ll think about it.” Though the desire to join with them was strong, Annie was reluctant to commit.

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