Page 44 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Love
He held a Paw Parties bag, so he must have picked up treats for Harry. Had Sarah asked him to, or had he just been being thoughtful? Ugh. Why did he have to be so… so… everything? She did not want to like Zach Dawson any more than she wanted to be wearing this bright red lipstick.
“Too bad your brain isn’t as big as your ego,” she retorted, hoping said lipstick hadn’t smudged onto her teeth, “or it might could hold all I know.”
Cole snorted and gave Zach a look that hinted the two men had bonded. Great. One by one, Zach was winning over her friends and family. Why did that have her feeling betrayed?
“Izzy!” Sophie elbowed her.
Oh, yeah, she and Zach were supposed to like each other.
“No worries. Nothing I say fazes him,” she assured her sister, then smiled pretty as you please at Zach with her painted lips.
His twitched as he stood there, tall, proud, and completely filling the quilt shop with his masculine presence. That the patriotic section was behind him, giving him a red, white, and blue background fit and yet served as a reminder of just why she should not let herself like him.You do like him, an inner voice mocked.That’s the problem.
Probably the same stupid voice that had said Sophie could apply the lipstick.
Sophie moved from behind the counter to kiss Cole’s cheek. “Love you,” she told him.
Zach tilted his head ever so slightly. He knew better. It would serve him right if she marched over, plopped a wet kiss on his cheek, and left a crimson stain there.
He held out the Paw Parties bag. “This is for Bobbin.”
Isabelle’s gaze dropped to the bag. “You bought something for my cat?”
He nodded and tilted his chin toward her again. “You going to thank me properly?”
“Absolutely.” Trying to file away whatever feeling that was floating in her chest because he’d bought something for her cat, she gave him another smile. “Thank you, Zach. I’m sure Bobbin will appreciate the gift. He may not express it or show you any affection for doing so, but deep down, he’ll be appreciative. Then again, with the way he acted around you last night, he might meow his gratitude.”
Zach laughed. Cole and Sophie, holding hands, exchanged looks. Tired of being the entertainment, Isabelle took the bag and put it onto the countertop without peeking inside to see what he’d bought.
“Zach, buying Bobbin a gift was so sweet of you.” Sophie’s lashes fluttered. “I can’t wait to see what it is.”
“Catnip.”
“He’ll like that,” Sophie assured.
Isabelle didn’t say anything. The bag held more than catnip from the feel of it when she’d put it on the counter.
“Let’s get started.” She glanced at her watch. “Time is ticking away and I’ve several things to do after finishing your lesson.” There, that let him know that as soon as they were finished, he needed to leave. “Are you ready to do everything I tell you exactly the way I tell you?”
“Yes, ma’am.” His eyes danced with merriment. “I can do that.”
“We’ll see,” Isabelle mused, wondering if she’d made a huge mistake in agreeing to teach him. Still, how else would she have been able to find her father? She needed his help, so a few sewing lessons were a small price to pay.
It was the whole pretending-to-be-a-couple thing that was the problem.
“Oh, before we go…” Sophie beamed at them. “I know you’ve been busy with online orders, so I set up a machine and everything you’ll need for Zach’s lesson.”
Isabelle blinked. “You did?”
Looking quite pleased with herself, Sophie nodded. “I’ve been working on some of the most adorable table placemat kits for Christmas and thought using one of them would be perfect for Zach’s lessons.”
Christmas table placemats. Not too big, so easy to maneuver. Depending upon the pattern Sophie had chosen, Isabelle should be able to teach him the basics of sewing, sandwiching, quilting, and binding. She could guide him through the first one, then supervise the next three, so he built his skills.
“That sounds perfect, Sophie. Thank you,” Isabelle agreed. “I’d meant to just teach him the basics with remnants, but his working on and completing a project is better.”
“Exactly. That way when he’s finished, he’ll have something wonderful that you two made together that he can treasure always.” Sophie’s smile almost blinded them. “I’ll grab my bag, then we’re off. Y’all have fun.”
“Yeah, y’all have fun making Christmas placemats.” Cole appeared amused as he and Zach exchanged looks again, making Isabelle wonder what the two men had been up to prior to coming into the shop.
