Page 84 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Love
“We’ve done a whole lot of talking about me the past couple of days, but don’t think I don’t recognize the same heaviness within you that plagues me and so many others like us. What happened to put that there?”
Zach opened his mouth to tell Cliff some generic response. Instead, the truth came out with all the gory details, at least all the ones Zach recalled.
When he’d finished, he swiped at his face, realized Cliff was doing the same. The older man’s gaze met his and a world of pain shined there.
“I understand why you can’t stay in Pine Hill.”
Yeah, Zach figured that if anyone understood, it was Cliff.
*
The dress theButterflies had made Isabelle fit like a glove. One of those stretchy, clingy gloves that hugged all over. Sarah’s and Annabelle’s dresses were a similar color, but not nearly so curvy as Isabelle’s. What had the Butterflies been thinking when they’d altered it so tightly when all they’d said they were doing was reinforcing a few seams? She tugged on the top to make sure no cleavage showed, grateful the skirt hem stayed in place just above her knees.
Staring at herself in the full-length mirror that had been set up in the church’s nursery, the same room where she and Zach had argued the night before, Isabelle tugged at the dress again, trying to find some nonexistent room between her and the material. What did it matter? All eyes were going to be on the bride and if any did make it her way, well, they’d never get past her new appearance.
“You look beautiful, Izzy,” Sophie assured from where Darlene made last-minute adjustments to her hair. There had never been any question that their mother would do Sophie’s hair for her wedding day. Aunt Claudia fussed over Annabelle’s hair, while Ruby and Rosieoohed and aahedto the smiling baby in Maybelle’s arms.
“You both do.” Their mother slid a bobby pin over a hair strand to keep it in place in the elegant pulled-up style with its wisps about Sophie’s neck. She picked up a can and sprayed Sophie’s hair. “Although, the day prior to your sister’s wedding was not the time to pull a stunt like dyeing your hair.”
Giving herself another look in the mirror, Isabelle sighed. She’d always wanted hair the color of her mother and sister. Well, she had it. Her mother had adamantly argued that short of wearing a wig, Isabelle was stuck as a brunette for Sophie’s wedding. Someday, while looking back at wedding photos, they’d probably all laugh about Isabelle’s debut as a brunette. At least, that was what she kept telling herself, since she could either go with it or curl up and cry.
She pasted on a smile. “You don’t think I should leave it dark?”
Every female in the room answered, “No.” Even Jeannie had babbled something.
“Not that you aren’t gorgeous, but you just don’t look like our Isabelle.” Maybelle shifted the baby.
“If you were going to color, you should have gone for a nice blue like mine.”
“Or not,” Aunt Claudia countered, frowning at Rosie’s suggestion. “But it’ll grow out. Or if you decide you like it best, then that’s okay, too. Like your sister said, you’re beautiful.” Aunt Claudia gave one of her smiles that had always made Isabelle feel better inside. “What does Zach think of the change?”
There went her warm and fuzzies.
“He hasn’t seen it.” Isabelle’s gaze went to where Sarah checked her reflection in another mirror.
Had Zach told Sarah about their argument? Probably so, based on the empathetic look in her friend’s eyes.
Isabelle sucked in a deep breath. “What he thinks really doesn’t matter. Zach and I were only pretending. Our relationship was never more than a cover for our spending time together and his interest in Dad in hopes of his gleaning information that would help find him.” There. She’d admitted the truth. To her family and friends. “We were never real.”
She added the last for herself to assuage any lingering doubts dancing in her head.
“You sure had me fooled,” Ruby admitted.
Rosie nodded her agreement.
Annabelle looked shocked. “I can’t believe it. I loved you two together, the way he looked at you and made you laugh. You were happy when you were with him.”
She had been. Only she’d gotten caught up in the pretense.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all the truth. I didn’t want Sophie disappointed if we weren’t able to find Dad or if we found bad news. I told Soph everything last night.”
Diamond and sapphire butterfly earrings sparkling on her earlobes, gifts from the Butterflies as her something new and blue, Sophie’s eyes held empathy. Darlene didn’t say anything, just toyed with Sophie’s hair, despite the style being perfect. If not for the slight shake to her hands, Isabelle might have bought her mother’s calm.
“So good of Zach to go to all that trouble to bring your dad here,” Ruby mused, making googly faces at Jeannie.
Sarah’s gaze connected with Isabelle’s. “Why do you think Zach went to all that trouble?”
Isabelle shrugged. “He said he wanted to learn to sew.”
