Page 87 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Faith
“My heart melted at how he looked at Sophie while they exchanged their vows.” Morgan sighed. “Every word between them was pure perfection.”
Their declarations of forever love and forsaking all others had been perfect. Isabelle’s heart had overflowed for her sister and new brother. Keeping her gaze on them should have been easy, and yet, she’d had to fight to keep from looking toward where Zach sat between her parents in the front pew. Had the hand he’d placed on her father’s knee been a reassuring touch or one meant to keep him seated?
“Oh, Rosie!” Morgan giggled at the woman sashaying around Cole. The other three Butterflies shook their heads, then laughed and followed suit. “I miss them so much.”
“Any thoughts of moving back to Pine Hill?”
Morgan’s gaze stayed on Cole and the Butterflies. “Andrew wants to work a few years as a smokejumper, but we’ve always planned to move back at some point. With the baby on the way, we may make the move sooner than expected, though. I’m not sure. It wasn’t planned, but we’re both ecstatic.”
Cole took Ruby’s hand, twirled her around, then did the same for the other Butterflies, coming to Rosie last. Rosie batted her lashes, then crooked her finger at him. Laughing, Cole spun her, then gave her a quick dip. When she straightened, Sophie tapped her shoulder.
The Butterflies cleared the dance floor, leaving the newlyweds to their first dance.
“Look how happy she is.” Morgan leaned close. “I want that for you, too, Izzy.”
Isabelle frowned. “I’m happy.”
“You know what I mean. Talk to Zach.”
“Why? Zach has nothing to do with my happiness.” Nothing at all, she assured herself, hating that her gaze sought where he sat at a table with her father, Sarah and Bodie, and others. He looked so handsome in his dress clothes and so very far away.
“Seriously, Izzy, the two most important men of your life are at that table. Go talk to them while I go see what my husband and Ben are up to. I suspect Cole’s truck may never look the same after those two get through with theirJust Marriedadditions.”
As if he’d somehow heard Morgan’s comment from across the room, Zach’s gaze met hers. Rather than look away, he lifted his drink in a salute.
Isabelle scowled, then looked away. Zach was not one of the two most important men of her life. He was just someone who’d found the man who should have been the most important man of her life.
*
“Was that lookon my account?”
“Doubtful.” Although Zach could feel Cliff’s gaze, he didn’t shift his own from where Isabelle fiddled with the tablecloth, smoothing out the material. She’d been sitting with her cousin but was now at the table alone. He longed to go to her, but he had no right, nor did she want him to.
“What did you do?” Cliff asked from next to him.
The man had leaned close, but still spoke loud enough that Maybelle’s ears had perked up.
Zach snorted. “Exist.”
Cliff’s sandy-gray brow lifted in question.
“Zach and Isabelle have unresolved feelings for each other,” Sarah supplied from where she sat on the opposite side of Zach, proving Maybelle wasn’t the only one interested in what they were saying.
Unresolved feelings? He fought laughing. From the beginning, Isabelle had looked at him with daggers. The only thing that had changed was the way he looked at her.
Cliff eyed Zach suspiciously. “Is that the real reason why you refused to leave Louisiana without me? Because you couldn’t disappoint Isabelle?”
“You’re here for Sophie,” Zach clarified. “She wanted you here and Isabelle wants Sophie happy.”
The man sat in silence a moment, then half choked on his next words. “Thank you.”
Zach’s heart clenched, continuing in its battle between empathy for the man and wanting to smash his face in for all the pain he’d caused Isabelle over the years. “You’re welcome.”
Cole and Sophie finished their dance. Maybelle and the other Butterflies rejoined them toward the front of the reception hall, calling everyone to attention.
“As many of you know, the beautiful bride heads up our local Quilts of Valor group. The quilts you see displayed around the room are all Quilts of Valor made by various members. This work is very near and dear to our Sophie’s heart.” Maybelle glanced toward where Sophie stood, her fingers laced with Cole’s. “As part of the celebration of her marriage, Sophie requested that we do a Quilts of Valor presentation.”
“And,” Rosie joined in, “she made a special request on who we wrap.”
