Love and Secrets - Kit Morgan Page 0,21
falling out. Anyone could tell just by the way she talked about them.”
“Is that why she never wanted you to meet them?” Holly asked gently.
Zane looked into her eyes and fought the urge to scoot closer. “It was like she was afraid if she showed up on their doorstep, they’d pull her into their house and never let her go again.”
Holly made a face. “Wow, that would keep me away.”
“It kept Jillie away, that’s for sure. By the time I met her, she hadn’t seen her parents for months. I tried to help, but there wasn’t much I could do. No matter how much I talked to her about reconciling with them, she wouldn’t budge.”
“So, you finally dropped it?”
“No, she dropped me. Maybe she was tired of me preaching at her.”
She gave him another sympathetic smile. “Did you explain to her you just can’t help yourself? You are a preacher’s kid.”
He rolled his eyes. “That was bad.”
She giggled. “I thought it was pretty good, myself.”
Zane couldn’t help but smile. “You haven’t changed, you know that?”
“Haven’t I?” She made a show of looking at herself. “I think I’ve changed a lot.”
His smile broadened. “Yes. You have.” He let his eyes roam her face. “A lot. Actually.” He smiled again, then glanced at Sophie and back. “What I mean is, you’re the same old Holly in a lot of ways. And that’s a good thing.”
She gave him a shy look. “So long as it’s good. I’d hate to think I’ve turned into some ogre.”
“Never. Besides, there’s no such thing as happy ogres. Is there?”
Holly laughed. “I don’t think so. You won’t catch an ogre wearing a tiara, that’s for sure.”
He smiled as his face scrunched up. “You wear tiaras?”
“Of course.”
He laughed. “You always did run around school telling everyone you were a princess.”
“Still am. And I’m sure Sophie will look adorable with her very own pink tiara.”
He took on a panicked look.
“She’ll love it, trust me.”
“She’s a baby, she doesn’t know what a tiara is,” he argued with a laugh. She laughed too then took another bite of food. Zane watched her eat, his eyes darting to Sophie now and then to make sure she hadn’t fallen into a corner of the playpen and got stuck. But despite everything going on, he was enjoying himself, and, had to admit, enjoying the company even more.
Holly whistled while she worked. Katie, who was taking a client’s payment, eyed her from behind the front counter. “Someone’s cheery this morning.” She gave Mrs. Branch her change and smiled as she left the shop. As soon as she was gone, she made a beeline for her. “Okay, spill. Why are you so happy today? Did you see Zane?”
Holly gave her an innocent look. “Why do you ask?” She went back to fiddling with a display of scarves.
“Don’t pretend with me. I know all your levels of happy.”
Holly stopped again. “I’m whistling. People whistle. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?” She got back to work.
Katie folded her arms. “No. But it’s the fact you’re dancing at the same time that has me suspicious. When did you see him?”
Holly gave her a bemused look. “Are you suggesting I ran into him again?”
“Ah ha! I knew it!” She followed Holly to another display. A tree with purses hanging from it. “Tell me everything.”
“You sure are nosy.” Holly held up a bright red bag. “Do you think your mom would like this? I could set it aside for her.”
“Stop changing the subject. What did you guys do?”
Holly rolled her eyes. “We had dinner. There. Satisfied?”
“No. What did you talk about?”
“What do you care?” She put the purse back and removed another. This one was covered in leopard print. “I doubt your mother would like this.” She put it back.
“You’re hiding something from me, I can tell.” Katie glanced at the purses. “Mom would like the black one.” She eyed Holly again. “Now tell me what happened.”
“Katie, there’s no point.” She removed the black bag and took it to the counter on her side of the shop. “If your mom comes in while I’m not here, this will be on the second shelf. I only ordered one so you can tell her no one else in town will have one like it.”
Katie groaned in frustration. “Did you kiss?”
Holly’s mouth dropped open.
“It’s a legitimate question,” Katie shot back with a helpless wave of her hands. She crossed her arms. “Was it good?”
Holly’s jaw dropped further. “Katie!”
“Oh, come on, give me something!”
Holly’s hands