Love and Secrets - Kit Morgan Page 0,28

was worth a try. What time?” Holly asked. “I can get off early.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to take you away from the shop,” he said, voice low.

She smiled and tried to ignore the fluttery feeling in her belly. “It’ll be fine. Maybe we can find some cute clothes for her too?”

He grinned. “Cuter than what you ordered?”

“They won’t be that cute,” she stated. “The department store’s, I mean.”

He looked into her eyes and smiled. “Of course not.”

Katie set the glasses on the table. “It’s true. If Holly ordered baby clothes, then trust me, you’re going to have the best dressed child in Clear Creek.”

Zane’s brows shot up. “Really?”

Holly and Katie exchanged a look. “Really,” they said in unison.

Everyone burst out laughing. As soon as the laughter died down, Holly took a moment to study Zane. This was going to be a fun evening. She just had to make sure not to have too much fun. If she did, she might fall for Zane all over again.

“What’s the matter with you?” Katie asked the next morning.

Holly sliced open the newly arrived box of baby clothes. “Nothing, why?”

Katie joined her at the counter. “You’ve been awful quiet so far this morning. I thought maybe something was wrong?”

“No, I’m just a little tired.” She set the box cutter aside, opened the box and gasped. “Oh, will you look at these?” She pulled out a dress wrapped in clear plastic.

“Wow,” Katie said, “those are bright colors.”

Holly pulled the plastic off, shook out the frock, and held it up. “It’s so cute I can’t stand it!”

Katie eyed it appreciatively. “Nice job, Holly. I swear you’re going to go broke when you have children.”

She rolled her eyes. “Can you picture me with kids?”

“Why not?” Katie reached into the box and pulled out another dress. “Let’s look at this one next.”

Holly set the first dress aside then pulled the second one out of its protective wrap. “Oh my, this one’s gorgeous! It’s even prettier than it looked in the catalog.”

“Too bad Zane is such a man,” Katie said with a sigh. “He’ll never appreciate the beauty of these.”

Holly had to agree. But guys were guys. “I’m sure his mother will love them.”

“At least there’s that.” Katie pointed at the box. “Now that one.”

Holly pulled out the next two outfits and a pair of shoes. “I can’t wait to try these on Sophie. She’s going to look fabulous!”

Katie rested her elbows on the counter. “Are you sure you don’t want kids one day?”

“I never said I didn’t,” Holly corrected. “I’m just not ready.”

Katie studied the baby clothes. “Are you sure about that?”

“Sure, I’m sure. For one, it takes two to have a baby, remember?”

“Well, you could get together with the guy who already has one …”

Holly squeezed her eyes shut and made a face. “I knew you’d bring that up.”

“What’s wrong with the idea?” Katie asked. “Judging from the way he kept looking at you last night, he’d be game.”

“I’m not going there.” She opened her eyes and started returning clothes to the box.

“Why not?” Katie came around the counter. “Give Zane a chance.”

“A chance?” Holly said with a laugh. “He doesn’t even know if he’s going to stay in Clear Creek. Why would I do that to myself?”

“You could give him a reason to stay,” Katie said in a singsong voice.

Holly tossed in the shoes. “You’re impossible.”

“I try to be.”

“You’re succeeding.”

Katie laughed and headed to the other side of the shop. “I still think you should see him again.”

Holly watched her straighten things around her station. She had a client coming in soon. Should she see Zane again? She’d done what he asked, help him out, lended her moral support and helped him obtain a highchair for Sophie. Now he wanted to check out strollers. But in all honesty, should she go with him? If what Katie said was true, and he was looking at her last night, should she encourage him?

Holly shook her head. “That would be stupid,” she muttered. She wasn’t ready for motherhood. Heck, she wasn’t sure if she was ready for a relationship. Maybe that’s why she spent all her time thinking of who she could match up. It kept her from being the one matched.

Her heart sank at the thought. When had she become afraid to put herself out there? Was she afraid to get into a relationship?

She spent the rest of the day pondering and questioning how she’d been living her life the last few years. Before her parents