Love and Secrets - Kit Morgan Page 0,30
stroller wiz.
“It’s a good thing they only had the three,” she commented as they drove to the “pick up” area at the back of the store.
“You said it,” Zane said with a laugh. “When Tricia first brought Sophie to me, she had all her things crammed into her car. I didn’t have to buy a lot of this sort of stuff. I wouldn’t know what to look for.”
“Nonsense. You could have done this on your own if you had to,” she said with confidence. Unfortunately, their outing did nothing for her resolve to not fall for him. He was genuinely interested in what she had to say about his purchase, and a lot of other things too. He asked about activities for Sophie, what were the best toys to buy, and of course, clothing.
“Thank you again for the dresses,” he said, sounding nervous.
Was he? She cleared her throat and smiled, hoping she didn’t sound the same. “You’re welcome.” She glanced out the window and noticed they weren’t heading back to Beauty and More. “Um, where are we going?”
“Dinner? It is after seven.”
“Oh, okay.”
He glanced between her and the street. “Is there someplace you have to be?”
“Well, I was planning on spending my evening with a dismantled closet, but I think you’re more fun.”
He grinned. “Wow, more fun than a closet. Where does that put me on the fun meter? A one?”
“Hardly,” she said with a laugh. “More like … a five?”
He gasped. “What?”
Holly laughed. “It is a closet!”
“That should make me a ten,” he said, eyes on the road.
She stole a glance at him and smiled. He was so handsome … and temporary. But then, he was thinking of staying.
“What are you in the mood for?”
Holly blinked a few times. “Oh, um, we could get Mexican again. There’s also a Thai place in Old Town if you’d rather.”
“Okay, let’s head to Old Town. Are most of the shops open?”
“Yes, everything’s occupied. You’ll love it.”
He smiled as he turned onto Main Street. “I haven’t been to Old Town since high school.”
“Really? That’s a long time. We should take a stroll before we eat so you can have a look around.”
“Good idea. I’d love to see who’s still there.”
“Mr. Jensen still runs Dunnigan’s Mercantile. He and his wife have really fixed it up. The coffee shop is still there, so is the ‘Hippie Shop’ as everyone still calls it.”
He laughed. “That place is great.”
“They have nice candles,” she agreed with a smile. Was it just her, or was it really hot all of a sudden? She fiddled with the button that controlled the window, tempted to roll it down.
“Too warm in here for you?”
He had no idea. “Oh, a little.”
Zane turned up the air conditioning. “Sorry, I’m so used to hot, humid, summers, the weather here is nothing to me.”
“I guess there’s a big difference between Clear Creek and New York City.” She fiddled with the vent so the air got to her better. But it wasn’t going to help her heart or stomach. Neither had calmed down. In fact, the giddy sensation she had growing wasn’t helping.
Oh dear. She had all the signs of falling for this guy. If she didn’t put a stop to this she’d fall flat on her face!
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“No, not at all.” She grinned for good measure.
“Okay, now I know something is,” he said with a laugh.
She gave him a bemused look. “How on Earth, after all these years, do you still know me?”
He gazed at her before giving his attention back to the road. “I just do. Some things don’t change, Holls.”
Her heart warmed. “No, I guess not.” She had to admit, she knew him too. She also had to admit she liked the grown-up version of Zane Brody. A lot.
They reached Old Town, found a parking spot and, once out of the car, headed for the nearest shop. “Dunnigan’s. I remember buying candy in here,” Zane said.
“I still do.” She opened the door and motioned him to precede her. He motioned her to do the same. “I insist,” she said.
“What sort of gentleman would I be if I didn’t let you go inside first?”
Holly shrugged. “Just trying to be neighborly.”
He smiled and looked into her eyes. “Just trying to be gentlemanly.”
She returned his look. “We could go together, that is if we fit through the door.”
He laughed. “Okay.”
They did try, and she was instantly aware of the heat of his body, the scent of his clothes, and of him. If she’d thought she’d