Love and Secrets - Kit Morgan Page 0,38
at the baby, who smiled in return. “Oh my gosh, if I didn’t have appointments later, I’d watch her while you two have lunch.”
“Really?”
“Sophie’s a charmer,” Holly said. “Can’t you see she’s working her wiles on Katie?”
He laughed. “She does have that way about her.”
“Worked on me.” Holly took a few steps toward Katie. Sophie gave her a huge grin. “Hi, pumpkin!”
Sophie squealed.
“Someone likes Holly,” Katie said and began to hand her the baby.
“Oh, no, you can hold her.”
“But she doesn’t want me,” Katie said. “She wants you.”
Holly hesitated. A part of her didn’t want Sophie wanting her. The last thing she needed was one more thing to bring her closer to Zane. What if he wasn’t interested in anything but an instant mother for his child?
Before she knew it, she had Sophie in her arms. “Hey, kiddo. How are you?”
Sophie rested her head on Holly’s shoulder.
“Fine, cuddle Holly and not me,” Katie said.
“She doesn’t know you yet, that’s all.”
“Well, she knows you.”
Holly glanced at Zane, noted the big smile on his face, and closed her eyes against the sting growing in her own. There were no guarantees with the man. None. He might go back to New York and never return. She didn’t dare fall for him. But was it already too late?
Zane watched Holly with Sophie and his chest swelled. They looked good together. Real good, and though he hadn’t been back in Clear Creek long, he knew his heart hadn’t forgotten her as much as he thought. Being around her again wasn’t as easy as riding a bike. But darn close. Yes, they’d matured and were adults now. But there was something undeniable about her, a presence, a … force. In a word, joy. She was delightful to be around.
All the things that drew him to her years ago were still there. How could he help but want to be around her? Better still, Sophie liked her.
He smiled as she spoke with Katie while cuddling his daughter. He wished he had more time to spend, but he wanted to get done what had to be done. He bought his ticket to New York several days ago.
Holly turned to him. “I should get to work. I have a client coming in.”
His brows shot up. “Client?”
“Yes,” Katie said. “People come from all over to have Holly dress them.”
Zane laughed.
“It’s not funny,” Holly said, looking a little hurt. “I make a living at this.”
“I thought you just ran your side of the store.” He took Sophie from her. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh like that.”
She eyed him. “Yes you did.”
“Can I plead ignorance?”
She rolled her eyes.
He put a hand on her arm. “Really, Holls, I’m sorry.”
The door to the shop opened and in walked Mavis Cooke. “Hi,” Holly greeted. “Are you ready?”
Mavis smiled then looked at Zane and Sophie. “Why, I heard you had an addition to your household.” She bent down to see the baby. “This must be Sophie.”
Zane exchanged a look with Holly. “Beatrice,” they said at once.
Mavis laughed. “Who else?”
“I’ve got to go into Daisy’s Café more often,” he said.
“Was she not supposed to say anything?” Holly asked.
He noted her concerned look and gave her a tender smile. “It’s all right. My folks know and that’s the important thing.”
Holly nodded then gave her attention back to Mavis. “Ready to look fabulous?”
“So long as it’s you dressing me, yes.” She gave Zane a conspiratorial wink. “Don’t let it get around town that I’m horrible at matching clothes.”
He smiled. “My lips are sealed, Mrs. Cooke.”
She nodded. “I’m glad to see you back in Clear Creek.” She patted him on the arm then headed for Holly’s side of the shop.
Holly started to follow but Zane stopped her. “Holls.”
She stopped but didn’t look at him. He sensed she was about to … break?
“Lunch?”
When she looked at him her eyes were misted. “I … I don’t think so, Zane. Not today.”
He let his hand fall away and sensed he shouldn’t push her. “Okay, I understand.”
She nodded and, without a word, went to join Mavis.
“Wow,” Katie said in a soft voice. “What’s eating her?”
“You’re the best friend, you tell me.”
Katie stared at him, her brow furrowed. “I have an idea.”
“Want to fill me in?”
Katie’s hands went to her hips. “Really, Zane, if you don’t know then … oh, never mind. You’re a grown man, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Before he could answer, another customer came in and headed straight for Katie’s station. He watched as she greeted her client,