“You wish it was pies in the face.” She practically doubled over.
“Okay, spill it, Blondie. What torturous volunteer work are you enlisting me for?”
“Oh, nothing too strenuous. I mean, you only have to stand there with your eyes closed.”
“While you shoot sugar plums off my head with a bow and arrow?”
“Don’t tempt me, but that’s not it.” She drew out telling him another few seconds, obviously relishing every moment. “I’m in charge of this year’s kissing booth.”
Isabelle teasing him seemed so unlikely that even though his gut said that was what she was doing, Zach wasn’t sure. “Pine Hill has a kissing booth?”
“Oh, yes. We set it up down by the assisted living center.” She batted her lashes, then blew him a kiss. “I think this year’s is going to be extra successful. Don’t you?”
Zach gulped. Did she mean that she was signing him up to be kissed? Or that she was, possibly while wearing her new red lipstick that he kept having to drag his gaze from?
Either way, if she was serious, he’d prepurchase both of their entire time slots, because there was no way he was going to stand there while other men kissed her. That would be torture.
And the only person he wanted to kiss was Isabelle.
*
Hands laden withthe numerous dishes Sarah had made to bring with them, Zach followed a similarly loaded down Bodie up the front steps of a well-kept, white-frame two-story home. Although he and Isabelle hadn’t directly discussed his coming to her Aunt Claudia’s for Thanksgiving dinner, the woman had invited him and called Sarah to insist that she not let Zach say no. Who was he to turn down what promised to be another amazing home-cooked meal?
“You’re going to regret not taking my advice to wear something with an elastic waistband.” Bodie pushed the front door open, letting Harry go in first. “Because you’re about to have the best meal of your life.”
His friend’s comment and the delicious aromas from the containers they held had Zach’s stomach growling.
“From now until Christmas”—Bodie made anmmmsound—“this town likes to show off. My guess is that the New Year’s resolution to start a diet originated in Pine Hill, thanks to the pounds packed on during the holidays.”
Bodie’s fit figure didn’t seem to be suffering too much from all the extra calories. His morning runs with Harry kept him fit. Glad for the physical release and determined to not lose the strength he’d worked so hard to regain after his extended hospital stay, Zach joined them. It wasn’t as if he didn’t wake before the sun, anyway. Old habits died hard.
“Hope you’re hungry.” Sarah came over to them with Jeannie in her arms. “Aunt Claudia will expect you to have at least two helpings.”
“As much as I taste-tested yesterday and today, I’m not sure about a second plate, especially since I’m wearing Bodie’s shirt. It’s already a little snug, but I’m looking forward to the first plate.”
Having suggested he dress up a little from his usual T-shirt, Sarah had loaned him another of Bodie’s dress shirts. He’d only planned to stay in Pine Hill a week and then to go to the beach. Dress clothes hadn’t been on the agenda, but he should probably buy a few things since his plans had changed.
“Thanks for helping Bodie and me.” Sarah smiled. “You make a great assistant baker.”
“It was the least I could do after you put my fears about Pine Hill having a kissing booth to rest.” Plus, he enjoyed hanging with his friends and seeing how normal their lives were. Zach hadn’t felt normal or seen it in years. Pine Hill was broadening his horizon. “Hopefully, I didn’t demolish too many of those chocolate no-bakes you made.”
“Isabelle teasing you like that was great.” Sarah’s eyes twinkled. “And between you and Bodie enjoying them so much, I decided to leave what was left of the cookies at home. They’re in the Santa jar on the kitchen counter.”
Zach would have high-fived his friend if they weren’t carrying the containers.
“Sarah, Bodie, Zach,” Isabelle’s Aunt Claudia greeted them. With her salt-and-pepper hair pulled into a bun, red dress and ruffled white apron, she looked exactly how Zach imagined Mrs. Claus would. “It’s good to see you, but this little sweetie is who I want to love on before that baby-hogger Maybelle realizes y’all are here.”
Sarah handed Jeannie to the woman, who immediately showered the baby with kisses and sweet talk. “Let’s go brag to the others that I got to hold you first.”
“Don’t you go stirring up Butterfly trouble on Thanksgiving,” Bodie warned in his sheriff’s deputy tone.
Claudia giggled. “Well, you and I both know it’s those other Butterflies that you have to watch out for. I’m the innocent one who gets dragged along on their shenanigans whenever George and I are home from one of our trips. Have I mentioned that we’re going to the Amalfi Coast this spring? I sure do love to travel.”
Smiling, Sarah and Bodie exchanged looks.
“Come on, Zach.” Bodie gestured toward their right. “Let’s put these in the kitchen.”
“Tell the girls I’ll be there in a minute. Everything’s mostly done, but they’re keeping an eye on the rolls while they finish.” Claudia pressed more kisses to Jeannie’s chubby cheek. “I’m going to relish holding this one a minute as I likely won’t get another opportunity while Sarah and I talk about my trip.”
