“Bodie told me that you and your sister run the quilt shop on the square. Thanks to Sarah, I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for those old quilts my grandmother made and how much work went into them.”
Hopefully, his mother still had the one his granny had made him. He’d been thinking about it more and more lately, wishing he had it.
“You talked about me with Bodie? Why?”
Of everything he’d said, that was what she’d focused in on?
“Because…” Zach hesitated. “He witnessed my crash and burn at Lou’s the other day. He said I didn’t have a chance with you.”
“He’s right. You don’t.”
“Because I’m military?” He refused to say former. Once a soldier, always a soldier.
She hesitated long enough that Zach knew the wheels were turning in that intelligent mind of hers.
“Because you’re you,” she finally answered.
Same difference.
“Then, breakfast it is?” he asked, knowing that despite her protests, she needed him to find her father.
Her mouth opened, no doubt to shoot him down, but before anything came out, the bubbly brunette joined them.
“Carrie loved your suggestion for the Petdanas and wants to implement that change to our online marketing immediately.” She turned to Zach and flashed a smile so bright he almost shielded his eyes. “Hi, I’m Sophie. Nice to meet you.”
Although at first glance their features seemed opposite, Zach could see a strong resemblance. The big eyes, even though Sophie’s were brown. But mostly it was that their facial structure was similar, with high cheekbones and full, wide mouths. Mouths that were curved in opposite directions.
“Zach Dawson.” He shook her hand, unable to keep from comparing the kind warmth of Sophie’s gesture with the electric bolts that had shot through him when he’d grabbed Isabelle’s hand. As different as night and day. Zach always had preferred the night.
“You’re a guest at Hamilton House?” Sophie’s eyes were as sparkly as her blingy Rudolph sweater with its flashing red nose.
“I’m a friend of Bodie’s. And Sarah’s,” he added, knowing it was true. “I’m visiting while on vacation.”
“That’s wonderful. Welcome to Pine Hill.” Sophie’s smile radiated her sincerity. “Any friend of theirs is a friend of ours, right, Izzy?”
“I, uh…” Isabelle stammered, her fingers tangled in her sweater hem.
“Izzy?” Zach teased, causing her eyes to jerk to his with more death daggers shining in their depths.
“Don’t you even start with—”
Zach laughed, loving her fire. “No worries. I prefer Blondie.”
*
Isabelle cringed atthe nickname. Or maybe it was how Sophie’s expression had upped its wattage at Zach’s teasing.
“Blondie?” Her sister’s curious gaze bounced back and forth between them. “You two have met before tonight?”
“I rescued her earlier this week,” Zach bragged, hooking his thumbs into his jeans pocket and looking as proud as if he’d single-handedly saved Christmas.
Sophie blinked. “Izzy had to be rescued?”
“Yeah.” Isabelle snorted at Zach. “You were a regular white knight in shining armor.”
His lopsided grin dug a dimple into his left cheek. “Glad you noticed.”
Isabelle’s heart hiccupped at the twinkle in his eyes. Oh, Saint Nick, he was gorgeo—annoying.
