“Here. You’re going to need this.” Sophie handed Zach the bag. “Sarah called a little while ago and said you were interested in signing up for my sewing class.”
He hadn’t even known Sophie had a sewing class, but that the shop would offer them made sense. He suspected Sarah had her reasons for telling Sophie he was interested, reasons that involved the woman frowning at her sister.
“Why would Sarah think that?” Isabelle handed Zach’s debit card back to him.
“Zach’s been helping her cut and pin pieces and has even sewn a few pieces with her.” Sophie smiled big, even as Isabelle’s jaw dropped. “She’s not getting to sew as much as she’d like since Jeannie’s been born and says you’ve been a great help on her current quilt.”
Heat flooded Zach’s face. “Sarah’s a good teacher.”
“Isabelle is, too,” Sophie assured. “Our Grandma Belle taught us when we were little, but since Mom doesn’t sew, it was Isabelle who helped me fine-tune my sewing skills. She’s a perfectionist and, although not necessary, that trait comes in handy when quilting and wanting your seams to line up properly.”
Shoving his packages toward him, Isabelle shook her head. “I’m not the one who teaches sewing classes.”
“Not usually, but you have when needed.” Sophie smiled sweetly at Zach. “She’s promised to cover any of this session’s classes that I need a night to prepare for the wedding. It’s the week before Christmas, you know.”
Color splashed into Isabelle’s cheeks. Zach gave Sophie credit. She knew how to play her sister, but Isabelle wasn’t going down without a fight.
“Ben may not like you recruiting competition.” She turned to Zach. “He’s one of Cole’s best friends and a fellow firefighter. He only signed up because Sophie assured him most of her other students were single women under thirty.”
Sophie’s laugh was sparkly. “Ben may not be back. The women in the class were more interested in him than he was in them or sewing, unfortunately.” Concern flitted across her face. “With Andrew being married, and now Cole about to be, I do worry about him. He’s the one who’s always wanted a wife and children, but just hasn’t met the one yet.” Sophie’s gaze pinned Zach. “What about you? Are you looking for the one?”
“No, ma’am.” He coughed to clear his throat. “Marriage isn’t for me. I’m a bachelor for life.”
He’d never wanted married life, never even considered it as an option. He’d only wanted to be a soldier. Now, he couldn’t do his first love, but still couldn’t picture himself living a white-picket-fence life. He’d likely die working at iSecure or someplace like it where he still tasted remnants of the life-on-the-edge he’d once lived.
Giggling, Sophie waved her hand dismissively. “I’ve heard that before. Be warned. Pine Hill has a way of claiming hearts.”
“Okay, Soph, you can leave Zach alone now,” Isabelle advised, obviously embarrassed by her sister’s blatant matchmaking. “I’m not going to have time for lunch if we don’t get on the move.”
Unfazed, Sophie ignored Isabelle and kept smiling. “You really should sign up for my class. You’ve missed the first two, but from what Sarah says, you didn’t need those bare minimum basics, anyway. But if you did, Isabelle can catch you up.”
“I’ll think on it,” Zach said, doubting he’d agree.
“I’m starved.” Isabelle scooped up the basket and gestured toward the cooler bag. “Zach, grab that, please. You can carry it and the blanket bag. We need to be on our way to the park so I can get back to work.”
“Great to see you again, Zach,” Sophie called from behind them. “Come back real soon. My next class is Monday evening at six. Hope to see you there.”
*
Isabelle had begunto wonder if they were ever going to leave the shop.
The sunny November day greeted her when she stepped out onto the sidewalk, causing her to wish she’d grabbed her sunglasses. The soft breeze carried the scent of Mom and Pop’s Pizzeria, making her stomach growl. She’d been in such a rush to get away from Sophie’s picnic planning that morning that she’d not eaten breakfast.
“I like your sister.”
Isabelle squinted at Zach. “Everyone does.”
“Does that bother you?”
“No. The sun was in my eyes.” However, that he’d moved into step beside her to where he shaded her face from the sun did bother her. Not that she didn’t appreciate his instantaneous chivalry, but it was easier not to think of him as considerate.
As they walked along the sidewalk, Carrie stepped out of Paw Parties and waved. Isabelle smiled, waved back, but didn’t pause to talk to the shop’s owner.
“Besides,” she mused, walking faster, “why would everyone liking Sophie bother me?”
She couldn’t imagine the person who wouldn’t like her sunshiny, life-is-a-bowl-of-Christmas-candy sister.
“You tell me. You’re the one whose voice went up an octave or two.”
