CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The breath caught in Amy’s lungs as she turned to look at him. “With who?”
Will’s eyebrows rose at the question. “With me. Why would I be asking for someone else?”
Amy shrugged. “I just thought maybe you had a friend you were going to fix me up with.”
“Nope. Asking on my own behalf.”
Amy stared at him, not entirely sure how to respond. “Is this because of Isabella?”
“What do you mean?” Will slid his hands into the front pockets of the black pants he wore.
“Am I the first woman she’s become so attached to?
” Amy could tell from Will’s expression that she was.
“I’m not interested in a relationship with someone who’s just looking for a mother for their child.
Not that I wouldn’t want to be Isabella’s mother, but that’s not a good basis for a relationship. ”
Will didn’t reply at first. “I can’t lie and say that’s not part of it.
But there is more. You’re the first woman who has made me laugh like you have.
I enjoy being around you and the happiness and joy with which you live your life.
It’s very attractive. Even when facing struggles, you’ve continued to be upbeat and haven’t let them keep you down. ”
Amy looked away briefly. Was this God’s sign? She sure hoped not, because she still wasn’t convinced that Will was the man she wanted to live the rest of her life with, even though her heart seemed to think he was. “I don’t date lightly, Will.”
“You think I’m asking you to engage in some sort of summer fling?” Will asked.
“I’m not sure what to think. My time here is limited. I hadn’t planned on making this a permanent move.” She wanted to say more, to reveal to him the real reason she wasn’t sure about allowing anything to develop between them.
“I understand that.” He shrugged. “I guess I wasn’t thinking long term yet. I just really enjoyed this evening with you and would like to do it again. Except without the grocery list. And maybe in a restaurant where food doesn’t come in meal deals. I thought maybe you might have felt the same way.”
If only he knew. Her heart pounded as she looked at him standing there, everything she’d once dreamed of having, and asking her what she’d longed to be asked eight years ago. She would have jumped on it back then. But now? “I did enjoy being with you tonight.”
“But?”
“Is there a way we can do this without Isabella knowing? I don’t want her to get her hopes up for something that...well, until we figure out what...” She stopped and took a breath, struggling for words and air.
Will stepped closer and took her hand. “Let’s take it one step at a time. How about we go out for dinner once and then decide if we want to try it again.”
If her words had been scrambled before, the touch of his hand on hers scattered what few had been left. This wasn’t like her. She was usually able to roll with the punches but, right then, a million different thoughts vied for attention in her mind. “Okay. Dinner would be good.”
“How about Saturday night? Once all the party stuff is done, and you can relax.”
“Sure. That sounds good. But what will you do with Isabella?”
“I’ll figure something out,” Will said as her hand slid from his. He looked at her more intently. “Are you okay? You look almost...sick.”
That was probably a good description for how she felt. Sick with excitement. Sick with fear. “I’m fine. This is all just a bit unexpected.”
Will tilted his head. “This can’t be the first time you’ve been asked out.”
“No, it’s not,” Amy admitted.
“So why are you surprised that I asked you out?”
“It’s just a very...odd situation with my brother being married to your sister. And honestly, I didn’t expect you to see me as potential dating material.”
Will’s brows drew together. He looked like he was going to say something then stopped. After a brief pause he said, “Well, I guess now you know differently.”
“Yes, I do.” Amy tucked her hands into the pockets of her capris, trying hard to keep the tumult of emotion from pouring out. “I think we should probably get back to the manor. Don’t want the refrigerator items to go bad.”
The trip was made in silence but for Josh and Cami singing once again.
In the midst of all the emotions, the only feeling Amy could get a real grasp on was anger, but who it was truly directed at was a mystery to her.
She felt anger at herself for not knowing her own mind and for being so hung up on Will’s past. She wished she could have just said yes without dithering all over the place.
And she was a bit angry at God for not making this easier.
She didn’t like being confused or dealing with such complicated emotions.
After they parked in front of the manor, Amy put her hand on the door handle to open it. When Will touched her arm, she hesitated before turning to look at him.
“I didn’t mean to make things awkward between us.” His brows were drawn together, his expression tense. “If you’d rather not go out for dinner, I’ll understand. We can just forget the past half hour.”
Amy shook her head. “Can’t forget, but I’ll try not to let it affect the things we need to do over the next few days. I’ll be honest. I’m really confused. I never expected...” She waved her hand between them. “This.”
“I didn’t either.” A corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. “And I certainly didn’t know it was going to get so complicated. If I’d had any idea—”
“You never would have brought it up,” Amy finished for him.
A smile softened his tense expression. “No. If I’d had any idea, I would have timed our conversation better. Maybe tried a few more subtle hints to give you a clue before springing the invite on you.”
Seeing his features relax into a smile and knowing it was because of her, Amy’s heart clenched and the breath squeezed from her lungs.
Will was offering her everything she’d ever wanted, but fear held her back.
There was so much she wanted to say, to share with him.
But instead of voicing what was in her heart, she just gave a quick nod and then opened the door. Will didn’t try to stop her this time.
He had opened the hatch from inside the vehicle, and they met at the back to begin unloading.
After their first trip into the manor, Lance told Amy to stay inside to start unpacking while he helped Will bring in the rest of the stuff.
Since she was familiar with the kitchen after working in it for a couple of weeks, Amy was able to quickly put the groceries where they needed to go.
“Here you go.”
Amy turned to see Will holding out a bag to her.
Without meeting his gaze, she reached for it, but he pulled it back.
When she looked at him, he gave her a quick grin and held it out again.
She reached for it more slowly this time, her fingers brushing against his.
He didn’t release it right away so their fingers stayed intertwined.
The teasing look in his eyes and the contact with his hand shot Amy’s pulse rate up, but when she heard Lance coming, she gave the bag a tug and Will let go.
As she put the contents of the bag into the pantry, Amy prayed that she hadn’t made a mistake in agreeing to go out with him.
It didn’t feel wrong, but it didn’t feel quite right either.
The way he looked at her, a crazy mix of gentleness and teasing, made her weak in the knees, but there was also a pit in her stomach from anticipation and fear.
However, there was no going back now. She just hoped it didn’t make things too awkward between them over the next couple of days as they prepared for the party.
“That’s the last of it,” Will said as he put two more bags on the counter. “I’d offer to help put stuff away but, since I have no idea where anything goes, I’d probably be more of a hindrance than a help.”
“No problem.” Lance put two jugs of milk into the fridge. “I appreciate you taking Amy to the store for me.”
“It was an interesting experience.”
Amy didn’t look at him, positive that if she did, Lance would read her emotions all over her face. She nodded. “I don’t think I’ve ever needed two carts to get groceries before.”
“I’ll just go find Isabella and get out of your way. What time are you expecting Josh and Cami?”
“Josh texted earlier to say they were in Minneapolis and hoped to be here shortly after noon tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.” Will paused then said, “Amy, I’m going to pick up the tables and chairs tomorrow. Do you want to set them up in the afternoon? I don’t think they’re forecasting rain so they should be okay to sit out overnight.”
Amy looked at Will, knowing this was the awkwardness they needed to avoid. “That would be great. Thanks. Will you be able to run a few errands on Saturday morning?”
“Sure. What do you need done?”
“Picking up the cake for one. And anything else I’ve forgotten.”
“I’ll be at your disposal.” Will smiled. “But I’m sure you’ve got it all well in hand. Just keep checking things off your list.”
Butterflies fluttered in Amy’s stomach. Part of her just couldn’t believe that Will actually wanted to go out with her. And seeing him smiling made her glad she’d agreed.
“Are the girls outside?” Will asked Lance.
“No, they came in and went up to Julia’s room to play, I think.”
Will nodded and left the kitchen. Amy took more cans from the bags on the counter and turned to put them in the pantry. She pulled up short when she saw Lance leaning against the fridge, arms crossed, a curious expression on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“You tell me.”
Amy skirted around him to the pantry. “Tell you what?”
“The tension between the two of you is so thick I could cut it with a knife. Did you have a disagreement or something?”
“Or something,” Amy muttered as she put the cans on the correct shelf.
“What was that?”
She came back into the kitchen and continued putting things away in the fridge. “Nothing. Everything is fine.”
“Maybe I should ask Will.”