Page 15 of Jaxson

“If we helped, then we’d be the ones wooing her, and I’m afraid this all has to be on you, Jaxson,” Mark said.

He finished his lemonade, glared at both his parents, but then leaned down and kissed each of their cheeks, telling them he would stop by for lunch on Sunday.

He made his way back to his truck, climbed in, and started to pull out of his parents’ driveway.

No matter what he did, it would have to include Belle. That, unfortunately, meant he needed to stay in town. The only problem he had staying in town was, there were people that talked all the freaking time, and he didn’t want any of them poking into his business when it came to Tillie. He had too much of a reputation.

The only way he was going to do this was to keep her away from the women he’d been with, and unfortunately, there were a lot.

Pulling up against the side of the road, he slammed his hand on the steering wheel of his truck. Everyone else meant nothing, but that didn’t mean they weren’t going to cause trouble for him, when they realized he had feelings elsewhere.

****

“I didn’t know you were coming today,” Kate said, rounding the counter.

Tillie held her hand up, then her second one to show her hand was free from her cell phone, which she also used as a camera. It was much easier to take her cell phone, and it had a good clear camera to be able to shoot as much as she wanted.

“It’s all good.” She smiled. “This is a personal visit.”

“How did your last fabric haul go?” Kate asked, going back behind the counter. The shop didn’t currently have any customers. People traveled to come and visit Kate’s shop, and also, moving her business online had helped save it. Kate was convinced the only reason it was saved was because of her, but Tillie figured it had more to do with the online aspect than anything else.

“It hasn’t gone live yet, but it should in the next couple of weeks. I’m just finishing the final editing.” She walked toward the aisle that had new fabrics, and she reached out, giving some viscose fabrics a stroke. They were soft and light, perfect for this heat wave they were having.

“I look forward to it.”

She was aware Kate watched her show.

“Thanks. Hopefully, it’s not too boring for you.”

Kate laughed. “Trust me, it’s the best part of my day.”

Belle wriggled in her arms, and she put her baby girl onto the floor. Tillie watched as Belle went bundling up behind the counter, and gave Kate a fuss. She smiled. Sometimes, she left Belle in the car, but there was no way she was leaving her dog behind in this heat, even with the windows wound down. Besides, Kate absolutely adored her dog.

“You’re a good girl.”

“You’ve had some lovely new fabrics in.”

Kate chuckled. “There is always a good excuse to find new fabrics.”

She couldn’t agree more, but the truth was, she hadn’t come in for new fabrics, she’d come to talk to a friend. Kate was the closest person she had to a friend, mainly because they shared the same kind of love for sewing and craft. Kate had gotten into it because of her mother, and, well, she did the same, and their paths had joined back up into the sewing and crafting world.

She made her way to the front counter. “How have you been?” she asked.

Kate smiled as she had several packages in front of her, with Post-it notes attached. She was printing off addresses, taking off the Post-it, and attaching the address to the front. “Busy, I had a summer sale to help budge some of my winter fabrics and that seemed to work. Orders have been flying off the shelf, and I can only imagine that is because everyone is inspired to sew all the new seasons of patterns.”

“It has been a good year for the sewing patterns. I’ve had to restrain myself from buying a few different patterns.”

Kate laughed. “I don’t know, I’ve had a splurge. Not just for the shop, but also for myself. I just couldn’t help it.”

Belle had curled up around the back of the desk, and she looked so peaceful.

“Can I ask you something?” She nibbled her lip as Kate looked up.

“Of course, what’s the matter?”

“Do you ... date a lot?”

Kate threw her head back and laughed. Tillie smiled, but she wasn’t exactly sure what was so entertaining. It was kind of scary, hearing her full belly laugh.