He took a step back. “What?”
“I need a couple of your white dress shirts.”
“Are you going to cut them up?” He sounded horrified at the idea.
She grinned. “No, but they may take some wear and tear.”
His chin drew back and he narrowed his eyes, looking unsure. “Okay, I guess.”
The girls whooped and ran for the door. They soon returned, each with a shirt in hand.
Cody’s eyes widened and his brows rose.
“There a problem?” Stacey asked, standing beside him.
“Those look like my very best shirts.”
She giggled. Cody looked at her. His eyes sparkled and she wasn’t certain why but a hot spot formed in her belly in response.
“Here.” Lizzy thrust the one she held at Stacey. Jean did the same.
“What’re we going to do with them?” Jean asked.
“Come over here and I’ll show you.” Stacey moved to the bed. Not one of her better ideas but she was left no choice but to follow through. Laying the shirt across the bedspread, she buttoned it up completely. She then flipped it over and smoothed the wrinkles out. What would it be like to do this while Cody was wearing it? She shook that pulse-raising idea out of her head. Folding the collar down, she rolled the shirt tightly past the shoulders.
Cody groaned.
She glanced at him.
“My shirts will never be the same.”
Stacey grinned. “You’re the one who asked for my help.”
He winced. “I did.”
“Okay, Jean. Turn around.” When she did so, Stacey adjusted the shirt so that the buttons faced inward then tied the sleeves at Jean’s back. “Okay, you can turn around.” Jean did so, and Stacey said with arms wide in a theatrical pose, “Ta-da.”
Jean had a genuine smile on her face.
“Do mine now,” Lizzy said.
Stacey started on the other shirt.
Cody watched over her shoulder. “I have to admit this is pretty creative. I’m impressed.”
“You doubted me?” She looked at him.
“Not really.”
Having male support was a new experience for her. Stacey rather liked Cody’s faith in her. She tied Lizzy’s “apron” on. “I believe we have two original settlers. Stand over there so your dad and I can see you.”
The girls did as they were told with smiles on their faces.
Stacey twirled a finger. “Turn around for us.”
The girls did.
“You two look great.” Cody nodded, his relief evident. “Thanks, Stacey. I would have never come up with this.”
“You’re welcome, but we still have something missing.” She snapped her fingers. “I meant to bring my old hat. I can go get it.”
“I’m afraid that will have to wait for now. I have a Founder’s Day meeting in a few minutes.” He clapped his hands. “Girls, we’ve already taken too much of Stacey’s time. Lucy is expecting you at her sleepover party.”
Jean wrinkled her nose. “But we need to finish our costumes first.”
Stacey put a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll work on your head covering while you’re gone and have it ready for you. Now, let’s take those outfits off and keep them safe. It sounds like you have a party to go to.”
With her help and Cody’s, they changed.
“Go put your regular clothes on, girls. We’ve got to go,” Cody encouraged.
Stacey helped Cody lay the clothing neatly on the chair at his desk. He placed the “aprons” just so and the boots beside them with great care. “I don’t want anything to happen to these between now and when they need to use them. I hope I can get it all on them correctly.”
“I’m sure you can but if you need me to come help, let me know.” The offer came out of her mouth as though it had a mind of its own. She had to stop saying things like that. Getting more and more deeply involved in Cody’s life wasn’t her plan. It wasn’t until they were done that she registered she was alone with him in his bedroom.
His voice dropped and he touched her hand briefly, sending a ripple throughout her body. “Thanks for helping me out. For that I’ll always be indebted to you.”
She stepped out of touching distance. “I’m not helping you to make you feel you owe me anything.”
“I know that. You’re not that kind of person. Still, I’m grateful.” His eyes filled with an emotion she didn’t want to put a name to. “Stacey, I—”
“We’re ready to go,” Lizzy announced from the doorway. Jean stood behind her, watching closely.
Cody retreated, his unfinished statement lingering in the air. Stacey desperately wanted to know what he’d been going to say while at the same time feared it. “Girls, what do we say to Stacey?”