“You’ve become quite good at that,” Edith says, motioning to the mask I just finished sewing. “Is there a reason you’re making so many?” She props her hip against the fabric cutting table, her gaze inquisitive. “You’ve supplied everyone on the property with one already.”
“I enjoy it, actually,” I say, shrugging. “It soothes me for some strange reason, knowing I’m doing something positive with my time. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt for everyone to have two or three even, would it?”
“Not at all, dear,” she says, her brows furrowing. “As a matter of fact, I think we have a portable machine up in the attic. If you’d like, I can get Xander to go up and see? That way you could do it at the cottage.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me, Mrs. Rose?” I tease, glancing up at her with a smirk.
“Of course not.” She swats my arm. “I’ve noticed that you’ve been here nearly every day when Xander works since you started making these. I thought you might like to stay home and still be able to make them.”
“I would, actually.” I’m full of gratitude when I glance at her this time. “Thank you for thinking of me.”
She clasps my shoulder. “Thank you for looking aft—”
“Knock, knock,” my sexy man says from the open doorway. “How did I know I’d find my two favorite women in here?” He saunters across the room, holding up his freshly washed hands so I can see before tugging off his mask. “What fabric are you planning on torturing me with tomorrow?”
I giggle as I hold up the flowery print. “I was thinking you could give these to Frank and Donald, and then you could laugh at them all day while you wear your geometric print one.”
“You’re an evil minx.” He winks, shifting his gaze to Edith as she clears her throat.
“After dinner, I’d like you to go up in the attic for me, please.”
“Sure thing, Mom,” he replies, nodding, before turning back to me. “I’m headed to the cottage to take a shower. Do you know where my gray Henley is?”
His eyes are inviting me in, and I hold back a smirk as I shrug him off. “It should be in your drawer.” I focus back on the mask I’m sewing to mess with him more. “I’m pretty sure I folded it yesterday.”
I can feel his eyes burn a path across my skin and not leaping into his arms is becoming increasingly harder. I jump when he speaks right into my ear. “Is this funny, Ivy?”
Any humor I had dies at the rasp in his voice. I take a deep breath, calming my suddenly shaky hands, and flip the machine off, standing. “You know what, I’m not sure where it is. I should probably follow you down.” I can barely look as Edith as I babble an excuse to hightail it back to the cottage and mount her son. “We’ll grab the portable later this evening.”
“That’s not necessary, babe,” Xander says, smirking. “I’m sure I can find it.”
My gaze trails all the way down and then back up before I lick my lips. “If you’re sure?”
“No, I’m not sure.” His eyes darken. “You should come.”
“Yes,” I reply, everything tightening. “I should.”