For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

cabinet so unique! You’d never know they were all one piece and made at the same time. ”
    Changing the subject, she held up two patterns and asked, “ Button holes or zipper? Which is easier? Do you know? ”
    “ Well, you should ask someone who has actual experience with a machine, but look at the picture. The zipper has two long rows of straight stitches. Just up and down. The buttonhole one has about five. That’s like five mini zippers, and you have to be sure they’re equally spaced. Zippers look easier to me. ” He studied the pattern jackets closely again. “ Yeah, I’d go for the zippers. There’s less mending with them too. You don’t have buttons to lose and replace. ”
    “ It sounds like someone has problems keeping his buttons on his shirts. ”
    “ It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it, ” he admitted with a smirk.
    Aggie flipped through the pile of patterns on her lap, while occasionally pulling one out and stacking it in a new pile next to her. One dress with a row of tiny buttons down the front caught her eye. She stared wistfully at it for a few seconds, and then dropped it in the reject pile. “ Well, I guess this one is definitely out. ”
    William grabbed a small box of patterns near him and flipped through them. From time to time, he pulled one out and piled it next to him, before continuing his perusal. Curious, she reached over him and snagged his pile. Almost every single one was one of the vintage patterns that Aggie had been warned to avoid. Vannie insisted that the sizing was “ off ” and she didn’t know how to fix it.
    “ Oh, you have excellent taste! I think they’re just beautiful. All those full skirts and fitted bodices. They remind me of the party dresses that are in that Madeline movie. ”
    “ After that one dress, I had you pegged as a prairie muffin type. ” William’s statement was nearly a question.
    “ I don’t think I have a type. I’m no Alexa Hartfield, but I love pretty, feminine clothes that accent a person rather than overpowering them. I’d look like a freak in most of what she wears, but I love how beautiful they are! ” The pensive tone in her voice wasn’t lost on him.
    As he listened, it occurred to William that Aggie hadn’t had many opportunities to dress up in her nicer clothes . She practically lived in denim and t-shirts, and most of what she wore was stained, holey, and almost threadbare in spots. “ Actually, that’s almost what I came here about. I thought you might like a change of clothing for a while. ”
    Her brow furrowed. “ My clothes aren’t feminine enough for you or they’re too feminine? And, ” she added with a frown, “ since when is it any of your business what I wear? ”
    “ I didn’t say your clothes weren’t perfect for what you’re doing around here, but then I’m no expert on women’s clothing. ” He winked before he continued. “ I just thought --” He shrugged. “ Well, we’d talked about getting to know each other. You know, see if there was any chance for a relationship. I thought maybe Friday… ”
    Something in William’s tone made Aggie wonder if he was more attracted to the idea of a relationship, a relationship with her specifically, or if it had more to do with some fascination with her family or her home. Whatever it was, she was nearly as determined as he to discover what it was. “ I think I’d like that. ”
    “ Good. ”
    “ Since clothes brought up the subject, what do I wear? Casual? Dressy? White House Formal style dressy? ” She grinned. “ Pick your fashion poison. ”
    As he stood, William passed her the stack of patterns he’d been holding. “ Wear something special. I promise it won’t be another dinner of despair. ”
    “ I’ll be ready. It’ll be nice to eat without having to refill plates, cups, wipe up spills, and replace dropped forks every one point nine seconds. ”
    She listened to the screen door shut with a whoosh, the sound of his footsteps