“Victor!” Carol exclaimed as he entered the space. “You remembered.”
“Of course.”
“Bring it up here.” She waved to a spot she’d saved just in case the faux fireplace arrived. “I’ve got a braided rug and some things all set to go with it.”
He set the stove in place, then looked around. “Wow, it looks almost like somebody’s home in here.”
“Yes!” Carol clapped her hands. “I wanted it to feel homey.”
“Your country Christmas motif?” His tone was teasing, but he was smiling sweetly. “I really like it. Looks like you’re almost finished ...” He paused as the main front door swung widely open, letting in bright sunlight ... and Victoria Snyder. Today she was dressed in a pale-blue parka trimmed in white fur. Her skinny jeans were neatly tucked into tall black boots, also trimmed with fur. And despite the fluffy white ski hat she wore, her blond hair looked impeccably styled, framing her face like she was ready for a photo op. With arms crossed in front of her, Victoria strolled the room, gazing about like she owned the joint.
“Well now, what do we have here?” She paused by a table. “Oh, I see, you’ve used your dollar store treasures. How quaint.”
“It’s country chic.” Maria sounded as defensive as a mother hen. “Carol works for a fancy design firm in Seattle. She’s a trained professional, and she felt this motif fit our old-fashioned Grange Hall. And I quite agree with her.”
Victoria nodded. “Well, I’ll admit it’s a lot cozier in here with the low lighting—I always hated those awful fluorescent lights—but we all know how conservative some of the Grangersare about this hall and their cotillion.” She laughed. “My daddy included. So it’ll be interesting to see what they all have to say.” She pointed at Victor. “You’re the one I’m looking for. Apparently your phone is turned off or dead, as usual, but I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all day. If I hadn’t seen your truck here, I probably would have driven out to your place, and you know what my Corvette is like on snow.”
“A Corvette on snow.” Maria shook her head. “That’s just plain foolish.”
“Well, my SUV has been in the shop for two weeks so it’s all I have to get around town.” She turned back to Victor, holding her hands out in exasperation. “You promised to call me since I couldn’t get a clear answer from you yesterday.”
Victoria looked at Maria, then pulled up a chair and sat next to her. “Can you believe this guy invited me to the cotillion and now seems to have completely forgotten all about it? And here I thought he had manners.”
“That doesn’t sound like Victor.” Maria’s gaze flickered to Carol.
Victor shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve been busy.”
“I already got my dress.” Victoria directed her attention to Maria. “You should see it. It’s a strapless icy blue satin with this gorgeous crystal beadwork around the neckline. Fits me like a glove.”
“Sounds chilly,” Carol commented as she continued decorating.
“I have a stole,” Victoria retorted. “And a handsome gentleman to keep me warm. That is, if he regains his memory.”
“As I recall we talked about the cotillion some time ago.” Victor cleared his throat. “In fact, if memory serves me, you were the one who brought it up quite casually, and I told you to get back to me on it. And when you didn’t ... well...” Victor shrugged. “I took it as a no-go.”
Victoria stood before going over to him and looking straightinto his eyes. “Oh, Victor, you know me. You’ve known me for years. I’m a procrastinator. But would I have gotten a new gown if I didn’t plan to go with the handsomest guy in Miller’s Creek?” She pouted. “I even got new shoes. Although I’m not sure how they’ll do in this snow. I might need you to carry me in from the car.” She laughed.
Suddenly Carol felt uncomfortable about her down-home decorations, more fitting for a hoedown than a fancy ball. “It, uh, sounds like the cotillion is a pretty formal affair...”
“It used to be,” Maria said quickly.
“Itstillis,” Victoria protested. “At least in the minds ofsomepeople. The more traditional ranch families, ones that have lived in Miller’s Creek for generations.”
“Oh, come now, I’ve seen it grow more casual with every passing year,” Maria pointed out. “Some of the fellows just put on a clean shirt with blue jeans.”
“That’s what I’d do,” Victor told them. “I mean,ifI were coming.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.” Victoria pouted again. “After I got my gorgeous gown, it would just figure you’d come as a cowboy.” She tugged his arm. “Can we finish this conversation in private?”
He glanced around the room. “Guess I’m not needed here anyway.”
“Come with me, Mr. Clarkson,” she commanded. “I’ll buy you a late lunch and a beer and we’ll talk.”
“Bye, ladies,” he called in a flat, slightly helpless tone that Carol found particularly grating. Was he really that spineless? Or was he secretly relishing the attention from Victoria? Perhaps he even had feelings for that pushy woman. Maybe Carol would never know for sure. And maybe it didn’t matter.
11
Finishing up the decorating took longer than Carol had anticipated. Probably because she became even more of a perfectionist after Miss Fashionista exited the Grange Hall. Not that she had any illusions she could please that snooty Victoria with the country chic motif. But hopefully Maria wouldn’t get too much criticism for the way things looked tomorrow night.
