“I want at least one on your body.Preferably your pistol.”
“Ben!I can’t strap a holster over my dress.”
He looked her over critically.“Okay, then put your knife in your pocket.”
“Ahem,” she said.“Dresses don’t have pockets.”
He regarded her without humor.“Figure it out.”
Uttering a small growl, Sarah took the knife from her purse and stood staring into the closet.She chose an item and carried it into the bathroom.In a few moments, she came out and lifted the hem of her dress to show her upper legs.Impatiently, she waited while he inspected her.“Does this work for you?”
She’d fastened the sheath to a thin leather belt and strapped it around one thigh.
He allowed himself a brief grin.“Sweet Pea, that view will always work for me.”
She dropped her hem with a little flip.“I mean the knife.”
“Good old female initiative,” he said.“I like it.”
“It’s not very comfortable,” she added, still annoyed with him.
“You’ll get used to it.”
Within the hour, Sarah, Big Jim, Ben, and his team arrived in town.Simmons handed earbuds to the men and held a radio.As Ben, Franklin, and Jones put them into their ears, Simmons ran tests and found them all in working order.The men fanned out.
Sarah turned in a slow circle, taking everything in.She felt lighthearted, the way she had as a child when the annual festival finally arrived.She had many happy memories of years past.
If she’d thought the day before had been bustling with people, this morning the activity had reached fever pitch.It seemed that everyone was busy, bordering on panic, putting finishing touches on booths, setting out chairs, hooking up speakers for the stage.People milled about and sang out happily to one another.
Tourists and neighboring county folk were arriving.Families got out of cars and couples strolled up, hand in hand.
A dunk tank was being filled with water, and a slender guy in a tall Rhubarb costume strolled by.The body of the costume was a red suit, and the man wore red tennis shoes.The upper part obscured his face but featured huge green leaves sprouting from the top of his head.
Willie perched on the dunk tank seat, and due to a few early fair patrons with accurate aims, fast balls, he wasn’t dry long.Splashing repeatedly into the tank, he laughed and waved to Sarah.
Although she had fed her father a big breakfast, he headed straight to Milly’s Diner.She smiled to herself.She’d told Milly not to serve that morning so Jim wouldn’t see her, and to meet her early at the salon.He’d just have to do without her for a bit.
Sarah and Ben found Milly just outside the salon door.As instructed, she wore one of the new dresses and heels, and her hair had been brushed attractively to the side.When she spotted Sarah, she said, “Remember, I don’t want to look like a Kewpie doll.”
“Don’t be silly.Clothes, hair, and makeup are in my wheelhouse, remember?This will be just right.”
Like men the world over in women’s salons, Ben glanced around uncomfortably.“I’ll wait out here,” he said.
Just for Milly, the makeup artist had come in early, and she already had her products laid out—pots, brushes, and foam wedges.Sarah said to her, “We’re going for an understated look, with emphasis on the eyes.Think of a bridal presentation.”
“Bridal!”Milly exclaimed.
“It just means subtle colors and a light touch.”Sarah patted her arm.
“Oh.Well, okay, then.”Milly relaxed slightly.
The artist got to work and within half an hour, Milly was gaping at herself in the mirror.A thin application of eyeliner and then mascara emphasized the blue of her eyes, a light foundation smoothed out her skin, and pink lip gloss finished her look.With her open expression and new makeover, she appeared years younger.
“Wow,” Milly breathed, still staring into the mirror.“I didn’t know I could turn out like this.”She got up to swish her skirt, glimpsing herself from every angle.
“I know, right?”Sarah beamed at her.“You look fantastic.It’s still early.Let’s go to the diner for some coffee.”Outside, she found Ben close by.Seeing him, a thrill shot up her spine.The delicious knowledge that he was her lover warmed her inside and out.The world felt as though it were perfectly aligned and in order.Exactly right.
Before they got to the diner, she touched Milly’s shoulder.“Remember, you’re not to work.Your servers are perfectly capable.Today, you’re taking it easy and just being ornamental.”
