Milly’s eyes gleamed.“Yes, lets.”
Just outside the restaurant, they found the mayor, glad-handing with the populace, grinning and chatting with everyone.He was resplendent in a maroon suit, multi-striped tie, and gleaming dress shoes.He still wore his top hat.
Ben scowled.
Sarah wished he’d relax, but she knew that wouldn’t happen, at least until he got her away from the throng.
Before Sarah or Ben could say anything, Milly lit into him.“Mayor Beekins,” she scolded.“That was a rotten trick you pulled, putting it out on twitter that Sarah was the parade marshal.”
“Well?”He spread his hands without apology.“I had to get people to show up.Whether she rode the float or not, she’s in town, isn’t she?She’s here, and that’s the point.People want to see her.And the town needs the income.”
Ben muttered something beneath his breath that sounded something likeyou little jerk.
Sarah said nothing.Mayor Beekins was an officious man and always would be.Yet like her, he cared about the town, and she tried not to hold the issue against him.
Pulling Milly inside, she looked for her father.Close on her heels, Ben followed.Big Jim sat at the counter, jawboning with a few other ranchers.Casually, he peered over his shoulder.
Milly needed no encouragement.She stepped toward him.Instead of walking in her normal no-nonsense strides, she moved in what Sarah could only callswaying.
Sarah hid a grin.Big Jim was about to get a shot fired across his bow.
“Hi there, Jim,” Milly said.She did a slow pirouette, and Sarah was proud of her new confidence.“Has the wait staff been getting you enough coffee?”She smiled, her lip gloss glistening.
He looked her up and down, from her new, pointed-toe heels to her dress, to her face and hair.A scowl formed on his forehead.“I never get enough coffee,” he muttered.“What’s with all the paint?”
Milly blinked.
“Dad!”Sarah came forward, frowning.Oh, no, he didn’t.
“What?”he said.“Is Milly gonna be part of a carnival act or something?Is that why she’s all got up?”
Appalled at her father’s insensitivity, Sarah gaped at him.
Milly whirled and rushed for the refuge of the kitchen, her new heels clacking, but not before Sarah saw her face crumple.
“Nice work,” Ben observed to Jim.“Guess it’s true what women say sometimes about us men.”
Jim watched Milly run away, perplexed.“What’s that?”
“We can be real stupid.”Ben shook his head.
“No shit.”Sarah shot daggers at her father through her eyes.Big Jim would have a long way to go before he got past this.
In the kitchen, Sarah found Milly re-folding and stacking perfectly folded and stacked kitchen towels.She was sniffling.
“Don’t cry.”Sarah rubbed her back.“You’ll only wreck your makeup.”
“What does it matter?”Milly whispered.“Maybe Jim’s right.It’s just paint.It doesn’t change who I am.”
“The makeup just enhances you, it doesn’t change you.Nobody wants to do that.You’re wonderful as you are.”She smiled encouragement.“Now, don’t listen to that old fool.I still want you to enjoy the day, have fun, let other people see how truly lovely you can be.”
“I—I thought I did,” Milly said, glancing downward, “did look nice.”
“You do.Take it from me.I’m a supermodel, right?”For once, she didn’t mind using that term.“I know beauty when I see it.”
Milly raised her gaze to Sarah’s.“Yes, I suppose you would.”
“Now, let’s go outside and have fun!Don’t let Jim see he’s gotten you down.”
