"Wow," I breathed. "Faith, you look amazing."
And her grin got even bigger. "Maybe I can get some clothes like this for school?"
"Yeah," I agreed without hesitation. "Maybe Violet will even help us find some."
"Of course." Violet made a circle with her hand and Faith twirled before me. "So here we have the elegant Faith Barrett showing off this year's distressed denim with a classic ruched tank, makeup by Avon, and hair accessories by Wal-Mart."
"Boots by Justin," Faith added. "It's all normal stuff, Dad."
I nodded. "And the makeup? C'mere, lemme see what you did to your face."
Faith did, looking anything but worried. Behind her, Violet said, "Moisturizing sunscreen with light tint, strawberry lip gloss - light pink - and weightless mascara in soft brown."
"That's it?" I asked.
Both of the ladies nodded. I had to admit, she didn't look like she'd really painted her face, but there was something very different. Mostly, it was the smile. That wasn't all, though. I'd definitely have to ask Violet later, because I had a funny feeling that if she didn't list it, there was a reason why.
"Is your mom going to let you wear makeup like this?" I asked my daughter. "I mean, when you said makeup, I was thinking black eyeliner and red lips. But this? I think I can agree to this."
"Violet says I should only wear nude colors until I'm driving, otherwise I'd look like overdone, and that's not pretty. She said the best way to look beautiful is to look like I didn't need the makeup in the first place."
"I think she's right." I flashed a smile at the woman in question. "Ok. So if your mom is ok with it - and I'll need to hear that from her, Miss Thing - then we'll get you some. Ok?"
"Oh, thank you! I love you, Daddy!" she squealed, almost strangling me with a hug.
That went on for a bit, along with a little jumping, some more giggling, and a lot of explaining about all the clothes she was going to need to buy so she accented her particular body type. Those words clearly came from Violet, but I wasn't about to ruin it. I just nodded, trying to figure out how the hell I was going to afford buying an entire wardrobe for a teenager, and knowing full well that I would do it. If my little girl perked up this much over a little fashion date? Yeah. Worth it.
Eventually, Violet sent Faith up to get her things together. She wasn't even all the way up the stairs before Violet claimed the chair beside me, leaning over to catch my eye. Neither of us spoke until the tromping feet were clearly in one of the rooms.
"Thanks," I told her. "Don't know what you did, but she's on cloud nine."
"Showed her she's already pretty," Violet assured him. "Gave her a reason to believe it. Most of that transformation is due to a little confidence, which is the hardest thing for any teenaged girl to get."
"Well, then I owe you twice over, because I've spent her entire life trying to make sure she never lost it."
Violet leaned closer. "Her mom isn't helping. When's your next weekend with her?"
"Uh. Next weekend, but I might be switching. Her mom is moving in with her fiancé. Why?"
"Because she needs to go shopping." Violet held up a finger. "If not next weekend, then sometime. My treat. Consider it a bonus for all the extra help you've given me, or take me riding to make that whole thing about the lease into truth. Don't care, but she needs bras that fit, underwear that flatters, and clothes shaped to a figure that isn't old enough to be curvy."
I just held up my hands. "Whatever you say. You just proved that she's going to still look twelve when you're done, so yeah. I won't fight this at all. And I'm definitely taking you riding."
"Deal."
But I wasn't done. "And what are you doing Monday?"
Her brow creased and she shook her head. "Same as usual. Why?"
"Lemme take you out for dinner. Just me and you. A date. I'd say tomorrow, but with it being Sunday and all..."
Her lips curled, but her eyes dropped. "That's sweet, Luke..."
I groaned. "Right. Eating." The sigh slipped out before I could stop it. "Figure dancing's out, since it's almost an hour to the closest place. Um. How about I come over and cook? Little cow for me, little salad for you, and a couple of beers for both of us, or wine, or whatever, and just have some time to sit and talk? No pressure on the eating, but I'll be starving by then."
Her head was starting to bob, which I thought might be a good sign. "Sure," she agreed. "I'll let you cook dinner for our first date. So does this mean I should dress up?"
"Well, I'll be in boots, jeans, and a t-shirt. So, take that into consideration. But yeah. A date, Violet. Just us."
