“Of course not. We need all the prayers we can get.” She gave him a shy smile. “Thank you for listening. I don’t talk about my family much, and I forget that it helps to vent sometimes.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
She stopped abruptly and grabbed his arm. “I just had a realization.”
“What?”
“My father passed away a few months after I started dating Daniel. Looking back, I had my reservations about him, but I passed it off as grief from Dad dying. Then Drake’s life spiraled out of control and my mom was trying her best to keep her life together in the midst of all the changes.” She relaxed her grip on him and dropped her arm to her side. “How did I miss all the signs? Did I ever love Daniel, or did I keep dating him because he was the constant in my life after everything fell to pieces and I was afraid to rock the boat of my life any harder?”
“Only you can answer that, but it’s a fair assessment. Grief is strange. There is no predicting what it will make us do.”
A broad smile stretched over her face. “There isn’t, but you know what? I finally feel free from Daniel’s grip. That realization removed the final sting of his betrayal.”
“I’m glad,” he whispered. “Very glad.”
Chapter Thirteen
Saturday arrived too soon. Cece determined to enjoy today to the fullest and not think about James leaving tomorrow. They’d had an incredible time this week, even after Anya had to leave suddenly.
A knock sounded at her door. She ran across the room, checked to make sure Kate was on the other side, then let her in. Her older friend carried a small case of curlers and hair products.
“I’m so excited I get to play with someone’s hair again,” Kate exclaimed. “My hands aren’t nimble enough to style mine daily like I used to, but tonight we’ll transform into princesses.”
“You’ll knock Edwin’s socks off. Did you show him the dress you bought yesterday?”
Kate squeezed her lips into a mischievous grin. “Not yet. He’d only ask why I had to buy one when I brought several with me. I thought I’d wait until he sees it on me, and then he’ll know why I had to get it.”
Laughter filled the room. Cece looped an armed through Kate’s and led her to the dressing table. “You are a rare jewel, Kate, and I’m so grateful we met.”
Kate tweaked Cece’s cheek. “The same could be said of you. Meeting you and James enriched this trip greatly. Anya also, though I didn’t have the opportunity to know her as well. Have you heard an update on her father?”
“His surgery was a success. The doctors have every reason to believe he’ll be able to go home by next weekend and make a full recovery.”
“That’s a wonderful answer to prayer.”
“Anya was, understandably, relieved.” She plugged in Kate’s hot rollers. “Should we put my hair up or leave it down?’
Kate stared at Cece’s hair. “Let me see your dress again.”
“I still can’t believe I let you talk me into buying this one when I had a perfectly nice one I brought with me,” she said, walking to the wardrobe.
“Live a little, my dear. The green dress you brought with you is lovely, but James’s mouth will hit the floor when he sees you wearing the cream dress you bought in town.”
“I don’t even know if James is going to the ball. He hasn’t said much about it, other than believing the legend is nonsense.”
Kate shook a finger. “He will be there, or my name isn’t Katherine Elizabeth Hollingshire.”
“Regardless, it’s not as though we’re going to the ball together.” She pulled the dress from the wardrobe.
Her heart did a happy dance when she saw the beautiful cream silk. She’d have to work overtime for a week to pay off the amount she’d charged. The dress was her most expensive impulse buy ever, but she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.
The off-the-shoulder sleeves were a delicate lace that blended into the fitted but modest bodice. The billowing skirt had swooshed and swirled when she tried it on at the boutique, and she’d been reluctant to change back into her regular clothes.
“Every bit as exquisite as I recall.” Kate gently fingered the dress. “Only you could bring its beauty justice.”
Cece blushed at the compliment. “What do you think about my hair now that you’ve seen the dress again?”
“Definitely leave your hair free with wavy curls flowing down your back.”
