Page 29 of The Cowboy’s Forever Promise

“Don’t be silly.” Abby put out a hand to touch the delicate silk. Oh, the feeling against her skin …

“Buy yourself another red one,” Carson’s voice replayed in her ear.

Okay, she’d get one set. As she picked the set up slowly and turned to go and pay for it, June approached with a gorgeous deep green dress.

“You have to try this on for the dance, Abs. It’s the exact color of your eyes. It doesn’t have sleeves, but I have a jacket you can borrow if it’s a cool night.”

“It’s a beautiful dress but I’m not going to the dance …”

Everyone inhaled sharply.

“Of course you’re going,” Ellie said. “Everyone in town will be there.”

“I have an idea you won’t have to worry about a date,” Willow grinned, “but even if you don’t have one, you have to come with us.”

“You cannot miss a small-town dance.” Rose said, adamantly. “Believe me, you’ve never seen anything like it. Even the children go.”

Abby’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

“Yep,” June said. “Come on, try on the dress. You’re going to the fitting rooms anyway.”

As Abby turned, her eyes fell on a beautiful tulle skirt, the color of champagne with a lace top in a slightly lighter hue. “Wow, this is beautiful,” she muttered as she fingered the soft material.

“Why don’t you try it on as well?” Arlene said.

Abby shook her head. “Oh, no. I don’t ever go to places where I’ll need a dress like that.”

“Come on, just try it on,” Laura coaxed as she took the skirt and top off the rack and put both items in Abby’s arms. “You don’t have to buy it. Trying clothes on is part of the fun.”

Giggling and talking, taking more clothes from the racks as they moved among the clothes, they slowly moved in the direction of the fitting rooms.

When Abby finally closed the curtain behind her, she stared at the stack of clothes in her arms. Oh, my goodness. This would blow her budget for the rest of the year. There was no way she could buy any of it, but … Fingering the lovely material, she sighed. She couldn’t resist trying on these beautiful clothes. Normally she didn’t have time in a day to just wander into shops.

Back in Seattle, she usually ordered her basic wardrobe capsule online. She believed in buying timeless and versatile items she could mix and match and that would last for several years. Yes, it was simple and probably boring, but it suited her lifestyle.

Of course she loved pretty clothes, who didn’t? But for the work she did, she needed smart but comfortable clothes.

Minutes later, she was wearing the red bra. Of course it fit perfectly. Staring at herself in the mirror, all she could hear was Carson’s voice. “Buy another red one.”

Swallowing a groan, she grabbed the green dress and put it on. The top had a scooped neckline and fit as if it had been made for her. The skirt fell in soft folds to her ankles.

The curtain opened and June stepped in wearing a red dress she’d taken from the racks. “Abs!” she called out. “This is your dress, you look stunning in it. May I please buy it for you?”

“I can’t let you do that,” Abby sighed as she quickly undressed. “But thanks. I’ll think about it. If it’s still here after lunch, I’ll get it. You look gorgeous in the dress, are you going to buy it?”

“Oh, yes.” June grinned. “I can already see my husband’s eyes light up when he sees me wearing this.”

“You look so happy.”

June sighed. “I am. You know how scared I was to open my heart, but Dylan is one of the good ones.” She dropped her voice. “And Carson is too. The two of them didn’t have a happy childhood, but they’re good people.”

Abby nodded. “I know, it’s just …”

“You’re scared.”

“It’s all just moving too fast. Last week this time I didn’t even know he existed. Now I have a date with him tonight.”

June gasp. “You do? Well, while you try on the tulle skirt, I’m getting you something for tonight.” Before Abby could react, June was outside the cubicle.