Page 61 of Always My Love

ChapterNineteen

Valentine’s Day was quickly approaching and Nick had yet to tell her his plans. She’d gotten the night off at his request. Whenever she asked him what they were going to do, he avoided answering her by distracting her with sex or other topics.

Not that she complained. She’d never had anyone surprise her with something nice before. Then again, she’d never officially had a boyfriend either. Nor a date on Valentine’s Day.

That thought had put her in a sheer panic one afternoon when she realized that she didn’t own a dress. Not a single one.

Most of her clothes were behind-the-bar attire or worn blue jeans and sweats for long walks. It ate at her so much that during her lunch break she headed down to the little boutique in town, Classy and Sassy.

She’d been inside the store a handful of times since moving there, but since most of her money was spent on fixing up the cabin or developing her photos or buying rolls of film, she hadn’t purchased anything other than a few smaller items.

Definitely not a dress. She’d had no occasions to wear a dress. Until now.

She knew the owners, Lilly and Riley, very well. The cousins and their husbands, twins Corey and Carter, owned Baked.

Today, Lilly was leaning behind the counter, staring at the computer screen, while Riley was busy helping another customer.

When Harper walked in, Lilly glanced up at her and smiled.

“Hi, Harper.” She straightened and walked around the counter. “What brings you in today?”

Harper held in a groan as she answered simply, “A dress. I need a dress for a Valentine’s date.”

Lilly smiled and then took her arm and started leading her around the store.

“I have just the one. You’ll love it. It’s supposed to be a little warmer for Friday and the weekend, so I think this will do nicely.” She stopped at a rack and then pulled out a soft pink dress that looked like it would hit Harper mid-thigh. It had long puffy sleeves and a modest neckline.

“This dress with…”—Lilly walked over and picked up a pair of tan low-heeled boots—“these, and”—she grabbed a long knit sweater in soft cream—“this cardigan to ward off the chill after dark.” Lilly held them up. “I’ve picked your sizes.” She motioned to the dressing room. “Why don’t you try them on?”

Harper had never tried on clothes in a boutique before, so it was still all new to her. Normally, she plucked jeans, T-shirts, sweaters, or whatever she needed off the rack and just paid and left.

She stepped into the dressing room. It felt strange pulling off her work clothes to put on the soft, pretty dress and shoes.

When she was dressed in the outfit, she looked at herself in the mirror and felt tears sting her eyes.

She looked like a girl. Scratch that, she looked like a woman.

“How does everything fit?” Lilly asked through the door.

“Good,” she said, and then she cleared her throat as she wiped her eyes. “I’ll take them.”

“Well, come out and let us see!” Riley called out.

Harper fumbled with the door and then stepped out.

“Wow,” Riley and Lilly said at the same time.

“You’re going to knock Nick on his ass.” Lilly smiled.

“You should wear your hair down. Maybe curl it a little if you can. I can never keep curls in my hair, not like Lilly can.” Riley nudged her cousin’s arm.

Harper nodded, not sure what to say next.

“Do you need a purse to go with the outfit?” Lilly asked, holding up a simple soft tan purse.

Harper had never owned a purse. She’d always carried around her backpack or a larger bag that she used as a purse. The thing Lilly held was small, dainty, girly. Like nothing Harper had ever owned in her life.

“I…” She thought about carting her big bag around wearing this outfit and then nodded. “Yes.” She smiled. “I’ll take it all.”