Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
That’s when I spotted Mason and Lori at checkout. Immediately I dropped my eyes to the floor and spun around, heading back in the direction I’d come from, as if I’d forgotten something. My heart rattled around in my ribcage, and my pulse beat like a drum in my head.
I lingered in the paint aisle, perusing brushes and rollers and rolls of tape without actually registering any of it. After five minutes, I snuck to the end of the row and peeked at the registers from behind a stack of paint cans. They were gone.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I paid for my tree stand and bolted out of there.
“I was starting to get worried,” Zach said when I got back in the car. “What took you so long?”
“Don’t ask,” I said, slouching down in my seat. “Just get us out of here.”
The following day at work, Frannie surprised me with an afternoon visit. She brought me a cup of coffee, which I accepted gratefully. “Thanks,” I said, inhaling its delicious aroma. “I could use a pick-me-up.”
“You sound better. How’s the cold?”
“Almost gone. I think it was just a two-day thing.”
She smiled with relief. “Good.”
“Let me show you what’s new,” I said eagerly, motioning for her to follow me to the back. “The sewing machine arrived, the dressing rooms are finished, and the painting is finally done. Best of all, I actually have some dresses!”
After I gave her a tour, we ended up by the front windows, where two dresses were displayed on either side of the double front doors. She gushed over them both, turned to face me, her blue eyes bright. “Oh, Millie, it’s so beautiful. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
Just then, the door to the shop opened and Lori poked her head in. Behind her stood Mason. “I know you’re not open for business, but would it be okay to take a peek?”
“Sure,” Frannie said. “Come on in.”
They entered the shop, bringing a gust of cold air with them. “We were just downtown doing some shopping, and I saw the sign was up and the lights were on, and dresses were in the window!” she said excitedly. “I told Mason we had to stop in.”
I smiled at them both, squelching the guilty feeling in my belly. “I’m glad you did.”
“It looks great, Millie,” said Mason, looking around. “You must be so proud.”
“Thank you. I am.”
“It’s like a dream.” Lori’s eyes shone as she took it all in. “If I wasn’t already married, I’d come here to shop for a gown first thing. It’s so elegant and feminine and pretty.”
“Tell all your friends that,” encouraged Frannie.
“Oh, I will.” Lori clasped her hands together under her chin. “When will you start taking appointments?”
“I’m hoping by the first of the year.”
“That’s perfect!” she squealed. “Right after the holidays!”
“Mmhm.” I thought of Dex and Winnie, who’d be engaged by then.
“Speaking of holidays, you’re both coming to the Cloverleigh Farms Christmas Eve party, right?” Frannie asked them.
“Definitely,” said Lori, tucking her arm through Mason’s and giving him a sentimental smile. “That’s where we met last year, so it’s special to us.”
“That’s right.” Frannie laughed. “Hard to believe just one year later, you’re Mr. and Mrs. now.”
“Thanks to Millie.” Lori beamed at me. “We owe her a lot—not only for introducing us at that party, but for managing to get us a Saturday wedding date at Cloverleigh Farms on four months’ notice.”
I held up my hands. “There was a cancellation. It wasn’t me, it was just meant to be.”
“Still,” she said. “We’ll always be grateful.”
“My father, Zach, will be in town that night,” said Mason. “Would it be okay to bring him too?”
“Of course!” Frannie tossed a hand in the air. “The more, the merrier!”
Panic seized me, resulting in a coughing fit. I turned away from the group and walked toward the front desk, where I had a bottle of water. “Sorry,” I managed.
“Millie is just getting over a cold,” Frannie explained, as I guzzled water.
“Sorry to hear that,” Mason said.
“It’s okay.” I tried to breathe normally. “I’m on the mend.”
“Well, we’ll let you get back to work,” said Lori. “Just wanted to see the place—congrats again, Millie!”
“Thank you,” I called weakly, returning Mason’s wave and watching him hold the door for his wife and then follow her out.
When they were gone, Frannie looked at me. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I just needed some water.”
“Okay. You just look really pale all of a sudden.” Her expression was concerned. “Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, okay?”
“I will.”
When I got home, Zach had dinner waiting and a fire going in the fireplace. My tree stood in the corner, tall and fragrant, ready for lights and ornaments. Our plan was to decorate after we ate.
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him about seeing Mason and Lori, but I couldn’t bring myself to mar the festive mood with anything unsettling. I’d already broken down in tears once this evening, right after Frannie left the store. And as soon as I got home, I’d run right upstairs under the guise of taking off my work clothes to make sure my face wasn’t blotchy and tearstained. The puffy and slightly red eyes I could blame on my cold, but I quickly applied some concealer and wiped away all traces of running mascara.