Lorri had been up and down all night. The ideas kept coming for the new Bloom campaign. She’d given in to the creativity, letting it drive her out of bed again and again. Bleary-eyed, she could still see that what she’d put together overnight may have been one of the best campaigns she’d done in her whole career.
She shot off an email to her boss with the project package, citing her love for her new home as inspiration and letting him know she planned to take the rest of the day off. She hoped he loved the graphics as much as she did.
Lorri texted Tinsley to see if she could stop in and check on Mister a couple of times throughout the day. Tinsley responded quickly that she could.
With that taken care of she dialed Pam. “What are you doing today?”
“Working. Why?”
“I thought we could shop for dresses for the celebrity wedding.” Lorri knew she wouldn’t find what she needed here. “Can you take a few hours off?”
“Definitely.”
“I’ll meet you at the boutique at ten.” She knew Pam knew where she meant. It was the place to go for designer dresses, and they’d bought many there over the years.
By 10:15 Pam and Lorri were holding champagne flutes in one hand and flipping through racks of gorgeous dresses with the other.
“I’m not even sure what I’m looking for,” Lorri admitted.
“He said dressy, but not overly so.” Pam pulled a simple black dress off the rack and held it up.
“You have fourteen dresses just like that,” Lorri said.
“I’m always drawn to them. It’s a country-themed wedding, but there’s likely to be a little bit of everything from denim and fringe to sequins and pearls.”
Lorri shrugged. “Should we wear boots and a bandit’s bandanna with our sequined gowns?” She laughed. “I’m not doing that even if everyone else is. It would be hilarious though.”
“He’d kill us, but honestly I have no idea what we should wear.” Pam shrugged and slid aside the next dress, a sequined number with a halter top. “No sequins.”
Lorri said, “I’m sticking to a black dress and pearls.”
“Wait a minute. If I can’t buy another black dress, neither can you.”
“Fine. You’re right. I didn’t need to drive an hour and a half from home to buy another black dress. Here’s the deal. We’ll both buy something with some color.”
A blond woman who had that Miss Texas look approached. Beautiful, very put together, and tall. She towered over both of them.
“Did I hear someone say color? You know color is the new black,” the saleswoman said.
“No it’s not,” Lorri said matter-of-factly. “It’s actually the absence of color.”
Pam elbowed her.
“Well, it’s not,” Lorri reiterated. “There is no replacing black.”
“We all have our safe colors.” The woman air-quoted the word “safe.”
“Is Ms. Travis here? She always helps us.” Lorri would give anything for that sweet old woman to help them today. She used to work with Gloria Vanderbilt back in the day. She was old, but she had the best taste, and she never let Lorri walk out of this place looking like less than a ten. This Miss Texas? She wasn’t sure about her.
“Ms. Travis retired.”
“Retired? She wasn’t that old.”
“No? I never met her, but I happen to know that she found herself a very fine man who wanted to spend lots of time with her, so she left. I promise you’re in good hands with me. Trust me.”
Lorri gave Pam a look.
“We’re struggling with what look we’re even going for,” Pam said. “It’s a high-profile wedding. Not too flashy. Not too casual.”
“Excellent.” Miss Texas took note of their sizes and the style of dresses they’d already picked out, then darted off to pull other dresses for them.
They sipped champagne until the woman came back and led them each to their own dressing rooms. She’d already placed several options in each room. “And don’t worry. I didn’t pick the same dress for either of you.”
Lorri went into her dressing room and picked her least favorite dress to try on first. Might as well get this one out of the way. She wriggled into it and twisted to zip up in the back. “You ready for dress number one?”
“Zipping,” Pam called out.
Lorri stepped out of her dressing room and looked in the mirror. The hideous pattern wasn’t nearly as bad on, but as she’d suspected that ruffle down the front was not doing anything for her.
Pam opened her door and started laughing. “You look like there’s a snake crawling up the front of that dress. Why would someone put a ruffle there? That’s a definite no.”
“I agree. That one looks good on you though.”
Pam smoothed the skirt. “You don’t think it’s too short?” She hunched down a little. “I’d like it better if it was about two inches longer.”
“You’ve got the legs for it.”
“Maybe so, but I don’t have the confidence for it. I’d be self-conscious all night long.” She tugged at it dramatically.
“Then it’s a no.” Lorri twirled her finger, sending them both back to their dressing rooms. “Next.”
A couple of minutes later they both stepped out of their rooms again. There were more bad dresses than good ones, and Miss Texas seemed to be getting a kick out of the two of them.
“Okay, ladies. You’ve had your fun, but if you want to find the right outfit for your big event, we need to get to work. I’ve been watching, and I think I’ve found the perfect dress for you.” She was looking right at Lorri. “Now, stick with me on this. I can see you’re a fan of the little black dress, but you have the perfect figure and complexion for this dress.” She pulled a dress in a black zippered bag off of a rack. “No peeking. Take it into the room and put it on. Then come model for us.” She handed the dress to Lorri, then clapped her fingertips together.
Lorri tried to hide her concern, stepping into the dressing room before she rolled her eyes. She unzipped the bag. The dress was almost emerald green. Sure, she’d warmed up to the color green since she bought her house, but that was a soft Zen-like sage green. Not top-o’-the-mornin’-to-ya emerald green. She stepped into the dress and fastened it behind her neck. The lines were clean and simple, and honestly the color did perk her complexion up a bit. There was intricate stitching along the shoulder line, and it fit perfectly. She opened the door and took a giant step out, not even chancing a look into the mirror.
“Oh wow.” Pam stood there staring at her.
“Was I right?” Miss Texas nodded. “Seriously beautiful. Stunning.”
“She’s right, Lorri. You look beautiful. Your eyes absolutely sparkle, and it fits like it was made for you.”
Lorri cast a sidelong glance toward Pam, not sure if she was teasing. She stepped out past the two ladies and looked in the mirror.
“All you need is the right jewelry now.” Miss Texas was already fumbling through wooden felt-lined drawers.
“I’d planned to wear pearls. I don’t like big and flashy. This dress is doing plenty of that.”
Miss Texas spun toward her. “Good pearls are always okay. They never go out of style.” She dove back into the giant jewel case. “I have a great strand here you can try on with it to get the look. Oh, and here.” She stepped out of her black pumps. “They’ll be big, but they are the right height. Go on, step into them.”
Lorri stepped into the shoes and lifted her hair for Miss Texas to hook the pearls around her neck.
“Am I right?” She nodded with her bright blue eyes twinkling and too-white teeth flashing a stage-worthy smile.
“You’re so right,” Pam said. “Find me a dress as great as that one,” she begged.
Miss Texas strode off in her stocking feet since Lorri was still standing in front of the mirror in her shoes.
“I love this dress,” Lorri whispered. She’d never have picked out something with such straight lines, afraid it would grab at all the wrong places, but it didn’t. “I can’t believe it, but I really do.”
“You look great.” Pam craned her neck trying to see which racks Miss Texas was perusing in search of the perfect dress for her. “I hope she finds something special for me too.”
“I’m going to get out of this before I wrinkle it.” Lorri kicked off Miss Texas’s pumps next to the mirror. “Here, I don’t know if these are magic slippers, but you’re going to want to try your dress on with them too.”
From her dressing room Lorri heard Pam talking to Miss Texas.
“I don’t know if this is really my style,” Pam said.
“Just try it for me. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If not, I’ll find the right one. Give it a try-on. Yes?”
“Okay,” Pam said, but she sounded a little disappointed.
Lorri hung her dress in the zippered bag. She couldn’t wait to wear that dress to Cody’s wedding. She walked out of the dressing room and hung the bag on the garment rack next to the love seat in the fitting area.
“I’m so glad you like the dress. I knew it would be perfect on you.” Miss Texas clearly loved her job. “Wait until you see what I picked out for your friend.”
Pam walked out with a smirk on her face. “I’ve never been one for lacy stuff,” she said, but when she looked into the mirror the smirk fell away.
“Pam, you look beautiful in that dress.” Lorri stood there shaking her head. In a million years she’d never have suggested that style, but it was perfect.
Pam turned, the skirt floating across the lower half of her well-toned legs.
“A strappy sandal would be great with that. No jewelry. That dress doesn’t need a thing. Don’t you agree?” Miss Texas stood there nodding.
Pam shook her head.
“You don’t like it?” Lorri was stunned.
“No. I love it,” Pam said. “I just can’t believe it. When she brought this to me I thought she was crazy, but I feel so…” She didn’t even finish the sentence. Instead she twirled in front of the mirror. “I could dance all night.”
“We might,” Lorri said. “Although with Co—”
“Our friend,” Pam interjected with a stare.
“Yeah, we’ll probably be line dancing or two-stepping.”
“Well, ladies, you can do whatever you like in those dresses. You two will own that place.”
“We may overshadow the bride,” Pam said. “But she’ll have to forgive us, because we look amazing.”
“I think we’re done here.” Lorri turned to Miss Texas. “You have been amazing. I don’t think I even caught your name.”
“Jody. I’m so glad you’re happy. Ms. Travis is a hard act to follow.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you and I think you’re going to be as great as Ms. Travis has been to us all these years. Thank you for your help.”
“You are so welcome. Let me get your dress.”
Pam opened her dressing-room door and held her dress out in one hand. “You can ring this one up too.”
“Excellent,” Jody said. “I’ll take these up front.”
“We hit the jackpot,” Pam said as she came out of the dressing room, with her shoes in her hand. “I can’t believe we both found something so beautiful, and I’d never ever, not in a million years, have even tried on that cocktail dress.”
“I know, but it’s perfect, and it’s lacy but not over-the-top girly at the same time.”
Pam sat on the loveseat and put on her shoes. “We are going to have the best time.”
“He’ll be here in just two weeks. I’ve been thinking about what to get them for a wedding present. It’s not easy to buy something for someone who has everything they’ve ever wanted.”
“Should we do something together for them?” Pam asked. “Please tell me you’ve thought of something wonderful.”
“I’ve been racking my brain over it,” Lorri said. “I wish I’d met Kasey before. It’s so hard to think of something I know they’ll both love when I haven’t met her.”
“She’s so down to earth. You’ll love her. Honestly, if Cody will like it, she will. I say we just think of him. If he’s happy, we’re happy. Right?”
“What if I created a picture for them out of his album covers or tour pictures and some of her photographs, pulling out parts to make up the letters that spell ‘Tuggle’? I’ve seen some of those that were really cool, and made out of things personal to them. It would be one of a kind, and it would be something that we put ourselves into.”
“We both know how special that kind of stuff is to Cody. You could make that, couldn’t you? I think it’s an awesome idea.”
“Do you think she’d be offended if I used her pictures? I mean, I’d technically be infringing on copyright, but since I’m not selling it and it’s for her … that’s a gray area with not having her permission.”
“It’s a wedding gift, and we’re friends with Cody, like family. She’ll love it. She has an artistic eye too. You two are going to be fast friends. I just know it, and wait until you meet her son. He’s such an angel, and I know how you love kids.”
Lorri’s heart ached at the thought. She’d wanted children of her own for so long and Craig kept making them put it off. It was never “the right time.” It would be a shame if she never had children because she listened to him, rather than her own needs. Seeing those children at the fair had brought that desire back. A child was part of what had been missing in her life, and now if she ever met someone she’d be sure they saw eye to eye on that subject from the word “go.”
“Maybe we can find a photograph of her son to incorporate into the picture. I remember one of the pictures of him with Cody. I’ll do some research,” Lorri said. “Can you get Bobby to start working on the frame?” Pam’s husband could make anything out of wood. His workshop was the envy of many.
“Absolutely. Just text me the size. I’m sure he’ll be calling to ask you what kind of wood and tone of stain to complement the images.”
“I’ll think about that as I’m putting it together. I need to see the colors first. Oh, and could you ask Pete to get some of Cody and Kasey’s photographs for us? He’s probably the only one who could get his hands on them in such a short time.” Pete was not only the lead guitarist in Cody’s band, but also Cody’s best friend.
“I’ll text him right now.”
They went up to the front counter and settled their bills, then walked over to the tearoom. Ms. Travis might not be at the boutique anymore, but at least this part of their shopping tradition remained the same.
Buchanan greeted them at the door. “You two have been away for way too long. I’ve been wondering what happened to you.” He leaned forward and kissed Pam on the cheek, then Lorri.
“It’s so good to see you,” Lorri said.
“Just the two of you today?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll get you set up with a service for two and Paris tea, right?”
“You always remember.”
“Because I’m the best.” Buchanan drifted off into the back.
“And our favorite,” Pam said to Lorri. “He’s the best part of this place.”
They hung their dress bags and purses on the coat tree at their table. Lorri loved this tearoom. The beautiful china place settings and fine linens made her feel the urge to raise her pinky. Here all those social graces that Granny had pounded into her tomboyish mind as a little girl were put to good use.
Over tea, scrumptious tiny sandwiches, and petit fours desserts, Lorri and Pam relaxed, both feeling better for having the wardrobe and gift decision resolved.
Pam brought Lorri up to date on everything that had been going on in her and Bobby’s lives. Things were good, except Bobby had hurt his knee playing softball. “He isn’t in his twenties anymore,” Pam said. “I swear, this weekend warrior stuff is going to be a killer on his joints when we get older.”
“That ought to be delightful. Especially the part where you’re not supposed to say ‘I told you so,’” said Lorri.
“Oh, I’ll be saying ‘I told you so.’ And enjoying it. Hey, I’ve talked about Bobby and I all day. What is going on with you? Is Mister good? Run into the hero from the county fair again yet?”
“Things are good. I love Dalton Mill.”
“Wait a minute. I thought the plan was to just live in that new house for a year and then move back. I miss you.”
“I know. I miss you too, but the serenity of that small town is hard to beat. I’m telling you, you’d love it there too. Bobby could put a huge workshop on the acreage. He’d love every minute of it.”
Pam held a finger up. “Don’t you dare give him any ideas. He’d sell the house and the Prius, buy a pickup truck, and move us himself.”
“Wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen.” Lorri would love it if Pam were closer. “You work from home. What’s the difference?”
“I’ve lived in Raleigh my whole life. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“But it’s inspiring. I thought there wasn’t an ounce of original creativity left in me until I moved here.”
“It’s your gift. That doesn’t go away. You have such talent, and it’s good news you’re finding it again, but I’m afraid Dalton Mill is not on my wish list. I’m glad you’re settling in there though.”
“Yeah, I get out and walk the dog between meetings. I know every neighbor on my street. It’s so different.”
“And Ryder?”
“I don’t know. He’s nice. Very good-looking too.” Lorri smiled, thinking of the way they met. “Did I tell you the part where he almost gave me CPR because my lips were blue?”
“No. Your airway must have been blocked.”
“Nope. I…” Lorri started laughing, then completely tickled with herself, she laughed harder until she could barely breathe, which made Pam laugh too.
Pam was laughing and she didn’t even know why. “What? Tell me.”
“I’d been eating…”
“Stop laughing, I can’t understand you.”
“I’d been eating blue cotton candy and my lips were blue. He thought I couldn’t breathe.”
“Oh my gosh. That’s hilarious.”
“He said I almost got accidental CPR. I must have hit my head pretty hard because I told him that wouldn’t have been the worst thing that could’ve happened.” She nearly choked on her laugh.
“You did not. You were flirting!”
“I did. I don’t know what got in to me. I was quite the smarty pants. I guess because I knew I wouldn’t see him again.”
“Did you exchange numbers?”
“No! Not even last names. Well, wait. He did ask me mine, when he was making sure I didn’t have a head injury. Look.” She swept her hair back from her forehead. “Can you still see the bruise?”
“I can. Lorri, don’t let Craig ruin love for you. Y’all’s marriage had fizzled a long time ago. Craig was your way out of your parents’ house after all that mess with your brother. Who could blame you?”
“I still find it so hard to understand how Jeff and I could’ve grown up with the same parents, very same privileges and discipline, but turn out so different.” Lorri would never understand it. “Even now, I can’t forgive him for what he put my parents through. All he put other people through.”
“The accident?”
Lorri nodded. “I know it’s a high percentage of drunk drivers who hurt someone else and get by unscathed, but that is so unfair. He didn’t even seem sorry, and I hated him for it.”
“Craig was a rock for you through all of that.”
“He was.” She still remembered the night Mom called to tell her about the accident. Solely focused on her son, Jeff, she never mentioned that there’d been serious casualties in the other car. It was almost a week later before Lorri got that part of the story. Her parents were so angry when she later refused to testify on his behalf in the manslaughter case.
“Craig was there for that season of your life and maybe that’s all that he was supposed to be. One of these days you’re going to find your true love. There’s someone out there for everyone. Yours is waiting.”
“I don’t know. I’m not overly anxious to test those waters again.”
“You’ll find real love. You’ll know it when you experience it and Lorri, I don’t think you have yet.”
Lorri couldn’t argue with her, because for all the romance books she’d read it all sounded like fairy tales, and surely there had to be more to love than what she and Craig had shared. Because there was no happily-ever-after there.
“Can we change the subject?” Lorri could only handle so much of that kind of talk.
“I talked to Cody. He will be coming after his concert in Oklahoma, so it’ll be really late. He said Thursday early would work best for him,” Pam said.
“I can’t wait to see him. The three of us together is like a family reunion.” She dreaded time with her real family. They could never get through a visit without a fight. Cody and Pam were her chosen family, and she couldn’t wait for them to be back together again.