CHAPTER TEN

 

The next morning Rachel was awakened by the ringing of the telephone. Praying that someone else would get it, she pulled the pillow out from under her head and covered her ears in an attempt to block the noise. After two rings it stopped. Saying a prayer of thanks to whoever answered the phone she pulled the pillow back under her head and tried to go back to sleep. Her rest was short lived. A knock at her bedroom door made her jump. Sitting up in bed she moaned, “Come in.”

Silently the door swung open enough for Dora to stick her head in and say, “Sorry to wake you, Ms. Rachel, but Ms. Roxanne is on the phone and asking to speak to you.”

Reaching for the telephone on the nightstand, Rachel told Dora thank you before she left the room. Rachel had been expecting to hear from Roxanne today, but not this early. She knew Roxanne would want to talk about what happened after she and Jake left her house last night. Not ready to face her emotions about last night she placed the receiver in her lap, sat up further in the bed and adjusted the covers around her. Hesitating long enough to take a deep breath, she picked up the receiver and teasingly said, “I finally get a day to sleep late and you have to call this early? It better be good!”

Laughing at Rachel’s greeting, Roxanne answered, “When there is a four year old in the house, eight thirty is late. I’ve been up since six. You are too young to be sleeping the day away.” The only response Roxanne got out of Rachel was a grunt of disapproval. “Well, anyway, I called to see if you wanted to get together for lunch today—maybe do a little shopping. You know, a girls day out.” Deciding this sounded like fun, Rachel agreed to meet Roxanne at the diner around noon.

No sooner had Rachel hung up the phone when it rang again. Answering it quickly so it would not disturb anyone else in the house, she said, “Hello.”

“Rachel? Hi, this is Christi Reynolds. I hope I haven’t called too early. How are you this morning?”

Surprised to hear from Christi, Rachel answered, “I’m fine Christi. You sound wired this morning. What’s going on?”

“I need a major favor! Would it be possible for you to come by the shop this afternoon? My daughter is gone on a school field trip and I have to finish a wedding gown by tomorrow. You said you might be a model for me.”

Excited over this idea, Rachel said, “I’d love to. Roxanne and I are planning on coming by the shop after lunch. Will that be okay?”

“That’s perfect. You don’t know how much this will mean to me!”

“Christi, I do have one question. Why aren’t you using the bride for this fitting?”

Laughing, Christi said, “Oh, there isn’t a bride. This is the wedding dress in my fall line I’m unveiling at a fashion show next week. I have to have it finished by tomorrow so it can be packed and shipped to New Orleans.”

“Oh. Okay; well I’ll see you after lunch.”

“I’ll be ready for you. Thanks, see you then.”

Hanging up the phone Rachel told herself she was not even going to think about Jake today. She had a busy schedule to keep and intended to have a good time with her girlfriends.

Over a light lunch of tuna salad on fresh croissants Roxanne asked the question Rachel had been expecting to hear since she arrived. “So, are you going to keep me in suspense forever? Tell me what happened after you and Jake left last night!”

Shrugging her shoulders, Rachel said, “What’s to tell? He took me home and I haven’t heard from him since.”

Recognizing the hurt in Rachel’s voice for what it was, Roxanne said, “Oh, I’m sorry Rachel. Did the two of you get in a fight or something?”

Needing to vent some of her frustrations, Rachel broke down and told Roxanne everything that had happened between her and Jake. Speaking of Jake, she realized just how strong her feelings for him had become in such a short period of time. Thinking she sounded like a lovesick adolescent she attempted to change the subject. “So, now it’s your turn. Tell me what happened between you and Alec after we left. And how long have Ollie and Maria been seeing each other?”

“Ollie and Maria started dating about two weeks ago. They look so good together. Did you know Maria is an excellent cook? She also seems to be well educated for a migrant worker. I really don’t know much about her. She’s good with Molly though, and that means a lot to Ollie. I think if my little brother plays his cards right, I just might have a new sister-in-law; one I can stand to be around!”

“That’s great! I have to admit I was surprised to see the two of them together, but Maria is a nice person and I think they look good together as a couple. I hope everything works out okay for them.” Finishing the last of her lunch and drinking a sip of her ice tea, Rachel realized that Roxanne had not mentioned Alec. Setting her glass down on the table she looked Roxanne in the eye and said, “Now, what happened between you and Alec? And don’t say nothing, I can see by the look in your eyes that something did!”

Roxanne waited to respond to Rachel, as the waitress had picked this moment to ask if they were through with their lunch. She sat there and smiled while the waitress cleared the table and left the check. Unable to suppress her excitement any longer, Roxanne exclaimed, “You are so much like your Aunt Darlyn! I can’t get anything past you.”

“I knew it! Tell all!” Rachel prompted.

“Well, after you and Jake left and I changed clothes, Alec was still there. He apologized for being rude to Jake and causing problems between you two. He asked me to go to the movies tonight with him.” Smiling coyly, she added, “And he kisses like a dream!”

Ignoring the part about how Alec kisses, Rachel asked, “Are you going?”

“Hell, yeah, I’m going! Do you know how long it’s been since I went on a real date?” Not waiting for Rachel to answer her question she continued, “That’s why I wanted you to come shopping with me. I need something really nice to wear!”

Laughing at her friend’s enthusiasm, Rachel said, “Well, let’s go see what we can find at Homespun & More. I’m sure we will find the perfect outfit for you.”

Paying the tab the two ladies left the diner.

* * * * *

The day after Roxanne’s party, Jake felt lousy. He knew he had not been honest with Rachel and his guilty conscience bothered him all day. He had been jealous of the attention Rachel had been giving Alec. Jealousy was a new experience for Jake and he did not like it, but as bad as he felt he could not bring himself to call Rachel and apologize.

Needing to get out of the office for a while Jake agreed to go pick up some lunch for Karen at the diner. He wasn’t getting any work done anyway. His mind kept wandering back to the fight he and Rachel had the night before.

Parking his Blazer in the diner parking lot, he made it as far as the sidewalk and ran into Bonnie Banks.

“Well, good morning, Jake. How are you today?”

Forcing a smile he said, “I’m fine, Bonnie. How about you?”

“I’m fine.” Sticking her bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout, she continued. “But now that I think about it I’m mad at you.”

Jake was in no mood for Bonnie’s games but since she was a member of the city council he had no choice but to be nice to her. Still smiling he asked, “Well, whatever for?”

“You left me at the barbecue all by myself. Remember?”

Chuckling he replied, “If I remember correctly, I left you with Alec. From what I hear most of the females around here find him very attractive and would have enjoyed spending time in his company.”

Running her forefinger along the side of his chin, Bonnie gave her most coquettish smile and said, “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not like most females.”

Tiring of this game Jake tried to excuse himself saying, “I’m in a hurry. Karen is waiting on her lunch. I’ll talk to you later.” Turning he started for the door of the diner.

Not intending to let him get away so easily, Bonnie linked her arm through his and walked down the sidewalk with him. Ignoring his brush off she said, “Will I see you tonight?”

Curiosity getting the best of Jake, he stopped and looked at her questionably.

Understanding the look on Jake’s face she said, “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about the party at the mayor’s house tonight.”

Not wanting to admit that he had, Jake assured her he had not forgotten and that he would see her there. The last thing Jake wanted to do was attend a stuffy formal dinner party, but he could think of no way out of it. Resigned to the day ahead he walked on toward the diner with Bonnie in tow.

Rachel was beginning to enjoy the day until she turned the corner and ran straight into Jake. Seeing Bonnie draped on his arm made her green eyes darker with jealousy. Both Jake and Rachel were taken by surprise and neither could find the words to say anything. Coming up behind Rachel, Roxanne said, “Well hey Jake, Bonnie. Are you two going in for lunch?”

Smiling serenely Bonnie replied, “Yes, I’ve been trying to persuade Jake to join me—”

Finding his voice, Jake cut Bonnie off before the situation got out of control and left Rachel with the wrong impression. “Now Bonnie, I told you I can’t stay. I only came by to pick up an order that Karen called in. I have to get back to work.” Pulling his arm free from her grasp he looked at Rachel and said, “May I talk to you a minute?”

Not ready to talk to Jake alone, Rachel shook her head no, saying, “Roxanne and I have things to do. We can talk later.” With that she turned and walked across the parking lot with Roxanne following closely at her heels.

Getting into Roxanne’s car, Rachel glanced to see where Jake was. What she saw only made her heart ache. Bonnie had latched onto Jake again and was going into the diner with him as they pulled out of the parking lot.

* * * * *

No matter how she tried to hide her breaking heart Roxanne knew Rachel was hurting. Attempting to lift Rachel’s spirits Roxanne said, “Bonnie doesn’t stand a chance of ever getting Jake’s attention. She is a money hungry she-devil and Jake knows it!”

Rachel didn’t want to talk about Jake; however, she was curious about Bonnie. “Has she really been married three times?”

“Oh, yes! Each time she married to a man richer than the one before him. I guess maybe she’s finally got enough money that she doesn’t need to marry anyone else who’s rich. It’s either that or she just feels like slumming it with the working class for a while. Lord knows Jake don’t make the kind of money she has!” Parking the car in front of the dress shop, Roxanne looked at Rachel and said, “Come on. Let’s go have some fun! I can’t wait to see you in this wedding dress Christi has designed!”

Lifting her eyebrow in surprise Rachel asked, “How did you know Christi asked me to model for her?”

Roxanne answered her as she got out of the car. “Christi called me after she called you this morning. She wanted to thank me for introducing the two of you.”

Both Sara and Christi greeted them when they entered the dress shop. Roxanne went with Sara to find something to wear on her date. Sara was so excited for Roxanne she could not stop asking questions, like where they were going, and how they had met.

Christi showed Rachel to her workroom behind the cash register. The room served as both design area and sewing room. An invisible line clearly separated the room in half. Bolts of every kind of fabric, lace, buttons, and other materials needed for sewing were lined up in adjustable shelves along the larger wall. A commercial size sewing machine was placed on this side of the room. A modeling stand had been placed behind the sewing machine. On the other side of the room was a drafting table with colored pencils. All the latest fashion magazines were there.

Smiling at Rachel, Christi said, “Welcome to my lair!”

Wondering what she had gotten herself into, Rachel went behind the dressing screen and took her clothes off as Christi had instructed. Christi handed her a long full slip and she put it on before she came out. Feeling self-conscious, she walked to the fitting stand and stepped onto it. Before she knew it Christi had thrown the wedding gown over her head and went to work. Tucking and pulling at the gown, Christi didn’t give Rachel much of a chance to see what the gown looked like. Rachel realized talking would be difficult for Christi since she had a mouth full of pins so she stood there and listened to the conversation in the front room. Hearing Sara ring up a sale Rachel knew Roxanne had found what she was looking for.

The ringing of the bell over the front door let Rachel know someone else had come into the shop. Thinking to herself, Rachel could see how the back room gave Sara and Christi a chance to hear the town gossip without anyone knowing they were there.

Paying for her new outfit, Roxanne looked up to see who had come in the door. Surprised to see Bonnie walking in her direction she said, “I thought you were eating lunch.”

Looking like the cat that swallowed the bird, Bonnie smiled and said, “Oh, I just got a salad to go. I’ll eat it in my office.” Addressing Sara, she said, “I came by to pick up my dress for the party tonight. You said it would be ready.”

Pulling a garment bag from the rack behind her, Sara said, “It’s ready, Ms. Banks. What party did you say it was for?”

“The mayor and his wife are having a dinner party for the members of the city council. Of course all the county officials will be there as well.”

“Do you have a date going with you?” asked Sara.

“No, but I did convince the mayor’s wife to sit me next to the most handsome bachelor in town.”

Laughing at Bonnie’s remark, Sara asked, “And who might that be?”

“Why the sheriff, of course!” answered Bonnie. Holding the dress bag up she gave Sara a look of superiority and said, “Please put this on my bill.” Not waiting for Sara to comment she left the shop.

Giving Bonnie a hateful stare, Roxanne said to Sara, “New dress or not she don’t stand a snowballs chance in hell of getting Jake’s attention.”

Laughing Sara agreed, saying, “Yeah, the whole town has seen how she throws herself at him. What makes it so comical is that he hasn’t shown the least bit of interest in her.” Changing the subject she said, “Let’s go see how Christi and Rachel are doing.”

As soon as she walked through the curtain, Roxanne could tell by the look on Rachel’s face that she had heard the conversation between Sara and Bonnie. Trying to take Rachel’s mind off of Jake, she commented on the gown Christi was working on. Moving closer for a better look Roxanne smiled and said, “Oh, Christi, the gown is beautiful! Rachel, it looks like she made it especially for you!”

Sara and Christi pulled a large mirror in front of Rachel so she could get a good look at the dress. Roxanne was right, she thought, the dress does look like it was made for me. She was covered in white satin and handmade lace. Revealing the graceful line of Rachel’s neck, the gown was rounded off the shoulders with sleeves snuggly fitting her arms and ending in a v-cut on the top of her hands. The empire waistband was covered with tiny white seed pearls. Lace and pearls flowed over the layer of satin underneath to the floor. Stunned by her own reflection Rachel said, “Oh! I look…I mean…Christi, it’s gorgeous! I know if I were getting married this is the dress I would want.”

Pleased that her friends liked her creation, Christi said, “Thank you, both, for your honesty. I just hope it looks this good on the model next week at the fashion show! No matter what I design models always try to change something on the garment at the last minute, trying to make it more them. You wouldn’t believe how many times I have had dresses ruined.”

Looking at herself one more time in the mirror Rachel said, “Christi, please promise me you won’t let anything happen to this dress. I’ll come to New Orleans and model it for you myself if I have too!”

“Don’t worry about it, Rachel. I plan on protecting this dress and only selling it to someone who will do it justice.”

Interrupting, Roxanne said, “Rachel, if you are through here I need to get moving. I have a date tonight, remember!”

Sara and Christi helped Rachel out of the wedding gown. Soon Roxanne and Rachel were on their way back to the diner to pick up Rachel’s car. Telling Roxanne to call her tomorrow and let her know how the date went, Rachel went back to MacKinstry Farm.

At dinner that night Rachel kept drifting away in her own thoughts. Not ready to discuss what happened the night before or seeing Jake today at the diner, Rachel kept her feelings to herself.

Both Sherry and Barbara had heard her come in and slam her bedroom door last night. Without having to ask they knew Rachel and Jake must have had a lovers spat. While she was shopping with Roxanne, Sherry asked Barbara to leave her alone and let her work the problem out by herself. Agreeing, Barbara said she would give Rachel the privacy she needed.

* * * * *

Jake had no intention of staying long at the mayor’s dinner party. Arriving late, he used the excuse that the case he was working on was keeping him busy. He had only been there long enough for one drink when dinner was announced. He took his seat, realizing too late that he had been placed next to Bonnie. He tried to keep his conversations with her brief but she was talking nonstop. The high pitch of her voice combined with the smell of her over-powering perfume was making him physically ill. The few times she was occupied by the councilman on her left, Jake’s mind wandered back to the argument with Rachel last night. As soon as dinner was over, Jake made his excuses to the mayor’s wife and left.

Now standing outside on his own deck, he remembered the night Rachel had spent with him. Reaching a decision, Jake knew what he had to do. Smiling to himself, he admitted he was in love with Rachel. Tomorrow he would work on showing her.