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The consignment shop on Cabot Street had a nice array of dresses that Ally fell in love with. Bright and colorful patterns, swing skirts, and immaculate stitching. They were the type of dresses that begged to be worn, not hung in a closet for an eternity.
Ally tried on a black and white checkered numbers with a giant rose down one side. It was sleeveless for summer and when she spun in front of the full length mirror in the refined shop, the skirt spun. She felt comfortable but more than that, Ally felt confident and beautiful.
Something she had sorrowly been lacking since crashing in Sweet Falls.
She had just enough money but Ally knew she’d be earning more. She spent what she had and the lady behind the register packed them carefully into a bright red shopping bag. “These are great dresses, aren’t they? We just got them yesterday from Mrs Flannaghan’s son. They’ve been hanging in his mother’s closet for decades!”
“They’re gorgeous and retro. I’m going to breathe new life into these.” Ally smiled her thanks and took the shopping bag. On the way out of the shop, An old pearl and diamond ring caught her eye. Now now, Ally, she thought. We can’t have everything we want.
Ally stepped down the front steps and once on the curb she turned right and immediately slammed right into a fast walking Mitch Dressen “Ooof!” Ally went as her hand went up and her bag went flying overhead.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Ally said.
“I’m such a clutz,” Mitch apologized at the exact same time.
Slowly they both smiled at each other. Mitch gathered up her bag and handed it back to her. “Seems everything is in order there for you. Sorry I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“It’s all right. Nothing was harmed. You all right? You seem like you’re in quite the rush.”
“Getting back to work after meeting my parents for lunch. It never goes the way you expect it to. How’s everything going at the bakery?”
Ally nodded. “Great.” She didn’t want to tell him about how she had landed up crying in the pantry “There’s a learning curve but things are going well. Lauren said she’s going to show me how to make pie crust.”
Mitch laughed. “She tells everyone that, but don’t be hurt when it never happens. She’s a little protective of pie.”
Ally forced a laugh. “Oh, well I have my ways, Mitch Dressen! I can convince people of almost anything!” Ally put her hand on her hips.
“I don’t doubt it,” Mitch smirked. Have a good day, Miss Sinclair.” He tipped his finger onto his forehead as if he wore a cowboy hat, and continued on his way.
Ally stood on the curb by the consignment building and watched him go. Handsome as ever, Mitch had something weighing on his mind. Ally just hoped it was nothing serious and she counted the minutes until she could run into him again.
*****
MITCH HAD BEEN RIGHT about one thing; Lauren was reluctant to teach her anything to do with pie. After dinner that night, Ally asked her about pie crust while they were busy cleaning up the supper dishes. “Soon,” Lauren promised. “I just have to give Maggie her bath and tomorrow is another early day, but I promise you, tomorrow I’ll show you the secrets to flaky pie crust.”
Ally knew that Lauren meant to keep her word, but she could see how the excuses would continue to be easy to give thanks to the situation. So, while Lauren scooped Maggie up in her arms and headed into the bathroom, Ally did what she had to do.
She got out a bright pink mixing bowl and found the flour in a kitchen cupboard. She grabbed the butter from the fridge and a recipe for a basic pie crust online. By the time she had melted the butter, Lauren stuck her head back into the kitchen. “I smell something....” Lauren’s eyes bugged. “What are you doing?”
“I’m teaching myself how to make pie crust,” Ally said proudly. “Should I add eggs or milk?”
“Just...stop what you’re doing. Stop. I’ll be back in a minute once I dress Maggie.” As if on cue, the baby cooed in her arms.
Ally nodded, a fair bit of flour on her cheek She wiped it away with the back of her wrist. “If you promise to really show me.”
“I do. Five minutes, just give me five minutes! Oh, and don’t melt the butter. That’s the worst thing you could possibly do!” Lauren rushed down the hall and Ally smiled with satisfaction. If Lauren could show her how to be a real baker, maybe Ally could really accomplish something.