Anne glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall beside her. It was nearly time to flip over the page. She’d been so busy October had seemed to rush by, and November was lining up to be just as full of activity. Myra had called earlier in the week, supposedly to see how everything was going at the shop, but she’d hinted Ed wanted to stay in Florida longer. Anne wouldn’t be surprised to hear on the next phone call that they’d decided to stay down south for most of the winter. It would be fine with her. If she could show them how smoothly the shop ran with her in charge, maybe they’d change their minds about wanting to sell it.
She just had to make sure nothing got overlooked, she thought as she checked her various lists. She still needed to finish the holiday samples for the shop and cut out Mario’s curtains. But both jobs were pretty straight forward, so she could get them finished sometime next week. The most pressing project was to finish the flags for Brad. To do it, she needed to get the sample completed and approved.
During quilt group the night before, she’d cut out the pieces for the sea hawk appliqué. Now, she just had to stitch it to the blue silk flag body. Since she had a lull in business, Anne set one of the portable sewing machines on a work table, positioning it so she could work on the flag but still watch the door for customers. It wouldn’t take long to finish the sample. Then she would call Brad and let him know it was ready for him to approve. Maybe he could come by the shop after school that afternoon to check it over.
It seemed like it had been weeks, not days, since she’d had breakfast with him and his daughter at the grocery store. She smiled in anticipation of seeing him again, no longer able to deny the attraction she felt toward the handsome young band director. It wasn’t Brad’s looks or charm – she knew appearances were superficial and charm could be faked – it was his genuine caring when he spoke of his students and the way his face lit up around his daughter. Of course, Jennie brightened everyone’s day. The girl had been so doggone cute as they’d discussed how much of their donuts to cut and take home. The memory had made the leftover treat even sweeter when she’d had it with her evening coffee. Had Jennie eaten her own leftover that night or the next morning? Anne made a mental note to ask Brad when she saw him… whenever it might be.
Well, the sooner you finish this sample, the sooner it will be, she told herself as she positioned the fabric under the machine’s presser foot.
With that in mind, she set to work. The fabric was soft and cool to the touch. It might be inexpensive, but it still had a lovely drape and such a silky feeling beneath her fingers. What would it be like to wear a beautiful cocktail gown of something as soft and shimmery? Not flag silk, though. Maybe raw silk or a lovely shantung.
She walked into the party, confident in her elegant, black column dress. Her hair had been styled in a sophisticated yet sassy updo by her beautician, and her skin glowed from her massage at the spa. A sapphire tennis bracelet sparkled on her wrist, reflecting the festive candlelight. Matching earrings adorned her ears. As she entered the room, conversations stopped, and people stared. But instead of disapproving frowns, their expressions were admiring, approving. Especially on the face of the tall, dark-haired man, who’d been waiting for her. He crossed the room, stopping to take two glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter. Reaching her side, he handed her one of the flutes. His brown eyes offered a silent toast, a seductive promise of things to come as their glass touched with a surprisingly loud chime.
“Anne? Are you all right?”
She blinked. The linen-covered tables and candlelight faded. She was back in The Stitching Post, realizing the chime she’d heard had been the shop door. The same dark-haired man from her thoughts now stood before her, but he searched her face with concern not admiration.
“Are you all right?” he asked again.
“Oh, Brad, I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear you come in,” she apologized. “I was sewing, and I guess I started daydreaming.”
“I tend to do the same thing—daydream, not sew,” he clarified. “Especially if I’m doing something routine.”
She nodded at his reassurance but still felt a bit sheepish. At least he hadn’t offered her a penny for her thoughts. Now, that would have been embarrassing.
“What can I do for you this morning? Did you come to see the sample flag? It’s almost done. In fact, I’m working on it now. I was going to call you when I finished.”
Realizing she was babbling, Anne stopped. What is it about this man that turns me into such a hot mess?
“The flag? Oh, no. I wasn’t worried about it. You said you’d let me know when the sample was ready. Although I’m sure it will be perfect when you’re done.” He glanced around, suddenly seeming distressed. “It’s Jennie.”
Alarmed, Anne swallowed hard. “Brad? What is it? Has something happened to Jennie?”
“No, no. Jennie is fine. I just – well, I feel kind of awkward having to bother you like this. But I – I mean, Jennie and I — well, we need your help. Again.”
She released the breath she’d been holding. “Of course, I’ll be glad to help if I can. What do you need?”
“I hate to bother you, Anne—I know you’re busy trying to finish the band flags and all — but could you spare a minute to check something?” He held up a gray plastic shopping bag, imprinted with the name of a big Detroit children’s store. “My aunt sent Jennie a costume for a Halloween party this weekend. But I forgot all about it until last night. When Jenny tried it on, the skirt was way too long. I’m afraid she’ll trip on it, but it will break her heart if I tell her she can’t wear it.”
“Let me see it. Chances are it’s just a quick hemming job.” Anne held out her hand for the bag. A cloud of blue tulle and satin nestled inside.
“Oh, how lovely!” she exclaimed, removing the exquisite little gown and giving it a slight shake to fluff out the full skirt with its heavily embellished border. “This trim is gorgeous, but you could lose most of the sequins and gems on the overskirt if it needs to be hemmed very much. I’d recommend shortening it from the waistline. What do you think?”
He tilted his head and pursed his lips. “You do realize you’re speaking Greek to me, right?”
She chuckled. “Sorry. Let me back up. How much does the skirt need to be shortened?”
“A lot?” he ventured, giving her the most adorably bewildered look.
“Okay then,” Anne said. She ducked her head to hide her amusement and pretended to examine the gown for a moment. She glanced back at him. “Would a lot mean more than three inches or less?”
He grimaced. “I really suck at this, don’t I?”
“Well,” she hedged, “it might have helped if you’d marked it, but we’ll manage a different way. Can you bring me a pair of Jennie’s slacks? A pair the right length for her. I can get an idea of the correct length from those then make some adjustments.”
He snapped his fingers. “I’ve got a better idea. What if I bring Jennie here after school today instead?”
“Perfect. Then I can measure the costume on her so the length will be exactly right. I could have your sample flag ready by then, too, so it will save you the inconvenience of having to make another trip.”
“I wouldn’t have minded,” Brad said then seemed to reconsider what he’d said, because he quickly added, “I mean, you’re doing a favor for me—for Jennie and me —by taking this on, so it wouldn’t have been a problem if I had to come back.”
“Of course.” Anne nodded her understanding, but secretly wished he hadn’t clarified things. It would have been nice to pretend he—
Stop right there, Anne Brown! Do not need to go down that path. This is business, purely business. She knew her inner voice was right, but it was hard to remember the fact when Brad stood there, windblown and sexy.
“What time does Jennie get out of school?” Anne asked, busying herself with folding the costume so she wouldn’t have to look at him.
“I usually pick her up at three-thirty. We could be here in about fifteen minutes if the time will work for you.”
“It will be great. Once I measure the costume on Jennie, it shouldn’t take long to make the alterations. I should be able to do them tonight.”
“Don’t feel like you have to do them tonight. I wouldn’t want you to cancel your plans for the evening or anything.”
She waved aside his protest. “The book I’m reading can wait until tomorrow.”
“Well, if you’re sure it’s okay…”
“I’m positive, Mr. Carmichael.”
“Okay. Then I’d better get back to the high school before my next class starts.” He headed toward the entrance, but turned with his hand on the doorknob. For a long moment, his gaze held hers, and the heat of it sent a shiver of delight coursing through her veins. She broke away, but when she glanced back, a cheeky grin spread across his features.
“Jennie and I will see you this afternoon. And, Anne…”
“Yes?”
“It’s Brad, remember?”
****
“Hi, Miss Anne!” Jennie greeted as she bounced into the shop a little before four that afternoon. “Daddy said you’ve got my costume here.”
“Yes, I do. Your father thought it was a little too long, so he asked me to fix it,” Anne replied then turned toward the entrance. “Isn’t he with you?”
Jennie shook her blond curls. “He said he had an errand to run but would be back in a few minutes.”
“Oh.”
Several times during the afternoon, Anne had caught herself daydreaming about the heated glance she and Brad had exchanged. She’d eagerly anticipated seeing him again. Now, she shoved down a stab of disappointment and gestured toward the back of the shop. “Let me take your jacket, and you can put on your costume. I hung it inside the bathroom for you.”
“Sometimes I have trouble reaching zippers,” Jennie confessed, wrinkling her nose. “If I can’t get this one, Miss Anne, will you help me?”
“It would be my pleasure, Princess Cinderella,” Anne said then showed the youngster where the dress hung.
While Jennie changed into the gown, Anne fetched her pincushion, tape measure, and a sturdy wooden display table. It would be the perfect height for Jennie to stand on while they measured and pinned the costume.
“Ow!” Jennie’s yelp of pain sent Anne running to the bathroom door.
“Jennie, what’s the matter?” she asked, puling open the door to find the little girl holding her head at an odd angle.
“My hair!” the child cried. “It’s stuck in the zipper, Miss Anne.”
“My goodness, Jennie, I thought you were going to be Cinderella for Halloween not Rapunzel,” Anne teased as she gently turned the child around so she could see the problem. In no time, she had Jennie’s curls freed and the zipper closed. “There you go, all fixed up.”
She took a step back to view the costume. “Oh dear, sweetheart, your daddy was right. Your skirt is definitely too long. We can’t have you tripping over your gown at the ball now, can we?”
“It’s not a ball. It’s just a princess party at my friend Callie’s house.”
“Well, a party sounds like much more fun than a ball. You won’t have to worry about some clumsy prince stepping on your toes when you dance.”
“Oh, princes never step on anyone’s toes,” Jenny protested.
“Oh?” Anne lifted the little girl onto the low table then arranged the skirt of the miniature ball gown so it hung evenly around her. The child was so adorable standing there with her long blond ringlets tumbling around her shoulders. But her earnest expression nearly made Anne chuckle. “How do princes manage that?”
Jennie sighed. “Princes have to take charming lessons so they learn not to step on toes.”
“Really? What else do they learn in their charming lessons?” Anne asked. She knelt on the floor and began to pin the hem as the child chattered.
“Lots of things. Like how to pull out their swords and not cut their fingers. And how to put on those metal suits. And how to kiss a lady’s hands without getting it all slobbery.”
“A very useful skill,” Brad said, coming into the shop in time to hear their exchange.
“Indeed,” Anne agreed, giving him an amused glance. “I had no idea all the things it was necessary for a prince to learn, did you?”
“No idea at all,” he echoed, giving her a quick wink. Before she could decide how to take the gesture, he turned and smiled at his daughter. “Hello, Princess.”
“Hi, Daddy. Miss Anne is fixing my gown so I won’t trip on it.”
“I see.” He turned his gaze back to Anne. “Sorry I didn’t come in with Jenny. I wanted to drop a uniform off at the cleaners this afternoon for one of my students. How is the hemming coming along?”
“Well, I’ve only pinned it so far, but luckily, the gown won’t need to be shortened as much as I’d feared it might.”
As she started to rise from the floor, he held out his hand to help her up. After a split second’s hesitation, she accepted the courteous gesture and tried to ignore the fluttering sensation she felt when his strong fingers wrapped around hers. Warmth spread from the contact point through her body, stirring long-forgotten sensations. She quickly pulled away and leaned down, pretending to brush dust from the knees of her jeans but more to hide the sudden heat flooding her cheeks.
“I can easily hem the skirt at the bottom without ruining the embellishment on the edge,” she said, striving to compose herself. “It’s a fairly easy job and won’t take me more than an hour to do.”
She turned back to Jennie and held out her hand. “Okay, Princess, we’re finished with this part. Let me help you down so you can change.”
“Will you come and unzip me, Miss Anne, so I don’t get my hair stuck again?”
“I’ll be glad to.” Her heart melted when the child’s hand slipped trustingly into her own. As they walked to the restroom, Anne glanced back at Brad then gestured toward the nearest sewing table with her free hand.
“I finished your flag a few minutes before Jennie arrived, Brad. Why don’t you check it out while I help Princess Cinderella with her gown?”