Page 28 of Back in the Country
MARLEE
Like many of the businesses in this town, Velvet Threads has chosen to make a statement with a bold color on the exterior. The wood siding is a rich burgundy complemented by crisp white trim and the fancy black script of the store name. It never fails to make me smile.
The bell chimes over the door as I push my way into the heavenly air-conditioned space.
“Well bless my soul, I heard you were back in town and that the Thayer boy was taking upallyour time.”
I smile sheepishly because she’s not wrong.
“Hi Gwen.” She smiles and moves around the counter to pull me into a hug.
She smells like jasmine and hairspray and always has. Her signature red lipstick is perfectly applied and makes her platinum-blonde waves pop against her tanned skin. She looks like Farrah Fawcett with feminine curves and a face that photographers dream of, but she never wanted any of that.
Gwen is a single mom in her late forties. She’d never remarried after divorcing when her daughter, Cheyenne, was young, but she’s never been lacking for company either. She is fierce and funky and a hell of a seamstress.
There wasn’t a pattern she didn’t like or a stitch she couldn’t do. I’d always envied her talents but had come to accept that sewing was never going to be in my wheelhouse.
Gran had tried to teach me a few things, but even with the machine, all my seams had been crooked—like something only a grandmother could love. She’d been kind but didn’t push me after the first few projects tanked.
“Are you happy to be home?”
I nod. “Yeah. It’s bittersweet with Sorren, but it feels good being back here.”
“You let me know if you or your brother need anything, you hear?”
“Thank you. It means a lot.”
And I mean it. She pulls me in for another quick hug before releasing me and looking around the shop.
“Okay, so what brings you in?”
“I’m looking for a dress to wear tonight to dinner.”
“With Waylon?” she asks with a mischievous look in her eyes.
“Yes.” I blush because even though she is teasing me, Waylon still gets my blood pumping, and I can only deflect so much before it stops working.
“Well, let’s see what we have for you.”
Bright colors and bold patterns touch every piece of clothing in the shop. There isn’t a solid color as far as the eye can see.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I take it out to see that Rhea is canceling on me. Something has come up at the shop, but she’ll meet me back at my house before I have to leave. I am about to put it back in my bag when it buzzes again.
CALEB:You’re being ridiculous. You need to come home.
I frown.
“Oh! Hey Marlee,” a surprised voice says from somewhere in front of me. Startled, I slip my phone in my purse and smile.
“Hey, Cheyenne.” She is a shy thing, and we’ve never been really good friends, but I round a rack of particularly loud sundresses and hug her anyway. “You look amazing!”
I hold her biceps as I look at her. She flushes a pretty shade of pink, and when I release her, her hand catches the light.
I gasp.
On her left hand, on averyspecific finger, sits a gorgeous center diamond surrounded by a halo of little diamonds.
The sparkle is practically blinding.
