“Sure. I love ice cream.”
“Have you ever tried a frozen mud pie?” My sweet tooth started aching just thinking about the sugar-laden treat.
“No, but it sounds like something I should. Where do you get one?”
“At Frozen Tundra Treats, just past Roxy’s grocery store.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I grinned at the phone for a full minute before moving myself to the spare bedroom to work on Natalie’s dress. There was a lightness in my step as I thought about what tomorrow might bring. I found myself smiling over the memory of Luke trying a fried pickle and pushed him from my mind. Tomorrow would be date number three with Dallas, and I hoped a kiss might be in order.
Dallas had sounded a bit more confident on the phone. Maybe he just needed time to find his footing. An hour later, I picked out the last stitch, releasing the hem on Natalie’s gown. Thankfully, I’d finished the task much faster than I anticipated. Maybe I’d have a little more time to get ready for my date with Dallas. There had been no more surprises. I still didn’t have any ideas for dealing with the diamonds, but my mental energy was shot. They were safe enough in the quilt, at least that’s what I told myself. I prepared for bed, reprimanding my thoughts whenever they strayed to the mystery of Natalie’s gown.
Chapter 8
Save the Dress! Stain Remover
Mix together 2⁄3 cup dishwashing liquid, 2⁄3 cup ammonia, six tablespoons baking soda, and two cups warm water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle. Shake before use. Spray on stains and let sit for one minute. Launder as usual. *I always keep a bottle handy at the shop for accidents!
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
Lorea was waiting for me when I opened the back door of the shop at eight fifteen the next morning.
“Dish,” she demanded, handing me a peppermint tea with a sleeve from the Iconoclast Bookstore. The cinnamon mocha latte she sipped reminded me of Christmastime.
“We had so much fun. Sasha Cohen is amazing, and Dallas is a romantic. We did a little stargazing after the ice show.”
Lorea looked at the ceiling and pursed her lips, deep in thought. “Yeah, I can see that. He seems like the sentimental type. Did he kiss you?”
“On the cheek.” I slid my bag under the desk and sipped my tea.
“That’s it?”
“He’s pretty shy. I was kind of worried halfway into our date about how nervous he seemed, but he was such a gentleman and so sweet that I agreed to see him again tonight.”
“Wow, you must like him if you’re making time for him on June first—the beginning of insanity for all wedding planners.”
“It’s just ice cream. I told him I have too much work to do.”
“Don’t let work rule your life,” Lorea said. “If you like this guy, I can help you more.”
“I know you would, but I also know you’re just as busy as I am right now. Besides, I take breaks. Remember I went for barbeque yesterday?”
“Wait a minute. You never told me why you were smiling so big when you came in yesterday.”
Nothing got by Lorea. I hesitated, wondering if I should tell her about Luke.
“Oh, I know that look.” Lorea clapped her hands. “’Fess up.”
I shrugged. “Clay’s place was crowded, as usual, so I shared a booth with this good-looking guy and ended up giving him one of my fried pickles.”
“Did he like it?”
I nodded, and Lorea chuckled. “So what’s his name?”
“Luke Stetson.”
“Hmm, that sounds familiar.” Lorea fiddled with the chain holding her glasses. “Or maybe it’s just one of those names that makes you think of something else. So, is he hot?”
“Um. He rides a Harley.”
Lorea squealed. “Tell me.”
I felt a bit disloyal to Dallas. “Maybe you could go out with him.”
Lorea frowned. “You’re not engaged to Dallas. You can date two guys at once. Just tell me what he looks like.”
“Okay, okay.”
I described Luke’s gorgeous cobalt blue eyes, imposing height, and dark curly hair, and Lorea listened with a grin on her face. I was just about to mention the dimple in his chin when my phone started chirping a reminder. I snatched it off the counter and groaned. “Good thing I set this alarm in my phone. I’m supposed to be meeting that new caterer in ten minutes.” I swiped my finger across the screen to silence the alarm. “I’m going to be late.”
“I’m sure they’ll understand.” Lorea shooed me out the door. “Bring me back a sample.”
“Will do,” I said. “I probably won’t be back until after lunch.”
It was hard not to speed across town, but I made myself take a few cleansing breaths with a mental reminder that the caterer was probably just as busy as I was. Decadent Catering was housed in another remodeled bungalow with a charming yellow and pink foyer. Valerie Garner was prepared for my visit with professional-looking brochures, delicious ribbon sandwiches, and chocolate mint truffles.
“These look beautiful, and they taste even better,” I said around a bite of sandwich.
“Thank you. I promised my husband an extra batch of mint truffles if he would help me design these brochures.” Valerie traced a finger along the pink and yellow font of Decadent Catering.
“I’m sure it wasn’t hard for him to agree to your terms.” I snagged a truffle and let it melt in my mouth while I studied her pricing suggestions. “Let’s talk about how you might be able to help me with an upcoming bridal shower.”
Valerie’s face lit up with a smile. “I’d love to. Have a seat.” She motioned to a few whitewashed chairs, and we spent the next two hours discussing Natalie’s and Sylvia’s bridal showers and what they were hoping for. Valerie had already prepared bids for specific layouts, and we talked about how adjustments would change the bids. Overall, we were both happy with
