As they ate, Nate told Amalie that he’d decided to try and ride Buck. “If I’m going to stay on the ranch, I’m going to have to ride again. Buck remembers me, and I think we’ll manage to ride. I think I can stay on him. I’ve always heard that once you know how to ride, you don’t forget.”
Deke agreed and said, “Amalie, you might as well learn to ride, too. You can take a few short rides with Nate and me. After morning chores, we’ll go into town and get you some new clothes and whatever else you need for the house. Also, make sure you buy a riding skirt—you’ll need it.”
Amalie bit her bottom lip, thinking of something she might say to dissuade Deke from wanting her to learn to ride, but Nate looked happy and almost excited to ride again, and she couldn’t think of anything to say in defense of her fear of horses.
Chapter Eight
Deke pulled up the wagon in front of a small dress shop. He looked at Amalie and said, “Besides a couple of day dresses, you also need to buy a new Sunday dress and a dress nice enough to wear to a barn dance.”
“Barn dance?” Amalie asked with wide eyes. “What’s a barn dance?”
“You didn’t have dances in St. Louis?” Deke asked.
Amalie nodded. “They occasionally had dances in the hotel where I worked but never in a barn.”
Deke laughed. “Out here in the country, we do things a bit differently, and a barn is a good place to hold a dance. The woman who owns the dress shop goes to church with us, and if you ask her, I’m sure she’ll help you find whatever you need.” He handed Amalie the money for her purchases.
Amalie just stared at the money in her hand. She had never had that much money to spend any place at any time in her life.
She looked at Deke and asked, “Do you expect me to spend this?”
“Why—don’t you think it’s enough?” Deke replied.
“No, I’m sure it’s enough. I’ve just never spent this much money anywhere before.”
“I told you that I would take care of you, and making sure you’re dressed well is one of my responsibilities. Also, make sure that you buy whatever personal items and fripperies you ladies enjoy. When you’re done, I’ll pick you up, and we’ll get you some riding boots and a warm coat. If you need me, I’ll be right across the road at the gun shop,” Deke said before helping Amalie from the wagon.
Amalie gripped her reticule tightly, worried she might lose the money Deke had given her, and she slowly made her way to the store. She stopped to admire the dresses in the window, never having had the chance to shop in a store offering such lovely things before.
She drew in a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped into the dress shop. She was greeted by a smiling, middle-aged lady, who introduced herself as Mavis Thompson.
“What can I do for you today?” Mavis asked. “You’re new in town, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’m Amalie Sperling, and I’m not sure exactly what I need. My husband said you could advise me.”
“Sperling? Did you marry Deke or Nate? I saw them both at church yesterday with a young woman that I assume was you.”
“I was there, yes, and I married Deke.”
“Wonderful,” Mavis said. “Tell me what you are looking for, and we’ll go from there.”
Before Amalie could answer, a young woman rushed past her and hurried out the door. Mavis laughed and said, “I think she changed her mind. Young people are always in such a hurry.”
Amalie agreed and said, “Hmm, I need a couple of day dresses, a Sunday dress, a riding skirt and blouse, and something I could wear to a barn dance. Oh, and a nightdress, robe, and some undergarments, please.”
Mavis smiled and said, “I can help you with all of those. Let’s start right here at the front of the store to find you a lovely Sunday dress and one that will make your husband trip over his own feet when he sees you wearing it to the next barn dance.”
Amalie tried on several dresses and finally decided on a tasteful, deep blue one for Sunday and a bright pink one with sleeves and lace and ruffles around the neck for a barn dance or whatever special occasions might arise.
Having found two day dresses, the search for undergarments, a nightdress, and a robe was quicker. Amalie thought her shopping was over when Mavis said, “You have the necessary clothes. Now, you need something special. I have a lovely selection of toilet waters and scented soaps. A young woman as beautiful as you shouldn’t go out without fragrance.”
Amalie preferred the scent of lavender over the stronger, rose scents, and she chose soaps, bath oil, and lavender water to splash on or use when she rinsed her hair.
“I think you have everything you need except for some ribbons to match the dresses. I have some at the front counter.”
Amalie followed her, wondering what else Mavis would think of for her to buy. She worried that Deke might not be happy with what she spent.
While Amalie chose ribbons to match her dresses, Mavis wrapped her purchases in paper.
The bell above the door tinkled, and Amalie saw the young woman who had hurried out earlier enter, along with two other young women and Laura.
“See,” the young woman said, “I told you she was shopping in here.”
Amalie dropped the ribbons on the counter and looked away from the young women, hoping that Laura would be kinder than she had been at
