Chapter 9
The day of the masquerade ball finally arrived. Tessa and her friends met for breakfast and talked about their plans for the day.
“Shondra, are you going to be able to go on the ranch tour with us?” Elise asked. Shondra’s boss had called about a last-minute crisis.
“I am. We were able to get things taken care of last night, thank goodness.” Shondra had been looking forward to the tour and had not been happy when her boss called and interrupted her good time.
“Steve, are you two still planning on doing the maze?”
“Yes. Tessa said other than getting lost, it wasn’t bad.”
“The tour starts at ten-thirty. After we get back from that, we’ll have a late lunch then start getting ready for the ball.”
“You think you’re going to need all that time?” Ren asked, wondering why they would take so long.
“Yes. You must have forgotten we’re wearing period costumes. Unlike you men, our costumes have quite a few pieces and will take a little longer.”
“I remembered, just didn’t give it too much thought.”
“There you go thinking only about yourself,” Shondra teased.
“Unfortunately, in this case you’re right. I promise to make it up to you.”
“Only if I get to choose how you do it.”
“Of course.”
“On that note, I think we’ll go check out the maze.”
Steve rose from his chair and Ren did the same. They left the women to finish their breakfast.
The tour was more than they’d expected. It started out at a small shack that in the current era would be called a tiny home.
That shack had been one of the earliest structures built on the ranch.
The tour itself covered the original homestead, which was fifty acres.
It had been expanded by each owner since.
Their guide shared some interesting and funny facts and anecdotes about the Double C Ranch.
By the time they were done, Tessa, Elise, and Shondra were more than ready for lunch.
“This ranch has more going on than I thought,” Elise said as they sat down for lunch.
“I know, right? That it’s still a working ranch after all these years is amazing.” Tessa had been impressed with what she learned on the tour.
“That and the fact that it’s stayed in the same family.
These days, many in the area are selling their properties and moving on,” Shondra explained.
“There’s been a lot of developers trying to come in and buy everything up, but the Double C and other ranches in the area have done a great job limiting their reach and protecting the land. ”
“I know that can’t be an easy fight.”
“No, it’s not, but they’re committed and have the funds to keep up the fight.”
“I wish them well.” Elise took a sip of her wine. “I also hope we get a return invitation for next year. This has been a lot of fun, and we haven’t even attended the main event yet.”
“Speaking of the main event, I’ll need one of you to help me with my dress. I’m not going to be able to tighten the corset or fasten the buttons on the back of it.” Tessa was looking forward to seeing her friends’ dresses and the other guests who would be in attendance that evening.
“How about we do our hair and makeup in our rooms and get dressed in yours, Tessa? That way we can help each other. Ren and Steve will probably be happy not to have to help. Plus, they probably don’t have much of an idea about the different layers of clothing that comes with dresses from that time period.
” Elise was sure Steve, at least, would be glad.
“That sounds like a good idea, Elise,” Shondra agreed.
“How about when we finish eating, we take the dresses to your room?”
“Works for me,” Tessa said. She’d kept the suite of rooms that she’d originally reserved when she’d accepted the invite, which was more than enough space for all of them to get dressed.