Chapter Two #2
"Then we'll be fast." I stood. "Fair warning—Kendall's got eight bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, the whole nine yards.
At least Hudson and Kendall are on track to deliver the required 2.
5 grandchildren to my parents before they hit thirty.
" I grinned. "Thank God someone's fulfilling the family plan, because that whole thing makes me break out in hives. "
Her expression went cold. Just like that.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing." But her voice had ice in it. She grabbed her purse. "You know what? This was a mistake."
"Wait, what?" I nearly knocked over my chair. "What just happened?"
"I changed my mind." She was already backing toward the door. "This was a stupid idea. I'm sorry I wasted your time."
"Dixie, hold on—-"
"My mother runs a daycare," she snapped.
"Della's Daycare. Those kids you're so worried about avoiding?
That's her livelihood. That's children who need care while their parents work.
So excuse me if I'm not interested in spending a weekend with someone who treats having a family like it's some kind of disease. "
Oh hell.
"That's not what I meant—-"
"Sure sounded like it." She was at the door now.
"Dixie, wait. Please." I caught up to her outside. "I didn't mean it like that. I swear. I was talking about family pressure, not actual kids."
"Right."
"I'm serious." I ran my hand through my hair. "I love kids. I was just—-" I scrambled for the right words. "I put my foot in my mouth. I do that. Ask anyone."
She stopped walking. Didn't turn around, but stopped.
"Look," I said. "I'm an idiot. Certified.
Ask my family—-they'll give you a whole list of stupid things I've said.
But I genuinely didn't mean anything against kids.
Or your mom's daycare. My little cousins love when I let them ride the four-wheeler.
Kids are great. It's my family's expectations that make me break out. "
Her expression softened slightly.
"It's honestly impressive how often I say the wrong thing." I tried a smile. "Pretty sure there's a chart at the ranch house tracking my record. Scout's honor."
"Were you even a scout?"
"Absolutely not. Got kicked out of Cub Scouts for putting a frog in the troop leader's coffee."
She laughed. "Of course you did."
"So we're good?" I asked.
She sighed. "We're good. But I'm watching you, Hunter Massey."
"Fair enough." I gestured toward my truck. "Can we go shopping now? Before you change your mind again?"
"You're lucky I need the money."
"Trust me, I know."
The boutique was twenty minutes away in the next town—-one of those places with a chandelier in the window and no price tags in sight. Mom had mentioned it a thousand times.
Dixie stopped walking when she saw the storefront.
I opened the door. "Come on."
"Hunter—"
"Trust me."
She followed reluctantly. A saleswoman in head-to-toe black materialized instantly.
"Welcome to Evangeline's! How can we help you today?"
"My girlfriend needs outfits for a wedding weekend," I said smoothly. "Rehearsal dinner Friday night, then the wedding on Saturday."
Her eyes lit up. "A wedding! How wonderful! What's the dress code?"
"Black-tie. Valentine's Day theme. Very traditional."
"Oh, how romantic!" She turned to Dixie. "You must be so excited! What's your style?"
Her eyes went wide, darting between the saleswoman and the dresses. "I, uh, I'm not sure."
"We'll figure it out together!" The woman—-name tag read Simone—-pulled Dixie deeper into the store. "I'm thinking jewel tones for you. Emerald would be stunning with your coloring."
I followed them through racks of dresses, keeping my distance while Simone pulled options.
"Try these." Simone thrust an armful of dresses at her. "Let's see what works!"
Dixie disappeared into a fitting room, and I settled into a chair facing the three-way mirror.
A few minutes later, she stepped out in a deep emerald dress that hit mid-thigh. Simple, elegant, with thin straps and a neckline that made my brain stop working. Her hair fell over bare shoulders.
She checked herself in the mirror. "Well? Too much?"
"No." My voice came out rougher than intended. "Perfect for the rehearsal dinner."
She blushed.
"Wonderful!" Simone clapped her hands. "Now let's find your dress for the main event."
She returned with several garment bags. "I have options. Let's see what works."
Dixie disappeared back into the fitting room. For the next twenty minutes, I sat there while Simone brought dress after dress. I couldn't see anything, but I could hear their conversation through the curtain.
"Oh, this one's lovely, but the fit isn't quite right..."
"Too much beading for your frame, I think..."
"Beautiful, but not THE one..."
Then silence. Longer this time. Fabric rustled. A soft intake of breath.
"Oh honey," Simone said quietly. "Oh, that's the one."
"You think?" Dixie's voice sounded different.
"I know."
"Can I see?" I started to stand.
"No!" Simone appeared instantly, blocking my view. "Absolutely not! You cannot see this dress until Saturday!"
"Why not?"
"It's a Valentine's Day wedding! It's bad luck if you see it before!" She called back toward the fitting room. "Dixie, promise me he doesn't see this until the ceremony."
I heard Dixie laugh, a genuine one. "I promise."
"This is ridiculous," I said.
"Those are the rules."
Simone came over, voice low. "You're a lucky man. She's lovely."
"Yeah," I said. "She is."
Ten minutes later, Dixie emerged in her regular clothes, cheeks still flushed. Simone had already bagged everything—-two dresses, shoes, a clutch, and accessories I hadn't even known we were getting.
At the register, I handed over my credit card without glancing at the total. Dixie stood next to me, uncomfortable.
"Hunter, this is too much," she whispered.
"The dresses alone—-"
"Don't worry about it.” I waved off her protests. “Can't show up to Hudson's wedding in jeans."
Simone handed me the receipt and the bags. "You two are going to have such a beautiful weekend! A Valentine's Day wedding—-how romantic!"
"Thanks," I said.
Outside, she climbed into my truck, the garment bags between us.
We were halfway back before she spoke.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For letting me pick what I wanted."
"Of course."
She was quiet for a moment, looking out the window.
"You looked good back there," I said. "All dolled up."
She turned to look at me, something unreadable in her expression. "Thanks."
I pulled up in front of Bitter Beans. Dixie grabbed her purse, then paused.
"Three o'clock Friday," I confirmed. "Where should I pick you up?"
She hesitated. "The Hungry Heifer. You know it?"
"The diner on Main?"
"That's where I work. Day shift." She said it matter-of-factly. "I'll be done by three."
"I'll be there."
"Uh-huh." Her eyes narrowed, but she was smiling. "See you Friday, cowboy."
She grabbed the garment bags and headed toward her Civic without looking back.
I sat there grinning like an idiot. Three days of pretending to date a woman who already saw right through me.
And for the first time in weeks, I was actually looking forward to my brother’s wedding.