Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold #19)(36)

“Thanks.”

Madeline walked over to the mirror and studied herself. She’d already redone her makeup and her hair was up in hot rollers. In five more minutes, she would take them out, finger comb her hair, then spray it into submission.

Taryn nodded. “It’s a good one. I have several shoe options, but I think I know what will work.” She pulled out a box and opened the top. Inside was a pair of high-heeled pumps in a shimmering kind of silver.

Madeline looked closer and saw the shoes were covered with crystals.

“Christian Louboutin. The crystals are hand-set Swarovski.”

“Of course they are,” Madeline murmured. “Just tell me this. Are they worth more than a thousand dollars?”

Taryn rolled her eyes. “All I hear is a buzzing sound. Take them, Madeline. They’ll look fantastic with the dress.”

Madeline tucked her hands behind her back. “No way.”

Taryn’s brows drew together. “They’re just shoes. You’re my friend and I love you. I also dislike Marigold and Ted. Take the shoes.”

Taryn could be stern and determined but she was also incredibly generous with her friends. Madeline picked up the ridiculously high heels and sat down before slipping them on her feet.

They were stunning. “I’m not sure I can stand,” Madeline admitted. “But I don’t know if I care.”

“Exactly. Just sit and look beautiful.” Taryn eyed her. “You know, the sapphires are going to be too matchy-matchy. Let’s do diamonds.”

She dug through her tote and pulled out a couple of Tiffany boxes. Inside one was a pair of simple diamond studs. In the other was a diamond pendant necklace.

Shelby took the necklace and fastened it around her neck. “Just hope that at midnight this doesn’t turn into a pumpkin, because that could hurt.”

Taryn held out the earrings. “I insist. Come on. You know you want to.”

“You have to.” Tears started down Isabel’s cheeks.

Madeline hurried to her side. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m pregnant. It’s a beautiful moment, so I’m crying. Put on the damn earrings, would you? Then go do your hair so we can ooh and aah over you.”

Madeline did as she asked, returning less than five minutes later. She stepped into the stunning shoes, then made a slow circle.

Everyone nodded and applauded. “You’ll devastate Marigold for sure,” Isabel said. “And that jerk Ted.”

Taryn rose and put her arm around Isabel. “I’m going to get her home. I think she needs a couple of hugs from her husband.”

“I need wine,” Isabel said with a sigh. “Only a few more months until that happens.”

“Unless she plans to breastfeed,” Shelby murmured.

“I can hear you,” Isabel yelled as she and Taryn left.

Madeline slipped out of the shoes. No way she was going to wear them a second longer than necessary. She needed to save her high-heel time for actually walking into the restaurant.

“Where are you meeting them?” Shelby asked.

“Henri’s.” It was a five-star restaurant, up at the Gold Rush resort.

“Nice.”

Shelby helped her tidy up the boxes and bags. Madeline figured she would come in a half hour early in the morning and collect all Taryn’s things, then return them to her. As for the soon-to-be-marked-down dress, she was going to have to think about buying it. Returning it after wearing it seemed tacky.

“Are you excited about your date?” Shelby asked.

“It’s not a date. It’s a mercy dinner. Jonny’s helping me out. Nothing more.”

Her friend nodded knowingly. “That’s a lot of energy for a nondate.”

“I know. I can’t help it. It’s just he’s so...”

“Jonny Blaze-like?”

“Yes. When I’m around him, it’s hard to see anything beyond the blinding light of his appeal.”

“As long as you’re not getting in over your head,” Shelby teased. Then her humor faded. “Do I have to worry about you?”

“No.” Madeline held up a hand. “I swear, I’m fine. Am I attracted to him? Of course. I’m breathing and into guys. It’s inevitable. At the same time I’m clear on who he is and what I want in life. Someone to love. Someone to be with for the rest of my life.”

“That could be him.”

“Do you really see him falling for someone like me and settling down in Fool’s Gold?”

Shelby looked at her and nodded. “Absolutely. Why not?”

Madeline laughed. “Which is why we’re friends. You’re very sweet, but full of it.”

“I disagree. Why not you?”

An interesting question, Madeline thought when her friend had left. One to which she didn’t have an answer.

At a minute before six, she slipped on the infamous shoes and reached for her coat. Jonny walked into the store wearing a tailored suit that fit him perfectly. Most likely handmade, Madeline thought as her throat went dry. He’d shaved and looked good enough to be on a movie poster. Probably a good thing, considering his profession.

Her body reacted in the usual way. Tingles and heating, with a bit of breathlessness thrown in for fun.