The Perfect Dress(45)

“I brought homemade ice cream.” Harry carried an oak bucket into the room and set it on the end of the table.

Mitzi crossed the room to give him a hug. “Is it banana nut?”

“Is there any other kind? Is that cake what I think it is?”

Mitzi pulled him over to a corner.

“Do I need to get my shotgun down from above the mantel?” he whispered.

She shook her head. “It’s Paula, not me.”

He clamped a hand over his mouth. “Holy crap! Does Gladys know?”

“She does now, and so does Selena,” Mitzi answered.

“No wonder the temperature in town has risen so high. I bet she’s breathing fire,” Harry said.

Mitzi nodded. “You are so right about that. I feel so sorry for Paula.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Gladys told her that she was dead to her.”

Harry just shook his head. “Gladys has always had problems, but that’s harsh even for her. When’s the wedding?”

“Not going to be one. The father was separated from his wife but went back to her before Paula even knew she was pregnant,” Mitzi said.

“When is the baby due?” Harry asked.

“September.”

“Well, I got to say, I’m glad it’s not you, but if Paula needs anything, I’ll be here for her. Gladys shouldn’t treat her like that.” Harry shook his head.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“Anything for you, Paula, or Jody,” Harry said. “I’d still like to wring Lyle’s neck for what he did.”

“You’d have to stand in line.” Mitzi looped her arm in his, and together they rejoined the group.





Chapter Twelve


Graham rushed into the house, taking his shirt off as he climbed the stairs to the second floor. He threw it at the dirty clothes hamper and kicked his shoes off in the hallway leading to the bathroom. He took a quick shower, shaved for the second time that day, and hurriedly dressed in casual khaki shorts and a pullover shirt.

He’d been looking forward to seeing Mitzi all day. There was something building between them, like the embers of a slow-burning fire. It might fizzle or it could break into a full blaze, but whatever happened, he was ready for it.

Walking down the street from his house to hers, he laid it all out like a credit report. On this side were the deficits; on the other were the assets. The asset side was winning when he rang the doorbell.

Tabby’s eyes glittered when she answered the door. “Guess what, Daddy? Harry brought homemade banana-nut ice cream. Remember when Grandpa used to make that for us on our birthdays?”

“I sure do, and it’s been a long time since we had it.” Graham looked over the top of his daughter’s head to catch a glimpse of Mitzi, but she wasn’t there.

“And guess what else,” Harry said before he could answer. “I’ve got two sewing machines out in my truck that we can bring in later.”

“That’s all pretty great news,” Graham said. “Y’all lead the way.”

“Y’all come on in and we’ll get into this ice cream and cake.” Jody motioned from the fitting room doorway.

“I might embarrass you girls tonight. I haven’t had supper, and y’all know how much I like homemade ice cream,” Graham said.

Mitzi came out of the kitchen with a stack of napkins in her hands. “My dad is here and he’ll give you a run for your money when it comes to cake and ice cream. He’s got a sweet tooth.”

“Oh, honey, I can lay claim to the sweet tooth title of the whole county.” Graham winked at her.

Mitzi’s face was slightly flushed from getting the tables set up, and her hair had been piled up on top of her head. She wore a pair of flowing yellow pants and a multicolored shirt, but what appealed to him most was that she wasn’t wearing shoes.

“Who goes first?” Dixie asked.

“The one who asks that question,” Mitzi said.

“Yay!” Dixie pumped her fist in the air and picked up a plate. “I can’t wait to taste it.”

“I’ll do the dippin’ if we can get Paula to cut the cake,” Harry announced.

“As you can see,” Graham whispered in Mitzi’s ear, “none of us is bashful when it comes to food.”

“Neither are we,” Mitzi said.

Paula brought in a pitcher of sweet tea, and Jody carried in one of lemonade. They were discussing last-minute details of the bridal fair.

“We really need an arch. Just standing the mannequin up there without a backdrop seems kind of tacky,” Jody said.

“Those things are expensive. We’ll only use it once or twice a year, and that’s assuming that we get invited to do more shows,” Paula said.

“I could build you one,” Graham offered. “I’ve got the tools, and it wouldn’t be that big of a job. I’d be glad to do it Sunday. I’ll even pick up the lumber and things we need to build it on my way home tomorrow. It’s the least I can do for all you’ve done for my girls.”

“That’s so sweet, but—” Mitzi started.

Graham shook his head. “No buts. Is two o’clock good for you? Alice is taking the girls to the movies, and they’re leaving right after we get lunch at the café. Want to help me, Mitzi?”