Secrets Of The Tulip Sisters. Susan Mallery

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       9

      By the time Kelly was due to leave for the tourist board meeting, she was back to her regular self.

      In deference to Olivia and not because her sister made her feel frumpy and androgynous, Kelly dug out a pair of relatively new jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt she rarely wore because it required ironing when it was washed. She took an extra couple of minutes with her hair, releasing it from her usual ponytail and fluffing it with her fingers. She thought briefly about mascara, but was afraid the single tube she owned might be well over a year old and God knew what could be growing in it. She settled on swiping on a little Burt’s Bees lip balm and called it a night.

      When she stepped into the hall, she caught sight of her sister and thought maybe she should have risked an eye infection. Olivia had changed into a dress. Not just any dress, but a pretty sleeveless one that was white at the top and bottom with wide bands of different shades of pink and red in the middle. The dress had a relatively high neck, was fitted to the waist, then flared out to just above Olivia’s knees.

      Her bare legs were toned and tanned and she wore a high-heeled nude pump. Her hair was pulled back into a French braid. She had on pearl studs and the kind of makeup that made her look sophisticated and competent.

      Kelly felt her meager confidence shrivel and die as she turned from normal human to genderless country mouse. Telling herself she didn’t care about things like clothes and makeup didn’t help. Not when faced with a living, breathing example of what both could accomplish.

      Olivia smiled. “Hi. I’m ready. You said six thirty and I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

      “You’re right on time,” Kelly said, hoping she didn’t sound as bitter as she felt. It wasn’t Olivia’s fault Kelly felt inept when it came to things like fashion.

      “I’m really interested in the meeting tonight,” Olivia said as they walked out to Kelly’s truck. “I spent the afternoon researching tourism in the area and in other towns similar to this one. There are a lot of things that can be done to draw in tourists.” She opened the passenger door. “Don’t worry. I’ll only take notes and give you my thoughts later. You can use them or not.”

      Kelly put her key in the ignition. “What do you mean?”

      “It’s your meeting. I’m not going to butt in.”

      “Trust me, any ideas would be welcome. We’re all at a loss. The tourist season around here is way too brief. Once the tulips are gone, so are the people. The hotels are full all summer long, but everyone is busy going somewhere else. We have the same weather as the rest of western Washington. It’s pretty. Why not spend the weekend here?”

      “You wouldn’t mind if I said something?”

      “Of course not. Is that what you did today? Computer research?”

      “I drove around this morning. There are a few changes, but not that many. I went to The Dutch Bunch.”

      “What did you think?”

      “It has a lot of potential, but right now it’s a mess. That display by the door is overwhelming and way too busy. It’s going to frighten people away. And the layout of the booths is odd. There are entire sections you can’t get to without knowing where you’re going. How does anyone make any money?”

      “I’m not sure anyone does.”

      Kelly had to admit she’d never much thought about how the craft mall was laid out.

      “Did your friends seem different?” she asked. “Or is everyone the same?”

      “A bit of both.”