Her Perfect Cowboy. Trish Milburn

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СКАЧАТЬ swirling piping on the bodice harkening back to the 1940s.

      “That’s gorgeous.” Elissa Mason grasped the sides of the long skirt and spread it wide. “Makes me feel like I’ve been transported back in time.”

      “Good, since that’s what I’m going for.” India waved her hand to indicate the racks of vintage-inspired clothing around them.

      The front door of Yesterwear Boutique opened to reveal the final member of their trio, Skyler Harrington. “Sorry I’m late. We had a bit of an emergency at the inn this morning. Hot water heater decided it was time for a vacation.” Skyler probably hadn’t spent more than a couple of minutes outside, but the heat of the Texas sun had already caused her fair complexion to flush. That and her tendency to always be on the go, a bit like a redheaded tornado.

      India glanced at the clock on the wall. “You’re not late.”

      “Most people call this on time,” Elissa said.

      Skyler ignored their familiar teasing and placed her leather-bound notebook on the glass-top counter that housed the boutique’s collection of faux vintage jewelry. “I jotted down some ideas for our next BlueBelles class.”

      “I’m shocked, I tell you, shocked,” India said as she made her way to the round table in the corner. The carved daisies on the top of the table showed an attention to detail—one of the reasons Ryan Teague’s custom furniture was so in demand. She poured her friends cold glasses of lemonade.

      “You two act like there’s something wrong with being organized,” Skyler said.

      Elissa wrapped her arm around Skyler and guided her toward the table. “Not at all. We love you just how you are.”

      Skyler rolled her eyes and took her seat so they could get to work on planning the program for their next girls’ enrichment class.

      Even though the BlueBelles classes had been India’s idea, they were a labor of love for all of them. The planning and execution that went into the classes never felt like work. The three of them had been fortunate to find success in their separate businesses, so they used that success whenever they could to give back to the community. The BlueBelles classes were their way of showing young girls that they could succeed just as the three of them had.

      “What do you have?” India asked Skyler, willing to wait on her own ideas until her friends had shared theirs.

      “Money management, organizational skills, maybe a tour of the inn to see how to run a hospitality business,” Skyler said, reading from her list.

      “Good ideas, but maybe we can pair one of those with something a little lighter and fun,” India said. “What do you have, Elissa?”

      “I have a friend in Dallas who is a therapist. Maybe something about self-esteem. Or since it’s spring, we could focus on native plant gardening.”

      India consulted her own ideas but didn’t speak.

      “I know that look,” Skyler said. “What are you thinking?”

      “We always have more ideas than we can use. What if instead of our normal single class we have several in an all-day conference? We could offer a wider variety.”

      “Oh, I like that idea,” Elissa said.

      Skyler thought for a moment then nodded, too.

      As they dived into the particulars, the front door opened again.

      Verona Charles, Elissa’s aunt, walked in with a wave. “Hey, girls. I’m so glad I caught you all here together.”

      “Oh, that can’t be good,” Elissa quipped, earning her a playful swat on the shoulder from Verona.

      “Ignore her and have a seat,” India said. She reached toward the fresh pitcher of lemonade in the middle of the table. “Would you like a drink?”

      “That would be lovely. Can’t believe how hot it is already.” Verona smoothed her short, gently curling silver hair.

      “It’s Texas, and you’ve lived here all your life,” Elissa said as India poured another glass of lemonade.

      “I know. Guess I’m just getting too old for the heat.”

      Elissa snorted. “If you’re getting old, I’m a green troll.”

      At five foot ten, trim and tanned with long, deep brown hair, Elissa was as far from a green troll as a girl could get.

      “Lippy, I tell you,” Verona said. “Lippy just like your mother.”

      Elissa smiled wide, causing Verona to roll her eyes and shift her attention away from her niece. Her actions and words fooled no one. She adored the ground her niece walked on. Elissa was like the child Verona never had, and she was nothing less than a second mother to Elissa.

      “You have that look,” Skyler said. “The one that says you have a grand plan in play.”

      “I don’t have a plan yet, but that’s something I thought you three could help me with.” Verona took a sip of her lemonade. “I was just over at the tourism office, and Blake said they are looking for something new to draw in more tourists, something to keep the numbers up once the bluebonnets fade away.”

      “Let me guess,” India said. “You volunteered to help think of something.”

      “What can I say? Retirement is boring.” Verona scooted forward in her chair a little bit. “I went by the bakery afterward to pick up some fresh bread, and Keri told me that Jake Monroe’s little girl, Mia, is about to start her cancer treatments.”

      “Poor little girl,” India murmured.

      “That’s when it hit me,” Verona said. “We can accomplish two goals with one event—come up with something that would bring in tourists but have it be a benefit for Mia.”

      “Oh, that is a good idea,” Skyler said. “I’d be happy to help with something like that.”

      Verona patted Skyler’s hand atop the table. “Thank you, dear.” She made eye contact with Elissa then India. “Can I count on both of you to help out, too?”

      “Can’t say no to that,” Elissa said.

      India considered the workload of planning the BlueBelles classes as well as the community event, but then she had one of those lightbulb moments like Verona had at the Mehlerhaus Bakery. “We were just talking about expanding the next BlueBelles offering to several classes. We could have a day-long conference the same day as this community event and donate all the proceeds to Mia’s medical expenses.” Skyler and Elissa quickly nodded their agreement.

      “That’s a wonderful offer,” Verona said, her voice growing more excited. “Okay, then, I guess we just need to figure out what type of event would bring a lot of people to town and be of interest to the locals, too.”

      Over the next several minutes, they tossed out any idea that popped into their heads—an arts-and-crafts show, a play, a singing competition. While they all held merit, none really popped and said, “Hey, I’ll make a ton of money!”

      India СКАЧАТЬ