Ignoring the jab, Lila returned her attention to the phone conversation. “So, do we take it down?”
“What down?” Charlie Grace asked.
“The dating profile.”
There was a brief pause. “No, let’s leave it up.”
“She’ll have our hide if we do.”
Charlie Grace laughed. “Won’t be the first time.”
They were about to hang up when Lila said, “Wait…I forgot. You’re hosting girlfriend night tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah,” came Charlie Grace’s answer. “Why?”
“Well, do you think Mo could join us? I mean, just this once. I’m juggling a lot right now, timewise, and she has the prom dress ready for Camille to try on. I can kill two birds with one stone.”
“How ironic for a vet to be killing off birds! But sure, I’ll check with Aunt Mo and the others. It’s been a while since we all fawned over prom dresses.”
On Friday night, they all gathered at Charlie Grace’s place out at the Teton Trails Guest Ranch. This late in the spring, occupancy remained low until children were out of school and family vacation season started. This left the main lodge at their disposal.
Over at the family house, Charlie Grace’s father, Clancy, had sweetly taken on the role of entertaining his granddaughter. He planned a fun evening of games, ensuring Charlie Grace he’d have Jewel tucked in bed at the proper time while Aunt Mo slipped away to join the group for the eagerly anticipated dress fitting.
With Camille by her side, Lila checked her watch and headed across the grass lawn, past the guest cabins, and in the direction of the lodge built of raw logs with a sprawling wraparound porch sporting rocking chairs and tables.
They climbed the stairs, crossed the porch, and opened the door.
“Hey, there you are,” Charlie Grace called out, her voice tinged with excitement. She stood by the large stone fireplace, her figure slightly bent as she skillfully fed fresh logs to the crackling fire. Although summer was fast approaching, the mountain air still carried an occasional hint of winter chill.
“Champagne’s waiting,” Capri announced, pointing to the table lined with five pretty glass flutes and a tray of finger foods. A bottle was wedged in ice in a feeding bucket next to a couple of sodas.
Lila grinned and pointed. “Nice touch.”
Capri laughed. “Beggars can’t be choosers.” She lifted the bottle and wrapped the top in a tea towel as she prepared to uncork it.
“Where’s Mo?” Camille asked.
Charlie Grace dusted off her hands. “She’ll be here anytime.”
As if on cue, the door opened, and Mo appeared with a hot pink garment draped over her arm. Everyone greeted her as she laid the gown over the back of the leather sofa. “It’s coming together nicely,” she reported, then to Camille, “You ready to try it on?”
Camille enthusiastically nodded. “You bet.”
“Okay, then. Follow me.” Mo picked up the dress and headed up the stairs to where the vacant bedrooms were located.
Capri poured champagne and passed out the glasses. “Sure brings back memories, doesn’t it?”
Reva took a soda. “Yeah, how can one of us have a daughter old enough to attend prom?”
Lila shook her head. “Tell me about it. My breath sometimes catches when I see Camille coming down the hall. To me, she’s still that little toddler who used to say, ‘In a knot, here I come.’”
Laughter rang out.
“I remember,” Charlie Grace said. “That girl had the funniest sayings.”
Reva popped the top of her soda can and drained the contents into a glass filled with ice. “Remember when she started the Lord’s prayer with ‘Our Father, who aren’t in heaven?’”
The room resonated with more laughter as the girls settled comfortably onto the sofas. Capri drew her legs beneath her, a playful spark in her eyes. “Do you guys recall that year when I stubbornly chose a short prom dress just to stand out?”
