“That’s the outfit.” Erma nodded and rolled closer to Riley. “You’ve never looked more stunning, sugar.” When Riley smiled, Erma’s heart melted.
“I’m not used to wearing heels,” Riley said, shifting back and forth on her feet.
“They’re wedges, and they’re barely an inch and a half.” Harper went over to her. “You’ll be surprised how comfortable they are to walk in.”
“More comfortable than those stilts you’re wearing,” Bea said to Harper. “I don’t know how you don’t fall over in those.”
“Practice, Bea, practice.” She turned to Riley. “Now, about your hair—”
“Riley, don’t you think you should get back in your own clothes?” Erma asked. Not only was Riley’s hair fine as it was, but a new hairstyle would also be a bridge too far for her granddaughter’s comfort. But Harper didn’t know that. “In case we have customers.”
“Yes, I should.” She turned and hustled to the back room.
Erma had been disappointed this morning when her appointment was canceled, but spending the morning with Bea and window-shopping antique stores had put her in a better mood. Besides, she was finally getting pretty good at maneuvering her chair.
Erma spun in her wheelchair and faced Harper. “That was very sweet of you, Harper,” she said, meaning every word. She took the young woman’s hand and squeezed it. “Just let me know how I need to pay.”
“I’ll take care of it, and you can pay me back,” Harper said, packing the rest of the clothes back in the bag. “That will be the easiest.”
“I can reimburse you in yarn, then.” Mimi winked.
Harper laughed. “No, thank you. Crafting is Mother’s thing, not mine.” She smiled at Erma and Bea. “She does look pretty, doesn’t she?”
Erma nodded. “She certainly does.” She was positive Hayden would think so too.
***
When Riley came out of the bathroom, Erma and Bea were already in the back room discussing the work Riley had done in the shop so far. She left the outfit on its hangers in the bathroom so it wouldn’t wrinkle.
“I’m going to say goodbye to Harper,” she told the ladies. “I’m sure she has to get back to work.”
Mimi nodded, giving Riley a wink, then turned back to Bea.
Riley walked up to the front of the store. Harper was sitting in the Man Chair, scrolling through her phone, the bag on the floor next to her.
Riley pulled over the stool she’d used to reach the top of the shelves and sat near Harper. “I can’t believe you got my sizes right.”
“Fashion is my passion. Besides, you have such a cute figure. You need to show it off more.”
Cutewasn’t the word Riley would use, especially next to the lithe Harper. Still, that didn’t change the fact that the new clothes had made her feel good and attractive. That wasn’t the goal, of course, especially since tonight wasn’t a date. It was a meeting between two friends to discuss a common interest. She wished she didn’t have to keep reminding herself of that.
“What time is Hayden picking you up?” Harper asked, slipping her phone into her purse.
“Five thirty.” Her nerves spiked again, and to distract herself, she continued talking. “He’s taking me to some steakhouse a little ways past Maple Falls.”
Harper chuckled. “Sounds like you’re getting some of your Southern accent back.”
Riley frowned. “I am?”
“A touch. You don’t have a New York accent for sure, but you don’t sound Southern either.” She leaned forward. “Once you start callin’ me sugah dumplin’, then I know you’re here to stay,” she drawled.
Riley didn’t bother to correct her. She couldn’t keep telling everyone she would be leaving soon. They would find out when she was gone.
Harper got up from the chair and grabbed the bag of clothes. “Have a great time with Hayden,” she said, hitching her purse strap over her shoulder. “He’s a good guy.”
“You’re not interested in him?” She hadn’t meant to ask the question out loud. It just popped out. She couldn’t imagine anyone not being attracted to Hayden.
“Oh, he’s cute. Can’t deny that. But he’s not my type.” She smirked. “He’s definitely yours, though.” She walked over to the door and opened it, letting in warm, humid air. “We girls will expect a full report later on,” she said.
