After about forty minutes he got up to go check on Misty. Her door was closed. “You good in there? I’m home.”
“No. Go away.”
He stepped back. He hated the mood swings that seemed to steal his sweet little girl from him some days. “You know that’s not going to happen. Open the door.”
She walked over to the door. Eyes red and puffy, she lookedlike she’d been stung by bees, her lips were so swollen. He tried not to laugh. “What’s the problem?”
“My dress for the dance. Everything. I can’t go.”
“Why?”
“Leave me alone. I’m not going.”
His phone rang. “Hello?”
“Mike? It’s Vanessa. I wanted to thank you for helping me tonight. I’ve got your blanket.”
“Yeah, okay. Right. Good. I’m sorry. I’m trying to deal with a meltdown here.”
“What’s going on?”
“My daughter is in her room crying over a dress, and frankly I’m out of my comfort zone on this one. Part of me hopes it means she’ll never go out on her first date. She may hate life, but I’ll have a happily-ever-after.”
“You know what. I’ll be right over. I think I can repay the favor on this one.”
“But the snow—”
“I know you and Ben just had to pull my car out of a ditch, but I do know how to drive in the snow. Don’t call me, though. I won’t be checking it while I drive in this.”
“Good idea.”
Vanessa hitched her suitcase in her hand. Everything she needed for a fashion rescue was right in this bag. Thank goodness Anna had also uncovered several things at the cottage that would help out, like needle and thread and all kinds of lace and stuff. She’d go back for more resources if needed. Buck had kindly offered his truck to get here.
She walked up to Mike’s front door and gave it a hearty knock.
Mike pulled the door open before her hand hit for the third thump.
“Thank goodness you’re here. I don’t know what to do. I told her I’d get her another dress, but she says there aren’t any other dresses. She’s hysterical.”
“It’s her first dance. This is a big deal.” Then she dropped the serious act. “How bad is it? Did you see the dress?”
“Let’s just say it doesn’t look like I got my money’s worth. Kind of looks like those Halloween costumes we wore when we were kids. The kind that was made out of that really shiny material and came with the plastic mask you could never see out of.”
“That’s not good at all.”
“Apparently.”
“Where is she?”
“Upstairs in her room. Last door on the right.”
She playfully pushed her hand against his shoulder. “You go on out to the barn and do cowboy stuff or something. I’ll let you know when to come back.”
“I—”
“We’re going to be just fine.”
He opened his mouth, but she shook her head. “I promise.”
