JOLPE’S WAS AN odd fit for a small Western town. It would have suited Beverly Hills or Manhattan just as easily. It seemed to cater to the richest patrons, because you could buy anything from diamonds to evening gowns to the latest ski gear.
Merrie, who’d been in only midrange stores in San Antonio, even after their father’s death, was fascinated.
“Coats,” Delsey said. She smiled. “You pick out whatever you want, honey. I’ve got Ren’s black card in my pocket.”
“That’s very kind of you, and him, but I pay my own way,” Merrie said softly.
“Child...”
Merrie patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll get something nice, I promise.”
Delsey just sighed. “He’ll kill me.”
Merrie laughed softly. “He won’t know.”
Delsey looked worried. But she gave in. “All right, then. I’m going next door to the coffee shop.”
“I’ll come find you when I’m through.”
The older woman hesitated again, but the determination in Merrie’s face defeated her. She just smiled and accepted defeat.
*
MERRIE FOUND A gorgeous black wool coat with a mink collar. It suited her blond fairness and gave her a sophistication she’d never had. She loved it at first sight. It wasn’t exactly the thing to wear out on the ranch, but it would pair well with an evening gown. Even the saleslady said so. She bought it, and then found a shearling coat similar to Ren’s that she could wear when they went riding.
Then she wandered into the evening wear department, where a kindly older woman asked if she could help.
“Yes,” Merrie said quietly. “I have scars on my back, and I need a couture gown that won’t let them show.”
The older woman looked at her sympathetically. “Let me show you what I have,” she said softly. “It’s an odd sort of gown. We haven’t had anyone interested in it, because it’s not traditional.” She stared at Merrie and smiled. “But I think it might suit you. Let’s see.”
It was an Asian-inspired dress, probably the most expensive gown in the store. It was cherry red, with black frog buttons that led up to a high neckline. The skirt had discreet slits on both sides and fell to her ankles. It was exotic and shouldn’t have suited her. But it did.
Looking in the mirror, Merrie felt like a fairy princess come to life. She almost gasped at the difference the dress made in her appearance.
When she came out of the dressing room, the saleslady was fascinated. “Yes,” she said, nodding. “I thought it might suit you.” She smiled. “My dear, you’ll be the talk of the town in that. It’s the most expensive model we carry, though...” she added worriedly, because she’d seen Merrie wearing clothing that was obviously off-the-rack.
Merrie smiled. “I can assure you that nothing in the store is beyond my pocket. It’s all right.”
“I’m very sorry...”
“Not necessary. I’m still getting used to having money.” She laughed softly, and it brightened her eyes and made her look beautiful. “I’ll take it,” she added.
The saleslady beamed.
*
MERRIE PAID FOR her coats and dress with her own gold card. She added a pair of designer boots and some new jeans and sweaters to the pile. She felt more exhilarated than she had in years. She couldn’t wait for Ren to see her in the dress. She wasn’t even going to let Delsey see it until the night of the party. She was going to shock people. It felt great.
They were driving back to the ranch when Merrie had a twinge of fear. She’d used her credit card. What if the man who was stalking her looked at such things? What if he could track her through her credit card or through her Amazon purchases?
She suddenly felt sick. She should have been more careful. Ren knew why she was here, but Delsey didn’t. She glanced at Delsey with concern on her face. The older woman had become family to her in the time she’d been at the ranch. She didn’t want anything to happen to her.
Delsey misinterpreted the look. “You did get something nice, didn’t you? For the party, I mean?” she worried.
“I got something beautiful,” she replied. “Don’t worry. I have some money of my own. I inherited it from my mother. That’s what I used for the gown, and my coats.”
“Coats?”
“I got two,” she confessed sheepishly. “One to wear when Ren takes me out riding and the other to wear with my lovely new dress.”
“All right, then.” Delsey smiled but she was worried. She wondered if their houseguest knew much about high society and the brutal way women who traveled in those circles could act toward women who didn’t have dress sense, or who wore cheap clothing. They’d eat poor Merrie alive if she showed up in an off-the-rack gown, and Ren would blame Delsey for not insisting on going in with her and paying for her things.
On the other hand, Merrie was an artist, so perhaps she’d know how to dress properly for fancy parties. Delsey certainly hoped she did.
*
WHEN THEY GOT back home, Delsey helped carry the bags upstairs. There were several of them.
“Thanks,” Merrie said.