LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter One

      “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a cute dress. Just kinda conservative.”

      Kylie Richardson glanced down at the simple blue sheath and sighed. She almost always wore jeans. She liked jeans. They were comfortable, casual, easy. Dresses always made her think of Easter and holding her stomach in. Why on earth had she agreed to go on this date? Just the thought of it made her palms clammy.

      “If I were you, I’d be showing off those curves,” her friend Mallory said before taking a bite of her apple fritter.

      “Well, that’s a nice way of putting it,” Kylie said with a laugh that ended in a groan. Since moving to Blackfoot Falls, Montana, and opening The Cake Whisperer thirteen months ago, she’d gained six pounds. Obviously from enjoying too many of her own cupcakes.

      Mallory stopped chewing and swallowed. “What do you mean?”

      She’d moved from California and opened the bar next door about the same time and they’d become fast friends. Tall and slim with honey-colored hair that Kylie coveted with unabashed envy, Mallory didn’t have to worry about indulging her sweet tooth.

      The bell above the door jingled, saving Kylie from having to reply.

      Aunt Sally, who owned the Cut and Curl—the only beauty parlor in town—walked into the bakery and frowned at the dress. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, you still have that old thing?”

      “I was hoping you didn’t get that at the new consignment boutique.” Rachel Gunderson, another friend who knew practically everyone within a hundred miles, entered right behind Aunt Sally. “It doesn’t flatter you at all.”

      Kylie spotted the elderly Lemon sisters across the street, squinting and trying to see them through the window. “Lock the door, will you, Rachel?” The bakery was closed for the day but Kylie should’ve known better. People around their small town didn’t pay any attention to signs or wait for invitations.

      Usually Kylie didn’t mind, and she certainly welcomed these women. Her aunt was the main reason Kylie had chosen to settle in Blackfoot Falls. But she sure didn’t need any more opinions about her dress.

      Rachel’s attention had wandered to Mallory. “Did that just come out of the oven?”

      “Tastes like it,” Mallory muttered around another bite of the fritter.

      “They’re from this morning,” Kylie said, grateful for the distraction. “I have a couple left in the back. Some scones too, I think. Go help yourselves.”

      Sally looked as if she was struggling with temptation. “Good Lord, girl, I don’t know how you learned to bake like an angel,” she said, smoothing a hand over her ample hip. This month her naturally brown hair was tinted auburn...kind of close to Rachel’s color. “Your mom sure didn’t teach you. That sister of mine could burn ice cream.”

      Rachel emerged from the back with a tray of goodies. “What about the turnovers? Are they off-limits?”

      “Nope. Just forgot about ’em.”

      Sally sighed and snatched one with a dark golden crust. “Sassy’s should still be open. Get on over there and find yourself something sexy,” she said before taking a bite. “By the way, who’s the lucky guy?”

      “Oh, you expect me to volunteer a name?” Kylie brought out a stack of napkins from under the counter. “You really think I’m that stupid?”

      “Well, I figure it’s better than us asking around until we find out.”

      Kylie groaned.

      “You know what? Sassy’s is a good idea,” Rachel said. “Beth Landers dropped off a bunch of clothes yesterday. Nice stuff. Some of it designer.”

      “Then hell yes, you’d better get over there before the Sundance guests get wind of it.” Sally licked the tips of her long red-painted fingernails. “They’ll be swarming the place like vultures.”

      Rachel chuckled. “Good point,” she said, clearly taking no offense. Her family owned the Sundance. Back when the town had faced hard times, it had been Rachel’s idea to turn a portion of the sprawling cattle operation into a dude ranch.

      “Beth has to be five inches taller than me.” Kylie was tempted, though. Beth owned a cute boutique inn on Main Street and always looked so great.

      “You’re close to the same size in every other way. All you’d have to do is hem,” Sally said. “When’s the big night? Tomorrow, right?”

      Kylie nodded.

      “Good. Once you find a dress, come over to the Cut and Curl. I’ll put some highlights in your hair.”

      “Tomorrow really isn’t a big deal,” Kylie muttered, but couldn’t help glancing longingly at Mallory, who was checking the time. Probably needed to go open the bar soon. It gave Kylie a moment to wonder if her own hair was too dark to pull off some honey-colored highlights.

      “Of course it’s a big deal. You waited a whole year before diving back in after you got rid of Gary. That was very sensible.” Sally smiled gently. “And don’t let your mother tell you otherwise. I love my sister dearly, but that woman doesn’t know how to live without a man. I hope she’s not still harping on you to take back that no-good cheating bum.”

      Heat flooded Kylie’s face. The other two women knew about most of her past. But it wasn’t a topic she liked discussing. Especially now that the year she’d given herself had stretched to nearly fourteen months. She wasn’t ready to date. She barely even knew how. Gary had been the only guy in her life since high school.

      “Hey, I’ll go with you to Sassy’s,” Rachel said with an understanding smile.

      “Oh, hell, I didn’t mean to upset you, honey.” Her aunt set the turnover aside on a napkin, a worried frown creasing her heavily made-up face.

      “You didn’t.” Kylie shrugged. “I just don’t want to spend money on a dress I’ll probably never wear again.”

      “You will.” Mallory wiped her hands. “Do you know how many cowboys who come to the Full Moon are dying to go out with you?”

      “Oh, God.” Kylie rolled her eyes. Just what she needed. Another cowboy.

      Mallory grinned. “Go to Sassy’s with Rachel,” she said. “I’d go, too, but I have to open soon. Besides, I’m hopeless at shopping for dresses. You know me, I’m always in jeans and T-shirts.”

      Nodding, her mouth full, Rachel mumbled, “Just let me finish this fritter and we’ll go.”

      Kylie glanced around her small shop. She still had to clean out the glass case and sweep and mop the floor. Get the coffee ready for tomorrow morning’s rush. At least the kitchen was finished.

      She looked down at her frumpy dress. It couldn’t hurt to spend a few bucks on something that had been manufactured in the twenty-first century.

      “Hey, where’s the other turnover?” Sally asked.

      Still chewing, Rachel pointed to her tummy.

      Sally’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re kidding?”

      Mallory looked surprised too, but she just laughed and headed for the door.

      “Nope,”

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