Page 74 of California Dreaming

For a moment, she saw his expression falter. Was the dress too flashy for a caregiver to wear? Should she go with something plainer? But Valentina had told her they’d be sitting at the same table, so she wanted to look as though she fit in.

“It’s gorgeous.” Arch held it up against her. “Maybe a bit long for you, but we can have it tailored.”

He had a good eye—it was at least an inch too long, but she could adjust the hem herself. That must be why he’d looked at her so oddly for a moment. He obviously thought it wouldn’t fit her. Arch took the dress from her arms, and when she protested, saying she could carry her own finds, he insisted he was there as her assistant.

She was surprised by how much she loved having him with her, when previously thrifting had always been her private thing. But it was nice to have an accomplice—and it was a whole new experience to have a second opinion from someone who really knew fashion and to have a special occasion to shop for.

She found two more dresses, both black, one strapless and falling to her knees, the other lace with short wide sleeves and cut very low in the back. Arch gave both the thumbs-up and showed her a vintage Levi’s denim shirt he’d found.

“Perfect for horseback riding,” he said, laughing, the top hat still on. “When I eventually get back on a horse, that is. But I think you should also have some fun.” He took her to the other side of the store and picked out a pink ballerina’s tutu.

“You’re kidding, right?” She laughed.

He shook his head solemnly. “Maybe this is the moment you realize your true destiny is to be a ballerina. You have to be open to all avenues, Tessa,” he said in a mock serious tone.

Even though he was making her laugh, she had to concede he was a very good actor. Even when he was just messing around with her in a thrift shop.

A glint of silver high on a shelf caught her eye. She reached up and retrieved what turned out to be a man’s walking stick with a silver top. It must have been the height of elegance in its day, but its day had passed. The silver was tarnished and the wood scratched. But it was still a beautiful piece.

She handed it to Arch. “More interesting than a cane from the medical supply place,” she said, joking.

But he turned it over in his hands, studying it carefully. “This is exactly what my character would have used in the Western.” He sounded quite excited. “I can get my dad to polish up the wood.”

She loved that he was totally getting into the world of thrift stores. “Absolutely. And the silver will gleam like new with some polish.”

He tested it, walking a few steps, and it took his weight without any problem. In fact, the stick could have been made for him. “It’s perfect,” he said. “I’ll use this at Moonrise. I can’t believe you found it.”

She gave Arch one of her best thrifting tips. “Always look up high or down low in a thrift store. Everybody looks in the middle, but most of the real treasures are tucked on the highest and lowest shelves.”

“Noted, my thrifting queen.”

They took their wares to the changing rooms, and on the way, Arch grabbed a green dinner jacket and a plaid bow tie.

“Some interesting choices you’ve got there,” she teased.

“I’m an actor, so I can’t resist a little dress-up,” he explained, pulling open the curtain to a changing room. “It’s one of my favorite things about my career—pretending to be someone else for a little while.”

In her own dressing room, Tessa slipped into the red dress first. The fabric was sensational, but it was too long, as predicted. She stepped out to show Arch. He was wearing the dinner jacket with no shirt and the top hat, while leaning on the cane.

“Oh my gosh… it’s so you,” she said.

“Why, thank you, madam,” he replied in a British accent, taking a small bow and doffing his hat. “And may I say, you look incredible in red silk.”

Tessa turned from side to side in the mirror. There was a lot to like about the dress, but it didn’t feel quite right. “I’m going to try the others.”

She slipped into the black strapless first. It fit like a glove, clinging nicely to her curves. But to her mind, it wasn’t quite special enough for a red carpet.

She came out in the dress to see that Arch had found another hat, this one a wool flat cap, and had paired it with the denim shirt. “I’m calling this look ‘sexy farmer who found himself at the rodeo.’”

She laughed and said, “The shirt looks great.” It was so nice to see Arch this relaxed and playful. She’d been worried that he’d be bored, but of course it made perfect sense he would like trying on different costumes.

“What do you think?” she said, doing a little twirl. “I could dress it up with some red lipstick and some nice shoes, but I’m still not sure if it’s red-carpet worthy.”

Arch was complimentary, but said she could wear something more showy if she wanted.

The idea made her panic a little—the last thing she wanted was attention at this ceremony, but she also didn’t want to look underdressed. She tried on the last dress, but it wouldn’t fasten over her bust. She slipped back into her T-shirt.

“The last dress was no good?”

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