Page 36 of Wildest Dreams

Tongue in his cheek, he wanders further down the aisle and grabs some Levi's. Taylor jumps down off the ladder and walks over to me with the shoe box.

“Thanks,” my eyes focus on his beautiful hazel eyes. Auburn hair and freckles dusted across his cheeks. Would put him a couple of years older than me. Maybe.

“Not a problem darlin'” he gives a slow wink and I see he has his father’s charm. Dressed in plaid green and cream shirt, Levi’s, a tanned belt with a huge gold buckle and a tanned cowboy hat to match his boots, he looks the part.

He tilts his hat before disappearing out back.

“Cute,” Orla smirks as she begins pushing Lainey towards the clothes that Eddie had tossed. I follow behind her and take over pushing as she fills the cart.

“I wasn't flirting,” I find myself protesting, cheeks flaming.

“Of course, not,” her lips twitch, “he’s a nice kid, maybe he can take you out one night.”

A nervous laugh bubbles out of me.

“Not really up for dating at the moment,” I mumble as we approach Eddie.

“Okay kid, I think that's everything. Go try some of it on. Orla will let you know if it all fits okay,” he beams at Orla and she gives him a soft nod, thanking him.

I follow her to the changing rooms, it's small, with two dressing rooms. Orla perches herself down on a cow skin stool and Lainey is eating puffs. Placing a kiss on the top of her dark hair, I linger for a moment. I have never loved someone as much as I love Lainey.

Grabbing the handful of stuff that Eddie picked, I trudge into the dressing room. Yanking the curtain across, I hang the clothes on the steel clothes rail.

My nose scrunches a little at some of the color choices he has chosen but I trust him.

Stripping off, I reach for the first pair of skinny legged Levi’s. Jumping up and down to get them round my waist, I button them and glance at myself in the mirror.

They're high enough that they hide my mom pouch nicely.

Grabbing a plaid shirt, it's dusty pink and beige chequered. Slipping it up my arms, I button it up and tuck it into my jeans.

What do I look like.

I tilt my head in the mirror, letting my eyes roam over my new attire.

“You got an outfit on yet?” Orla calls out.

“Yeah,” I inhale deeply and pull the curtain back and her eyes light up.

“Oh I love it, is the shirt comfortable? Jeans fit okay?” she asks, standing with Lainey in her arms, her little mouth sucking hard on her pacifier.

“I think so?” I turn and look at myself in the mirror again before facing Orla. “The shirt isn't pulling around my chest, so Ithink we're good?” I look to her for confirmation, and she holds her thumb up.

“Put the boots on,” she beams and a soft giggle escapes. Bending down, I lift the lid from the box and my eyes widen at the tan cowboy boots. My fingers brush over the cream stitching and my heart gallops in my chest. I had always wanted a pair of my very own cowboy boots, but I never did get them, not until now. I blink away the heavy tears that are forming on my bottom lid and delicately lift them from the box, afraid I am going to break them somehow.

I balance myself as I slip my foot into the boot, and it fits like a glove.

“Well, you look every bit cowgirl,” Orla beams and Lainey scrunches her nose at me, arms and legs kicking with excitement.

“Yeah?” happiness radiates through me.

“Yeah,” she nods in confirmation.

I try two more pairs of jeans, one straight legged, one bootleg as well as some jodhpurs.

I also try on the tanned chaps to match my boots. I had a handful of shirts and tees to take home with me too. I had been thoroughly spoiled.

Lifting the bags from Eddie, I thank him and for the fiftieth time, thank Orla too.

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