Page 31 of Snow Kisses

“This is she.”

There was a tinkling laugh. “Well, I’ve run you down at last. This is Jessica Dane, Abby. Has Melly mentioned me to you?”

The boutique owner! Abby’s pale brown eyes glittered with excitement. “Heavens, yes!” she returned, bubbling over. “I was afraid she’d got it wrong and you weren’t really interested.”

“I was, I am, but I couldn’t catch you in your apartment.”Jessica laughed. “Now I’ve got you trapped. Listen, I own a little boutique over the border from you in Sheridan, Wyoming. I’m never going to be able to compete with Saks, you understand, but I have a good mail-order business in addition to a thriving shop.”

“Yes, I’ve heard all about your success from Melly,” Abby said. “She thinks you carry the prettiest leisure clothes short of New York.”

“And that’s why I’m bothering you,” the other woman replied. “Those dresses you designed for Melly are just what I’m looking for to add to my spring and summer line. They’re simple and elegant, they wouldn’t cost a fortune to make and my customers would eat them up.”

“Do you mean it?” Abby burst out.

“Of course I mean it. We could work something out, if you’re interested. I know you make a lot modeling—I broke out of that rat race ten years ago and risked everything to open this shop. Now I’m making just as much as I did in New York, but my feet don’t hurt so much anymore,” she added with laughter in her voice.

“You were a model? Then you know how it is, don’t you?” she asked.

Jessica laughed. “Oh, yes, I know very well. I spent half my time trying to stay out of trouble, and I imagine it’s even worse now.”

“I don’t just go to the parties,” Abby confessed, “and I keep to myself. But then, too, I’m not in that top ten percent. Frankly, I’m sick of it all. I can’t think of anything I love more than designing….”

“Then why not do some work for me?” Jessicapleaded. “At least think about it. I know we could come to an arrangement. You could come down here and look over my business, and I could show you what I have in mind.”

“I’d like that,” Abby said. “I have commitments lined up for the next few months, but come late September, I’m a free agent. Could I let you know then?”

“Fine! Meanwhile, give me your address in New York and I’ll send you some of my catalogs.” There was a smile in the woman’s voice. “Maybe they’ll tempt you.”

“I’m already tempted.” Abby sighed.

“Good. You’ll be easy to convince.” She laughed. “Here, take down my number and call me the minute you make up your mind.” She dictated the digits while Abby jotted them on her calendar. “By the way, Abby, are you going to be at Melly’s wedding?”

“Yes. I designed her wedding dress.”

“Fantastic! I’m invited, too, so we’ll get a chance to meet then. We’ll go off in a corner and I’ll describe some of the new designs I’m looking for. How about that?”

“I can hardly wait,” Abby said genuinely. “Jessica, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the offer.”

“I’m the one who ought to do the thanking. You’ve got great potential, honey. And believe me, in the long run, you’ll make as much designing for the boutique as you will trudging all over New York. And you can do it at your own pace, too.”

“I hope I’m not dreaming all this. Thanks again, Jessica. I’ll look forward to seeing you at the wedding.”

“Me, too, honey. Have a nice day. Enjoyed it!”

“So did I!” Abby laughed. She hung up and stared at the receiver in astonishment. It was like the answer to a prayer. She could give up the long hours and the stress and do what she loved best. She could even come home to Montana!

For one insane moment, she thought about going out to find Cade, to tell him. Maybe it would show him that she wanted to give up all the glitter he thought she couldn’t do without. But as soon as the thought came, she shut it out. He’d just blow up if she interrupted him. And why should he care if she came home? He was letting her stay on his ranch to be near Melly and get herself back together. He might want her—why not?—she was an attractive woman. But wanting wasn’t loving, and he was the world’s most determined bachelor. Marriage wasn’t in his vocabulary—he’d said as much. The ranch was his woman.

Abby sighed and pulled out the herd records she was working on. Anyway, it was nice to have a choice. She could look forward to talking to Jessica about her boutique, and it would pass the time.

The day was a long one, even after Melly came back to help her catch up with the work.

“I’m just tickled pink about Jessica’s offer,” Melly confided as she watched Abby seal a letter. “Are you going to do it?”

“I don’t know,” Abby said honestly. “I’d love to come home. But I don’t know if I could bear it.”

“The loneliness, you mean?”

“Being so close to Cade and so far away from him, all at once,” Abby replied. Her eyes showed the woundof loving hopelessly. “I’d rather be hundreds of miles away than practically next door, Melly. If I can’t have him, I’d just as soon not have to see him at all. It hurts too much.”

---