Page 11 of All Dressed Up

Way to be subtle.Rachel knew what Bethany was getting at, so she finished her sentence. “If the trunk produces a wedding dress for a randomly selected single woman and not me, then we have our answer.” She threw her hands up. “I’m going to die alone.”

Bethany gave her a sympathetic smile. “I don’t think that is your fate.”

Maybe not, but she was beginning to think she would be the last bachelorette of Buttermilk Falls left standing. She sighed. “You’re right. Having another woman open the trunk first is a good idea. We might as well confirm it once and for all that I’m destined for spinsterhood.”

“I sincerely doubt that is your destiny.” Bethany led the way back to the bar, tapping the back of the young woman who’d arrived earlier and was still sitting alone. “Hi. Are you single by chance?”

The woman turned to face them, looking all kinds of confused, so Rachel stepped in. “What my friend Bethany means is are you waiting for a guy?”

That got a laugh. The woman brought her long, black hair to the side. She had on a cute fuchsia minidress that showed off her brown skin. “Does it show? I’m waiting for a blind date. I mean, it’s kind of blind. I know what he looks like. I’ve seen him around town.” She laughed, shaking her head. “I’m sorry for that ramble.”

Rachel smiled, sensing the woman’s nerves. “Sounds like the perfect blind date.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Rachel.”

“Amber,” said the woman, shaking Rachel’s hand.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time. The inn is a perfect spot for a first date.” Rachel let that last sentence marinate as a vision of Will and her cozying up at the other end of the bar popped into her head. Her hand on his muscular thigh, laughing at something he said.

She closed her eyes for a second. If they hadn’t gone straight to sex, would they have had a romantic first date?

“So, Amber, would you like to know if this guy is the one?” Bethany asked.

Rachel set all thoughts of Will and first dates aside to listen to Amber’s response.

“Um... Yes...” Amber paused, glancing from Bethany to Rachel. “I mean no. I don’t think so... it’s only our first date.”

“But if you knew,” Bethany pressed, and Rachel couldn’t help but wonder if Abby’s Summer Spell had gone straight to her friend’s head. It did pack a powerful punch. “If you could have a hint that this date tonight might lead to something long-term, would you want it?”

“Maybe...”

Rachel could tell from Amber’s hesitation that she wasn’t so sure. That or she thought Bethany was a crazy lady. “Let me explain. Before the owners refurbished the inn, this place was pretty spooky. Completely abandoned, and legend had it that it might be haunted.” Rachel nodded over to Brandon. “They found an old antique chest on the second fl—”

“I found it,” Bethany interrupted, pointing to herself.

“Right. Bethany found a trunk on the second floor.” Rachel lowered her voice so she didn’t share the next sentence with the other patrons around them. “Bethany and our friend, Emma, both opened the trunk on two separate occasions and found their dream wedding dresses inside. I’m about to go up there and open it to see if there is one in there for me. Do you want to give it a try, too? At the very least, you’ll get a tour of the inn. It’s breathtaking inside.”

Amber blinked and took a sip of her drink. “Sure. Why not?” She shrugged her shoulders and picked up her phone. “My date won’t be here for another thirty minutes. I wanted to come early and have a drink.”

Rachel could appreciate that. First dates could be nerve-racking.

“All right. Let’s go,” Bethany said, leading the way up the hill to the inn’s entrance.

Once in, Rachel took a couple of minutes to show Amber the first-floor foyer, living room, and kitchen. Brandon and Abby had done such a top-notch job refurbishing the interior, it was easy to show off the gorgeous mahogany details and beautiful chandeliers.

And yeah. Sure, she’d admit it. She was stalling.

While on the tour, they learned that Amber was new to Buttermilk Falls, working full-time at one of the local wineries and teaching yoga part-time out of the Elks Lodge. She was currently looking for space to open her own studio.

That might be hard. Rachel knew how premium Main Street space was with Bethany snagging the last vacant place a few months ago for her photography business. Her friend’s business was doing well, and she was currently pulling double-duty running the Christmas Corner while her parents were away on an African safari.

They both promised Amber they’d keep their eyes open for any opportunity.

“All right. Let’s go.” Bethany led the way up the twisted staircase to the second floor.

Standing outside the guest room’s closed door, Rachel’s heart began to pound. She let Amber go ahead of her and took a deep breath.

Here we go. She stepped in, glancing down at the exquisite antique hope chest with its rich chestnut color and intricate carvings against the wall exactly where it had been the last time she was there. She bent down, but Bethany’s hand yanked her back up.

“I want Amber to go first,” Bethany insisted and pointed to the double bed. “You take a seat for the moment.”

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