Cowboy Take Me Away(65)
The sun beat down, frying the top of her head, making the skin on her arms sting. Thankfully she hadn’t worn stockings or they’d be melted to her legs.
She should’ve gone home. The sun porch would’ve cooled off by now. She could strip, lie on her bed and let the breeze wash over her, hoping it’d wash away the ugly words that’d been tossed around today as if she wasn’t there.
She’d done an onsite first fitting in Moorcroft for Missy Ludwig, the bride, and her two bridesmaids, Tammy and Edie, the catty women Beverly had pointed out to Carolyn. And to make matters more fun, the first bridesmaid she fitted was the brunette, Edie, who Carson had his arm around. Her nasty glower could’ve torched Carolyn’s hair.
Carolyn had stayed professional, just like her aunt had taught her, when Edie started asking questions.
“So you’re really dating Carson McKay?”
“Yes, I am.”
“How long has that been going on?”
“Three weeks.”
“Longer than most. That’s probably just because you’re not from around here.”
“My parents live here.”
“But you didn’t go to school here. Where’d you go?”
“A Catholic academy in Billings.”
“You were studying to be a nun?” She laughed. “That would be a challenge for Carson McKay. Trying to sweet talk a nun candidate out of her habit.”
“Turn to the left please.”
Edie paused as she admired herself in the mirror. Then, “You sure Carson hasn’t dumped you and you just haven’t realized it yet?”
Do not let your hand slip and jab her with this pin.
“He was downright hostile to you that night at the dance when he had his arm around me and invited me back to his place.”
Tell her you and Carson had a fight and he was just using her to make you jealous.
No. She wouldn’t stoop to that level. “We’ve been out almost every night for the last two weeks. I’m surprised you haven’t seen us.”
“But I didn’t see you out with him last night. Looked like he was having a good old time without you. And he wasn’t alone.” Edie smirked at Carolyn’s look of surprise. “Oh, sorry, you didn’t know?”
“I know what I need to.” After Carolyn finished pinning the hem, she said, “Turn.”
“Yeah, right. Bet you don’t know what kind of man Carson really is. He’s using you; he uses everyone. It’s a game with him. He’ll see if he can get you to fall into his bed and he’ll fuck you over as you’re falling for him. Then he’ll drop you like a bad habit—not that he’s dropped any of his own bad habits. He’s done the love ’em and leave ’em thing so many times, with so many girls, it’s no wonder he had to go looking elsewhere for fresh meat.” Edie’s piggy eyes scanned Carolyn head to toe. “Young meat.”
Carolyn blinked at her.
“Oh, sweetie. Are you gonna cry?” she cooed maliciously.
Like I’d give you the satisfaction. “Of course not.” She jerked on the bodice. “Maybe you should think about wearing a padded bra with this dress so there’s not such a huge gap in the bust line. There’s nothing I can do to fix that.” She couldn’t manage a smile. “You’re done. Go ahead and hang the dress on the back of the door and send in the next bridesmaid.”
Edie unzipped the dress and let it fall to the floor. She kicked it at Carolyn. “You hang it up. You’re nothing but the hired help around here.”
Heat blazed in her cheeks as she shook out the dress and hung it up.
The don’t let her get to you self-advice didn’t work.
Tammy the bridesmaid was equally nasty.
As Carolyn packed up her notions bag, she overheard them in the room next door, talking about her as if she couldn’t hear every blasted word.
What is she thinking, screwing around with Carson McKay? Does she think she’s got a chance with him? Please. The only person that man will ever commit to is himself.
I know she’s not from around here, but is she stupid? He’ll use her and move on.
I wonder if she’s seen the notches in his bedpost? A friend of mine swore me to secrecy that she’s actually seen them.
I bet after he dumps her she’ll slink away in embarrassment.
I heard their families have some kind of feud going on and Carson only took her out on a dare from his brothers to make her family mad.
But had Carolyn stood up to them? No. If she spoke her mind she’d come off as a screech owl. Better just to smile and move on.
She’d knocked on the bedroom door and all conversation ended like someone had sucked the oxygen out of the room. “I’ll be back in two weeks for the final fittings. God bless and have a peaceful evening.”