Divine Charity(Divine Creek Ranch 18)(53)

“Are you a senior?”

“No, ma’am. Junior.”

“Do you have any thoughts on colors? Going traditional or are you planning to set a trend?”

Justine bit her lip and then said, “This is the first formal wear I’ve ever tried on. I’m not sure what I’m doing. Maybe red?”

Grace and Charity sat on a settee that had been thoughtfully provided. Charity had been keeping an eye on Grace all morning because she’d seemed more tired than normal.

Presley Ann took out her smartphone and began flicking her finger across the screen. “Don’t worry, ladies, I’m not texting on the job. I’m looking something up.” After a minute, she said, “Hmm.” Her tone sounded optimistic as she began sorting through dresses.

Justine looked at Charity and said, “She’s up to something, isn’t she?”

“Bet on it, honey.”

Presley Ann grabbed a select handful of dresses from the racks and turned to Justine. “The Divine High School colors are red and white, right?”

“Right,” Justine said.

“There are going to be lots of red dresses at this event. Lots of red bowties, vests, and cummerbunds.”

Grace said, “I’ve worked in this department during prom season before, Justine. She’s right. Red is the number-one seller.”

Presley Ann spoke, her eyes sparkling, making her pale complexion seem not quite as drawn. “Do something different. Choose something your date won’t expect.”

“How do I do that?”

Presley Ann gazed at the dresses she’d picked, shuffling them in her hands, and said, “He’s going off to college after this summer, right? He’s pretty excited about it?”

“Very,” Justine said with certainty.

“He’s as ready to leave high school behind as you probably will be next year, given your goals and plans for your life, right?”

“Right?” Justine replied, the question obvious in her voice and then she tilted her head as she looked at all the dresses in Presley Ann’s hands and smiled.

In a low voice, Presley Ann said, “Since he asked you to the prom, I’m assuming he likes you, and you like him and don’t want him to forget about you back here in Divine, right?”

Justine blushed and glanced at Charity. “Yeah, I suppose so.”

Presley Ann laid all but one of the dresses aside and guided Justine to stand in front of the big mirror near the dressing rooms and held a gorgeous, shimmering mermaid dress in blue and gold in front of her. “Every time he sees his school colors he’ll think about you.”

Charity snorted and nudged Grace gently with her elbow. “Presley Ann is as bad as you, Mrs. Matchmaker.”

“Oh, shh,” Grace said with a snicker. “She’s making an excellent point.”

The dress was two-toned, with gold chiffon set with gold sequins and beads into the lower, flowing part of the skirt up to the knee and then gradually skimming upward from the knee in a body-hugging sleeveless style with royal blue stones and beadwork. There were panels of sheer blue mesh at the midriff and the shoulders and the round neckline. The blue stones made Justine’s blue eyes glow.

Justine turned it. “This is backless.” Justine took a doubtful look at her curvy bust and slid a forearm across her middle. “And so snug…everywhere.”

Presley Ann flapped a hand dismissively. “Trust me, sweetie, you’ll want to see this one on. And don’t worry about going backless. I can help you find foundation garments to help in that department. And you have nothing to worry about. This dress is made from a fabric that stretches and will be comfortable all night. Besides that, you’re gorgeous and you should be proud of your curves.”

Grace chuckled and said, “You come from a long line of voluptuous women, Justine.”

“Kickass voluptuous women,” Charity added.

Grace whispered so only Charity could hear. “Kickass voluptuous women who age gracefully into sexy cougars.” Without taking her eyes off of her daughter, Charity stifled a chuckle and returned Grace’s fist bump.

Presley Ann held several others up in front of her that were also blue trimmed with gold and Justine selected three to try on. While Presley Ann was getting her set up in a dressing room, Grace whispered, “I’m liking Presley Ann more and more by the second. She’s seems to be a different person. I wonder what caused the change.”

Charity shrugged nonchalantly, liking the change, too. Presley Ann looked like she’d lost a little weight since the last time she’d seen her, at the lab, and Charity hoped she was feeling okay.

The deep timbre of a masculine voice drew her attention from the main aisle. She peeked through the dress displays and spied Leah Woodworth walking with Patterson Elder, one of the local city cops, both with large coffee cups from Divine Drip in their hands. Leah’s cheeks were glowing as she spoke quietly to Patterson, who nudged her and whispered, “Not even one kiss, fluff?”