Bed and Breakfast Read Free Page B

pushed back the messy line of blouses, blazers, summer dresses and coats hanging in the closet. There had to be a nice dress in there somewhere.
    Then I found it. Forgotten and hanging in the back was a little black dress. The dress was sleeveless; only thin straps held it up. If the dress still fit, it would show too much skin and too much cleavage. That was exactly what I was looking for.
    But would the dress fit?
    I took off my jeans and T-shirt and slid the dress on over my head. I struggled to get into it. The dress was just a bit tight. I had put on a few pounds in the past five years. But I managed to get it on.
    I kicked my sandals and runners out of the way and hunted for my shiny black high-heeled shoes. I slipped them on. Then I rummaged throughmy jewelry box until I found my fake-diamond earrings.
    When I was fully dressed, I stepped in front of the mirror. “Wow!” I said to myself. The little black dress hugged my womanly curves. I hardly recognized myself.
    Brent just happened to walk out of the bathroom as I was coming downstairs. He stopped and stared up at me. “You look absolutely wonderful,” he said.
    That was my Cinderella moment. I felt like the cleaning girl transformed into a princess by her fairy godmother.
    But then my heel caught on the bottom step and I fell down. I landed on all fours right at Brent Henderson’s feet.

Chapter Eight
    “Shit,” I muttered as I got up off the floor. So much for my Cinderella moment.
    Brent helped me up. “Are you all right?” he asked me.
    “I’m fine.” I laughed to cover my embarrassment as I brushed off my little black dress. “I haven’t worn high heels in a long time,” I said. “They take a little getting used to.”
    “Well, then,” Brent said, offering me his arm. “Let me help you keep your balance.”
    I put my arm through his, feeling both foolish and excited. Here I was, walking arm-in-arm with such a gorgeous man! He led me to the front porch. I kept my mind on getting down the steps without falling again.
    The evening was pleasant. The sun shone, though I could see a few storm clouds building. We never know what kind of weather we might get here. The sky can be clear one hour and dark with rain the next.
    “You say the restaurant is within walking distance?” Brent asked as we reached his car.
    “Yes, just up the road.”
    “Shall we walk, then?” He grinned at me. “Or are you up to it?”
    “I think I can manage,” I said. But as soon as I said that, I slipped on the gravel under my high heels. I smiled at him, hoping he wouldn’t notice my embarrassment.
    “Are you sure you can manage?” Brent asked. He actually looked concerned.
    I nodded, blushing. “I’ll be fine,” I said. Those damn shoes weren’t going to stop me from having a romantic arm-in-arm stroll with Brent.
    Once we were on the pavement, I found walking easier. But I knew I would have blisters on my heels when I got home.
    Our town is very small. Everyone knows everyone. On that sunny June evening, almost all my neighbours were outside enjoying the weather. Many were making supper on their barbeques. They watched Brent and me as we walked up the road arm-in-arm, all dressed up. They stared at us, in fact.
    Brent smiled and nodded at them. For the most part, they seemed too stunned to say anything, even hello.
    “Friendly town,” Brent said, glancing at me. His face told me that he meant my neighbours were anything but friendly.
    “They don’t mean to be rude,” I told him. “They don’t often see a man as handsome as you.” I lowered my voice as I added, “I find it hard not to stare.”
    “Well, thank you,” Brent said. “But they’re not looking at me.”
    I glanced back at my neighbours. Brent was right. My neighbours weren’t staring at Brent. They were staring at me.
    I looked down at myself, to make sure my dress still covered what it should. It showed a little too much cleavage, all right, but that was on purpose. “I guess