Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“You know I will.”
We said our goodbyes, and I immediately rolled over and closed my eyes with a groan, trying my best to ignore the knot in my stomach. Like she could read my mind, my mother walked in with a glass of iced tea and a bottle of Tylenol. “I thought you might need a couple of these.”
“Oh, you are a lifesaver.” I sat up in bed and took the Tylenol from her hand. “I’m too old for this.”
“Oh, hush.” She sat my tea down on the bedside table. “You’re still plenty young for nights out. You just had one too many.”
“I had more than one too many.” I grabbed my tea and took the Tylenol, then told her, “And I’m going to pay for it for the rest of the day.”
“You just need to sleep it off.” She gave me one of her motherly pats, then started out of the room. “I’ll be back in a bit with some soup and crackers.”
“What about Dalton?”
“He’s with your father.” She stopped and turned to face me with a smile. “They’re off having some guy time. Now, stop worrying and get some rest.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
With that, she walked out of my room and closed the door.
I slept off and on for another couple of hours, then eventually got up and took a long, hot shower—which did wonders for what was left of my hangover. I helped Mom with a little laundry, then we all piled up in the living room and watched one of Dalton’s favorite Disney movies.
The next morning, Mom came into my room and asked if I wanted to go into town with her to do a little shopping. I wasn’t really in the mood. I was still a little tired and feeling a little off from the weekend festivities, but Mom insisted. She wanted to help me find a new outfit for the wedding, so I agreed to tag along. We drove into town and parked in front of a small boutique I’d never been to before. Nestled between a bank and a bookstore, it had a quaint sign hanging above the door that read Franny’s Dress Boutique. I was looking at the clothes in the window as I told Mom, “This place looks cute.”
“Oh, you’re going to love it.” She turned off the engine and slipped her keys into her purse. “She has the best sales.”
Feeling hopeful, I followed her up to the front door, and as we stepped inside, a bell chimed, announcing our arrival. The store was filled with a variety of clothing items, ranging from dresses to skirts to blouses, and Mom was right. She had some really great sales.
I started browsing through the racks, and it wasn’t long before a cute little black dress caught my eye. It was made of a soft material and had a flowy skirt that would be perfect for the wedding. I held it up to my body, admiring it in the mirror, and I was about to get Mom’s opinion when I spotted her talking to a man near the back of the store.
He was older with a kind smile and perfectly styled gray hair, wearing a cute little sweater vest, and my mother was yammering on like they were old friends. After a minute or so, Mom nodded her head, then turned and headed over to me.
As soon as she was within earshot, I whispered, “Who was that?”
"Oh, that’s Mr. Bruton. He’s on the town council, and he’s getting a petition together for a new caution light in town.”
“Another caution light?” I rolled my eyes. “That’s the last thing we need. We already have three, and no one knows how to use them.”
“Londyn.”
“Well, they don’t.”
“I happen to think it’s a splendid idea.” She shook her head as she reached for the dress in my hand. “This is cute.”
“You think so?”
“I do.” She held it up to my chest and smiled. “I think you should try it on.”
“You think?”
“Absolutely. I think it will be perfect for the wedding.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
I slipped into the dressing room, and just as I’d hoped, it fit like a glove. I stepped out and did a quick spin, and Mom gasped. “It’s perfect. We have to get it.”
“I think so, too.”
I darted back into the dressing room and changed back into my clothes. I took the dress up to the counter and reached into my purse only to discover that my wallet wasn’t there. “One second. I need to run out to my car.”
Mom immediately stepped over and said, “I can get it for you.”
“No, I’ve got it.”
I didn’t want to get into a debate with my mother, so I quickly turned and rushed out the door. I went to my car and grabbed my wallet from the console. I was about to head back inside when my attention was drawn to the coffee shop across the street.