Page 38 of Kissing the Sheriff

“She should be looking at white fabric, pearl buttons, and some lace,” Dora said. “When are you going to marry that man?”

She shrugged. “We’re still … talking about things.”

“What things?” Dora scoffed. “He loves you, you love him. Get married, for Heaven’s sake.”

Letty blushed. “We’ll get around to it.”

“You’d better hurry if Sterling and his brothers still plan to leave in a few weeks,” Cassie said. She watched Letty a moment. Her eyes were fixated on the bolt of red velvet. “Are you … going to leave us?”

Letty, startled, looked up. “I don’t know yet. There’s so much to think about.”

Alma’s shoulders slumped. “If you do, you have to promise to write us every week. The letter could be to all of us so you don’t have to write scads of them. That way we could read one together and make an afternoon or evening of it.”

Dora smiled. “That sounds like fun. We could have tea and cookies or maybe dinner.”

Letty took a step back. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

“Is that why you haven’t started on a dress?” Dora asked.

“I … well, I’ve thought of something else for that,” Letty said.

“What?” Jean asked.

Alma smiled but said nothing. Cassie studied them both. “You ordered a dress?”

Letty shrugged. “I don’t have time to make one.”

“But how long will it take to get here?” Cassie asked.

“Dora told me of a dressmaker in Virginia City who has ready-made wedding gowns. Captain Stanley is bringing one back for me.”

Cassie’s jaw dropped. “You’re letting thecaptainpick out your wedding dress?”

“I’ve seen them and told him which one to get,” Dora said. “It’s beautiful.”

Cassie covered her mouth, which spoke volumes.

“It won’t be terrible,” Letty assured her. “You’ll see.”

Cassie let her hand drop. “I didn’t say it would be. I’m just surprised, that’s all. But considering the circumstances, I can understand why you’re doing things this way. You might be leaving with the rest of the Darlings.”

Letty nodded but said nothing. It was clear she didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

Cassie didn’t envy her. She would have to figure out what to do with her farm if she left for England, not to mention who would take care of her livestock in the interim.

“Let’s talk about the dance,” Alma said. “Before I get too many customers. They tend to come in all at once.”

“Good idea.” Dora pulled a small pad and pencil from her apron pocket. “All right. Where are we going to hold it? Something was said about the street.”

“There’s a better place,” Cassie said. “Captain Stanley’s meadow.”

The other women exchanged looks and nodded. “That could work,” Dora said.

“Conrad said the grass could be mowed for the dance area, with tables of food at one end, the musicians at the other, and people could bring chairs from home and line them up on the two remaining sides.”

Another exchange of looks. Letty smiled. “That’s brilliant.”

Cassie shrugged. “I wish it was my idea, but it’s not.”