Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 2, Page 12
Nathan got an earful when his ladies came back home from their shopping spree at the dress shop. He laughed at their non-stop chattering as they all pitched in to make dinner together. He heard all about skirt lengths, fabric colors, shoes, and hats and gloves.
"Nathan, there are a lot of choices, but it's so thrilling to find a dress that you've only dreamed of before now become a reality. I feel like a princess!" Dee grabbed his hands and twirled.
"You are a princess in my eyes!" Nathan gave her a kiss. "and you are my Prince Charming!" Dee quickly returned the compliment much to Emily's delight.
Allie just giggled and set the table. Soon all sat down with the sauerbraten Emily had prepared before she left for town. Emily looked at Nathan and suggested that he say the grace. As they held hands Nathan took a breath and repeated what he had heard his mother say so often and added, "God bless the cooks! Amen."
"Doesn't anyone want to hear how my day went?" Nathan teased.
"Dad!" Allie rolled her eyes. "We still have to decide what we're going to wear. Today we saw what was there, but now we have to go back tomorrow to make our selections."
"Far be it from me, I don't know what's taking so long. I think I'll just shine my shoes, grab a suit and go to the party. How hard is that?" Nathan asked.
"There are not only dresses to choose, but accessories like gloves, shoes, jewelry, and the like. Your Ma wants to get a new hat and shoes to go with one of her skirts and blouses." Dee gently explained to this man she was marrying.
"My son, this is very important to me. We must look our best as we celebrate your engagement. This will be my only engagement dinner I will be a part of. I want to make a nice impression for you in this town, without robbing a bank" Emily shared.
Nathan grabbed his mother's hand and reassured her that he loved her no matter what anyone thought about her and that, "You deserve a new outfit, especially after all these years wearing the same clothes. So, buy what you want, please."
"Dad," Allie said, "I did find black shoes with a little heel. Those shoes will work for the party and the wedding. I'm just trying to find the right dress now for the dinner party."
"We need to find the right dress for Allie," Dee started, "she's too young for some of the ladies' gowns, but too old for the school dresses she's been wearing. You have a growing young lady blossoming into a butterfly, haven't you seen it?"
Nathan cleared his throat, "Umm, no," he said as his gaze shifted to Allie. He saw the long fingers that strummed her guitar, her long brown hair in soft curls held back from her face with a barrette, the long lashes batting around her big eyes, and more curves than he would like to acknowledge, of his daughter. He looked with love on this lovely young woman growing right in front of his eyes.
"Allie, you make me so proud. You are a lovely young lady and I know the boys are interested, especially Robert, so I want you to pick out a dress that is age appropriate with help from the ladies at the shop, your Oma and Dee. It's your decision what color, but ultimately let Oma and Dee decide" Nathan said.
Everyone smiled but Allie. "Dad!" was all she said, but she was still very excited to get a new dress.
The next day, as promised, they went back to Dottie's Dress Shop. Dee knew she was going to go with the dress that caught her eye first thing. It was so pretty, a sapphire blue with a v-neck trimmed in blue lace. The front of the bodice had silver gem-like sparkles sewed throughout the bodice and down the front of the flowing fabric of the skirt. It brought out her beautiful blue eyes. As she tried it on, she really did feel like a princess. The consensus of the ladies was unanimous, so Dee had her dress. She found a lovely silver white handbag and shoes to match. She looked stunning!
Allie agreed to a long soft pink dress with see-through chiffon long sleeves with a lace cuff, and a crisscrossed satin ribbon across the bodice. When she tried it on she looked lovely and grown up. Rosemary had a pinafore for her too. Emily had the necklace at home that would bring it all together. Allie was thrilled!
Emily spotted a sweet blue floral dress with a square neckline trimmed in lace with buttons down the front of the bodice and lace around her waistline and bottom edge of her half sleeves. When she saw the price, she just about left it on the rack, but Dottie caught her eyeing it and coaxed her into trying it on. When she did, that's all it took, as she agreed that she looked pretty snappy if she said so herself.
The ladies were once again chattering all the way home. Luckily, Allie didn't need any fitting, only Dee and Emily, but that was just a little tuck here and there. They could pick up their dresses on Thursday. When Nathan came in, they were much quieter this time as they got all their discussion done so they could relax during dinner. Dee had asked Faith to join them so she wouldn't have to eat alone again. Faith always enjoyed Emily's cooking, as most people did.
After dinner, they were talking over a cup of coffee and lemon pie, when the telephone rang.
Nathan answered the telephone to discover it was Dee's mother so he called Dee over to take the call.
"Hello Mom, what a nice surprise!" Dee greeted her as she started telling her all about the dress she chose for the engagement dinner party. When she continued to tell her about Allie and Emily's dresses, she stopped to listen.
"Oh no, Mom," Dee said disappointed, "really?"
"I'm sorry honey," Bertie said, "we just can't make the dinner party. Dad says it's just such a long trip by stagecoach for an overnight stay. He wants to save money for the wedding trip. We do love you."
Dee hung up the telephone feeling discontented. After explaining why, Nathan came over to Dee and gave her a long hug. "Sweetheart, that's understandable. It is really too long of a trip for them for such a short time. Dorothy and her family will be here though," Nathan said as he gave her a hug.
"You're right, I just wasn't thinking about the distance. I know you are the one I'm marrying, and you better be there!" Dee said. "Speaking of which, what are you wearing?"
