Ch 8

Katelyn had managed a few hours of light sleep on her flight back home. Her mind and nerves were getting the best of her. Wade didn't say a word when she told him she had to go home right away to deal with work since her staff at the store had all come down with the stomach flu. Their normal endless kisses and hugs goodbye was replaced with polite goodbyes and Katelyn slamming the hotel room door on her way out. There was no check in call or texts to Wade when she arrived home.

She had stopped briefly at home to drop off her things and change before heading to her store. Katelyn felt slightly overwhelmed as she opened the store knowing she would be the only one to handle everything. She right away got to work on the dresses. Every time she started to sew another customer would enter the shop for most of the morning and afternoon. As the hours soared away she was starting to have worries that she wouldn't be able to get things done like she had hoped. She had just sat down again when she heard the bell on the door go off.

"I'm coming," she called out carefully putting one of the wedding gowns back on the rack. She hurried towards the front surprised to see Randy looking around her shop. "What are you doing here? Don't you have a show tonight?"

"My shoulder is sore taking a few days off to rest it. Don't you remember you gave me your card? I brought my sister Amy to look around since heard Wade telling people you had returned home for work."

"Randy, I really don't have time for games. If you brought your sister than where is she?" she deeply sighed looking up into his eyes trying to figure out if he was lying or not.

"Amy and my mom will be right in. They stopped at the coffee shop next door," Randy said noticing how on edge she was. "Why are you so stressed?"

"I'm the only one here and I can't get anything done. Why would you bring your sister all the way to Tampa for a wedding dress? Don't you live in Missouri or something?"

"I'm in between places. Amy lives in St. Petersburg."

"I need to get back to work. If you sister is…," she was cut off by the door opening again.

"Katelyn, I would like you to meet my sister Amy and my mom Beth," Randy introduced the two women ignoring the look of surprise on Katelyn's face that he was telling the truth.

"It's nice to meet you. Randy told me you can help with my dream wedding dress and later the bridesmaids dresses," Amy shook her hand looking around excitedly at all the gowns.

"I will definitely try my best. Feel free to take a look around I'll be right back," Katelyn excused herself heading to the back of the store. She took a deep breathe trying to gain her composure after giving Randy a hard time when he was telling the truth.

"See I'm not a liar," Randy said stepping into her work room.

"You surprised me again you really are different from that jerk I met at the club," she smirked making him sigh.

"Hey we have an agreement no more mention of the club," he reminded her closing the distance between them as she nodded in agreement. "Katy, I have to be honest with you my main reason for coming here isn't my sister. You said to come find you when I was ready to talk about what happened on our run. Well I don't know if I'm ready but I wanted to say I'm sorry for being a jerk again and you were right I did get upset. Can you forgive me?"

"Thank you for telling me the truth. You didn't have to come here to apologize you could have called."

"I couldn't do this over the phone," he moved wrapping his arms around her pulling her into a strong embrace taking her by complete surprise. "I'm truly sorry Katy didn't mean to upset you," he whispered in her ear.

"Thanks again Randy," she softly said pulling away from him. "Let's not keep your family waiting, we can talk later," she motioned for him to follow her back to help his sister. Randy made himself comfortable in one of the chairs near the dressing room while Katelyn helped his sister find a few dresses to try on. Randy noticed how well the conversation just flowed between Amy, his mom, and Katelyn. It took about an hour and trying on quite a few dresses till Amy found her perfect dress beaming with happiness as she twirled around in front of the mirrors.

"Thank you Randy for bringing me here," Amy hugged him.

"You look beautiful," Randy smiled delighted his sister was so happy.

"It will only need a few alterations. I'll make them then call you in for another fitting then a week before the wedding another fitting just in case have to make any last minute changes," Katelyn said grabbing her sewing basket. "Come on to the back can pin it then you can change." Katelyn helped Amy with the long train as Randy watched after them never taking his eyes from Katelyn.

"You really like her," Randy's mom said making him shake his head.

"She's just a friend," Randy looked at his Mom.

"I've seen that look quite a few times its how your father looks at me and how Robert looks at Amy. You can't fool me. I like her I think she would be good for you."

"She has a boyfriend so drop it," Randy sat back down in the chair.

"I'll drop it for now but have a feeling I'll be seeing more of Katelyn," she smirked making Randy shake his head more. Silence filled the shop as his Mom browsed the dresses and Randy sat quietly thinking about Katelyn.

"Katelyn, thank you for everything we will see you for the next fitting. Amy and I have some more shopping to do but I asked Randy to take you out to dinner to thank you for us," Randy's mom said taking Randy by surprise.

"That's very nice but I have to finish two dresses being picked up shortly," Katelyn glanced over at the clock seeing she didn't have much time left.

"Randy can keep you company and take you when you're done. He has nothing better to do," Amy spoke up realizing what her Mom was up too. "I'll see you soon Katelyn. I will be back with my bridesmaids. Thank you for everything," Amy hugged Katelyn then turned to her brother giving him a big smile. "Be nice to her Randy," she hugged him ignoring the what the hell look he gave her.

"Thanks again looking very forward to seeing you again," Randy's mom hugged her leaving Katelyn speechless as Randy's mom hugged Randy then started whispering to Amy as they left the store. Katelyn stared at Randy seeing he was just as surprised as her by how friendly his family had been with their goodbyes and leaving him behind to take her to dinner.