CHAPTER NINE
Dresses
After leaving their luggage in their rooms, Heath and Margaret walked down the main drag. They stopped in a couple of dress shops, but nothing appealed to Margaret.
"You know," Heath said, "I'll bet we'd have better luck on one of the side streets. Dressmakers can't usually afford frontage on the main drag."
"That's smart thinking," Margaret said.
They turned down the next side street and walked a couple of blocks. They were in a residential area, and nothing looked promising. The found a small house with a sign advertising "seamstress." They knocked on the door but were told they were backed up for months and weren't taking any new business.
They walked further and came upon another house with a seamstress signboard. Just as Heath was about to knock, a middle-aged woman opened the door. She stared at Margaret's bosom. "We don't take her kind," she said and slammed the door.
Heath squeezed Margaret's hand. "We don't like her kind," he said.
Margaret laughed, but it lacked joy. Heath's heart ached for her. He knew what it was like to be scorned for something out of one's control.
They turned a corner and walked back towards town, but on a different side street. They were almost back to the corner where the hotel was when they passed a small yellow house with a sign in front that said "dressmaking, repairs, modifications."
Heath held Margaret's elbow and walked to the front of the house. "Shall we try?"
"We're here," Margaret answered, but frustration already appeared on her face.
Heath knocked on the door. Just as he was ready to turn away, a tall, gray-haired woman opened the door. "How may I help you?"
"We need some dresses made."
A smile creased the woman's wrinkled face. "Come in," she said.
Heath and Margaret walked in. The entire foyer was filled with fabric samples. Several dress forms featured a variety of styles. She eyed Margaret up and down.
Margaret tensed, and Heath squeezed her hand.
"I can see what your problem is," the woman said. "And that should be an asset, not a problem." She looked at Heath. "I'm Mrs. Romano."
"Glad to meet you, Mrs. Romano," Heath said, removing his hat. "I'm Heath Barkley, and this is Margaret."
"Well, let's see what we can find for you." She walked over to a side wall. "Mrs. Barkley, this dress style could easily be made to fit you well."
Margaret and Heath exchanged glances, but neither corrected Mrs. Romano's assumption. Margaret went over to the simple gown with a flowing skirt. "It's beautiful!" she said.
"Let's try it on you." Mrs. Romano led Margaret through a doorway.
Heath waited patiently, although it seemed to him changing clothes shouldn't take so long. He looked at fabric options while he waited.
Finally, Margaret stepped back into the room.
And Heath's breath left him. The woman standing in front of him was gorgeous. Margaret had always been a beautiful woman, but the emphasis on her breasts seemed to take away from all her other assets. The cowl neckline on the royal blue gown accentuated Margaret's hourglass figure without making her appear disproportional.
Mrs. Romano turned Margaret around.
"She's gorgeous!" Heath said softly.
Mrs. Romano smiled. "Yes, she is. And she needs to wear clothes that show her true beauty."
Heath didn't care how much it cost, he wanted Margaret to have every dress she wanted. "How long will it take to make that dress for her?" he asked.
"I already have it pinned for her. It will only take a few hours. I could have it ready by tomorrow."
Heath glanced at Margaret. He was sold on the dress, but he knew it had to be Margaret's decision. "What do you think, sweetie?"
"I like it," Margaret said, checking her reflection in a mirror.
"It looks so beautiful on you."
"Thank you," she said and twirled around. "I feel pretty in it."
Those were the words Heath wanted to hear. "We'll take it."
"Could I get the same dress in other colors?" Margaret asked.
"Of course, dear. Do you like the satins?"
"Yes." She looked at Heath. "What colors do you think?"
"I haven't seen a color that didn't look good on you," he answered. "But emerald green brings out your eyes, and the burgundy brings out your creamy complexion, and purple would also look great on you."
Margaret looked at Mrs. Romano. "Would that be okay? Four dresses? This one, one in green, one in purple, and one in burgundy?"
"Of course, dear, but why don't we try a different neckline?"
"Okay," Margaret said, unsure.
Heath smiled at her, letting her know the final decision would be hers.
Mrs. Romano picked up the top only of an empire-waist dress with a v-neck. "Let's try this one." She took Margaret into the backroom. When they returned, Margaret still wore her underskirts, but no dress. The v-neck fit Margaret perfectly.
Heath nodded his approval.
"This is a great style for a heavy bosom," Mrs. Romano said. "It minimizes the breast so only the husband knows what's really under there."
Heath blushed.
Margaret and Mrs. Romano continued to look at many styles, including a draped surplice neckline that looked fabulous on Margaret. She chose five evening dresses—the fifth one in a red velvet—and six day dresses.
"She also needs a riding outfit," Heath stated. He picked up a bolt of black tweed. "Maybe this for gauchos?"
Margaret smiled. "I like that."
He pointed to a green damask. "Maybe this for a vest?"
"I like the fabric," Mrs. Romano said, "but I think a pink or yellow would match better."
"What about this?" Margaret asked, pointing at a damask with a black background and embroidery in rich browns, creams, peaches, burgundies, and oranges in it.
"Perfect!" Mrs. Romano agreed. "You could wear a variety of blouses under that."
Heath realized there would be a lot more trying on and pinning going on. "Margaret, is it okay if I go over to the train station and see if they have any openings for the cattle drive?"
"Of course!" Margaret said.
"I'll be back in less than an hour," he promised. "And, Mrs. Romano, can you give us swatches of her dresses so we can shop for accessories?"
"Of course," she said.
Heath chastely kissed Margaret's cheek and nodded at Mrs. Romano. He was a patient man, but he was starting to feel closed in. He smiled at the women and exited.
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Heath went directly to the railroad. It took a while to find the manager. He explained that he'd like to bring a small herd of perhaps sixty for transport east. The manager examined the schedule. "We have a few Tuesdays and Wednesdays open," he said. "And we had a cancellation for Friday, September fourteenth."
"I'd like that," Heath said. Two weeks from yesterday. That would give them time to get Sam moved and finish the roundup.
The manager brought out the contract.
"I can sign it as the foreman," Heath stated, "but please allow me a three-day cancellation option. I do need to check with the owner."
"Three days starting now is standard," the manager said.
Heath waited for the contract to be finished, then read it carefully. He'd worked with Jarrod enough to know he needed to question everything. The only point of contention was the weather. The contract stated that the rancher was responsible for full payment seven business days prior to the loading date, and no refund or compensation would be provided for inclement weather or "other emergencies that may transpire"—and the railroad manager made the decision as to the inclemency of the weather or the existence of "other emergencies." The manager refused to budge on the statement. Heath debated. The amount of time the railroad would save them made it an easy choice. And, unlike the volatile spring weather, September was typically mild. Heath finally acquiesced.
He made sure he had a copy of the contract and that his copy said the same as the railroad's copy. Jarrod would be proud.
He didn't know if JR would like this plan or not, but he hoped so. During last year's fall drive he'd asked Nick if he'd consider using the railroad. Nick had still been angry with the railroad because of their recent clash and refused to consider the option. But he didn't need Nick's approval this fall.
Despite his growling stomach that told him lunch should've been hours ago, Heath whistled as he went to pick up Margaret.
Thankfully, they were just finishing up. "How much do I owe you?" he asked Mrs. Romano.
She tallied up the order and told him. "Half is fine now, with the other half due when you pick up the order."
Heath took out a bank draft and paid in full. He had no clue how much money he had in the bank, but he'd not yet taken any out, so he knew had plenty to cover the dresses. He held out his arm to Margaret. "How about some lunch?"
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