A Chance at Love by Beverly Jenkins Page B

girls, she reminded herself. “So, can you have them ready by the day of the wedding?”
    â€œI could.”
    Loreli was liking the woman less and less. “May we see some patterns, then?”
    Mule-faced Millie all but stomped over to a stool, returned with a Godey’s Lady’s Book and practically threwit onto the table by Loreli. “See if you like anything in there.”
    That did it. Loreli looked down at the girls who were staring at Mule-face Mille as if she might be dangerous. “Girls, I think we’re going to find somebody else to make your dresses.”
    â€œGood luck,” the seamstress threw back in superior-sounding tones.
    The girls were watching her warily as Loreli took them by the hand and escorted them to the door. “Good day, Miss Tate,” Loreli said.
    Once outside, Loreli turned back and saw Mildred Tate malevolently watching their departure. What a nice woman , Loreli thought sarcastically.
    As they crossed the street, Dede asked “Loreli, why was Miss Millie being so mean?”
    â€œI think it’s because she’s a good friend of Rebecca’s, pumpkin, and was probably hoping Rebecca would be your new mama.”
    Bebe made an ugly face. “Ugh, we didn’t want Rebecca to be our mama, did we, De?”
    â€œNope. She won’t even let us get dirty. Will you let us get dirty, Loreli?”
    A chuckling Loreli looked down and said, “Dirty as you want, just as long as you take a bath before you climb into bed.”
    Loreli squeezed the twin small hands affectionately, and the girls smiled contentedly in response.
    Their next stop was Green’s General Store. Loreli wanted to see the fabrics he had for sale. If Mildred Tate didn’t want the job of making dresses for the girls, Loreliwould buy the fabric and find someone else who would, even if she had to postpone the wedding.
    The store was filled with customers looking at this and buying that. When Loreli and the girls entered, many of the customers nodded her way and smiled at the twins. Loreli wondered if they’d be so friendly once word of her upcoming nuptials made the rounds.
    Bert Green was waiting on a lady at the counter. When he looked up and saw Loreli, his face immediately filled with panic, but upon noticing the girls, he appeared to relax. Loreli reminded herself to never play cards with him again.
    Ignoring him for now, she and the girls found the fabrics over in the dry-goods section of the store. There wasn’t much to choose from unless you wanted denim, calico, or stiff, serviceable cottons. None of which were right for wedding dresses.
    Bebe picked up a catalog and began to look at the pictures inside. “What about these dresses, Loreli?”
    Loreli took a look over Bebe’s shoulder. “Let me see the front of the book, Be.”
    Loreli smiled at the familiar picture on the cover. It was a Bloomingdale Brothers catalog. The New York City–based establishment carried everything from bridal gowns to roller skates. She was sure to find dresses for them now. Of course it would take a while to get the dresses shipped. She wondered if Reed would mind putting off the wedding for a few weeks. Delaying the ceremony might also give her time to change his mind about marrying her, but then again, the girls had their hearts set on being members of the wedding party. Loreli knew shewouldn’t be able to bear the sadness on their faces if the plans were changed, so she was stuck whether she liked it or not.
    Catalog in hand, Loreli went to the counter. Behind it Bert Green was stacking cans of Mr. Campbell’s Pork and Beans.
    â€œMr. Green?”
    When he looked up and saw it was her, he glanced around nervously before responding, “Uh, yes.”
    â€œMay I take this and return it later?”
    He nodded hastily. “Sure, sure.”
    â€œThanks. Come on girls. How about some lunch? Hungry?”
    They grinned.
    After eating a