would be hers. As Mother wanted.
She removed her skirt, corset and petticoats to don the dress. She retrieved a clean corset from the green bag where her undergarments were kept.
“That’s a beautiful dress. May I help you?” Ginger reached for the back of the dress.
“Yes, please. I can button them myself but I appreciate having someone assist me as it makes donning the dress so much easier.”
“I understand completely. I miss having a maid, but I’ve learned to do for myself and, if I really need help, Flint is here to assist.”
Adele held the matching silk wrap to her chest. Normally, she would let the wrap simply lie in the crook of her elbows, but because the bodice was so low-cut she wore it over her shoulders and crossed in front of her, hiding her bosom. “The style had been the ultimate in high fashion when her mother had married forty years ago. “I’m so happy for you that you found love here. I hope Edward and I will do so, too, eventually. I know it won’t happen right away, but I’m hopeful nonetheless.”
Ginger placed a hand on Adele’s shoulder and lightly squeezed. “I hope you do, too. Edward deserves a good woman…someone who will love him. Catherine wasn’t that woman, even though they courted and knew each other. She hated being on the ranch, far away from town. I can understand the loneliness she might have felt, but many people live on the ranch, even if most of them are men. More importantly, I can’t imagine abandoning my child.” She rested a hand on her large belly and the wonderful blessing below.
Adele nodded. “I can’t imagine that behavior either. What kind of woman would do that?”
“Exactly. But enough talk about his late wife. Look at you. You are absolutely lovely.” She put her hands on Adele’s shoulders and turned her toward the bureau.
Adele looked in the mirror. The dress fit perfectly. The style was some forty years out of date, but it was still beautiful. The garment was off-the-shoulder with little cap sleeves and a fitted bodice ending in a deep vee down the front of the skirt. She wore two petticoats with it. Lastly she opened her reticule and brought out her grandmother’s pearl necklace and ear bobs to complete the outfit.
She smoothed her skirt one last time. “I think I’m ready now.”
“All right let’s go.” Ginger took her hand and led her to the living room where Edward waited with two men.
One man was tall, with dark hair a little too long and blue eyes, with a strong jaw, straight nose and full lips. He also had a revolver on his hip. Though he was quite handsome, she thought Edward was more so.
The second man was shorter, with blond hair and a full well-trimmed beard. He, too, was quite handsome.
Ginger introduced them. She started with the man wearing the gun. “My husband, Flint, is the preacher here in Angel Creek. And this handsome brute is Johnny Roberts, a friend of ours who happens to be visiting with Flint.” Then she chuckled. “How often do you find two couples with the same coloring? The men are dark haired with blue eyes and us wives are redheads with green eyes.”
Adele bowed her head. “Pleased to meet you gentlemen.” Then she laughed. “You’re right, but there are subtle differences between our colorings. Edward’s eyes are darker than Flint’s and your eyes are much darker than mine, as is your hair.”
She glanced at Edward.
He stared at her like she was a steak and he was a starving man. “You look beautiful.”
Her stomach did somersaults and her face heated to points in her cheeks. “Thank you. That’s very kind.” No one had complimented her on her appearance in years. She liked that Edward found her nice to look at.
“Nothing kind about it, just stating a fact. You’re lovely.” He held out his arm. “Should we get this done? I’d like to get home. I don’t like leaving Lissa with Cookie too long. She comes up with words no seven year-old should know.”
Adele chuckled. “Who is Cookie?”
“He’s one of the ranch hands. He had some experience cooking so I had him come up and cook for us when Mrs. Underhill needs help or has a day off. All of the men eat their meals with us in the kitchen.”
“He sounds like an interesting man and Lissa sounds quite precocious.”
Edward held his chin high. “She is very smart and she has no qualms about