because I start backwards with a fresh finished product to make a new one.”
“I cannot believe those are made from fruitcake.”
“Not just any fruitcake. Our fruitcake. Yeah. Just for fun, ya know. Everybody loves them.”
“Including me. Okay, well I can’t ask you to make three hundred cookies for tomorrow night. How about—”
“No. I can do it. I’ve been baking all weekend anyway. I can just do more tonight.” She grinned wide, and clapped her hands together. “I’m so glad you liked them.”
“Well, great then.” Vanessa joined Misty at the front door and they drove over to the farm to check for the puppy, but there was still no sign of him. Zack hadn’t seen him since they loaded the trailer yesterday either. Misty pulled around the barn to the house driveway to leave, but as they passed the front of the house, she stomped her foot on the brake. The truck lurched to a stop.
“Oh my gosh. Look!” Misty pointed toward the front porch at something golden. She bailed out, running to the door calling for the puppy with the enthusiasm of a teenager.
Vanessa relaxed a little. Thank goodness.
But near the porch, Misty slowed to a stop and then walked the rest of the way.
Vanessa leaned forward in her seat trying to see what was going on, unsure whether to run and help or sit and wait. Then Misty stooped down and scooped something up, but it didn’t look like Scooter.
As Misty got closer, she could see it was simply a big yellow padded shipping envelope.
“I’m sorry,” Vanessa said as Misty climbed into the truck and laid the package on the console.
“It was just my dress for the dance,” Misty said.
“Well, that’s good news.” Vanessa picked up the package. “Let’s open it.”
“It can wait.” Misty shrugged, and Vanessa wasn’t sure whether the mood was from being worried about Scooter or being shy about the dress.
“I want to see it.”
“You do?” She’d pulled away from the house, heading to the warehouse to check for Scooter.
“Yes. I was Vanessa’s Fine Vintage Frills, remember. Of course I want to see it.”
“Okay. I guess. If you’re sure.” Misty turned at the end of the street.
“We can open it when we get to the carriage house. I know Anna would love to see your dress too. It’ll be fun. Just the girls.”
“Really?”
“Do you know how many years it’s been since I went to a dance?”
Misty giggled.
“Yeah. Don’t guess that. Let’s just say it was a long time, but, Misty, being all dressed up is like becoming a different person. I still remember my first dance. It was like I’d become beautiful all of a sudden, and brave; this is going to sound stupid, but it made me feel better about myself.”
“A dress?”
“It’s the dress. It’s the formality of it. The corsage. The decorations. The music.” A tickle at her nose made her take a breath. “It’s the most magical thing.”
“You make it sound wonderful.”
“It is. I’m so excited for you. Is he nice?”
“Who?”
“The boy you’re going with?”
“Luke? Super nice. He’s really active in school programs and all. He makes me laugh.”
“The best kind,” Vanessa said.
Misty’s phone rang. “Excuse me. If it’s Dad and I don’t answer he’ll get worried.” She pulled off the road and took her phone from her purse. “Hello?”
Vanessa sat quietly as Misty spoke until she realized the conversation was good news about Scooter. She clasped her hands. So glad to know he was okay.
“He’s fine.” Misty’s eyes sparkled as she put her phone down. “He’s all the way over in the next town. It’s like a thirty-minute drive.”
“How did he get that far?”
“The only thing I can figure is that he must’ve gotten on the trailer or in Dad’s truck when they were loading up, and then gotten left behind when they stopped at the feed store to stock up. Dad’s good friends with the guy who owns the place.”
“Let’s go get him.”
“They are going to keep him tonight since they live up the mountain. It’s already snowing up there and the roads get iffy quick.” She smiled wide, then put the truck in gear and pulled back onto the road. “They’ll take really good care of Scooter. They’re the ones who told me what to try to get him healthy. I trust them.”
“I’m so glad he’s in good hands.”
“Me too. I have to admit, I really thought he was gone for good.”
“He’s not. You can breathe easier now.” It was hard to believe the young lady sitting next to her