Sunset on Moonlight Beach - Sheila Roberts Page 0,53
clock on the wall, set in an oversized blue water agate, and said to Courtney, “You’ve got five minutes ’til show time.”
Show time. Her heart did a happy skip. Her first fashion show featuring her own designs.
She nodded, then stepped to the center of the store, where they’d squeezed in several seats. “Everyone, if I could have your attention.”
The excited burble of voices died down and a crowd of faces looked her direction.
“We’re going to start our fashion show in just a moment here, so if some of you can find a seat. Sorry we don’t have enough for everyone. I didn’t expect such a crowd,” she admitted.
“Why not? We all love you,” called out Tyrella, who had gone crazy with her credit card.
“Thanks. I never thought I’d see this day. This is a dream come true. Jenna, could you start the music?”
Jenna nodded and cued up Courtney’s playlist on her phone, which was already propped up on a speaker. The first song to play had been an oldie Mel had suggested, “The Girl from Ipanema.” Wherever that was. It was perfect, though, and set the tone.
The first model was Moira, and she came out from behind the backroom curtain, looking like a mermaid with her long, shimmering rainbow hair and the dress she wore draping in layers of teal. Tiny seashells dangled along each layer, dancing as she moved. Courtney had accented it with one of the pieces of the sea-themed jewelry she’d purchased to sell, a teal-colored beaded bracelet with a mermaid charm. To complete the look, Moira wore sandals adorned with a butterfly on the toe.
Her appearance was greeted with a chorus of oohs and ahhs, and women watched appreciatively as she walked the route that Courtney had outlined for her models.
“I was thinking cocktail party when I designed this dress,” Courtney said after describing it. “We’re pretty casual here at the beach, but we still like to dress for those special occasions.”
Next came Celeste, who was down visiting her sister for the weekend, wearing a pair of pastel-blue-and-white tie-dyed lounge pants topped with a cropped light blue sleeveless blouse with appliqued white spiral shells along the bottom. The outfit accented her curves perfectly.
“I love that,” Courtney heard one woman say to her friend. Music to her ears.
“You can dress this either up or down,” Courtney informed her customers as Annie, looking self-conscious, showed off a pale green dress that went so well with her fair coloring.
Rian LaShell, who owned Sandy Claws, the town’s pet supply store, looked elegant in a silver top and white capris, silver earrings shaped like sand dollars dangling from her ears. She had a slender figure and moved like a cat on the prowl. She not only captured the attention of the female customers, she had the few men in the shop paying attention as well. Including Jonas. He and Courtney would have a little talk about that later.
Jenna had changed into her outfit—light gray shorts and a filmy black blouse with a white sea turtle print. It had a low-cut ruffled V-neck. She looked beautiful in it and Courtney could imagine the look on Brody’s face when he saw her. And Seth’s. If that outfit didn’t make Seth Waters get off his butt and do something before it was too late, nothing would.
Next came Rita Rutledge, who owned Beans and Books, followed by Laurel, the hostess at the Porthole, and Piper Lee, who worked for Beach Times writing articles for the Living Section. But it was Kiki Strom, super senior citizen and owner of the town’s favorite tourist shop, Something Fishy, who stole the show. She showed the older women present how they could rock a look when she came out in a white jacket over a blue V-neck T-shirt and a long tapered skirt layered with little bits of iridescent chiffon that looked like fish scales.
“I call this my mermaid skirt,” Courtney said, and Kiki with her slim, petite figure looked darling in it.
Who needs New York? Courtney thought, watching as the customers applauded when her little fashion show ended. It didn’t get any better than this.
The patrons continued to shop, buying up everything that had been modeled in every size available. Crowds always attracted crowds, and more people continued to funnel in, curious to see what all the fuss was about.
“You are going to have to restock ASAP,” Jenna said when the last customer finally left and Courtney was able to turn the sign on the door to Closed.