Chapter 8

Millie held the package with the gown and waited for Corinthia to finish with a customer. The new outfit she wore made her feel important. She would have to thank Corinthia for her help. Because of her and Fritz, Millie wouldn't be embarrassed to show up at the ball this weekend.

The gown was beautiful, just a little too big at the top. Millie blushed. While Corinthia was well-endowed, Millie was not. So, she needed to bring the gown in for adjustments. Fritz had encouraged her to wear her new clothes. She'd not wanted to but had to admit that once she put on her new outfit, she was pleased. The man had excellent taste.

It was nice to look like a young woman and not a scrappy girl. Millie sighed. Life was not easy. Now, she was at the shop of an old friend who belonged to the family that was her father's enemy. The ball this weekend should be interesting. Only the wealthy were invited, and it would be one of the few times when she would see the Chadwicks.

She wouldn't be at this shop if Fritz hadn't gotten the gown from Corinthia. Fortunately, the other clothes fit and didn't need any alterations.

"Millie, what a pleasant surprise. I haven't seen you since the last ball." Corinthia's smile looked genuine.

Putting on a smile of her own, Millie handed her the gown. "I need some alterations for the gown. Can you get it done before the ball?"

"Yes, I promised Fritz I would be sure to have it done in time. He has very good taste in clothes." She glanced at Millie. "He's a handsome man too. Are you going to the ball with him?"

"No, I'm going by myself." Millie met Corinthia's gaze. That the woman had her hopes on Fritz was obvious. As far as Millie was concerned, Corinthia could have him.

"Who do you intend to dance with?"

Millie sighed. "I'll see who is there." She tried to sound confident. Yet, even as she spoke the few words, Millie could tell she sounded lost.

Corinthia gave her a sly grin. "Preston is home. He's a doctor now and intends to stay in Denver. I remember how you used to like him."

Millie turned her gaze away from Corinthia. While Preston did interest her, Corinthia was the last one she wanted to know how she felt about the woman's brother. "I haven't seen him in four years. That's a long time. People can change a lot. Circumstances can change us even more."

The shop owner chuckled. "That's true." Corinthia took the gown. "I'll have this done by tomorrow. Step in the dressing room, and I'll mark the gown."

"Thank you. I'll have Fritz pick it up." Millie walked into the dressing room and put on the gown. She stepped out, heard the door open, and turned to see Preston.

"You're just in time, brother. Look who is here."

Millie knew she was blushing as her neck to her cheeks blazed hot. She held up the top of her gown and wished she could become invisible.

Preston walked toward her and held out his hand. "It's been a long time."

Millie glanced at Corinthia. The horror of it. Holding up the top of her gown, there was no way Millie could free one of her hands. "It's nice to see you, Preston." She turned her back to him. "Will you do the alterations in the other room?"

Corinthia suppressed a grin and nodded. "Preston, will you excuse us as we work on the gown? Then I'll turn Millie over to you so you can catch up with each other. I need to get this gown finished before the ball this weekend."

His face reddened as he turned away. "I'll look at your men's suits."

Once they were in the back room, Millie sighed. "I have never been so embarrassed. Of all people to catch me in such an inopportune time."

Corinthia chuckled. "Sorry, I thought it rather funny. You both blushed the same color of red. Now, let me get my pins." She ducked behind a curtain and came back with a small box of items. "Do you have feelings for Preston?"

Millie closed her eyes, reliving the embarrassment of seeing him and not being able to shake his hand. "We were good friends back when our families allowed it. Since the feud started, I have not seen him."

Corinthia shook her head. "I know you and Preston sneaked away and met outside town." She sighed. "Still, those two old men, our fathers, have surely made a mess out of things. I was never told of the offending deed. Were you?"

"No. My father quickly changes the subject if I ever bring it up." Millie turned as Corinthia had ordered. "I'm not even sure I want to know the answer."

"Nor do I." Corinthia placed a few more pins. "There, I have it. Change and talk with my brother. I think he missed you."

With trembling fingers, Millie buttoned her blouse and straightened her skirt. She hadn't seen Preston in years. Why was she so nervous? Dressed, and after checking her hair and placing her hat on just so, she left the dressing room.

Letting her eyes adjust to the brighter light in the shop, she at first didn't see Preston. Disappointment swallowed her. Then, movement to the left caught her attention, and he came from behind a rack of suits.

"Preston. It is a pleasure to see you after all these years." Millie wanted to sound as if she was used to meeting others. Men even. She sure didn't want to sound like a desperate young woman reaching out to the one boy she'd liked while growing up. She held out her hand.

Preston shook her hand and held onto hers longer than necessary. "How have you been?"

"Fine." She stared into his blue-gray eyes. They reminded her of the color of a far-off storm. She should say more, but at the moment, her mind was blank, only concentrating on his eyes and face. A kind, handsome face.

"I was in Boston for four years getting my medical training. I'm setting up my practice here in Denver."

Millie smiled. "We could use a good doctor in this town. I'm glad you're staying." Her heart beat faster. There was the question she wanted to ask but was afraid to. Had he come back with a wife or fiancé?

"Are you going to the ball?" He shrugged. "Silly question. I saw you were being fitted for a gown." He smiled. "I'll be there."

"Yes, perhaps I'll see you." Millie wanted to roll her eyes but kept herself from acting like a silly girl. She hadn't seen the man in over four years, and they had nothing of substance to say to one another. Had they grown apart?

Preston took her left hand in his and looked at her finger. "You're not married?"

"No, not yet." She pulled her hand from his.

"Is there someone you're interested in?"

Millie wanted to say you, but instead, she shook her head. "Not at the moment. Are you married or engaged?"

"No, I have to say I didn't find a woman in Boston who impressed me. I want to live here in Denver, anyway." He looked reluctant to leave. "Are you still training dogs with your father?"

"Yes. I am. He bought me a champion from Germany. The dog has a twenty-letter foreign name, but I call him Bob."

Laughing, Preston glanced at Corinthia. "I suppose the trainer might be the Fritz I hear my sister talk about."

Millie nodded. "Fritz brought me here to pick out some clothes and the gown. His family is into fashion in Germany."

"I see." Preston glanced at Corinthia, who was watching them from the counter. "She told me about the man." In a whisper, he smiled. "I think she likes him."

Millie thought so, too, which was all fine with her. Corinthia could have Fritz and all his high and mighty arrogance.

She was about to leave when Candace Winters walked into the shop. She had always had her eye on Preston.

"Preston Chadwick. What a pleasure to see you." Candance sashayed up to him and planted a measured kiss on his cheek. "I have missed you so."

He glanced at Candace. "I missed you, too."

Millie could see how this was going. Candace was one of those girls who always looked neat and clean. She always said the perfect thing, no matter the circumstance, and always drew the attention of men near her.

Millie felt her confidence melting. She rarely felt all put together. Even now, she was sure there was something misplaced on her person. Not to mention, she'd stumbled over her words and had been afraid to meet his gaze. With a frown, she saw she'd lost it now as he was staring at Candace.

Then a hatpin fell out of Millie's hair. She hoped nobody noticed, but by the wry grins on both Preston and Candace's faces, they had seen the deed. Holding her wayward curl and not wanting to stand there and make herself look more the fool, Millie moved toward the door. "I better go. I have work to do at home."

Candace smiled. "Dogs to feed, I suppose?"

Looking back at her, Millie nodded. "Yes, that's right. I'll see you at the ball." She hurried out the door, praying nothing else came loose or fell off. She shuddered from the embarrassment. Why did her mother have to leave her when she was so young?

Father did his best, but he didn't know the first thing about braiding hair or the clothes a young woman should wear. She had to admit she was thankful for Fritz's help.