Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller (hot novels to read .txt) 📕

Once again, she was glad the store was empty. She examined the outfit. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d worn anythingpink. “You didn’t buy these, did you?”

“Not yet. I have a friend who owns a boutique. She let me bring the clothes here. If you don’t like any of them, I’ll takethem back. You can purchase whatever you want to keep.” Harper pulled out three more outfits, each one just as nice as thepink one, and fancier than what Riley usually wore, but still more casual than Harper’s style. She had to admit Harper haddone a good job picking out the clothes. She checked the sizes. Harper had nailed those too. Riley wasn’t sure if that wasa good thing or not.

Then she spied the price tags and stilled. She couldn’t afford a single one of these items, much less an entire outfit. WhenHarper started pulling out matching jewelry, Riley’s stomach churned.

The front bell jingled, and Bea walked in, then held the door for Mimi as she rolled into the store.

“Hello, Harper,” Mimi said. “How’s the house-selling business going?”

“A little slow right now, but it will pick up.” She handed Riley a long, green beaded necklace meant to go with the secondoutfit.

“What’s all this? Bea walked over to the counter where the clothes and jewelry were spread out. “Such pretty clothes. Arethese yours, Harper?”

Riley continued to study the outfits as Harper explained to Mimi and Bea what was going on, telling them she and Riley hadplans tonight, instead of revealing that Riley was having supper with Hayden. Riley would have to thank her for that strokeof genius later. She didn’t like the idea of fibbing to Mimi, but she also didn’t want her grandmother to get the wrong idea.

She touched the pink shirt again, loving the soft feel of the silky fabric. The other outfits were brighter and more playful,but she was drawn to the pink clothing for some reason.

“Try them on, sugar.”

“I don’t know . . . ,” she said to Mimi, who had rolled closer to the counter.

“You can change in the bathroom, then model for us. We’ll help you decide which one you want.”

Riley leaned over the counter. “I can’t afford these,” she whispered.

Mimi smiled. “Don’t you worry about that, honey.”

After a pause, Riley relented. She took the clothes to the back and hung them on the hook on the back of the door. She selectedthe red-and-white pantsuit first, ignoring the price before she put on the clothes so she wouldn’t feel any more guilty thanshe already did. Harper even brought shoes, and they fit too. The woman had a good eye—that was for sure.

Riley stood back to see her whole body in the mirror above the sink. The clothes not only felt good but were flattering. Betteryet, she felt . . . pretty. When was the last time she’d felt that way, or even cared enough to think about it? She scrutinizedher face in the mirror and smiled.

*  *  *

Erma held back tears as she watched her granddaughter model the beautiful clothes Harper had brought. Bless that child. How she managed to figure out Riley’s sizes, Erma didn’t know, but every single ensemble was a perfect fit. At first Rileyseemed uncomfortable showing off the clothing, but Harper’s and Bea’s enthusiasm helped her relax. Erma would have joinedin, but she was content to be quiet and observe for once.

Of course she didn’t believe Harper’s poppycock about a girls’ night. These weren’t outfits for dinner with a girlfriend.They were more suited for something special. Like supper with Hayden Price. Erma wasn’t 100 percent sure that was what was going on, and she wasn’t going to pry—she’d promised to stay out of Riley’spersonal business. But she had seen the gleam in Hayden’s eyes when he asked Junior to take her home last night, and she’dalso noticed Riley watching him while he was coaching. Erma didn’t miss much, especially when she was paying attention.

Riley came out in the last outfit, a lovely pale-pink blouse and skirt that hugged her curves in all the right places. Ermahad noticed that her granddaughter had finally put a little meat on her bones, and she was lovely. The color was perfect forher skin tone, and the delicate gold necklace added the perfect final touch.

“That’s the outfit,” Bea said, clasping her hands together and smiling.

“That’s the outfit,” Harper added, giving her a thumbs-up.

“That’s the outfit.” Erma nodded and rolled closer to Riley. “You’ve never looked more stunning, sugar.” When Riley smiled,Erma’s heart melted.

“I’m not used to wearing heels,” Riley said, shifting back and forth on her feet.

“They’re wedges, and they’re barely an inch and a half.” Harper went over to her. “You’ll be surprised how comfortable theyare to walk in.”

“More comfortable than those stilts you’re wearing,” Bea said to Harper. “I don’t know how you don’t fall over in those.”

“Practice, Bea, practice.” She turned to Riley. “Now, about your hair—”

“Riley, don’t you think you should get back in your own clothes?” Erma asked. Not only was Riley’s hair fine as it was, buta new hairstyle would also be a bridge too far for her granddaughter’s comfort. But Harper didn’t know that. “In case we havecustomers.”

“Yes, I should.” She turned and hustled to the back room.

Erma had been disappointed this morning when her appointment was canceled, but spending the morning with Bea and window-shoppingantique stores had put her in a better mood. Besides, she was finally getting pretty good at maneuvering her chair.

Erma spun in her wheelchair and faced Harper. “That was very sweet of you, Harper,” she said, meaning every word. She tookthe young woman’s hand and squeezed it. “Just let me know how I need to pay.”

“I’ll take care of it, and you can pay me back,” Harper said, packing the rest of the clothes back in the bag. “That willbe the easiest.”

“I can reimburse you in yarn, then.” Mimi winked.

Harper laughed. “No, thank you. Crafting is Mother’s thing, not mine.” She smiled at Erma and Bea. “She does look pretty,doesn’t she?”

Erma nodded. “She certainly does.” She was positive Hayden would think so too.

*  *  *

When