“Night, Viv,” he replies.

I leave the kitchen quickly and am in bed within minutes, but it’s hours before I’m able to actually fall asleep.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

We spend Friday afternoon wandering along the two blocks that comprise the downtown section of Fulton, Nebraska. I thought shopping options in Lincoln were limited, but they were copious in comparison to here.

Despite the lackluster choices, I’m enjoying myself more than I expected to. As we browse through the small selection, I realize I’ve never been on a shopping trip with my own mother. The thought sends a pang of sadness through me. I push the unpleasant realization to the back of my mind, determined to enjoy this outing.

Claire insists on trying on every piece of clothing she takes a fancy to, which makes for slow progress through the first store. The second shop is even smaller than the first and also has a limited amount of apparel more conducive for farming than a wedding. In the last store we enter, I immediately spot a long rack of velvet dresses.

I walk over to the display and start flipping through the options. Halfway through, I come across a deep scarlet dress. It has full length bell sleeves gathered at the wrists and a long row of velvet buttons up the front of the bodice. I grab my size and hold it up against myself. It flows to just above my knees.

I turn and hold out the dress. “Ellen? Claire? What do you think?”

They both come over from a display of hats to where I’m standing. Claire strokes the soft material gently.

“That dress will look beautiful on you,” Jace’s mother compliments. “And it’ll be perfect for the wedding.”

“Mrs. Dawson?” a voice says behind us.

The three of us turn to see a girl with wavy blonde hair.

“Gretchen!” Mrs. Dawson exclaims. “How are you, dear?” She steps forward and gives the girl a brief hug.

“I’m good, just picking up a few extra hours while I’m home for break.”

Gretchen smiles at Claire and then glances at me. Her eyes widen.

“An unfamiliar face in Fulton?” she asks. “Don’t think that’s happened to me since middle school.” Her voice is friendly, but somewhere underneath lurks a slight edge.

Mrs. Dawson laughs lightly. “Vivienne, this is Gretchen Williams. We’ve known her family for years. I went to school with her mother, and she and Jace were the same year as well.”

I smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Gretchen.” I don’t miss the way her eyes look over me appraisingly.

She’s clearly curious why I’m here, but too polite to ask. “You, too,” Gretchen returns the smile. “Speaking of Jace, how’s he doing?” she asks, looking at Ellen. Her voice has a new, eager tone to it. “I saw Lincoln’s Thanksgiving game was postponed. Too bad he wasn’t able to get home.”

“Oh, he’s home,” Mrs. Dawson replies. “He and Vivienne arrived late Tuesday night.”

Gretchen’s eyes flash to me following this revelation. “You’re friends with Jace?”