Pleased by the compliment, Kelly had said no more. Her usually straight hair had big, soft curls. It was very pretty.

As for the dress, it was more revealing than she had ever dared before. It was a halter top and she hadn’t even known how to put it on. From the waist were two long scarves that Mrs. Carl tied at the back of Kelly’s neck. Below the tie was nothing but bare skin down to her waist.

“My bra is showing,” Kelly said.

“Girls your age invented bra burning. You should leave the thing at home.”

“But...” Kelly started, then thought, Why not? Vera often wore skimpy clothes. But then, she didn’t have much on top to show. “Fried eggs,” Vera would say with laughter. Bra size was not something she considered important. “Okay,” Kelly said.

Mrs. Carl smiled broadly. “You’re the daughter I always wanted.”

“If my mother hears you say that, she’ll shove you into the oven and roast you.”

“Oh? Like a fairy-tale witch?”

Kelly couldn’t keep from laughing at her insinuation. Nella and Forey had not been overly welcoming to Mrs. Carl in the baking endeavor.

Kelly took one last look in the mirror and gathered her courage before she went into the kitchen.

Usually, by this time, Forey had gone home, but both women were waiting to see her.

Their full minute of silence at the sight of her was gratifying. “You look like a girl,” Nella whispered.

“I always look like a girl,” Kelly shot back.

“She means you don’t look like a tomboy,” Forey said.

When Miguel knocked, the women went to answer the door, and let him in.

Miguel looked great. His dark hair and eyes were accented by the dark suit he had on. “You are beautiful,” he said.

“Thank you,” she said demurely. She picked up the little black bag that matched her high heels. Mrs. Carl had found both of them for her.

They went out to his uncle Rafe’s car—no truck for this date—and he held the door open for her. On the drive to the restaurant, they kept stealing glances at each other.

“You really do look beautiful,” he said. “I’ve never seen you in anything except jeans and T-shirts.”

“Let’s just hope that tonight no one needs a calf delivered or it’ll all be ruined.”

“If that happens, I’ll do the work while you stand back and give me directions.”

“That sounds good.” She took a breath. “How was Gabby tonight?”

“No one had the courage to tell her where I was going.”

Kelly frowned. “Poor woman. She could have been told that it’s just a date.”

“Really? But I brought an engagement ring with me. It belonged to my grandmother.” At Kelly’s look of shock, he laughed. “Just a joke. Did your mom and Forey, uh...make plans?”