Read Online Toss the Bouquet by Ruth Logan Herne - Free Book Online Page A

Dreschler picked up her coat, laid it over her arm, and faced Tara. “Lead the way.”
    Within minutes they’d picked a flowing, blouson gown with tacked, pleated shoulders. The looser fit was perfect for the woman’s sensitive skin. With a bit of clever engineering using alteration supplies on hand, Maisy was able to build the look of a normal woman’s chest beneath the gown.
    â€œI don’t believe it.” Mrs. Dreschler caught sight of herself in the triple mirror and sighed. Tears filled her eyes, but they were happy tears this time. “When Mandy said you folks would help me, I thought she was being pushy. She wasn’t.” She fingered the soft pleats that allowed the top of the gown to fall stylishly, skimming instead of clinging. “This is perfect.”
    â€œWell, good!” Maisy beamed. “And, dearie, you look wonderful!”
    â€œI do.” Mrs. Dreschler’s smile of disbelief widened. “I really do.”
    Tara chatted with her as she bagged and tagged the gown, then hung it near Maisy’s sewing area for the necessary adjustments. As they approached the front, Mrs. Dreschler gave her a spontaneous hug. “Thank you.” She whispered the words, emotion clogging her voice again. “This means the world to me.”
    The past three years of study and testing and argument flashed through Tara’s mind. She’d done what she thought was right, but this—helping this woman, working at this delightful shop, surrounded by ribbons and lace—this was what felt right.
    She left Mrs. Dreschler in Kathy’s capable hands to ring up the sale, moved back to bridal, and ran smack into Gregaround the corner. He caught her shoulders to keep her from falling, then didn’t let go.
    She looked up and met his gaze. Appreciation and approval brightened those big brown eyes. He flicked a glance toward the front and gave her shoulders a light squeeze. “That was a nice thing you did.”
    â€œMaisy, mostly.”
    His face said yes and no. “Teamwork is vital in a hands-on business like this. I don’t know much about bridal, per se, but I know business, and what you and Maisy just did was wonderful, Tara.”
    â€œThank you.” She kept her eyes locked on his. Greg’s grip changed slightly, and the look on his face changed too. He glanced at her mouth as if wondering, and she had to work hard to step back, away from the growing temptation of Greg Elizondo. “Did you come to help shift things around?”
    His expression said he recognized her ploy, but his smile said they might revisit things later. The fact that she liked the idea meant she needed to keep her distance.
    â€œI needed measurements for the tuxedo dressing rooms and the hanging racks for displays. Then Kathy and I are interviewing people to staff the tuxedo area. I was wondering . . .”
    â€œYes?” She moved toward the bridesmaids’ racks to replace gowns they’d pulled for earlier customers.
    â€œCan I buy you supper again tonight? After we close up? It’s been almost a week, and you must be hungry again.”
    A cozy late evening with Greg? Her heart said yes instantly. Her head reminded her why this was a really bad idea. “I should go straight home.”
    She saw his look of disappointment, and a longing washed over her. She’d love to cave and test the waters of romance with Greg, but it was a foolish idea.
    The irony of falling for an upwardly mobile lawyer pushed too many old buttons. Greg represented a side of law that struck first and asked questions later. After losing her father, she couldn’t take that lightly.
    She shook her head. “The store is booked solid tomorrow, and while Meghan’s a walking historical textbook and I’m glad you hired her, she’s technologically challenged.”
    He studied her face as she spoke, and the intensity of his gaze made her long to just say yes, to talk