Grace Under Fire (Buchanan-Renard 14)

TWELVE

Wednesday was a blur of activity. As much as Isabel hated shopping, she had to admit she had fun with Kate and Regan at the Madison. She was sure she tried on at least a dozen outfits, and Kate insisted on buying most of them. Then Isabel was tugged and pinned by an exuberant alteration lady named Vera, who couldn’t stop raving about Isabel’s figure. And since she was a woman who liked to talk while she worked, she also told Isabel all about her cheating brother-in-law. While the woman confided her long list of worries, Isabel stood patiently with her hands folded, nodding every now and then. Once Vera had marked her last hem and aired her last complaint, she packed her pins and tape measure back into her sewing basket, but before she left, she gave Isabel a warm hug as though she was saying good-bye to one of her closest friends.

Kate took the scene in stride, but Regan was mesmerized. When Vera had exited and Isabel had stepped behind the curtain to change back into her own clothes, Regan turned to Kate, “Did you hear what Vera said?”

Kate was flipping through the store’s catalog. Without looking up she said, “Yes, I heard.”

“Isabel barely said anything at all.”

“I know.”

“Yet Vera hugged her.”

“Uh-huh.”

“It was... bizarre... wasn’t it?”

“Uh-huh.”

Regan began to laugh. “You’re used to it, aren’t you?”

Kate looked up from the catalog, smiling. “Oh yes. It happens all the time.”

“Okay, I’m ready to leave,” Isabel announced, stepping out of the dressing room.

“Have you decided what you’ll wear onstage?” Regan asked.

Kate thought her sister should wear the hot pink top with a new pair of skinny jeans and stilettos.

The suggestion made Isabel laugh. “You want me to wear stilettos onstage? I’d fall on my backside in front of thousands of people.”

Regan stepped in before the argument escalated. She suggested that Isabel consider the black suit. She could push the sleeves up on the fitted jacket and wear the brilliant blue sequined camisole with it to add sparkle. The skintight ankle pants would show off her long slender legs, especially if she wore the stiletto heels Kate wanted. She also suggested Isabel take a backup outfit and recommended the gorgeous silk dress she’d chosen for her. The low-cut neckline was a bit daring, but the top was so fitted it wouldn’t slip or show anything inappropriate when she moved around, and the short, flared skirt swayed with each step she took. The color was stunning, a cerulean blue that brought out the exact color of her eyes. Barely-there nude high heels would be perfect. Although she had worn a blue dress onstage at Finnegan’s, there wasn’t anything similar about the two dresses. The new one was elegant, very sophisticated, and extremely sexy. Regan raved about it; Kate also loved it but worried it was a little too provocative.

“Spoken like a true big sister,” Regan said. “Admit it, Kate. She looks incredible in the dress. XO is bound to lose his voice when he sees her.” Turning to Isabel, she said, “The clothes will be ready tomorrow afternoon. I’ll get them for you and bring them out. I have to be in the city anyway.”

Isabel was astonished the alterations could happen that quickly, and she was most thankful. Thinking their shopping spree was over, she was ready to head back to Nathan’s Bay, but Kate and Regan had other ideas. They took her to an intimate apparel shop to buy new undergarments and sleepwear, and when they were finished, all three of them walked out with bags filled.

There was more. Shoe shopping was next. That also took longer than Isabel wanted. Once that was done, Kate thought they should look at jewelry. Isabel had to put her foot down then. She was starving, and the only thing she wanted was lunch.

While they were eating salads, she noticed the look Regan and Kate exchanged, and she also saw them check their watches a number of times. She knew they had another plan in the works, but she didn’t find out what they had conjured up until after they’d eaten.

“We thought it would be fun for you to get a haircut and makeover,” Kate said.

“Just a trim,” Regan explained as she signed the tab.

“Your appointment is here at the hotel in fifteen minutes.”

“It shouldn’t take much time,” Kate assured her.

It was two against one, and not wanting to appear ungrateful, Isabel reluctantly agreed. An hour later she had to admit it was worth it. She left the hotel with yet another bag filled with makeup, hair products, and lotions.

Laden with their purchases, Isabel returned to Nathan’s Bay exhausted. She wasn’t used to so much fuss over her appearance. All she wanted was a few minutes to decompress, but when Dylan, Theo, and Michelle stopped her and asked her to go sailing with them, she changed her mind. It was hot and humid, and a couple of hours on the water sounded ideal. She rushed to change into shorts and a tank top.

A half hour later she was on the boat watching Dylan manipulate the sails to catch the wind that sent them flying across the bay into the open waters. It was like watching a beautifully choreographed ballet, and soon they were skimming the waves. Isabel stretched out on the deck and raised her face to the sun, letting the wind blow through her hair. For the rest of the afternoon there were no worries.

She was having a wonderful time, but unfortunately her escape from the world came to an end when Dylan checked his watch and announced they were heading back to shore. The family dinner was tonight, and no one wanted to be late.

Back at the house, Isabel passed the dining room and saw the table was set for dinner. The Buchanans were all being so gracious to include her, but she didn’t feel comfortable. This was supposed to be a special occasion for the immediate family. She would rather join in the celebration when other friends and family came for the party on Saturday. Thinking she would grab a bite later, she went looking for her sister to explain.