I waved her off. “Don’t. I’m getting used to it.”
“You absolutely are not. And you shouldn’t have to.” Her Southern accent grew more pronounced the more upset she got. “No gentleman treats a lady that way. Not in my home,” she said hotly.
“I don’t think he means it. And I don’t think he can help it when it comes to me,” I admitted to her.
“You might be right.” She laid a warm hand on top of mine and squeezed it gently.
Longing to change the subject, I asked, “So, what do girls wear to these field parties anyway?”
Her face lit up. “Ooh! The girls either wear shorts or dresses. It’s so warm in the evenings that you can wear what you wore that day. But they usually cute it up some.”
I smiled back. “I think I have some things that will work.”
“What size shoe do you wear?”
I looked down at my feet, as if they would give me the answer. “Seven.”
“I think I might have a pair of boots that will fit you if you want to wear them.”
“Cowboy boots?” My mood perked up.
“Yep.”
“That would be amazing. Thank you.”
When I beamed at her, she hopped off the bed. “Be right back.”
A moment later I heard the sound of boxes falling and crashing. Before I could shout to ask if she needed my help, she was back in my room holding the most beautiful pair of brown leather boots I’d ever seen. Granted, I’d never really looked at boots before, but these were amazing.
“These have never been worn,” she said. “They were a gift, but unfortunately they didn’t fit. Too small.”
I reached out and brought the boots to my nose, inhaling while closing my eyes. “These smell so good.” Then I froze, wondering if I looked like a total creeper sniffing someone else’s footwear. My cheeks burned as I tried to cover for myself. “Uh, was that weird? I’m sorry. It’s the leather.”
Mrs. Montgomery laughed. “I do it all the time. There’s nothing like the smell of new leather. Aren’t they gorgeous? I love the detail.”
Gold rivets adorned the boots, and a tan stitched design weaved from the top to the bottom. No less than four varying shades of brown were visible and I had no idea why, but Mrs. Montgomery told me it was because each pair was handmade and the leather was worked throughout the process in a way that created the numerous shades.
“I love everything about them.”
“Try them on,” she insisted.
“Do I wear them with socks?” I asked, feeling once again like a complete idiot. “I’m sorry I ask such stupid questions all the time.”
“They’re not stupid, Paige. How would you know? And yes, you wear them with socks.”
Grabbing a pair of white cotton socks, I pulled them on and slipped my feet into the waiting boots. They seemed snug at first until I stood. I walk
ed around the room, the heels of the boots clicking against the hardwood floors. “They are so comfortable. Who knew?”
“Do they fit? They look great!”
“I think they fit. They feel good.” I wasn’t entirely sure how boots like this were supposed to feel. Obviously my toes didn’t go into the pointy part, which I assumed would be as uncomfortable as all get-out.
“Great! Then you’ll wear them tonight to the party,” she said before pushing herself off my bed.
I widened my eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. They sit in a box in my closet. They deserve to see a night out.”