Blue Bonnet by Fay Risner Read Free Book Online Page B

exactly how to answer that question. Is there more than one
kind?”
    Miss Mays chuckled. “Of course,
there is. Do you want an ever day bonnet for someone to wear at
home, a nicer looking one for church or a fancier one for
parties?”
    Uneasy, Bat shifted his feet as he
rubbed his chin. “I didn't realize I'd have to make a choice. I
figured on just a nice modern bonnet like all the women are
wearing. I’ll leave that part up to ya. Ya know more about such
things than me as far as how a modern bonnet should
look.”
    Leta made a note and asked, “How
old is the woman the bonnet is for?” When Bat looked confused, she
went on to explain. “Is the bonnet for someone that's younger, for
instant, like one of your daughters? Their young age figures in to
the bonnet style they would prefer.”
    Bat stared out the plate glass
window at the street as he gave that question thought. He didn't
know which woman in town he’d give the bonnet. How would he be able
to give Miss Mays an age now? One thing he knew for sure was that
the woman wouldn't be as young as his daughters.
    He glanced back at Miss Mays. He
found an expectant look on the seamstress’s face as she waited. He
had to give her an answer. “She’s a lady about yer age.”
    “What color do you want the
bonnet?”
    “Cain’t say. Why don’t ya pick a
popular color,” he suggested, thinking the color surely wouldn’t
make much of a difference. That wasn't as important as him picking
the right woman to marry.
    Leta grimaced and said slowly as
if she was explaining to a child, “I can't pick a color for you or
the woman the bonnet is for. The color usually depends on what
color the dress is the bonnet is going to be worn with. You need to
check with the woman and figure out which dress she wants to wear
the bonnet with before you choose a color.”
    “Cain't do that,” Bat said
hurriedly. Leta eyed him hard. He finished with, “Cause the bonnet
is a surprise gift.”
    “All right, you're welcome to look
at the different colors of material I have in.” Leta walked over to
a table stacked high with material. “I just got in a new shipment.
Maybe one of the bolts will jog your memory about the color of a
dress you have seen on your friend.” She stood one bolt on end.
“This bright blue material would make a striking bonnet. Of course,
I’m partial to blue.” Leta chuckled, running her hand over the
material. Then she turned business like. “The color is your choice.
I can't pick a bonnet choice from all these bolts for you. That's a
personal preference between you and the woman.”
    Me asking a woman what color of
bonnet she prefers isn't going to happen any time soon since I
don't have a woman to ask, Bat thought. He was regretting ever
coming in this shop. The bonnet gift was a bad idea.
    He studied the blue bolt Leta Mays
held up, knowing he needed to make a decision quickly. She wasn't
going to fool around all day trying to help him. If a paying
customer came in, she might leaving him waiting. To be stuck in
that woman's store for very long would be sheer torture.
    The shade of the blue material
reminded Bat of the color of the water in the spring fed pond on
the south forty at his ranch. It struck him when he focused on
Leta's face that her warm eyes matched the blue of that material.
“I can tell ya right now after looking at this pretty blue
material, a blue bonnet would do just fine. Reckon when ya might
have the bonnet done?”
    “A couple weeks from now maybe. I
can't say for sure. I’ve several dress orders ahead of you. I have
to make those first. That means I’ll have to work on the bonnet in
between if you can wait that long. Is that all right, or do you
need the bonnet sooner?” Leta asked.
    “Whenever ya get the bonnet done
would be fine. There’s no big hurry,” Bat said
agreeably.
    He noticed the way Leta eyed him,
wondering what he was really up to. Since he didn’t have a woman in
mind to give the bonnet why should he be in