was still two weeks away, already the days were sweltering. All of March had been unseasonably hot, especially coming as it had after such a cold winter. Up and down Main Street, Jodie and her mother had passed clusters of farmers and city merchants arguing over whether or not to go ahead and plant early, possibly risking it all to a late freeze. Being raised in a country town, Jodie did not need to be told that the earliest harvesters reaped the greatest profits.
Although Jodie really did not much care what she wore, shopping for clothes with her mother was not a chore but an adventure. Louise Harland was known and appreciated by all the store clerks in Harmony. Which meant that while her mother received the best possible service, Jodie was usually treated to a candy or sometimes even a soda.
Her mother never objected to these little gifts, nor did she tell Jodie to watch what she ate so it didn’t spoil her appetite, like Bethan’s mother did when the four went out together. Louise Harland would often chuckle at Moira and say, “Leave the child alone, Moira. We’re indulging ourselves; why shouldn’t they?” Moira would subside after that, but Jodie could tell that for Bethan a little of the joy was already taken from the treat. Jodie was very glad she had a mother who understood how to have a good time.
Jodie did not need to be told what to do after putting the purchases on the bed. It was part of their little shopping ritual. She began laying out all the various items. Her mother was going to be bridesmaid for a longtime friend whose first husband had died several years back, and who was now getting married again. Louise Harland had said it was pure silliness, a woman of her age playing bridesmaid—or was it bridesmatron—and marching down the aisle. But Jodie knew her mother was so excited she could hardly contain herself.
Her mother had insisted that they have matching dresses, since Jodie was to be the flower girl in the wedding. They were a deeper shade of the same color as the bridal gown, which Louise had repeatedly explained was not under any circumstances going to be white. Jodie had heard several people say it was only Louise’s good sense which was keeping the entire proceedings from being an utter shambles. She did not understand what they meant but was pleased to hear her mother being praised.
The dresses had come from Landon’s, which everyone said had goods as fine as any to be found in Raleigh. In spite of Jodie’s lack of interest in clothes, she did think they were beautiful. And Louise’s practical nature planned that they would do double-duty as Easter dresses. They were the loveliest shade of pink, with pale gray trim and mother-of-pearl buttons. Even though they had brought the dresses home once before to try them with shoes and hats and 55 handbags, and had worn them through a half-dozen fittings, this was different. The dresses were theirs now.
Jodie smoothed a crease, wondering if she would look as grown up as she felt, wearing the same dress as her mother. She went to the closet to fetch the shoes and hats and lay them alongside. She turned, smiling, to her mother for approval on her accomplishment, but what she saw made her heart skip a beat. “What’s wrong, Momma?”
“Just a little headache.” Louise rubbed her temples with two middle fingers. Her eyes were closed so tightly that lines ran all the way across her forehead. “I must have tired myself out more than I thought.” She slowly eased herself onto the nearest chair.
Jodie felt a faint cold fear tug at her chest. Her mother’s complexion had suddenly gone pale. “Do you want me to get your medicine?”
“Thank you, dear. Maybe that would be a good idea.” Louise tried for a smile, but the fact that she could not manage to open her eyes spoiled the effect. “Parker is always saying my shopping will be the death of me. Maybe he’s right after all.”
“Don’t even joke like that,” Jodie tossed over her