Free Blackfoot Affair by Doreen Owens Malek Page A

It was simple but elegant.
    “That’s pretty,” Marisa conceded.
    “Thank God,” Tracy said fervently.
    Marisa disappeared into the dressing room. When she emerged in the navy dress Tracy groaned.
    “I like it,” Marisa said.
    “You would.”
    “It’s very practical. I could wear it to court.”  
    “Exactly my point. What you do not want for this occasion is a dress you could wear to court.”  
    “It’s on sale.”
    “Honey, you look like Hester Prynne in that dress. All you need is the red brooch. Put it back.”
    Marisa returned to the dressing room and came out again in the blue silk.  
    “Now you’re talking,” Tracy said approvingly.  
    Marisa turned and looked at herself in the three way mirror. The material clung to her in all the right places, the color lit her eyes and flattered her complexion, and the skirt described a graceful arc above her knees.  
    “Pilgrim, your search has ended,” Tracy said.  
    “It’s too short,” Marisa said feebly.  
    “Buy it,” Tracy said firmly.  
    Marisa glanced at the price tag and gasped.
    Tracy opened her purse, took out her wallet, and extracted a credit card.
    “If you don’t buy it, I will,” she said.  
    “Don’t bully me, I’ll make up my own mind,” Marisa said, annoyed. She marched into the dressing room and came out a few minutes later attired in her own clothes. She brought the two dresses over to the clerk and said, “I’ll take the silk.”  
    Tracy chuckled.
    “I needed something dressier anyway,” Marisa said defensively.  
    “Of course. Who doesn’t?”  
    “I’m not sure which shoes will go with it.”  
    “We’ll find something.”  
    “I don’t have the right jewelry.”  
    “My pearl earrings will be perfect,” Tracy said. She giggled and rolled her eyes. “He is going to die when he sees you in that. I’d love to be there.”
    Marisa said nothing, wishing that she were as confident as Tracy that the outfit would be a success.
    * * *
    Marisa’s doubts were erased when she saw Jack’s expression as he met her in the lobby. She had resisted the temptation to put her hair up and instead let it fall loosely over her shoulders, and she wore her highest heels. Jack’s eyes passed over her from head to foot and then back up to her face.
    “You look incredibly lovely,” he said softly.
    He was wearing a navy jacket with a white shirt, tan slacks and a rep tie. The combination with his vivid features was memorable. Cochise at Choate. Marisa had to restrain herself from running into his arms.
    “Shall we dance?” he said, extending his hand.
    She took it and they walked out into the balmy night.

 
    Chapter 4
     
    “The boat is docked right across the street,” Jack said, indicating the public pier, which was within view of the hotel.
    “Should I have brought another pair of shoes?” Marisa asked, glancing down at her highly unsuitable pumps.
    “No, it’s high tide. You can just step into the boat. When the tide is out you have to climb down a ladder.”
    “Quite a trick in this outfit,” Marisa said.  
    “That’s why I suggested this time of day,” Jack said.
    “You mean you had already checked the tide charts?” Marisa asked, as they walked down the wooden dock.
    “Yes.” He took her hand and helped her step over a coiled rope someone had left in their path.  
    “You were confident.”
    He stopped and looked at her, his form backlit by the blazing sunset. “Hopeful,” he corrected.
    Marisa let it go at that. She stood looking across the water, her hair lifted by the light evening breeze, the sound of gulls and other seabirds filling her ears. She inhaled deeply of the salt air.
    “What is it?” Jack asked.
    “Everything is so beautiful,” she said softly.
    “Yes, everything is,” he agreed, gazing at her.
    “I love the sea,” she said.
    “Maine natives usually feel that way.”
    She smiled and nodded.
    “Did you have boats while you were growing up?” Jack