Free Forever Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Book 7) by Verna Clay Page A

Together they walked to the back of the room. Dovie asked, "Do you have a special color in mind that you want to wear?"
    "No."
    "Well, as for myself. I like the colors lavender and blue." They reached the racks and Dovie waited to see what Roxy would do. The girl's eyes darted from rack to rack.
    Dovie stepped to a pretty yellow broadcloth dress with sprigs of blue flowers and pulled it away from the others. "This one looks about your size. Do you want to try it on?"
    Roxy snorted, "You mean we're actually supposed to wear dresses on a wagon train?"
    "If we want to be authentic to the time era, yes, but if you want to search the men's rack for something, I'm not stopping you."
    Roxy frowned at Dovie.
    Dovie sighed. "I don't think you have an appreciation for the women who traveled the trails in covered wagons. They walked hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles, not only wearing dresses, but attending to children, cooking, washing, and performing the myriad tasks necessary in caring for others."
    "Why would they travel so far?" Roxy's tone held a note of disdain.
    "For the same reasons we travel to different places—adventure, new beginnings, a better life, curiosity. Whereas we get into a car and head out, stopping at diners or fast food restaurants when we're hungry, they mostly walked to lighten the burden of their oxen or horses, and ate when camp was set up. The men hunted game when it was available and the women prepared and cooked it. After eating, there were dishes to clean, as well as children to care for. And when the pioneers were hit with illness, it could be tragic. Many children were left orphaned and many parents lost spouses and children."
    "And these three days are supposed to be fun?"
    "They can be. They'll change your life if you let them. You'll gain a perspective not afforded many young people. I'm expecting them to change my life, too."
    Roxy fingered the dress in Dovie's hands. "I guess this silly dress is as good as any."
    Dovie smiled. "Sarah said the first three bedrooms are set up as dressing rooms for the girls, so let's find a few more outfits for you to try on."
    Over the next hour, Dovie helped Roxy by slipping dresses over her head and fastening buttons or zipping zippers. In the end, they chose the yellow dress and a denim walking skirt with matching jacket. To go with the skirt and jacket, Dovie spied a white cotton, button-down-the-front, petal-sleeved, banded-collar blouse. Roxy was able to move unhindered in both outfits and Dovie nodded her approval. "They're perfect. But you know, don't you, that you can wear your own clothing. The Tanners make the Old West attire available so we can really get into the spirit of the adventure."
    Roxy turned in front of the mirror and shifted her gaze to Dovie. "This is okay."
    Dovie grinned. "I'm really looking forward to this."
    Roxy started removing her jacket. She seemed to have forgotten her displeasure in the adventure when she said, "You better pick out your outfits, too. Maybe the lavender one is still available." She glanced away from Dovie and said softly, "I'll help you put it on if you want."
    Warmth filled Dovie's heart. Roxy was finally responding to efforts to befriend her. "I'd like that very much."

Chapter 17: Loaded and Rollin'
     
    Inside one of Triple T's barns, Toby saddled his horse and grinned. "Well, Blue, looks like we're not going to miss this year's Trail Blaze after all."
    He tightened the cinches and mounted. Earlier that morning he'd received a call from Preston asking him to take his place on the wagon train because Freckles had come down with the flu. Preston had proclaimed, "There's no way I'm riding the trail without her. I'll cover your appointments while a neighbor checks on her throughout the day."
    Toby replied, "I'm sorry to hear about Freckles. I know she was looking forward to going on her first Trail Blaze. But sure, I'll work the trail for you."
    "Thanks, brother. I knew I could count on you."
    Toby laughed.