Silver Linings, стр. 26

“Shame. Shoes are so damn expensive. What size do you wear?”

“Seven and a half.”

“No problem,” Evangeline said. “So do I. I'll loan you the ones I've got on. They're perfect for that dress. Okay, I've finished pinning. Take it off and I'll make the adjustments.”

“This is certainly very nice of you,” Mattie said as she slipped the red dress off and handed it over to Evangeline.

“My pleasure. Like I said, it's been a while since I had a nice chat with an intelligent person.” She went over to the closet and wheeled out a small table that held a sewing machine. “How was business on Purgatory before things turned sour?”

“Not bad.” Mattie finished dressing in her trousers and silk shirt and sat down again. She picked up her drink. “But I don't think I'll go back.”

“Yeah? Where will you head next?” The sewing machine hummed energetically as Evangeline went to work.

“Seattle.”

“Been there before?”

“Yes. In fact, I lived there before I, uh, went to Purgatory.”

“No kidding? I've always wanted to go to Seattle. Maybe next time I take a vacation I'll go there.”

“If you do, be sure and look me up,” Mattie said with a rush of good will toward this woman who was going out of her way to be kind. “I'll leave my name and address.”

“It's a deal. I make it a practice to take a vacation at least twice a year. A woman needs a break, you know? All work and no play isn't good for you.”

“I know. Stress definitely takes a toll.”

“That's a fact.” Evangeline expertly trimmed the seam of the sarong's skirt. “And we've sure got our share of stress in our line of work, don't we? The business isn't what it used to be, what with these new diseases and all. Which reminds me, you need any rubbers for tonight?”

Mattie choked on a sip of rum and juice. “I didn't bring any with me,” she said carefully.

“Figured you might have had to leave those behind along with your clothes. Check that cabinet over there by the bed. I keep a bunch handy. Help yourself.”

Mattie stared at the red wicker cabinet for a moment and then slowly got up and went over to open it. Inside was a large basket filled with little foil packages. She took a handful and dropped them into her purse. “Thank you.”

“Can't be too careful these days. Doesn't pay to take chances. By the way, who's your broker?”

“My broker?”

“Yeah, your stockbroker.” Evangeline looked up with a quizzical glance and took a pull on her drink. “Or are you into CDs and money market accounts?”

“Oh. I see what you mean.” Mattie frowned consideringly as she sat down again. “Yes, I tend to favor certificates of deposit and money market accounts. The stock market is just too volatile for my taste. Not a good place for the small investor anymore.”

“I know what you mean. I keep telling myself I should get out, but a part of me likes the thrill, you know? Of course, I don't put everything into the market. Just what I can afford to lose. The rest goes right into T-bills and stuff. I'm no fool. I've seen too many women in this business wind up with nothing after years of hard work. I'm not going to be one of them.”

“You're absolutely right. Nobody's going to give us a pension. Self-employed people have to look after themselves.”

“Ain't it the truth?” Evangeline nodded as she went to work on the bodice of the little red dress. “How about another drink?”

“Sounds great. Tell me, Evangeline, what are you going to do when you retire?”

“Funny you should mention that.” Evangeline looked down at the red dress she was altering. “I've been thinking about retirement a lot lately. It's time to get out of the business. Like I said, it isn't what it used to be. Don't laugh, but I'd like to open up a small dress shop somewhere out here on the islands, you know? Design my own things for tourists. I think I'd be good at it. What do you think?”

Mattie looked at the beautiful workmanship on the red dress. She knew art when she saw it. “I think you'd be terrific at it.”

Hugh was smiling with anticipation as he bounded up the inn stairs an hour later. He had a bottle of rum in a paper bag under one arm, and he'd splurged on a new shirt at the little general store on the waterfront. He was ready for the big date with Mattie.

“We're going to party tonight, babe,” he announced as he opened the door of the small room. “Got it all planned. A real date. First we'll hit that little place that serves the great burgers, have a couple of drinks and some food, and then I figure later we can come back here and—Holy shit.”

Hugh came to a dead halt just inside the door and stared at the exotic creature sitting on the side of the bed.

“Hello, Hugh. As a matter of fact, I am rather hungry.” Mattie smiled at him.

“Mattie?” Hugh slowly closed the door behind him without taking his eyes off her. He could not believe what he was seeing.

She was wearing a minuscule red dress that almost revealed her nipples. It clung to her hips like a lover and rode halfway up her thigh. She had her legs crossed, her feet daintily arched in impossibly high, spiky red heels. Her tawny-brown hair danced around her shoulders, soft and loose and inviting. Her green-and-gold eyes were brilliantly outlined and accented with glittering turquoise eyeshadow. Her mouth was a dark red flower. Rhinestones glittered on her fingers and wrists and in the small cleavage revealed by the dress.

“What do you think, Hugh? Is it me?” She grinned at him, her eyes full of an unfamiliar mischief.

“What the hell happened to you?” Dazed, Hugh moved slowly over to a table and set down his packages.

“I met the nicest lady down the hall. A working woman. Just like