Midnight Roots (Silver Creek Ranch)

Chapter Eleven

Dillon

I feel somewhat giddy about my date tonight, but I don't want to jinx it. I need to look perfect. I have a little makeup at home; something on the light-and-easy side will look nice. I still have a nice black dress from when I lived in Austin. That'll work for tonight. Now, I just need to clean off a pair of heels, and I'm set.

I float through the rest of my shift. Not even the two old bitches can get to me today. They don't even tip this time, but I don't care. I'm floating on cloud nine.

Once my shift is over, I hang my apron behind the door and say goodbye to everyone.

Cece stops me and hands me an envelope. "Your weeks pay. I thought you could use it. "

"Thanks, I really could use it today," I say with a smile.

I walk to the supermarket.

I get a few small things from the large tips I was given today: some lotion, a little makeup, and nail polish. I also get some leave-in treatment for my hair to relax my tight curls. I want to look my best tonight. I don't know where we're going for dinner, but I want to be someone Heston can be proud of walking into a restaurant with. I also get a few groceries for during the week, so I have food.

Once I've done my shopping, I walk toward my apartment. I pass a shoe shop and check the change I have from the tips. I might be able to afford some plain heels if I'm lucky. With what I made today and with what I have left over from my pay minus what I need to pay towards rent, it might just be possible. I walk inside and look toward the heels. I go over and inspect them.

"Can I help you?" An elderly man comes over.

"I'm just looking for something affordable but nice-looking," I say quietly, somewhat embarrassed.

"I have a set of heels on a clearance sale for seventy-five percent off at forty-two dollars. But I have limited sizes available. What size are you?" he asks.

"Seven and a half," I say. As he walks off, I check my clutch to see how much I have. It'll be a tight squeeze, but I can wear the heels again and again, so I don't see a problem.

The man comes shuffling back. “You’re in luck.”

He brings the heels to me. They’re a black pair, and I silently celebrate as I sit down to try them on, taking off my trainers and socks. I stand in them and walk to the mirror. "Oh, they will do nicely. And you say forty-two dollars only?"

"Yes," he says. "Can I bag them for you?"

"Yes, please," I say as I take them off.

I go to the cash register after I put my socks and shoes back on, and I stand there waiting and looking around. This place has nice shoes. I should come here again when I have some extra money.

The old man rings me up. I pay for the shoes and take the bag. "Thank you."

"Come again soon," he says.

I go backhome. The first thing I do is shower. I need to shower the smell of food and detergent off of me. Cleaning tables is easy, but it leaves you with a rather chemical smell .

I take my time in the shower, scrubbing every inch of my body with the bar of turmeric and lavender soap I found at the shops. The lotion I got is lavender as well. The steam of the shower rises in the air and fogs everything. I get out and wrap a towel around me before I wipe the mirror. I look a bit haggard, but it’s nothing a little makeup won't fix.

I sit in the towel and dry naturally while I paint my nails. I paint them a pastel pink color. It's pretty and feminine, and it goes with black. I check the antique wardrobe, and I find the dress hanging up and I take it out to air it. I dig through the old chest of drawers, and I find a bottle of perfume that still has a little bit in it. I set it on top of the chest of drawers and finish drying myself off. With my nails dry, I work in the leave-in treatment for my hair before I style it. I let the small curls simply bounce into place. I’m happy my hair has grown this long—it’s almost reaching my shoulder and is the longest it’s ever been.

I slip on a black lacy thong and my nicest lacey black push-up bra. Then, I slip into the dress and examine myself in the mirror. Not bad for someone working on a shoestring budget.

I go to the bathroom and do my makeup. This is something that takes me a while because I'm not very adept at it like most girls are, but I manage to blend and contour and make myself look pleasing to the eye. I at least hope I'll look pleasing to Heston. I check the time, it's almost six. I take out my new high heels and slip them on, standing once more in front of the mirror. Then, I add the final touch: a spritz of perfume.

I look like a far younger version of myself when I dress like this. I hope that's not off-putting to Heston. I grab my clutch and make sure I have some emergency cash in case he expects me to pay for half the meal, though I'm praying he doesn't. I'm hoping he's the gentleman he appears to be.

I take my house keys and slide them into my clutch before I leave, going to wait outside for Heston to pick me up in that big ol' truck of his.

As I stand on the curb, a few people walking past take notice of me. I hug myself and look up and down the road. It would be comforting if he would show up. I feel like a weirdo just standing out here waiting. A car slows down and stops next to me, and I shift uncomfortably.

The window rolls down, and I recognize one of the elderly ladies who comes to the cafe during the lunch rush.

"Dillon, are you okay, honey? You look far too pretty to be about the streets?" she asks worriedly .

"I'm waiting for someone to collect me," I say with a smile. "I'm going on a date."

"Are you now? Well, he's one lucky guy. Do you want me to wait with you until he gets here, honey?"

"No, that's okay," I say with a grin. "Thank you for caring, though. It's so nice of you."

She nods. "I'll see you tomorrow then." She rolls up her window, puts her car into gear and trundles off.

I look around and notice other people walking along the street. Why am I afraid? This isn't Austin. The city is full of dangers. Thisis just a sleepy town, and I'm going out with some rancher boy.