Page 14 of Texas Made
“Speaking of something that’s been around forever reminds me: let’s go to Booze’s for lunch. I’ve heard about it but never been.”
“We can do that. It’s got good food,” Damaris said.
The store wasn’t busy and the salesperson really got into it, along with them, bringing out boot after boot for them to try. Damaris settled on a pair of red leather cowboy boots with a turquoise inlay. She had a red dress she intended to wear them with. Jaclyn bought a pair of brown tooled leather for riding and a pair of turquoise leather embroidered with gray flowers. Then, of course, she couldn’t resist a black felt cowboy hat with a beaded turquoise band to go with the boots.
“Is the hat too much?” she asked Damaris.
“Are you kidding? It’s a western formal gala. People come in all sorts of outfits. Lots of glitz and glamour and believe it or not, people and celebrities from all over the world come. It’s held at the Kelly ranch house. Well, the ranch mansion describes it better. It’s amazing. It’s huge with a bunch of suites or wings, and each is named after some Kelly ancestor. Although I think one wing is Paloma Kelly’s. She’s Trey and Wyatt’s mother and their father’s ex-wife. We’ll get someone to show us around. Oh, and there are fountains outside that are fabulous too.”
“Cool. Let’s go by Lavender Dreams as well. They have their own line of lavender-based products.”
“Checking out the competition?” Damaris asked.
“Not really. They only have lavender scents and they tend to have more lotions and potions than makeup. Do you know the owner?”
“Yes, owners. They’re cousins. Ariana and Juliette own the lavender farm and the store. Ariana is married to Trey and Juliette is married to Wyatt Kelly. I know both of them so we can get them or one of their husbands to show us around at the ball.”
“It sounds like quite a place.”
“Oh, it is.”
They walked around the square until they came to Lavender Dreams. Ariana Kelly happened to be there and Damaris introduced the two of them to each other. “I’ve been hearing wonderful things about Lavender Dreams,” Jaclyn said after shaking hands.
“Damaris is always good about talking us up.”
“Yes, but not just from Damaris. You’ve made a name for yourselves.”
Ariana looked gratified. “How long do you plan to be in town?”
“I’m not sure. My condo complex is being redone so Damaris offered me a place to stay.”
Damaris, who had wandered off while the two talked, called out to Jaclyn. “This lotion is fabulous, Jaclyn. Come try it.”
“Oh, this is lovely,” Jaclyn said, rubbing some on her arm when she reached Damaris. “What other kind of products do you sell besides lotion?”
“Everything lavender. We have a line of beauty products, lotions, sachets, lavender knickknacks and there’s even a lavender board game that uses different facts about lavender to move you forward.”
“Jaclyn owns a makeup company,” Damaris told Ariana. “It’s called Divinity.”
Her eyes widened. “Divinity cosmetics? That’s yours?”
Jaclyn smiled and nodded, pleased that Ariana obviously knew of her company. “It is.”
“I love that stuff! I use your makeup. You have a concealer that’s the best I’ve ever found.” She stroked a finger over a faint scar that Jaclyn hadn’t noticed until she pointed it out. “I was in a car accident and your concealer works so well. And I love your other makeup too, but a good concealer is of particular interest to me. Wait until I tell Juliette and Chloe. You’ll have to come back when Juliette is here.”
“Thank you.” Damaris had said Juliette was Ariana’s partner, but she wondered who Chloe was. “I’m so glad you like it.”
“I’m bringing Jaclyn to girls’ night out this week,” Damaris said. “You, Juliette, and Chloe should come.”
“Chloe keeps up the lavender house on the farm. She’s also a trained French chef,” Ariana explained to Jaclyn. “Are you two going to Boots & Bangles?”
“Yes. Jaclyn is going with Marshall.”
Ariana raised an eyebrow. “That was fast.”
“Not really.” In fact, it was super slow. “We’ve known each other for years. I used to spend breaks with Damaris during college.”
“Still. You know Marshall is in the running for the hottest catch in Whiskey River, don’t you, Damaris?”
