“Thanks, Amy. I'll be back right after the holidays.”

  Amy was pleased to see Delia leave with a lighter step than before she came in. That's why she loved this business. Finding just the right gown or fancy outfit to make her customers feel good about themselves made her feel like she was contributing something to the world. Thoughtfully, Amy poured herself a cup of tea and decided she would keep an eye on Delia Cummings. It wouldn't hurt to give her a gentle nudge in the right direction for hair and make-up, too.

  Delia was glad Charlie wasn't there when she came home. The two, yes, two new blouses she had bought were her own delicious secret. They were a cotton blend and practical for the summer, but one was a juicy strawberry pink and the other a deep blueberry. She hadn't been able to decide between the two, but what the heck. She'd put in a lot of extra time since her boss was injured and she deserved the treat.

  There was another little secret in the bag. A new nightgown; pink and floaty with tiny white rosebuds and a lace insert at the neckline. There was nothing sexy about it, but it was more feminine than she had worn in a long time. Delia decided to wear it tonight. Charlie wouldn't notice, but she knew it would make her feel good.

  As soon as Delia climbed into bed wearing the new nightgown, she knew her dream man would visit her tonight. She could hardly wait to get to sleep. Of course, the more she tried, the more sleep eluded her. When she heard Charlie shuffling up the stairs, she gave up. But as soon as she heard the bathroom door close, she dropped off between one breath and the next.

  She saw him instantly as he jumped from the rocks to stand by the crackling driftwood fire. Delia had high hopes she might get a glimpse of his face this time.

  He was bare-foot. For a few moments, Delia could only stare at those naked feet. She'd never been one to find a man's feet attractive, but this one changed her mind.

  Delia forced her gaze upward to tanned calves taut with muscle, then tight, black trousers ending just below his knees. She was almost afraid to go further and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she found herself starting at his bronzed chest. The flickering firelight made it seem as if all that muscle mass was bunching and flexing just to impress her.

  His hair was even longer than she had originally thought, falling below his shoulders, although it might be it had grown in the weeks since she'd seen him. “Don't be silly, Delia. He's not real. Even in her dreams, Delia's practical nature asserted itself. But he sure seemed real.

  And was that a tattoo circling his bicep? Delia was getting frustrated. She couldn't see clearly, even though he stood still as a statue, allowing her to look her fill. Maybe she could take just one teeny step closer to get a better look. After all, she was wearing a pretty nightgown and had lost some weight. And these larger-than-life romance heroes must be used to being drooled over by middle-aged frumps like herself.

  Delia shook herself. Not a exactly a frump anymore. She reminded herself of how she had looked that day at Amy's and how nice she looked in her pink nightgown. She just needed a little confidence and she could take that first step.

  She pulled in a deep breath and let it out. Now or never. Standing straighter, Delia took, not just one step, but all the stairs between the boardwalk and the sand. By some trick of the light and shadow, she still couldn't see his face clearly, but she didn't dare move any closer.

  He smiled as if he could sense her uncertainty and beckoned her to come to him.

  Delia wasn't about to move from the safe distance she had set between them. She didn't know why she had to maintain that distance. She just knew that she did.

  Too soon, he whispered her name and disappeared, leaving her alone in the night once more.

  Delia woke feeling better than she had in years. Not light-hearted, but feeling good enough to do something for herself again today. She didn't know what, yet, but she'd think of something.

  That day, Delia's boss told her she could go back to her regular hours, thanked her for all her help and gave her a raise. As if that wasn't enough, several regular customers told her how good she was looking. Delia put it down to her happiness at the raise. The raise. Now she could really splurge.

  As soon as she could after her shift was over, Delia all but ran out of the bakery, not even stopping to take any pastries. Come to think of it, she never brought pastries home anymore; just some hard rolls for Sunday breakfast. Nothing better than scrambled eggs on a hard roll.

  Delia wished she wasn't wearing her bakery uniform. It was hanging on her, now, and looked even worse than usual.

  She thought she'd go to the same store where she had bought the blouses. Then she passed the jewelry store and couldn't resist the sparkling displays in the window. Delia bit her lip as her practical side warred with her desire to look more feminine for her dream man. She was just about to walk away when she saw the perfect earrings. Nothing fancy, just a pair of small silver drops. There was no price so they were probably way too expensive for her. But it wouldn't hurt to look, right?

  The next thing Delia knew, she had pulled out her debit card and paid nearly $300 for a pair of white gold earrings. She hugged her purse to her, protecting the earrings inside tucked in their satin lined box. She didn't know when she'd have the nerve to wear them. What in heaven's name would Charlie say? Would Charlie even notice?

  When Delia got home, she quickly hid the box in her pajama drawer and there it stayed for a week. Out of sight, out of mind.

  Then one night she reached into the drawer and her hand went to the pretty, pink nightgown. Underneath it was the box. Delia sucked in her breath. She hadn't seen Theo in a week (she'd convinced herself he was a Greek pirate). Maybe if she wore the nightgown and the earrings, he would come to her tonight.

  Delia took her time with the bedtime ritual. She hadn't been able to get to the hairdressers for a cut and it had grown to reach her shoulders. She brushed it carefully, fluffing out the sides and back-brushing the top to give it some height.

  She removed the studs she'd always worn and slipped the new white gold drops into place. Then she tucked her curls behind her ears so the earrings would show to better effect.

  Finally, Delia took out the little pot of pearl pink lip gloss she wore for special occasions and applied it to her lips to give them a delicate sheen. Almost, she reached for the perfume her daughter had bought her for her last birthday, but thought that would be too much. Theo wouldn't be able to smell it in a dream, but Charlie might wonder.

  Delia climbed into bed, shivering in anticipation of seeing Theo again. She was sure he would come to her if only she could settle down long enough to fall asleep.

  She gritted her teeth in frustration when she heard Charlie's footsteps coming up the stairs. Why was he getting ready for bed so early? The bathroom door clicked softly shut and she breathed a sigh of relief. With the sigh came sleep as she slid onto the boardwalk, waiting for Theo.

  She thought she saw a shifting shadow moving along the jetty and hoped that meant he was coming. Sure enough, she watched as Theo leaped lightly onto the sand and her heart beat just a little faster. He stopped by the fire and looked around, as if he couldn't see her.

  Delia cleared her throat to get his attention, but he didn't seem to hear. She climbed down the stairs reluctantly and moved a few feet onto the beach. She cleared her throat again, “It's me, Delia.”

  She could see his teeth gleam white in the firelight as he smiled at her. “Are you happy, Delia?”

  She was so startled by his voice that she stepped back a pace. It was deep and gentle as she thought it would be. Then she realized what he had asked her. It was the last thing she had ever expected him to say.

  “Why … why would you ask me that?” she stammered.

  “Because when you first called me to you weeks ago, I could sense a deep sadness in you; so deep that most people around you don't notice.” Theo paused a moment to give her time to think. “Am I right?” he prompted softly.

  Delia felt a tear slide down her cheek. How did he know? “I'm alright, really I am.”

  He shook his head, refuting her words. “No, Delia. That won't do. Not with me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you called me. Because you need me. Because I'm here for you.”

  She blew out her breath and stood straighter. Theo was right. He was her one chance to find some way out of the same old sameness that was her life.

  “I don't think I'm unhappy. I mean, not being happy isn't the same as being unhappy, is it?”

  “Perhaps a subtle distinction,” he nodded. “If you are unhappy, you can't appreciate the precious moments that pass through our lives. If you are not happy, but not unhappy, you are still able to appreciate a beautiful sunset, a perfect rose, the first golden leaf of Fall. Can you do that?” he asked.

  “I … I don't know,” she replied sadly. “I don't think I've even seen a perfect rose.”

  “What about the roses you create every day?”

  “Me?” she asked, startled again that he knew this about her. “Well, I … I suppose so, but I've done so many of them that it's a habit to make them the same every time.”

  “Are they the same every time to the people who buy the cakes you decorate? Don't you think they make a special occasion more special? What about the child who sees your roses for the first time on a birthday cake her parents bought specially for her. Can't you just see the wonder on her face?”

  “I suppose you're right. I never thought about it that way,” she replied, eyes wide in wonder.

  He nodded again. “I'm sure you thought the job you do is just a job. A job you've been doing the same way for over twenty years. But it isn't, is it, Delia?” he urged.

  “No, I suppose not,” she said slowly, but with more confidence this time.

  “Good girl. That's what I wanted to hear. That's the look I wanted to see on your face.”

  “Thank you, Theo.”

  “Good night, Delia. Make some people happy tomorrow.”

  “I will,” she smiled.

  “Nice earrings.” Theo gave her a cocky grin and melted back into the shadows.

  * * *

  The next day, Delia couldn't help smiling as she completed the day's decorating. She took extra care with each cake thinking about the people who would enjoy them. She even tried experimenting, covering one cake in daisies. Her first attempt was rather poor, but she kept at it until she had it down pat. Maybe tomorrow she'd try magnolias with a gum drop center.

  By the end of her shift, she felt so good, she dared to suggest to her boss that they wear more colorful uniforms. Maybe ice cream pastels in the summer and deeper colors like maroon and navy in the winter. The idea had been accepted with enthusiasm and she was to contact the uniform company to work out the details.

  Delia couldn't wait to get home. It had been a long time since she'd had something this nice to share with Charlie. But first she'd stop at the grocery store and pick up something special to make for dinner.

  Charlie was surprised at the pretty table she had set and the tempting smells coming from the kitchen. As soon as he had washed and sat down, she served the fresh bluefish she'd baked with a light lemon sauce, those new potatoes he liked rolled in parsley, and a spinach salad just picked from his garden.

  She'd put on the new pink blouse, too, instead of the floppy muu-muu she usually wore. She could see Charlie appreciated everything she had done and was pleased when he said so.

  Delia waited until Charlie was eating lemon meringue pie to tell him what had happened at work that day. His eyes lit up and she was happy that he appreciated her success, no matter how small.

  * * *

  Now they were well into the Fall and wearing the new uniforms in darker colors. Delia couldn't believe that she was into a size ten. She hadn't really been dieting. Maybe she was just eating less because she was feeling better about herself. And she was feeling better about herself because she was eating less. Delia had to laugh at her foolish thoughts. It was like, which came first, the chicken or the egg.

  Delia was surprised when Amy walked in just before it was time for her to leave for the day. She had stopped by a few times in the morning on her way to the shop, but never in the middle of the afternoon.

  “Hi, Delia,” Amy said cheerfully. “I'd ask how you are, but I can see for myself. You look wonderful.”

  “It's the new uniforms,” Delia smiled. “And I owe it all to you. You showed me what a difference color can make.”

  Amy laughed in delight. “Speaking of which, are you about ready to leave for the day?”

  “Yes, but what's color got to do with my going home?” Delia asked, confused.

  “You'll see. It's a surprise,” Amy replied, patting Delia's hand. “Get your jacket and follow me.”

  The air was chilly and Delia wrapped her head in a scarf. Amy noticed it and thought smugly to herself that Delia wouldn't be wearing that scarf when she got through with her.

  The women walked two blocks, chatting lazily about nothing in particular until they reached their destination. Delia was surprised when Amy opened a door and motioned her in. She had never been in Connie's Castle of Color, although she passed it frequently. Did Amy want her advice on a new hair color?

  Automatically, Delia unbuttoned her jacket as she pulled off her scarf. Amy reached to help Delia with the jacket as she introduced her. “Connie, this is my friend that I told you about, Delia Cummings.”

  Delia was a little intimidated by the elegance of this salon. She'd always gone to Cut 'N Curl to get a simple trim every six weeks. Come to think of it, it had been months since she'd gotten it cut. She must look a fright next to these two stylish women.

  “Delia, you just sit right here and let Connie take care of you,” Amy coaxed.

  “I can't afford this place, Amy,” Delia whispered.

  “You don't have to. I have an arrangement with Connie. Connie does my hair and nails for free, and I get her designer clothing at cost.” Amy grinned at the bewildered look on Delia's face. “Relax. I have a big credit balance here, right, Connie?”

  After that wedding you sent my way, you bet you do,” Connie laughed. Then she was all business, running her hands through Delia's hair, looking at her from all angles, deciding how best to cut her hair to tame the curl.

  “You have beautiful hair, Delia. Who cut it last?”

  “Betty over at Cut 'N Curl has been doing my hair for twenty years,” she said defensively.

  Connie nodded into the mirror. “She's done a good job. You just let it go too long without a trim and now it's looking a bit wild.”

  Delia relaxed when she saw her old friend wasn't going to be criticized. But she wasn't able to relax for long when she realized Connie was talking about a hair color that would suit her complexion.

  “What's wrong with my own hair color?” Delia asked indignantly.

  “It's a lovely color, Delia,” Connie replied in a soothing tone. “But such a dark color makes a woman look older than her years. I'm not saying go platinum blond, or anything like that,” Connie laughed. “Just a couple of shades lighter with a few highlights. Nothing flashy.”

  “Well,” Delia temporized, “I don't know. I didn't think I was ready to dye my hair just yet.”

  “You're grayer than you think. You can't see the top of your head. There's more gray than brown,” Connie told her firmly. “Amy tells me you've got a very special occasion coming up in a few months. Better to try out the new style and color now when there's plenty of time to change things.”

  It seemed as if Connie was determined to have her way. And she was right. Might as well do it now. Delia just pressed her lips together and nodded.

  “Good,” said Connie whipping the cape around Delia's shoulders before she could change her mind.

  Two hours later, Delia found herself out on the sidewalk with Amy, still in a daze. She couldn't believe how she looked, but Amy and Connie's satisfied smiles told her she looked good. Connie hadn't trimmed much, but her hair had a bounce to it it hadn't had before. It seemed like she hadn't really changed the color, either, but it was brighter somehow and made her feel younger.

  “I don't know how to thank you, Amy,” Delia said shyly.

  Amy laughed in delight at Delia's discomfort. “Don't worry about it. Wait until you see the expensive dress I'm going to make you buy for your anniversary.”

  Delia had to laugh, too. Amy had helped her change her life twice, now, and she knew she could trust her to help her look her best for the party.

  Delia walked … or maybe she floated … down the street to her car. Wait until Charlie saw her. What would he say? Would he say anything?

  No, he wouldn't say anything, Delia thought sadly. Tonight was darts night and he wouldn't be home until late. He seemed to be working later two or three nights a week, too, and she'd just realized it.

  Delia's good mood vanished into the cold October air, and she made her way home with a heavy heart. She put together a simple dinner, watched a couple of sitcoms that didn't make her laugh and a documentary about baby seals that made her cry. then walked slowly upstairs to get ready for bed.

  How she longed to have someone admire the way she looked tonight. Delia reached into the dresser drawer for a pair of light flannel pajamas when her hand came in contact with the soft, pink nightgown. She couldn't believe it was there. Why hadn't she packed it away with the other summer things?

  She looked into the mirror and saw the reflection of a woman that looked ten years younger than she had this morning. Delia squared her shoulders and pulled the pink nightgown out of he drawer. She would wear it tonight. Theo always came to her when she wore it and now she would be able to show him that she was more than a middle-aged frump.

  She'd heard him call her name in her dreams several times, but when she'd gone to the beach, he never showed himself. She put on the gown and fluffed her hair, confident that he would be there this time. Fresh lip gloss, a subtle dab of perfume and she was ready.

  It was hard to sleep when she was so excited. She really needed to see Theo; needed to see his eyes glow with pleasure at seeing her. Not that she'd ever seen all of his face, but it didn't matter. She knew some day she would and he'd be everything she'd ever wanted.

 

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