Ready to Wed Read Online Free PDF

planning to be married less than three weeks from now?” asked Louise.
    Belle nodded as she helped Ethel to remove her pink mask. “Yes. I have a complete plan.”
    “My goodness,” said Ethel. “That seems rather unrealistic.”
    “Yes. I hadn’t planned to mention that part just yet. But really, I have it all worked out in my head.”
    “Exactly where will this particular wedding be held?” asked Louise in a tight voice.
    Belle grinned. “I sort of hoped that it might be held right here at the inn. The reception anyway. I’d really love to be married in a church.”
    “Grace Chapel is a very nice church to be married in,” offered Alice.
    “You can’t be serious, Belle,” said Jane.
    Belle laughed. “You see, I knew I should be careful about saying too much. Just like some of the people in the Bible—you know the ones that God gave dreams to—well, some folks thought they were crazy too. But just you wait, time will tell.”
    “I guess so,” said Jane in a tone that suggested she was unconvinced. She stood, forcing a smile. “I’ll get our refreshments.” But as she went into the kitchen, she began to think that their guest was more than a little off her rocker. How could Belle possibly imagine that she wasgoing to meet Mr. Right and have a wedding, just like that? It was completely crazy.
    After they had all tried many of Belle’s beauty products, Jane said, “Thank you, Belle, I really like the way my skin feels—softer and smoother.” She refilled their guest’s teacup. “I think I’d like to purchase some of these things.”
    “Oh goody,” said Belle. “But we’re not done yet.”
    “We’re not?” asked Louise with a touch of dismay in her voice.
    “Of course not.” Belle opened up another one of her pink cases, unfolding the sides and back to display a wide array of what appeared to be all sorts of cosmetics. “Now, girls, it’s time to get glamorous.”
    “Oh yes,” said Ethel happily. “This should be fun.”
    Louise cleared her throat. “I don’t care much for makeup. A little lipstick in a neutral shade perhaps, but that’s more than enough—”
    “No, no,” scolded Belle. “You have to at least try them, Louise.”
    And before anyone else could protest, Belle began helping them to apply everything from Wrinkle Away concealer to Marvelous Mauve eye shadow. They tried out lip colors and blushes and eyebrow pencils and the works. And when they were finished, they all looked overdone except for Ethel, who looked very nice.
    “Well, this is too much makeup for me,” admitted Alice as she peered at her image in the mirror. “But it has been fun, Belle. And I do think I like this lip color.”
    “Yes,” said Belle. “It’s lovely with your complexion.”
    “I’d like to order some,” continued Alice, “along with that moisturizer and facial mask.”
    “I’m more than happy to help you,” said Belle.
    “Goodness, it’s getting late,” said Ethel as she checked her watch.
    Louise looked to be stifling a yawn. “It is indeed.”
    “I’ll tell you what we can do,” said Belle. “I’ve got lists of everything you’ve used tonight, I’ll attach those to an order form for each of you, and you can just sleep on it. Look everything over tomorrow and let me know if you’re interested in ordering something. More than anything, I don’t like to come across as some high-pressured salesperson. Beauty should be fun.”
    They all thanked her, and she reminded them to carefully cleanse their faces before bed. “Now, y’all just go on,” she called out. “I’ll clean up in here so that no one will ever know that I was even here.”
    Alice and Jane picked up the tea trays and took them to the kitchen, where Jane studied Alice’s made-up face.
    “Do I look bad?” whispered Alice.
    “I really like the lipstick, but the rest of the makeup is abit heavy for you,” Jane said as she directed her sister to a small mirror that hung by the back door.
    Alice