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.Why do ya keep pushin' Adam at me? He doesn't want me any more," she complained querulously.She couldn't conceal her irritation that Bella and Adam were old friends."I think he's a great doctor.All I have to do is call him and he comes runnin' to help the residents.Why, he's the one that prescribed antibiotics for my cold patients this morning."Bella shook her head."Do you ever wonder about that? Why is it that the other doctor's on staff never write as many scripts as Adam?""That's because they aren't as compassionate."There was no use in arguing methods and techniques with her.Becky closed her mind and nothing Bella could say would change her mind.Bella wanted to tell Becky that all she had to do was to quit pushing Adam for a permanent relationship.Becky couldn't end every date with him expecting an engagement ring.But Bella didn't want to argue with her today."I still haven't seen Mr.Van Horn.I need to talk to him about the new administrator before my speech tomorrow night.How can I introduce someone I don't even know?""If I see him, I'll call ya," she said sincerely."No idea what you're wearin'?" Becky quizzed."The last time I remember ya being so secretive was when you and Scott got married.I almost died when ya walked down the aisle dressed like Marilyn Monroe in that glittering, form-fitting dress." The humor fell from her face and she gave Bella an odd look."Oh! You're not wearin' that tomorrow night, are you?"Bella laughed, remembering the shocked expression on Scott's face as she walked down the aisle."No.Don't worry.I won't be so blatantly sexual.I really won't embarrass you.I just wish I knew what to wear.I bought black pumps to wear with my basic black dress, but it's too boring.Therefore, I had a different idea.That's why I wanted you to come over.I don't know if I'm brave enough to wear it.""Uh, oh.this sounds like my Bella of old.What are ya up to?"Before she could avoid answering, her pager began to vibrate at her side.She walked to the telephone through a sea of indignant faces.CHAPTER SIXBELLA KEPT BUSY SATURDAY MORNING, but by early afternoon, she was nearly sick with anxiety over the fund-raiser.It would be bad to stand in front of a crowd, but with everything that had escalated this past week, she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.She didn't want to think about it and she really didn't want to go to this boring event.Entering the bedroom, she sat on the edge of the waterbed, and then lay back on the warm surface.It had been a week ago this morning that she'd met Garrett Brooks.She felt cheap and wanton.She'd let a stranger kiss her, and then he'd disappeared from her life.If she hadn't talked to Ned last night, probing for any information on Garrett, she would have thought he'd been a figment of her imagination.But Ned gave her little information.She ambled into the bathroom, taking the brush off the counter she began brushing her long hair until it shone, its auburn luster reflected the light.Well, by this time tomorrow, the dreaded gala would be pushed back into her mind as a memory.She just wished the Sheriff would find who was stealing at the care center and make this disgusting time of her life a memory, also.What she needed was a long, hot shower to calm her nerves.She still hadn't decided what to wear when she stepped out of the shower wrapping a thick towel snugly around her body.The towel matched the colors in the bedroom that she'd redecorated last year, saving money each month to complete the project.The urge to live beyond her means was a constant struggle.She furnished the apartment from discarded items she found at yard sales and auctions.When she bought something new, guilt filled her with regret.She was becoming exceedingly frugal.She had a simple black dress in the closet.Along with black stockings and the new heels, she would look fine.Her hair was a mess.It probably would take her all afternoon to make it look good.As she leaned over the bathtub with the hand held sprayer rushing water over her hair, an idea struck her.She grabbed a towel and rubbed the water from her hair.She dropped the towel; her damp hair flopped around her shoulders in long strands.She ran her fingers through the damp hair and bit her lips together to suppress a giggle that rose from her chest.* * * *From the stylist's chair, Bella stared at her reflection.She'd emerged from the bulk of hair that now lay on the floor surrounding the chair.She looked nothing at all like her old self.The red highlights had overtaken the somber brown tones in the collar length bob that turned under at her chin.A fringe of wispy bangs touched her brows.The style accentuated her high cheekbones and large almond-shaped eyes."You like?" The stylist asked as he smoothed his hand over the back of her hair to smooth a few hairs.Grant was her mother's hair stylist.When she'd called him a little over an hour ago, he'd been more than happy to have her come in immediately for the transformation.Video's blared from the television as she changed her appearance."It's great, but now I need some color in my face.I look so pale."She seldom wore makeup, but she left the salon amid blushing cheeks, shiny, pouty lips and long, thick eyelashes
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