Chapter 217

Edie Benner parked in front of the Saddle Creek Dress Shop. The sign above the door read, Founded in 1939. "I sure hope the original owner isn't still running the place," Edie said while she checked her makeup in the driver's mirror. She touched up her lipstick then stepped out of the car. As she approached the store, she smoothed the wrinkles from the front of her dress pants and fluffed her hair. The front windows had a display of beautiful summer dresses in light flowery prints. She liked them all.

She paused, cleared her throat, and opened the door. A little bell jingled, and a small elderly woman came out from the back.

"Hello, can I help you find something?"

Edie wasn't impressed with her. She had a sour look on her face, and that didn't help sales. The typical medium build, middle-aged woman wore a dark mid-length skirt with a beige sweater. Her dull, brown hair was held at the nape of her neck with a barrette, and her tired bloodshot eyes were hazel. Deep wrinkles in her