Lucy pulled around and parked at the back of the house. Zebadiah had left a short note for her the day after their conversation that told her that she should be at his house at three o'clock the following day. As she got out of her car she recognized his car but there was another behind it that she didn't recognize.

Letting herself into the house, she quietly listened before she started up the stairs. She could hear a gentle murmur of voices but she couldn't make out the words, and when she rounded the banister her eyes immediately connected with Zebadiah's, and she had the sudden vision of red once more. Was it another warning?

"Lucy," he greeted without smiling, although he did stand. "This is my personal assistant Summer, she is here to help you get ready for the party this evening." He motioned for her to enter the study.

As Lucy entered, her eyes landed on a young lady about her age. She was well rounded and had lots of corkscrew curls in light blond that covered her head. She was wearing a delicate dusting of makeup and her clothes were perfect for her. She was obviously in good hands when it came to fashion.

"Hi Lucy," she greeted with her hand out as she stood. "I hope your ready to play dress up? Zebadiah gave me an approximation of your size and I brought a few things for you to try."

Lucy blushed a little, embarrassed by the fact that she had been a topic of discussion for someone she hardly knew. She couldn't help but wonder what else Zebadiah had told her.

"Just remember that we need to leave by half past six," he reminded Summer as he waved them away and turned towards his computer.

Summer took her arm and pulled her across the hall to one of the unfinished rooms there. In it was a rack of clothing, boxes of shoes, and a table full of make-up and hair products. "Full makeover," she said with obvious glee. "It is times like these that I enjoy my job." She sighed as she walked around Lucy, taking in her size and appearance.

"Times like these?" Lucy asked, trying not to flinch as Summer reached up and took off her ballcap.

"Ummm, yes, when Zebadiah asks me to do something unusual, out of the norm, although he has never had me makeover one of his lady friends before."

Lucy didn't think she meant to be thoughtless with her comment, but she couldn't help cringe at the description. "I'm not one of his lady friends, I work for him just like you do," she insisted as she was pushed into a chair.

"What do you do for him?" Summer asked as she distractedly ran her hand through Lucy's hair. "Can I cut this?" she asked. "This is your natural color isn't it?" she asked in the next breath.

"Yes, and I restore furniture, I'm working on the house."

Summer nodded at her explanation, not really caring. "It's amazing that your hair and eyes are so light, but your brows and lashes are so dark." She grinned. "I have just the dress, I know it is a black and white ball, but when I was told about your coloring I snuck one in that will make a statement."

"I don't want to make a statement," Lucy declined the offer.

"You are Zebadiah Abbott's date for the evening, you need to make a statement, I have a feeling that was why he chose you in the first place, you're so lovely you'll be hard to miss." Summer walked over to the rack of clothes and sorted through it until she found what she wanted.

"Here, try this." She handed the dress to Lucy who took it. It was silver silk and it flowed through her hands like water. It was long with a high slit up one leg and hugged the body. It was sleeveless, and the neck dipped into a deep drape, there was no back.

"I can't wear this, what about underwear?" she asked, shocked by the idea of not wearing any.

"Don't worry, I have it covered, trust me." Summer pushed her back into the chair and turned her this way and that before picking up her scissors.

Lucy placed her hand on hers, stopping her. "Are you trained?"

"Yes, I was a hairstylist in my former life. Trust me, Zebadiah does," she insisted.

With a deep breath Lucy gave herself over to Summer.

The next three hours where a whirlwind of hair, makeup, and clothing with Summer talking a mile a minute. Telling Lucy all about herself and how Zebadiah had given her a chance when no one else would. That little fact made Lucy's heart beat a little faster as she hoped he might do the same for her.

There really wasn't any underwear to speak of, Summer had some large stickers that acted as a bra and the underwear was barely there, but as she slid the dress over Lucy's head and the silk caressed her skin, Lucy realized that there was no other choice because the dress hugged her so tightly.

Summer stepped back and looked at her with a grin. "My work here is done."

There was no mirror for Lucy to see herself in, so she had no clue if she looked like a clown or not.

"Take that Gianna!" Summer nodded and when Lucy looked over at her she blushed. "Sorry, but I don't like her, and I'm glad that Zebadiah isn't taking her seriously. I hope she will get the point this evening and leave him alone. She's been stalking him since Christmas."

That explained why Zebadiah was so insistent that she attend the gala as his date. He had hinted at it in the church but she hadn't been sure she had understood him or just how desperate he really was to get the point across to the woman.

"Hopefully, there will be a few other women that will be there that will also get the point. You're stunning so they should." Summer walked towards the door. "I'll be right back," she said as she slipped out of the room.

Lucy closed her eyes as she tried to erase the disappointment she felt at Summer's words. She had been in denial, but she had known what this date was all about because Zebadiah had explained it to her, but it hurt to hear the truth spoken by someone else.

Summer reappeared, pushing a floor length mirror that was on wheels with her. Lucy had noted it in the study but hadn't realized it was on wheels. Summer laughed at her stunned expression.

"Don't worry, he's not an overly vain man, but he does appreciate a custom-made suit and his tailor makes house calls," she explained as she wheeled the mirror to face Lucy.

Lucy turned to look at herself and couldn't hide her shock. "Summer!" She didn't recognize the woman who looked back at her. The dress was beautiful, she had felt exposed in it, but she needn't have worried. The silver dress coupled with her hair and her eyes made a dramatic statement. Her hair had been cut shorter and made her cheekbones and neck look delicate. She blinked back tears as she turned to Summer. "Thank you, but how can you be so sure this won't put ideas into my head about Zebadiah?" she joked.

Summer shook her head, turning serious. "You're a realist like me, you live in the here and now, not some vague future dream."

If only Summer realized exactly how hard Lucy fought to not do that very thing every time she saw Zebadiah.

"But I bet Zebadiah will have a few dreams of his own once he sees you," she crowed, proud of her work, and Lucy couldn't control her blush.

"You've never once thought about him like that?" Lucy couldn't help but ask, jealous at the thought.

"No, he's like a brother." Summer shook her head. Lucy got that because that was how she felt about Thomas. "Shall we do the big reveal now?" she asked, handing her a pair of silver heels, a cashmere shawl, and a little clutch bag. "You probably won't need the shawl, but it's better to have it and not need it."

Lucy looked at herself once more as she slipped on the shoes before she braced herself to follow Summer across the hall.

When they entered the study, Zebadiah had his back to them as he looked out the window while talking on his phone and she and Summer waited patiently until he was finished. Lucy couldn't help but admire the way his broad shoulders filled out his crisp white shirt.

When he turned towards them he was frowning but as he caught sight of Lucy his frown changed to a look of surprise. He let his gaze wander from the tips of her toes to the top of his head, taking his time, and Lucy felt as if he had physically touched her.

"Worth the wait I hope?" Summer asked as she looked between the two of them.

"Definitely, you look beautiful Lucy, and well worth being fashionably late."

As he reached for his tux jacket and threw it on then adjusted his cuffs, Lucy looked at the clock, noting that it was almost half past seven.

"I didn't realize that we had taken so long," Lucy said, surprised that they had.

"Summer knew exactly how long you were taking," Zebadiah teased as he walked around the desk. "Thank you, Summer. Why don't you leave with us and I'll lock up as we go?"

Summer nodded and went across the hall to gather her things while Zebadiah looked Lucy over once more. "You truly do look stunning," he complimented her.

Lucy thanked him nicely as Summer returned and he motioned towards the door for them to proceed him.

As Lucy passed him he placed his hand in the small of her bare back and she felt as if he had branded her. Everyone of her senses tuned into that one place and she closed her eyes at the sensation, tripping over her own feet in the process.

When Zebadiah's arms caught her around the waist and pulled her to him, it didn't make it any better, and as she looked up her eyes caught Summer's and she gave her knowing grin.

"I hope you two have fun tonight," she said as she darted ahead and down the stairs while Zebadiah gave Lucy time to regain her composure.

"Sorry, I'm not used to heels," she supplied, clearing her throat nervously while he still held her close. His hand was on her stomach and she could feel the muscles spasm at his touch. The warm silk between their skin heightened the sensation. His other hand came to rest on her hip and she had to close her eyes at the intimacy of it. It was as if he was touching her bare skin.

Lucy had the sudden suspicion that Summer had chosen the silk dress for that reason alone.

"I'm fine now." She cleared her throat and was sad to feel his hand drop away as he released her.

"Good, why don't you take my arm?" He held it out and she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow.

There were no more mishaps as they made their way to the party, and Lucy couldn't decide if she was disappointed or relieved.