Chapter 33

The four women left with their security detail and went downstairs to the lobby, where they were met by a limousine. Agnes had never had friends that were well off, let alone super elite rich. To be treated to this kind of luxury was intoxicating, to say the least. As she was thinking this, she was also waiting for one of the three other women to tell her that she didn't belong in their group. When she dared to make contact with Graeham's granddaughter she smiled at her in a kind manner. Agnes didn't know what to think, let alone how to interact with these women, so she sat with her hands in her lap and her head down.

Charlotte, seeing the woman was uncomfortable in this situation and feeling like she didn't fit in, called her name softly.

"Agnes?" Agnes looked up and over at the younger dark haired woman seated across from her.

Feeling anxiety travel through her to land in the pit of her stomach, "Yes?"

"I know that you are uncomfortable. I'm not sure if it is because you are worried that I will think that you are a gold-digger and are after my grandfather's money or that you have never been around wealth, or what it is. But please, be at ease. If my grandfather has chosen to ask you to be his companion or friend or even his bedmate, that is none of my business, and besides, my grandfather can take care of himself. Without meaning to scare or offend you, I'm sure that he already has a background check on you, your credit score and all of your history right down to when you lost your first tooth." Charlotte stopped when Agnes looked slightly offended and even frightened. She waited a bit before she spoke again. "That is part of having the kind of wealth that he has. You cannot imagine the scams that some people would try to run on him. By men and women both. Some elaborate, some simple. All designed to cheat him out of money. So, having grown up in that environment, I understand how my grandfather thinks. Besides, he obviously likes you. He hasn't had his attention drawn by a female in a very long time."

You mean that he hasn't....."

Charlotte waved her hand and said, "Oh, I'm sure that he had women that he would take for a tumble, but there has never been anyone since my grandmother died that he has brought around us grandkids."

"So he wasn't a monk. I get that. I would totally expect a man not to be. I would imagine that he had plenty of female companions." Agnes said, beginning to feel very uncomfortable with this conversation.

"Agnes, let me say it this way. Even after we were older, he never brought another woman around. A few of us had even asked him about it and said, and I quote, 'When I find a woman that is the same caliber as your grandmother and I think is worth the effort, I will bring her around you kids.' End quote. It would appear, Agnes, that you are that woman. My grandfather never does anything lightly. He asked us to bring you along because he wanted me to get to know you and for you to get to know me, us." Charlotte looked over at the woman that her grandfather had chosen and was quite pleased. She remembered the conversation that she had with Jaxson the previous night. Agnes was perfect for grandfather. "Now, we are going to do some light shopping, have some lunch, do some more shopping, then go back to the hotel where we will have dinner and tomorrow, we will finish our shopping and have a spa day to finish everything out. That includes facials, hair, waxing and nails."

As she told Agnes this, Charlotte watched the older woman's eyes get wide and her face express a sense of incredulity. That's when Miney reached over and patted her hands, where they were clasped together in her lap.

"It's quite alright to feel out of place, my dear. You should have seen me when I first realized that Anders was my mate. I was terrified." Miney laughed a bit. "I was afraid that he wouldn't want me. Back then it was worse than it is now if you were different. I was tall and gangly, uncomfortable in my own skin. I wasn't confident at all and was made to feel like a freak because I was so tall. Anders loved it, because, he said, that he didn't have to bend over very far to kiss me. As I grew to know him, my confidence grew. Now? Pfft! I walk into a place like I own it and you are in my world. You would be surprised at what you can get away with carrying that sort of composure around. People will instantly give you respect."

"It's true. My FBI training taught us something along those very lines. It's how you carry yourself that determines how people will not just respond to you, but how they will treat you overall. If you want to be singled out act like you have no confidence. You will be singled out. Trust me, the world you have just entered, if you act like you don't belong in it, people will treat you that way." Amber told her, looking at her with an intense stare. "You know, Rio and I discussed you last night. I had noticed that you had caught Graeham's eye and I told him that you might end up in our little circle of family. To say he was thrilled was putting it mildly."

"Why would he be thrilled? I thought he wasn't related to Graeham?" She asked, confused. "Because Rio, like his brother Jaxson, knows what it's like to go years without some to call yours. someone who they can trust and care for and be cared for by that person. That's a big part of the human condition Agnes, to love and be loved."

"Amber, I bet you were a psych major in college, weren't you?" Charlotte teased.

"I was actually. Has a disgusting 4.0 GPA. Nathan said that is what drew the attention of the FBI to me."

Agnes frowned. "Lots of college kids have high GPA's. Why would that attract attention to you?"

"I was working an almost full time job to pay my way through school. I had received a partial scholarship that covered my tuition, but I still had to pay for my books, a place to live and food. So, I busted my chops and bartended at a local tavern on Fridays and Saturdays. Then on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I would wait tables at the small diner by the campus. I got lucky. There was a construction crew doing a job for the university the whole time I worked there and I built up a set of regulars and knew my situation and tipped really well." She snorted once and said, " The foreman tried to get me to go out with him more than once. I knew better and told him so. Mixing business with pleasure is a surefire way to end one or both."

They had reached the exclusive shopping district where they would be shopping for dresses. As they all filed out of the limousine, Agnes watched how each woman walked into the wedding boutique that was their first stop. Sure enough, Miney led the way. She walked in and carried such a regal attitude that it commanded attention. As she watched, the older woman was followed by Charlotte and then Amber.

When it was her turn to enter the store, the head of the security detail said, "Remember, you have every right to be here and to be treated with dignity and respect." Nodding, Agnes entered into the business.

Suddenly, she was surrounded by women fussing over the four of them. They were taken to a private sitting area and Amber and Charlotte were asked about preferences for a wedding dress. When designs were decided on, the women sat back and were served mimosas and finger sandwiches, for which Agness was thankful. It gave her something to do with her hands.

As she watched, dress after dress was brought out and rejected by Charlotte. It wasn't that she was hard to please, it seemed that they saleslady brought every design but what she asked for. After simpering a bit after Charlotte made her fourth refusal, Agnes could see that the young woman was getting angry and decided to intervene.

"Perhaps I might be of assistance. My friend has very decided tastes and what I am seeing so far being brought out is nothing like she has requested. We are here to spend money. A great deal of money. So, I suggest that you allow me to gather a few gowns for her before you anger her to the point that we leave. After all, we were told that this was the premiere wedding store in Knoxville, but you certainly couldn't tell it by how you are acting towards her."

Heads turned to look at the newcomer to their group and Charlotte smiled, soon followed by Miney and Amber.

"Well.." The sales lady acted puffed up and offended.

Agnes decided she had had enough. "I want to speak to the store manager. Right this minute."

About that time, an older woman, dressed very elegantly, came around the corner. "I am the manager. Can I help in some way?"

Agnes turned and said, "Yes you may. You can remove this woman and go assist someone else, because she evidently has no idea how to help us. My friend has asked for a very specific style and this person has brought everything but what Charlotte has asked for. We are here to spend a great deal of money on not one, but two wedding dresses and would you like to know whose money we are spending? A Mr. Graeham Dylan Frazier. Now please remove this person or we will go somewhere else.

While my friend is waiting, I think I will try my hand at finding a selection of gowns for her to try on. There will be no commission on this sale today." With that having been said, the manager did indeed remove the woman. As a matter of fact, she was told to take the day off. Then the manager quickly returned and apologized profusely and escorted Agnes to where the gowns were kept.

Looking them over, Agnes kept in mind Charlotte's lack of height and her coloring, as well as her requests. Sorting through the gowns, the two women found four gowns that matched what Charlotte had asked for. Returning to the group, Agnes went to sit down with them while the manager escorted Charlotte to a dressing/changing room where she could try the four gowns on.

Charlotte stripped down to her bra and panties and was about to step into the first wedding gown when the manager noticed her scars and gasps. Then realizing that she had made a grave mistake, she apologized. To which Charlotte smiled.

"You should see the other guys." Thankfully, the manager did not push the issue, instead helping Charlotte into the princess style ballgown wedding dress. It was very Disney princess with a large crinoline underneath to give the skirt its volume. Its sleeves were cap sleeves that went to mid-forearm and a dramatic sweetheart neckline.

"Uhmmm, I'm not sure why I chose something like this. It looks terrible on me." Charlotte muttered.

"I agree," said the manager in a French accent. "Too much for your small stature and lovely curves."4

"Well, at least let my friend see it. "

Charlotte and the manager walked out of the changing room and up to the pedestal where everyone could look at her and how the dress fit her.

"No."

"Absolutely not!"

"I'm sorry."

The last was Agnes.

"Why are you sorry, Agnes.?" Charlotte asked.

"I chose that one. It was what you wanted to try on, so I found what you asked for." She said, trying not to cringe at how the dress made Charlotte look even shorter and with less curves and more bulk.

"No problem. I have three others to try on." Returning back to the changing room, she stepped out of the gown and the manager returned it to the hanger and garment bag.

The second dress was a mermaid style and got much the same reaction.

The third dress was much better. It was an old-fashioned look to it. It had a sweetheart neckline too, but it was filled in with lace and had a high lave collar that buttoned at the back. There were close to a hundred small buttons in the back. it flowed with her figure perfectly and the train trailed behind. It was a beauty. But it still wasn't quite right.

"Charlotte, this is the last gown. It is very different from the waist up. From the waist down, it's almost identical. Are you ready?" At her nod, the manager, whose name she had learned was Francine, helped her into the dress.

Turning around after the zipper was up and the straps adjusted, Charlotte stared at the young woman in the mirror.

"It's perfect!"