And she was right. When she stood up with a big smile and took a step towards Monty, she looked so gorgeous that Monty was absolutely awe-struck. As he drove in to the city, he had been remembering how she had looked last night in her fitted blouse, jeans, and those cute hiking boots. While he still saw the same beautiful face tonight, the Western clothes she had selected went so perfectly with her coloring, and the skirt and boots showed off her legs so well that she was simply stunning. Monty stood stock-still for what seemed like an eternity, and almost stumbled when he forward started to meet her.
"You look wonderful!" he blurted.
"Thanks. I just didn't want to look like a city mouse among all the country mice tonight," smiled Laura, very pleased by the effect she apparently made on Monty.
Monty was recovering some of his poise, and replied, "City or country, there's no way you'd ever look like a mouse. That's really a becoming outfit - you'll not only fit in tonight, you'll stand out. You sure know how to pick an outfit."
"Well," Laura replied, "I did notice what all the women were wearing last night and found a store right by the hotel, so I made some quick purchases, and here I am. I'm glad you like it."
"Like it? I'll be the envy of every cowboy in the Cow Palace tonight," Monty said. "But where's your hat?"
"I thought about one, but then I thought I'd look too phony, like I was trying to be something I wasn't," Laura said apologetically.
"No, really, Laura, you look as though you'd been wearing clothes like that all your life. No one would ever know that you're a big-city girl. With those clothes, I think you'd look great in a cowboy hat."
"Too late now," laughed Laura ruefully. "The store where I bought these closed at 5 tonight, and my credit card took a beating already on clothes I won't have much use for after tonight."
Monty didn't say anything, but he had a sudden thought: there were lots of vendors selling Western wear, including hats, at the Cow Palace so he lost no time in getting there. They parked in the exhibitors' area by the cow barns, and he kept up a conversation with Laura as he maneuvered her skillfully through the barn area and into the passage way under the stands where the concessions were. When they neared one selling cowboy hats, he reached out and plucked a light tan felt woman's cowboy hat and set it on Laura's head.