by Leigh Duncan
“Hmm.” Cheri brushed an imaginary fleck of lint from her jacket lapel. “She might be a true Heart’s Landing bride, but it doesn’t sound like she’s marrying a Heart’s Landing groom.”
“Is that even a thing?” He’d never heard the term before, but it made sense. For every bride, there had to be a groom. He’d had his doubts about Jenny’s since the beginning. But was that because Bob was wrong for her, or because he wanted her for himself? His brows tied themselves into a tangled knot. He glanced up to find Cheri starring at him speculatively.
“Tell me again why you’re involved in this?”
He’d been asking himself the same thing. Of course, admitting that he’d fallen in love with the bride-to-be was out of the question. He reached for an answer that had nothing do with his personal feelings. “Mildred and the others asked me to take charge of her, keep her from making any more changes to the wedding plans. I’m only doing what they asked me to do.”
Though, after last night, he was pretty sure Jenny and he would both be better off if he stayed away from her. Very far away. There was only one problem with that plan—he’d tried it and failed. He could no more keep Jenny at arm’s length than he could serve a naked cake at her wedding.
Hair the color of wheat bleached by the sun tilted at an angle as Cheri studied him through narrowed eyes. “You’re not falling for this girl, are you, Nick?”
Too late. He already had. But that was information he’d carry with him to the grave. “Who, me?” Struggling for an innocent air, he held out his hands. “Not a chance.”
“Good to know. ’Cause if the job ever gets to be too much, let someone know, okay? No one wants to see you get hurt.”
He was pretty sure it was also too late to avoid that. Nevertheless, he gave his head a firm shake. Not only would his own moral compass prevent him from crossing a line with a bride-to-be, he had to think about his town. There was too much at stake for him to let his feelings for Jenny interfere with her wedding. And with that, he steered the conversation into safer waters. “So, do you have this dress she’s interested in?”
Cheri straightened marginally. “I do. The funny thing is, you said she found out about it last night. But someone requested the dress for her a couple of days ago.”
“The fiancé, probably.” Nick’s hand fisted. “I’ve never met the guy, but the more I hear about him, the more unbelievable he sounds.” What did Jenny see in him?
“No, it was a woman. I took the call myself.”
“Huh.” Was this Bob character so busy that he couldn’t even make a phone call? His opinion of Jenny’s fiancé sank another notch. Not that it mattered. Cheri had the dress. That was the important thing.
A knowing look warmed Cheri’s expression. “It, along with a few hand-picked selections, are in the back. I find my clients are usually happier with their final choice when I give them several gowns to choose from.”
Nick nodded. Cheri’s reasoning had a certain logic. Wasn’t that why he filled the bakery’s display case with different kinds of cookies? Although his customers invariably chose the same favorites over and over, they liked having options.
It was too bad love didn’t work like that. If it did, he’d confess his feelings for Jenny and give her another option. Then, maybe she’d choose him instead of Bob.
Careful now.
That sounded an awful lot like he’d walked right up to that line everyone talked about and was thinking about crossing it. Wasn’t that something he’d just sworn he’d never do?
Karolyn could keep her tight-fitting gowns with their plunging necklines and revealing backs, Jenny thought as she studied the white dress on display in one of the windows facing Boutonniere Drive. Embroidered flowers dotted the skirt’s billowing layers. More decorative stitching climbed from the narrow waist to the rounded neck and onto the shoulders of the sleeveless bodice. She sighed. When it came time to choose her own wedding dress, she wanted one like the one in the window, one that made her feel like Cinderella going to the ball.
That was, if she ever found her Prince Charming. She’d thought Nick was the one last night in the bakery. For one split second, she’d dreamed of how he’d react when she told him the real reason she’d come to town. She’d imagined seeing the knowing little smile he often wore spread across his face. How he’d draw her into his arms and tell her he understood. Next, they’d confess their love for each other. She’d even thought about the life they’d build together right here in Heart’s Landing. She’d start her own business. He’d continue making the best cakes for miles around. They’d buy a quaint little cottage on the bluff above the ocean, raise a family, and spend their lives loving one another.
But then, her dreams had come crashing down. Nick wasn’t her Prince Charming. He never would be.
She should never have hugged him like she had. In her excitement about Kay’s dress, she’d reacted without thinking. Once she was in Nick’s arms, she’d wanted nothing more than to have him hold her and pull her closer.
But he hadn’t. Instead, he’d made it clear that he wasn’t looking for that kind of relationship. At least, not with her. His reaction had dashed any hope of ever sharing more than a casual friendship with the man she’d fallen in love with.
She still didn’t know quite what had happened afterward. Her heart aching, tears blurring her vision, she must have walked to the B&B and climbed the stairs to her room. There, she’d tossed and turned all night. This morning, she’d nearly called the man who’d broken her heart, nearly told him that she no longer needed his help this morning.
But she hadn’t. She was stronger than that. She had to admit Nick had taught her that lesson. He’d urged her to trust her instincts, to believe in herself. So, determined to make it through this final appointment without breaking down, she squared her shoulders and dotted concealer over the dark circles under her eyes. She wouldn’t let Nick see how badly he’d hurt her. After today, she’d never have to see him again.
Well, not until the wedding. Not that he’d give her a second glance once the truth came out. By then, the entire town would be swept up in the thrill of having Karolyn and Chad in their midst. With not one but two celebrities to fawn over, everyone would forget about her.
Nick included.
She gave the gown in the display window a final, wistful glance, grasped the brass handle on the door, and let herself into Dress For A Day. Strategically placed in out-of-the-way spots, sprays of cream-colored flowers sat in crystal vases atop tall stands. Their smell perfumed the air. The moment she stepped onto the runner of soft burgundy that led from the entryway to a viewing area where couches and chairs had been artfully arranged around floor-to-ceiling mirrors, she understood why brides up and down the East Coast raved about the salon. Soothing ecru walls highlighted the dresses that hung from wooden hangers in deep-set alcoves lit by recessed lighting. No matter which direction she faced, bridal gowns beckoned her to come closer, to touch, to feel.
She lingered at the entryway, taking it all in while her eyes adjusted from the bright glare of sunshine outside to the low lighting. She’d barely had time to tuck her sunglasses into their case when she spotted Nick striding toward her. The diminutive woman at his side matched him step for step.
Nick.
She eyed the man who insisted on being her friend and nothing but her friend. Stiffening, she erected barriers around her heart to guard against the empty apologies he’d probably offer for the way things had ended between them last night.
“Good morning, Jenny.” Looking remarkably well-rested, his face crinkled into a smile.
She arched one eyebrow. Apparently, they weren’t going to pick up their conversation where it had left off. So be it. She hadn’t slept a wink, but if he wanted to pretend nothing had happened between them, that was fine with her. And it would stay fine, no matter how much her pulse jumped at the sight of him. She modulate
d her tone. “Morning, Nick.”
Nearing, he handled the introductions with the cheery nonchalance of a casual acquaintance. “Cheri, this is Jenny Longley. Jenny, Cheri Clark, the owner.”
Despite her tiny frame, Cheri enveloped her hand in a firm grip while they exchanged the usual pleasantries. Like a reporter drafting a story, Cheri asked the standard who, what, and when questions about the wedding and nodded her approval in the appropriate places. When the conversation started to lag, the woman suggested they get started.
“Nick, have a seat right there,” Cheri said, directing the baker to a couch and chairs in front of a three-way mirror. “Jenny, can I offer you anything before we try on the first gown? A mimosa? Something sweet to nibble on?”
“No, thanks.” She needed to get this over with and get on with her day. With Kay and the entire wedding party set to arrive bright and early Friday morning, she had a long list of final preparations to handle in a limited amount of time. She couldn’t afford to start the day off with champagne. As for the treats, she eyed the petit fours and told herself she’d lost her taste for anything from I Do Cakes.
“Well, let’s see what you think about this gown, then. Shall we?”
In a dressing room painted the same soothing ecru as the walls in the viewing area, Jenny slipped out of the yellow sundress she’d worn and wrapped herself in a soft lavender robe someone had thoughtfully hung on the back of the door. She’d barely finished before Cheri returned with the dress Kay had ordered. Standing on tiptoe, the owner hung the gown on a display rack and stood back.
“Isn’t it lovely?”
“It’s quite something.” The gown was even more form-fitting than she’d feared. Doubly glad she’d skipped the second cupcake at I Do Cakes last night, Jenny skimmed one hand over her thigh. Even the Spanx she’d wiggled into this morning might not be enough to let her pull the tight fabric down over her hips. Suddenly worried, she longed to tug on a strand of hair but had to settle for giving her smooth chignon a pat.
“It’s not what you expected? I assure you, it’s the one you requested.” Cheri fluffed and fussed with the layers of satiny fabric that started around mid-thigh. She turned over a discreet ticket. “And it’s in your size.”
“It’s not that. It’s—” She stopped herself. The dress was about as far from what she would choose for herself as she could get, but this wasn’t the time to share that tidbit of information. She needed to protect Kay’s secret for two more days, until her cousin delighted everyone in town with a grand entrance. She could manage that much, couldn’t she? She schooled her features and summoned an awed tone. “It’s lovely,” she agreed.
Cheri’s pensive expression said she wasn’t entirely convinced by her client’s reassurances. “It can be hard to imagine yourself in a dress when it’s on the hanger,” she offered. “Let’s try this one on and see how it looks.”
The dress was pretty enough, but so skin-tight that Jenny needed—and gratefully accepted—Cheri’s help in shimmying into it. Once she had it on, she ran a hand over the rich fabric. She didn’t have to be a fashion expert to see it had been exquisitely made. The lace and beadwork alone had to be worth a king’s ransom. Which was appropriate, since by the time they squeezed and tucked and nudged her into place, she felt like she’d been encased in a tight-fitting suit of body armor.
“That’s right—nice and tall. Throw your shoulders back. There.” Cheri gave the corset a final tug, then moved to the other side of the dressing room. “You look fabulous. It fits you perfectly.”
Jenny studied her image in the mirror. Kay’s flair for the dramatic called for something extraordinary. With a sweetheart neckline and a back that redefined the term “backless,” the gown certainly fit the bill.
“Are you ready for the three-way mirror?” Cheri asked.
Walk out there wearing this?
Honestly, she’d rather curl up and die, but she didn’t have much choice. No matter how ill at ease she felt, she’d agreed to play the part of an enthusiastic bride-to-be. And what bride spent thousands of dollars on a wedding gown without seeing it from every angle?
Fighting an urge to cross her arms across her chest, she trailed Cheri into the main room. On the dais, she strutted from one end of the platform to the other. Determined to carry out her role, she gave her image in the mirror a cursory glance. A thousand tiny crystals sewn into the fabric sparkled. The layers of silk that formed the mermaid’s “tail” rustled. As much as the dress was so not for her, she had to admit her cousin would love it.
“Yes.” She nodded her approval. “This is the one.” She had turned, intending to make a beeline for the dressing room, when Cheri held up a hand.
“Wait now. Don’t you want a second opinion?”
Oh, yeah. Nick again.
Either by design or haste, she’d overlooked the man who’d broken her heart. He sat on the edge of the couch, his body tense. Seeing his clenched jaw and fixed blue eyes, she straightened the tiniest bit. It’d take a very special dress indeed to put that particular mix of regret and desire on Nick’s face. She’d seriously underestimated the impact of the one she wore.
“Well?” She skimmed one hand over her hips. Her lips in thin lines, she stared at Nick over her reflection in the three-way mirror.
His face hardened. He crossed his ankles. “Well, what?” he challenged.
“Does it fit?” She cocked one hip and anchored her hand there, knowing full well that the movement tugged the fabric tighter.
Conceding defeat, Nick swallowed. “Like a glove.”
“Uh-huh.” Despite her efforts to hide it, a smile tugged at her lips. When it came to things she hated, breaking in a new pair of leather gloves was at the top of a very short list.
“Well, that settles it, then. I’ll take it.” She turned to Cheri, who lurked in the shadows. “You’ll have it ready for a final fitting Friday morning?” Although the dress didn’t require alterations, Kay would no doubt expect to try it on the minute her plane landed.
“Yes. We can definitely do that,” Cheri said all smooth assurance.
From his position on the couch, Nick coughed. “Wait a sec. That’s it?”
“That’s it.” Poised at the edge of the dais, Jenny lifted the skirt off the floor. “We won’t take up any more of Cheri’s valuable time.”
“But there are bunches of gowns you haven’t even seen yet.” Nick’s gaze wandered the sea of white. “You aren’t going to try on any of them?”
“You don’t think this one looks good on me?” Sometimes, she simply didn’t understand men at all. A minute earlier, he’d given this dress two thumbs up. But now he wasn’t satisfied?
Nick shrugged. “I’m just saying, we’re here. You might as well see if there’s something else you like.”
Something more to my taste?
She had to admit, it was a tempting offer. Gowns crowded the recessed alcoves. They hung in long racks along the walls. Surely, with so many to choose from, she’d find the one that was right for her. She fought an urge to leap from the dais and start pulling dresses off their hangers. She hadn’t come to Dress For A Day to find a something for herself.
She motioned to the shop owner. “Cheri has already done us a tremendous favor by fitting me into her schedule today. I shouldn’t take up more time when I’ve made up my mind.”
Cheri’s discreet cough argued the point. “Nothing is more important than helping you find the gown that’s exactly right for you. Most of my brides try on several before deciding which one they want.”
Jenny’s resolve wavered. “If you’re sure you don’t mind…”
“I’m positive. Once you’re married, you may never have the opportunity to try on bridal gowns again. Why not take advantage of this chance?” Cheri tapped a pensive finger to her chin. “I have a couple of dresses that would fit you just as fabulously as this one. May
be even more so.”
“If you insist.” The beginnings of a smile crept across Jenny’s face. Now that she was committed, she might as well enjoy the moment. Excitement curled in her belly and spread outward. She leaned in conspiratorially. “So what shall we try on first?”
“I have a beautiful ball gown in your size. You’ll look like a princess in it.”
Her anticipation building, Jenny accepted the shop owner’s hand while she stepped down from the dais. In the dressing room, the skin-tight layers of satin and lace came off much faster than they’d gone on. Thankful to be able to draw a full breath again, she sank onto a waiting chair while Cheri immediately whisked Kay’s gown out of sight and into another part of the salon. She’d barely had time to relax before the shop owner was back, this time carrying a different confection in white satin and gauzy fabric.
“This is another Sophia Olsen.” Cheri grunted softly as she stretched over the billowing skirt to hang the dress on the display stand. “But as you can see, it’s quite different from the first one. It features Battenberg lace on the bodice, off-the-shoulder sleeves, a fitted waist, and a stunning chiffon skirt.”
“I don’t know.” Jenny treated the gown to a pensive study. There had to be a dozen yards of fabric in the skirt alone. “It looks like something you’d wear if you were getting married in a castle. A big one.” She could imagine the future Queen of England gliding down the aisle of Winchester Cathedral in a gown like this one.
Cheri had an answer ready. “The only question should be whether you like it or not. If you do, try it on and see how it fits. At worst, letting me see you in this dress will help me narrow down the choices for the next gown I show you.”
That made sense, and soon she stood still as Cheri fastened the last of a long line of buttons that ran down the back. “You’re right. I do feel like a princess. All I need is a tiara.”
“We have those if you want,” Cheri said, though doubt colored her words.
