“I am.” Shelby sounded less convinced than her words suggested. “I don’t want to be stampeded into some long, trailing white pile of lace. It’s not me, and I’d be miserable. But even I can see the dress the other girls are wearing would look awful with mine.” Her bravado faltered, and she put out a pleading hand. “I don’t have to change my dress, do I? I’ll do it if Candace wants me to—I always told her I’d change anything that didn’t go with her plans—but…but I’d feel ridiculous in a regular wedding dress.”
Her woebegone face begged for reassurance. Lucinda hugged the girl. She could feel Shelby was in desperate need of support and comfort. “No, you do not have to change your dress. We’ll make things work out. Just let me think a minute.” I’ve never been happy about putting the blue chiffon tea gowns with Shelby’s denim and boots. But she was so committed to the idea, I hadn’t considered suggesting a compromise.
Absently Lucinda traced a butterfly on her page and contemplated the situation. Both girls were happy with the color, a light, summery blue. Amazingly enough, they’d agreed on all the other details, including the unusual grapevine and butterfly bouquets Lucinda had thought might lead to arguments. The one glaring element had been the clash of styles between the outfits the two sets of attendants would wear.
Could I find a way to get matching dresses for Shelby’s bridesmaids? Six more dresses? Lucinda shook off the idea. Shelby’s appraisal of the situation was correct. The dresses Candace’s bridesmaids would be wearing were perfect with her formal gown; however they would look absurd with Shelby’s short dress and western accessories. “Suppose I can get fabric like the bridesmaids’ dresses, the light blue chiffon. We could have different dresses in the same color and fabric made up, something to go with your dress but still give your girls the frills they want. How does that sound?”
Shelby gave a tentative smile, her pretty mouth lifting on one side, and Lucinda saw a reflection of Jeff’s heart-stopping smile. “Is it possible? I mean, getting the dress material and having something made in time for the wedding?”
“It’s possible. Just barely. If we do it that way, I’ll have to order the fabric now, in the next hour or so, and have it overnighted here. And your girls would have to be here in the morning for measurements. I know a seamstress, well, actually three seamstresses, a mother and two daughters, who can get the dresses made in time for the wedding. It will be expensive, but it can be done, if you want to go that way, and you can get in touch with everyone and get them here. Want to try?”
Shelby’s eyes lit up, and her smile grew wider. “Really? You really could do it? Yes, yes, that makes everything work!”
Lucinda nodded. “I can make it happen, if you can get the girls here no later than nine tomorrow. And we have to decide on a style right now so I know how much fabric to order.”
Shelby nodded. “Anything. Anything you think will work, Lucinda. I’m in your hands. Just make it something so fussy-fluffy they’ll know they’re wearing real girl dresses, just like that thing on the dummy out there.”
“Your dress is short, strapless, and full in the skirt, isn’t it?”
Nodding, Shelby opened her purse and pulled out a page torn from a magazine. “This is it. Just like that.”
Smoothing out the page, Lucinda copied the lines of the dress on her pad. “We’ll do a variation on your dress; strapless, full skirt, maybe a hint longer than yours.” She sketched a rough outline. “Are you sure the girls want to wear heels?”
Shelby’s mouth went down in an annoyed frown. “Oh, they were certain, in very loud voices, like a whole nest of blue jays, chattering about wearing heels. Can you imagine anybody doing something that dumb on purpose? I mean, those things hurt!”
Lucinda disregarded the comment to finish the sketch of the dress she had in mind. “How about something like this? It’s pretty simple, so it won’t overwhelm your dress, but it’s feminine and will be good with the other gowns.”
The tension went out of the girl. She sat back on the sofa and closed her eyes. “I don’t believe this, Lucinda. Dad said you could fix anything, but I didn’t see any way you could fix this. You did it. This will work. And they’d better like it!”
Privately Lucinda thought the young women would be far happier in the blue chiffon cocktail dresses than boots and denim, but she refrained from expressing her own relief at the change. “Your sister’s bridesmaids are wearing silver sandals. You might suggest the girls look for something similar. And I’ll give each of them a swatch of fabric when they come for their measurements, so they can have it when they’re selecting shoes.”
“Anything, as long as they quit squabbling and let me enjoy my wedding. Thank you so much, Lucinda. When I was flying in last night, all I could imagine was the girls telling me they weren’t going to be in the wedding. What could I do? I panicked and had gone clear into frenzied bridezilla-mode. But you just take it all in stride and make things work.”
Lucinda had to smile at the relief in Shelby’s voice. “I’m glad it was something I could help with. It’s going to be a little tricky to get the dresses in time, but not impossible.” She waited a moment to add her final suggestion. “Shelby, since you’ve made such a radical change in the girls’ dresses, you might want to alter the men’s outfits just a little.”
“What do you mean?” Shelby was looking dismayed again.
Lucinda put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Just think about it. You’d planned for the men to be in jeans and western shirts to go with the girls’ denim and boots. These chiffon dresses, though they’re simple, won’t look as well with men in casual wear. I’d ask the men to add a jacket, not a tuxedo jacket but something a bit dressier than shirt sleeves. Maybe they could wear a white, western-style jacket with their jeans, and a string tie or a bolo? It would keep your western touch but be a little more suitable with the dresses.”
“But that’s what Jerry is wearing! Exactly.” Shelby threw enthusiastic arms around Lucinda. “We’ll do it! I’ll call Jerry tonight and get him to pass the word.” She grinned. “No wonder Dad has so many great things to say about you! You’re the real deal!”
By the time Lucinda had contacted her supplier and arranged for the fabric to be shipped, Shelby had called her bridesmaids, who expressed universal relief at the change. Jeff arrived as Lucinda finished speaking to the seamstress, who agreed, for a substantial bonus, to have the dresses ready in time for the wedding.
Shelby rushed to greet Jeff as he came back into the shop. “Dad! You’re right. Lucinda can do anything. I mean, she knew exactly how to make the girls happy without making me change what I wanted to do. And it’s going to be fine.”
Jeff hugged his daughter and over her head gave Lucinda an approving wink. “I knew she could do something, baby. It’s her business, and she’s really good at it.” If Shelby’s explanation was a bit topsy-turvy, Jeff took it in stride and only raised an eyebrow and shrugged at the list of additional expenses Lucinda handed him.
“If this is all it takes to avert disaster, then do it.” He turned to his daughter. “Why don’t you wait for me in the car, Shelby? I’ll take care of the business part of this, and we’ll go for dinner.” He pulled out his checkbook and borrowed Lucinda’s pen.
“We should take Lucinda to dinner or something, so we can show her how much we appreciate her.” Shelby came back to Lucinda’s desk. “You can have dinner with us, can’t you?”
Lucinda looked at the stack of notes she’d written to herself, and the appointments she’d had to shift. To get back on schedule, she’d be working late tonight. “I wish I could. I’d love to join you, but if I did, something here wouldn’t get done. And someone else would be having a crisis. I’d better pass tonight, but I appreciate the invitation. Maybe we can make it another time, perhaps after Candace arrives?”
“Oh, yes, please. Let’s do.” Shelby got her purse and the sheaf of notes Lucinda had made for her. “It would be such fun. We’d like to thank you somehow for al
l you’ve done.”
As Shelby left the shop, Jeff finished writing his check. “Well, you’ve headed off another catastrophe for a nervous bride, Cinda. All in a day’s work, I suppose, but if you have many like Shelby, it has to be draining. Are you ever going to take some time for yourself?” He tore out the check and handed it to her. “And us?” he added in an undertone.
“I’m closing the shop for the whole month of July, Jeff. And I’m not booking any events until September. The last few weeks I’ve realized I’ve been trying to do by myself what my partner and I used to do together. And I’m good, but I’m not two people.”
“I knew you’d see the light one day.” Jeff leaned across the desk to brush his lips against hers. “Good girl.” He stepped back and gave her a two-fingered salute. “See you soon, Lucinda. Very soon.” A wealth of promise lingered in his parting words.
Chapter 9
The wedding was going according to plan. Lucinda glanced over the wedding parties grouping outside the huge white tent. In a moment the quartet of musicians would begin the processional, and she’d start Candace’s bridal party down the aisle, to be met by a troupe of uniformly tall, fair-haired young men in royal blue tuxedos. Lucinda had trouble telling the groomsmen from Candace’s Alan, as all four brothers and three cousins could have been cut from the same design. But they were uniformly well-mannered and courteous, so they’d taken directions with good grace. The girls in their tea-length gowns, aside from an occasional giggle and a few curious glances at the arrangements, stood quietly waiting for their cue to start down the long white runner. The other wedding party, Shelby’s congenial but uninhibited girlfriends, were giddy with excitement. They had embraced the change in costume and, to Lucinda’s mind, looked lovely in their summery blue cocktail dresses. If Candace’s wedding party looked as if they’d been chosen because they matched a pattern, Shelby’s group couldn’t have been more diverse. Jerry, her young man, stood out from all the rest with his blaze of flaming red hair. The men of the party included one with distinctly oriental features, one whose dark eyes and sultry grace suggested an agile toreador, and one who probably would have felt more at home in a three-piece suit than his western gear. If Shelby had gone for variety, she’d succeeded.
“Where are the brides?” The girl standing at Lucinda’s elbow was adorable in her short, swirling gown.
“They’re in the limousine at the end of the drive.” Lucinda glanced at the white car and nodded. The driver standing beside the door opened it and waited as Jeff slid out and offered his hand to the girls inside. “I was afraid they’d get too warm waiting out here.” As she spoke, Candace, her blonde elegance perfect in the Princess Grace manner, stepped into the soft evening light.
“Isn’t she just beautiful?”
“She is.” Lucinda had to agree, but Jeff was the center of her attention, his black tuxedo movie-star perfect. Bent to help his daughter from the car, he was the epitome of “father of the bride.” And he’s so proud of his girls; so determined to make this day right for both of them.
Shelby followed her sister, leaving the limo with far less pomp and poise than her sister. She’d stuck to her plan, Lucinda saw. The short, strapless dress was breezy, informal, but very pretty. If the white cowgirl boots and western hat deviated wildly from Candace’s white lace and tiered veil, there was no question Shelby had her own style. As father and two brides approached, Lucinda heard the first notes of the processional. “The Wedding Song” came softly through the closed tent, and she turned her attention to lining up the first attendants.
“Slowly, slowly,” she cautioned as the girls began to pace the long runner. Almost more quickly than she could get them in place, the girls were reaching their escorts and taking their places before the flower-decked arch on the right side of the grand tent. The music changed from keyboard and strings to a more country-flavored guitar and fiddle as Shelby’s friends started up the aisle. Lucinda was delighted with how well the men’s western garb blended with the girls’ simple blue dresses. The couples met and took their places on the left side at the front of the tent. The archway of wildflowers and saplings framed the group with charming effect.
Lucinda turned to find Jeff behind her, a daughter on each arm. “You look radiant, all three of you. I’ve never seen more beautiful brides. Are you ready, Jeff?”
Jeff glanced at each of his daughters, and Lucinda was almost certain his grey eyes were a bit moist. “I didn’t know how hard this was going to hit me, Cinda, till I walked into the hotel room and saw both my girls about to go off to new lives.” He swallowed hard. “It was a little tougher to take than I expected, I’ll tell you.”
Lucinda hid her smile. She’d never seen it fail. The first time Daddy realized he was losing his little girl was the moment he saw her in her wedding gown, about to leave him behind. It was always a bittersweet moment, and it had to be doubly so for Jeff, losing both of his girls at the same time.
“But they’ve chosen well, Jeff, and their young men will cherish them as much as you do.”
Jeff nodded and turned to look once more at his daughters. “Ready to get married? Ready to make that long walk?”
“Yes!” they answered, and each kissed his cheek.
Lucinda stepped to the opening, so the violinist could see her, and signaled for the brides’ processional. A moment later the sweet strains of “Greensleeves” flowed through the gathering. Jeff and his daughters stood a moment, framed by the greenery arching over the entrance, and then began their slow promenade down the aisle. Lucinda moved to one side and watched as he brought Candace to her Alan, kissed her cheek—a little reluctantly, Lucinda thought—and then put Candace’s hand in Alan’s. Then he turned and repeated the gesture and placed Shelby’s hand in Jerry’s.
From that point on, the events were out of Lucinda’s control. With the solemnity of the church he represented, the Episcopalian priest conducted a traditional ceremony for Candace and Alan. As soon as he concluded their vows, the lady justice of the peace stepped forward to preside over the promises Shelby and Jerry had written for themselves. When both couples had made their pledges and exchanged rings, with well-practiced unity, priest and JP pronounced each couple man and wife. Candace and Alan exchanged a chaste kiss while Shelby and Jerry were unrestrained in their enthusiastic embrace. The musicians began the Vivaldi recessional, and Lucinda jumped up to open the tent and guide the wedding parties out.
“It went off without a hitch, Cinda, thanks to you.”
Waving directions to the party workers setting up the tent for dinner, Lucinda turned to face Jeff. “So far, so good, but we’re not out of here yet. Let’s hope the cakes have survived transport, the ice sculptures don’t crack or melt too fast, and everyone has a good time without going overboard. I won’t say it went really well until the last truck, carrying the last decoration, has headed back. Then I’ll draw a deep breath.”
Jeff caught her hand and urged her out of the tent. “Come out here with me for just a second, Cinda. Even half a second.”
“I could use a little air.” Once outside, Lucinda couldn’t keep from taking a quick look at the cocktail hour in progress. The bridal couples were moving from group to group, the saloon bar had a full house, and the fountain bar on the other side had clusters of people gathering around the twinkling pools. “Everything seems under control. And I think the girls were happy with the way things looked, don’t you?”
“They were, I know, because they both asked me to tell you it was more than they ever hoped for.” Jeff guided her to a small pocket of quiet at one side of the tent. “I just wanted to ask how long you’re going to be tied up bringing this to an end once the girls leave and the guests head out. I don’t want to leave you here with the workers by yourself.”
Lucinda pushed her hair back and repinned a loose strand. “It’s going to be late, Jeff, but besides being father of the brides and host of the event, you’ve taken on all the obligations that the hostess would normally have
, as well. You have enough on your mind. Don’t worry about me. This is just part of the job.”
“It may be part of the job, but I’m going to be here until you’re ready to go home. Did you bring your car? I didn’t see it out there.”
She needed to get back to the tent, to supervise the turnover, getting the tent set for dinner. “I didn’t drive, Jeff. I came out with the florist to help her get the arrangements in place for the ceremony. I’ll be going back the same way.”
“Let me take you back, Cinda? Please? I have something I want to show you.”
The house! He’s finished the house for Shelby and wants me to see it. Desire to see Jeff’s finished masterpiece won out over the need to ride shotgun for the massive vases used for the ceremony.
“Okay, Jeff, but we’ll have to make it quick. I’m going to be the walking dead by the time we get through here. It’s a good thing I’m going to be closed for a few weeks after tonight. I don’t think I could even fake interest in another event right now.”
“A quick side trip, I promise.”
The cocktail hour moved smoothly to dinner. With the quartet playing background music and the wait staff moving almost invisibly through the crowd, Lucinda was certain the bridal party and guests were enjoying the event. Toasts, both sentimental and risqué, flavored the evening. She thought Jeff’s sweet tribute, and his touching salute to the girls’ mother, was the highlight of the evening, but both best men managed to bring the guests to roaring laughter with stories of youthful pranks. As the couples came together to cut the ceremonial slices of wedding cake, Lucinda once again hurried away to make certain the dance floor was ready and the servers were prepared to oblige the guests.
Long after midnight the young couples, ducking the cascades of bubbles the guests blew over them, ran to the waiting limousine and drove into the night. The guests began to depart, in twos and fours, heading up the hill to the parking lot. By the laughter and good spirits, Lucinda knew the wedding and celebration had met expectations. With a sense of pride in a difficult job well done, she turned back to the crews beginning to dismantle the venue.
Double Wedding, Single Dad Page 9
