If The Dress Fits

by Debby Mayne

  With a shrug, Cindi turned away. “I just don’t think I need to get in the habit of trying on the merchandise.”

  “We used to do it all the time,” Elizabeth reminded her.

  “That was a long time ago. I don’t want to do that anymore.”

  “Chicken.” Elizabeth added a few clucking sounds for effect.

  Cindi clicked her tongue and edged past Elizabeth. “Oh, all right, I’ll try it on. I’ll call you when it’s time to zip me up.”

  After Elizabeth left the fitting room and closed the door, Cindi stood and stared at the dress. It really was a gorgeous gown. Finally, she inhaled deeply, blew out her breath, and undressed. As she stepped into the wedding gown, an odd sensation washed over her. It was a combination of anticipation and dread, because at the rate things were going, this would be the only way she’d try on a dress.

  She stood in front of the mirror and stared at the dress for a couple of minutes before she heard Elizabeth outside the door. “Are you ready?”

  “Almost.”

  “What’s taking you so long?”

  “Okay, you can come in now,” Cindi finally said.

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she stepped inside the room. “You look absolutely stunning. This dress was made for you.”

  Cindi couldn’t say anything for several seconds. Rarely did a dress fit perfectly. Sometimes all a bride needed was a simple tuck or a hem, but a fit like this had only happened a couple of times in all the years she’d owned this place.

  If she ever got married, this was the dress she’d have to have. There wasn’t even a close second.

  As Cindi looked away from the mirror and toward her friend, she knew what Elizabeth was thinking. “Unzip me.”

  Elizabeth did as she was told. Neither of them said a word until the dress was hung back up and they were out on the sales floor.

  “Are you okay?” Elizabeth asked softly.

  Cindi nodded as a lump formed in her throat. She coughed then turned the page of the appointment book and pointed to the next entry. “I have a feeling this one will be difficult. The bride’s bringing her mother and the groom’s mother.”

  Elizabeth groaned. “I’m not in the mood for a bridal meltdown.”

  With a chuckle, Cindi nodded. “I know what you mean, but tending to bridal meltdowns is one of the things we do best.”

  The threesome was difficult and required all their tact and energy, but between the two of them, they managed without breaking stride. The bride, Ginger, let them know what she wanted from the beginning, so they slanted their presentation in her direction.

  When it appeared the mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom were growing restless, Elizabeth looked at Cindi, who nodded. It was time for them to spring into action.

  “Hey, moms,” Elizabeth said in her most enthusiastic voice. “I think we have some great gowns that’ll look fabulous on both of you.” She pulled one off the rack and held it up. “This comes in almost all the color selections, and it’s flattering on most women.”

  The mothers turned all their attention to Elizabeth while Cindi got information from the bride on what she was looking for in a dress. While Elizabeth helped the mothers, she found Ginger a strapless gown with a sleek A-line and very little embellishment—just like she’d wanted.

  “I have a necklace and earrings from my grandmother, so this will be perfect.”

  “Oh, I agree,” Cindi said. “Let’s get you set up in fitting room one. I can find a couple more, just in case you don’t like the way this one fits. Just don’t think you have to make your final decision today.”

  “I don’t want to waste your time,” Ginger said.

  “You won’t be wasting my time. I’d much rather have you come back in a more relaxed mood and get a dress that’ll make you happy.” Cindi smiled at her. “And perhaps you’ll only want to bring your mom next time.”

  Ginger giggled. “Sounds good to me.”

  After the mothers settled on their gowns, Ginger was ready for them to see her. Even the groom’s mother agreed the dress she chose was stunning.

  “My son will be so happy when he sees you walking down the aisle.” The woman’s eyes glistened with tears, and Ginger’s mother reached out and rubbed her back.

  The scene was so touching that Cindi had to look away. She saw Elizabeth starting to tear up.

  Cindi nodded. “When you put on that dress, it was obvious that was the one.” She’d seen brides’ eyes light up as they stepped into the dress they loved more than all the rest. “It didn’t take long at all to find it, either.”

  They scheduled future appointments for the bride and her mother to come back for her first fitting, and then for the groom’s mother to come in with the bride’s mother for their gowns. Ginger said she wanted to wait until the moms had their dresses picked out before she brought the bridesmaids.

  After they left, Cindi gave Elizabeth a thumbs-up. “Good job.”

  “As always,” Elizabeth agreed.

  Cindi looked toward the fitting room where the dress she’d tried on still hung on the hook. Each time she looked at it, she felt an unfamiliar tug at her heart.

  “Go try it on again,” Elizabeth urged. “You have plenty of time.” She smiled at Cindi. “I can tell you really want to.”

  There was no point in arguing, because Cindi knew she was transparent. “Okay, but just once more.”

  “But first, let me get a necklace and veil to go with it,” Elizabeth said.

  Elizabeth helped her into the gown and wouldn’t let her turn toward the mirrors until she had the jewelry and veil in place. She held Cindi’s hands as she looked her up and down.

  “You look even more amazing, girl. No one else can ever wear this dress and do it justice like you do.”

  “Okay, so I need to turn around and see for myself. That is, if you’ll let me have my hands back.”

  Elizabeth let go of her hands and motioned toward the mirror. “Go ahead.”

  When Cindi saw her reflection, she let out an involuntary gasp.

  Fourteen

  “Amazing,” Elizabeth said. “And stunning.”

  Cindi was breathless at first, but then reality hit hard. “Stunning for someone who’ll never wear the thing.” She stepped away from the mirror and backed up to Elizabeth. “Unzip me, please.”

  After she was out of the gown and back in her work clothes, Cindi shook her head. “Don’t let me do that again.”

  “Do what?” Elizabeth challenged. “See yourself as a blushing bride when you think it’s not possible? That’s really silly, you know.”

  “First of all, getting married isn’t a guarantee of happiness.”

  “True.” Elizabeth tilted her head and folded her arms without blinking. “So?”

  “Secondly, I don’t even know a guy I’d want to marry, so it’s a moot point.”

  “Whose fault is that? There are plenty of guys at church who’d love to go out with you.”

  “Says who?” Cindi said.

  “Come on, Cindi. Blake and Andrew have both asked you out.”

  “Okay, so let’s say I’m not interested in them. They’re nice and all, but. . .” She shrugged. “As long as I keep this business, I’m not likely to meet many bachelors.”

  Elizabeth lifted one shoulder and let it drop in a half shrug. “You’re selling the place, and you’ll eventually have to find a job, so you can look for a place with a nice selection of men.”

  “Christian men,” Cindi reminded her.

  “That’s fine. Christian men are all over the place. I’m sure you can find someone.”

  Cindi felt her shoulders sag. “But I can’t get past the fact my parents are separated. If they can’t make a marriage work, who can?”

  “There are plenty of people who make marriage work,” Elizabeth said. “Remember a few weeks ago when we celebrated the Siebels’ golden anniversary after church? And how about some of the mothers of our brides who have been married a long time?”
<
br />   “Most of them are divorced and either still single or married to second or third husbands.”

  “And me,” Elizabeth reminded her. “I’m happily married.”

  Cindi smiled at her. “You’re unique.”

  Elizabeth gently reached out and placed her hand on Cindi’s shoulder. “Look, hon, why don’t you calm down and not think about this whole divorce thing so much? I know you’re heartbroken about your parents’ split, but maybe they’ll work things out. All you can do is pray for them that they’ll find a solution to whatever problem we don’t understand.”

  Cindi finally nodded. “Okay, you’re right. I’ve become such a worrier about my parents, and I know the Lord doesn’t want that.”

  “So go home and get some rest. I’ll close up here.”

  All the way home Cindi thought about Elizabeth’s words, and she knew she was right. She really did need to stop worrying about something she couldn’t control. As soon as she pulled into her driveway, she bowed her head and asked for peace and the ability to see the blessings rather than the problems.

  As she changed into casual clothes, she caught glimpses of herself in the dresser mirror. The memory of how she’d looked in the wedding gown flashed through her mind, and she found herself thinking about how she’d once had hope for finding Mr. Right and floating down the aisle in a gorgeous dress. The only guy she’d ever loved was Jeremy, but he obviously didn’t feel the same way. She’d found the dress, but Mr. Right hadn’t hung in there for her.

  She dumped some salad from a bag into a bowl and topped it with some leftover chicken. This was the extent of her culinary energy at the moment, so she was doing well having a salad.

  After she finished most of her salad, she got up and rinsed her bowl. Then the doorbell rang.

  She hollered, “Be right there,” as she stuck the bowl in the dishwasher and dried her hands on the kitchen towel.

  Expecting either Elizabeth or her mother, she was surprised to see Jeremy standing there holding a small bouquet of flowers. “I stopped off at the grocery store on the way here. All the florists were closed.”

  She shivered with a momentary flash of joy as she stepped aside and let him in. “You didn’t have to bring flowers.”

  “You don’t like them?”

  “Of course I like them.” She took them from him and motioned for him to follow her to the kitchen. She mentally told herself to be aloof and distant or she’d risk showing her feelings. If he’d been honest with her about selling his business in Savannah, she wouldn’t have felt this way.

  “Have I told you how impressed I am that you’ve managed to be so successful in business and buy your own place?”

  “Thanks.” Cindi looked away to keep from letting Jeremy see her cheeks as they heated.

  “I’m curious about something. How long have you been in this house?”

  “A couple of years. I tried living with my parents after college, but it was hard since I’d been away for four years. Then I shared an apartment with Elizabeth for three years while I saved for a down payment.” Don’t look him in the eye, she reminded herself.

  “You’re way ahead of me,” he said as he leaned against the counter and watched her arrange the flowers in a small vase. “I have a car and a nice portfolio of businesses I’ve bought and sold, but that’s about it.”

  “This isn’t a competition, Jeremy. Why did you come here?”

  “My brother said you called. I tried to call you back, but you never answered.”

  Cindi shrugged. “I figured there wasn’t anything to talk about since you were so busy with your business in Savannah.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew she sounded sarcastic.

  He tilted his head and looked at her with a confused expression. “What’s wrong, Cindi? What did I do to make you so angry?”

  She hadn’t wanted to get into a deep discussion with him, but now that he’d come right out and asked, she figured she might as well tell him to clear the air.

  “I don’t like being lied to.”

  “Who lied?” he asked. “I don’t get it.”

  “You really don’t know, do you?”

  “You’re right,” he replied. “I really don’t know.”

  “I thought you said you’d sold your businesses, but when I called, Jacob said you were at your store in Savannah.”

  He frowned then pursed his lips. “Okay, so you got me on a technicality. I still officially owned the store until I went to sign the papers turning it over to the manager who bought me out.”

  “So you don’t have any more businesses in Savannah?”

  “Nope. I don’t own a single business at the moment, and I have to admit it’s a little disconcerting. This is the first time since I purchased the candy store that I haven’t been a business owner.”

  Cindi felt a strange sensation in her chest—a combination of relief and embarrassment. “I’m really sorry, Jeremy. I shouldn’t have assumed anything.”

  He reached his hand toward her. “Friends?”

  Slowly and as calmly as she could, she accepted his gesture. As their hands touched, she felt the intensity of the moment. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let go. So she led him to the living room, where they sat on the sofa but remained silent. Cindi liked being here with him, but she wondered what he was thinking. He stared at her then closed his eyes for a few seconds before looking at her again.

  ❧

  Jeremy couldn’t take his eyes off the girl he’d loved for many years. As they sat in silence, he rehashed what he’d learned during the past several hours.

  He’d kept the deepest of his feelings to himself, but there wasn’t a reason to continue doing that. Before coming to her house, he’d stopped by her shop. Elizabeth asked what he wanted, and her tone made it obvious she wasn’t happy with him.

  That was when he decided to let her know his feelings toward Cindi. As he talked, her manner grew less combative and more open. Finally, when he finished by saying he’d always pictured himself married to Cindi, she actually smiled.

  “What is going on, Elizabeth?” he asked.

  “There are some things you need to know.” Elizabeth went on to explain how devastated Cindi was when he broke up with her. Then she told him how Cindi’s parents’ separation had affected her.

  “I was surprised when Cindi told me they were separated. They always seemed like the perfect family,” he said.

  “There’s no such thing as a perfect family. Her father was very busy with work, and her mother poured everything she had into her children. Once the children were gone, her mother felt lonely and suffered from a serious case of emptynest syndrome. Unfortunately, her father still hasn’t figured out he’s got something to do with it. We’re praying both of them will open their eyes and see the big picture.”

  “Wow,” Jeremy said. “No wonder Cindi’s become so disillusioned. I’m glad you told me. Why can’t people be more open and honest with each other? That sure would solve a lot of problems.”

  She grinned. “Looks like you and Cindi have reached a point where you need to talk—and I mean really talk. You’ve been working so hard at being a businessman, and she’s been busy trying to guard her heart.”

  As he thought about it, he realized she was right. “I guess it’s time to rectify this situation.”

  “Just do yourself a favor and don’t expect too much too fast, okay?” she said. “Now, do you need directions to her place?”

  “Nope. I know exactly where she lives.”

  With a wide smile, she nodded. “I thought you might.”

  Now here he was sitting on her sofa, still immersed in silence. He was waiting for the right moment to propose.

  “So what will you do now?” Cindi asked.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “Before you ask me anything else, I have a question for you.” This is as good a time as any, he figured as he mentally prepared himself to get down on one knee. He shifted slightly before she yanked on his hand.

>   “My answer is yes,” she said, stunning him into silent immobility.

  “Huh?”

  “Yes, I’ll sell my shop to you. I quit believing in the fairy tale, so it’s no big deal to me anymore. And based on how you’ve gone to all this trouble, I think you’ll do a good job with it, even if you do hire someone else to run it for you.” She paused for a moment then added, “In fact, if you want me to, I can stick around and manage it until we get someone trained.”

  “Um, okay. . .” He wasn’t sure what to say or do next. She’d just thwarted his first attempt at a marriage proposal. “I have another question for you,” he said.

  She leaned toward him. “What?”

  “Did you really love me?”

  All color drained from her face as she slowly nodded. “Yes, I did.”

  “How do you feel about me now?”

  She quickly averted her gaze. “I don’t know,” she replied. Then she surprised him and looked him squarely in the eyes. “How about you? Did you really love me?”

  “Yes,” he replied, “very much. And I still do.”

  She blinked, turned red, then snickered. “You have an odd way of showing it, Jeremy.”

  “I made some mistakes when I was younger because I didn’t have the slightest idea what to do. I’ve already told you I wanted to do the right thing and send you off to college without feeling like you had a ball and chain holding you back.”

  She shook her head. “Yes, you’ve said that, but like I told you, I never would have felt that way.”

  Tilting his head to one side, he studied her. There was something he wanted. . .no, needed to know. “If I hadn’t been such a foolish kid and let you go, do you think we would have. . .well, you know.”

  Shaking her head, she said, “Would have what?”

  “Do you think we might have ever gotten married?”

  She looked stunned then quickly recovered. “I’m not sure. I really meant it when I told you I loved you.”