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Tess put one of the rejected gowns on a hanger. “No one could have predicted the storm, but they could have ordered their dresses earlier.”
“When did you become so cynical? You’re usually the first person to donate dresses to brides in distress.”
“I’m not cynical, just practical,” Tess whispered as the first bridesmaid came back into the living room.
Tess had called Rachel from the café at two o’clock that afternoon. She’d told her that she had a desperate bride on the phone. She needed three bridesmaids’ dresses in the next two hours.
Rachel had been inside with Tanner for most of the day, getting more and more bored. Tess’ phone call had given her an excuse to feel like a normal person. So she’d told Tanner that four women were coming over to Tess’ home to find the perfect bridesmaids’ dresses.
He hadn’t been particularly impressed, but he’d walked her through to the loft, making himself scarce once the bridesmaids arrived.
An hour later, the only good thing Rachel could say about the last-minute dress fitting was that she wasn’t bored.
She looked at the bridesmaid who was standing in front of her. “It’s not the one.” The petite red head had chosen a hot pink, crinoline skirted dress. It looked like something Scarlett O’Hara would have worn in Gone with the Wind.
The bridesmaid twisted left and right in front of a full-length mirror. “Are you sure?”
Rachel walked across to the dresses in their Cinderella Collection. “Sometimes less is more. Why don’t you try this dress on? It’s still got a full skirt with little bows at the back, but it’s a softer shade of pink. And there aren’t too many sparkles to overshadow you.”
The bridesmaid didn’t look convinced that the dress Rachel had chosen was a good choice. “I’ll try it on, but we only have half an hour before we need to leave for the beauty salon.”
“Come and see us after you’ve put it on.”
Tess stood beside Rachel and watched the bridesmaid disappear into the changing room. “The hot pink dress would look better on her sister.”
Another bridesmaid came out of the changing room and Tess sighed. “That looks perfect.” The pale yellow dress hugged the bridesmaid’s upper body and fell to the floor in soft pleats. It wasn’t frilly or flouncy, and it didn’t have a sparkly bead in sight.
The young woman smiled shyly at Tess. “I think so, too. Everyone else liked it, so I guess this is it.”
“What did your original bridesmaids’ dresses look like?” Rachel asked. Each of the bridesmaids had totally different ideas about what looked good on them and what didn’t. Finding three dresses that not only looked good, but could be made in time for the wedding, must have been difficult.
“The other dresses were almost the same as this one, except they had lace overskirts and sweetheart necklines. They were made by a designer in Milan.”
“Are you disappointed that they haven’t arrived in time?”
The bridesmaid shook her head. “This is the best thing that could have happened. My sister has been acting like bridezilla all week. At least it’s given her something genuine to worry about.” She looked over her shoulder at the changing room door. “I’ll go and see what everyone’s doing.”
As soon as the door opened, Rachel heard the chatter of the sisters as they discussed the merits of each dress. While they were deciding what they’d do, she sat in one of the sofas and slipped her shoes off her feet.
“I can’t believe you’re still wearing high-heels,” Tess said with s dramatic sigh. “It’s the middle of winter and Jimmy Choo was not made to be worn in the cold.”
“I can’t help myself. I bought them at a thrift store last year. We’re not all six-feet tall.” Rachel wiggled her toes against the thick rug under her feet. “I have to admit that I do have a slight fascination with heels that are higher than four inches. But these shoes may be too high, even for me.”
“Hold that thought,” Rachel whispered as the three bridesmaids and their bridezilla sister emerged from the changing room.
The bridesmaid who’d originally worn the hot pink dress stepped forward. “You were right. The soft pink dress looks better on me. Carly’s got her dress organized. Do you like Lottie’s dress?”
A woman with short black hair stepped forward. She was wearing a simple, pale blue satin dress. The only problem with the dress was the width of the skirt over her hips. It was way too wide and would need to be taken in at least three inches.
Lottie bunched the fabric in her hand. “I’m an awkward shape. I have no idea how I’m going to find a dress in time.”
Rosalind Smith, the bride-to-be, pulled out her cell phone. “Don’t worry. The dress looks almost perfect on you. I’ve got a dressmaker on standby to do any last minute alterations.” She pushed speed dial and moved away from her sisters.
Rachel looked at all three bridesmaids. “You couldn’t have chosen better dresses. You all look beautiful.”
Carly smiled. “We’ll look even better after our hair and makeup are done. Let’s go and get changed before Rosalind finishes her call.”
All three bridesmaids lifted the skirts of their dresses and hot-footed it back into the changing room.
“It looks as though bridezilla has got them organized,” Tess whispered.
Rachel laughed at the twinkle in Tess’ eyes. “Sshh. She might hear you.”
“It’s Christmas Eve. I’m allowed to be a bit naughty.”
By the time Rosalind had finished speaking on the phone, all three bridesmaids had their dresses hanging in white plastic bags, ready to take to the dressmaker.
“Thank you so much,” Rosalind said to Tess as she gave her a hug. “We really appreciate both of you going out of your way to help us.”
“I hope your wedding is amazing,” Tess said with a smile. “We were happy to help.”
All four women headed toward the back door. Rachel handed them their coats. “It was nice meeting you. Be careful of the ice on your way out.”
After they’d gone, Tess put the kettle on. “I’m going to have a hot chocolate before I start tidying up the mess in here. Do you want one?”
Rachel looked at the gowns lying over the backs of chairs and the spare shoes abandoned by the clothing racks. “That’s the second best idea anyone’s had all day.”
“What was the first?”
Rachel grinned at her friend. “Pancakes for breakfast.”
“I’m glad I could be of service,” Tess said with a cheeky smile. “Do you think Tanner wants a hot chocolate?”
“I wouldn’t say no, ma’am.”
Tess jumped a foot in the air. “You did it again. For such a big man you don’t make much noise.”
“Comes with the job. I’ve been admiring your husband’s cars in the garage.”
Rachel handed Tanner a bridesmaid’s dress. “He’s car crazy. While Tess is making the hot chocolate, you can help me hang up our bridesmaids’ dresses. We’ve got about a dozen gowns that need to be put away.”
“Why did I know you’d find something for me to do?”
“Because you’re wise,” Rachel said as she handed Tanner a hanger. “Just think how dull and boring your life will be when you don’t have to look after me.”
Tanner lips almost made it into a smile. “I’m looking forward to it already.”
Rachel sighed. So was she.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
John’s eyes snapped open. He lay perfectly still, trying to work out what had woken him out of a deep sleep. He glanced at the clock beside his bed and squinted at the neon green numbers. It was five-thirty. He had two guards on duty outside and another one inside. His hand reached out for the panic alarm.
“Dad?” Bella’s voice whispered across his room. “Are you awake?”
John relaxed as Bella tiptoed toward him.
“Dad?’ She shook his shoulder and he pretended to snore. “Dad, it’s Christmas morning. It’s time to get up.”
John opened one eye and peered at his daughter. Her curly brown hair was standing out at odd angles around her face. She still had her pajamas on, the ones with blue cats that reminded her of Miss. Snuggles.
“Do you know what the time is?”
Bella shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. We’re both awake so we could go and see what Santa left for us.”
John looked closely at his daughter. “Have you already been downstairs?”
Bella ran her hands over the edge of his duvet. “I was only there for a little while. Mr. Daniels told me I had to go back to bed.”
“What were you doing?”
“I thought I’d make it easier for us to find our presents. I sorted them into little piles.”
John rubbed his eyes. “Uncle Grant wanted to be here when we opened our presents. He won’t be awake yet.”
“We could call him and wake him up? Uncle Grant won’t mind.”
John had a pretty good idea that his brother would mind. “What if we choose one present each and then make breakfast? We’ll call Uncle Grant at seven o’clock.” His brother would still be sound asleep, but if John had to get up, it was only fair that his brother had to suffer the same fate.
