Dean shook his head, smiling fondly at her. “You don’t need to do anything elaborate. We already feel appreciated by you, and that’s more than enough for us. And besides, it’s mutual. We talk a lot about how much better everything has been since you came into town.”
Faith’s whole face lit up at his words. “Thanks, Dean. That makes me really happy.”
“Of course. I really mean it. Rosewood Beach is a better place with you in it.”
Dean and Faith said goodbye to each other and went their separate ways. Dean was glad that he’d been able to let her know how much she meant to them, especially since he remembered when she’d first come to town, when she’d been worried that the Owens wouldn’t want her to insert herself into their community. She’d soon learned how willing her family was to welcome her with open arms, however.
He started to whistle as he pulled into the parking lot of Main Street Auto. He felt happy about the conversation that he’d had with Faith, and his heart was singing about the fact that he and Noelle were on their way to getting their wedding back on track.
What a good day,Dean thought as he got out of his car.Things are looking up for us. Hopefully soon, they start looking up again for the whole town.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Delilah took a deep breath, enjoying the aromas of sweet bakery and coffee. She was sitting at a large table in Seaside Sweets Bakery with the Owens women, and she thought to herself that it was wonderful to feel part of a community.
I haven’t felt like this in years, maybe ever,she thought, looking around at the smiling faces surrounding her and feeling a surge of gratitude.There’s a community in the film industry, but it isn’t like this. Casts form a bond during filming but then filming is over, and parties only last for a night. When I’m with these women, I feel as though our bond lasts from day to day.
She smiled as Hazel laughed loudly over something Alexis had just said—a big peal of laughter like ringing bells. Delilah thought to herself with a chuckle that she could see where Samantha got her boisterous laugh from.
They had gathered in the bakery for coffee, since Seaside Sweets had been restored to good condition after the storm and it had been supplying all the folks working hard to repair Rosewood Beach with caffeine. The women had wanted to support one of their favorite businesses, so they’d decided to meet there rather than in Vivian’s kitchen. Now they were sitting around a table dotted with lattes and white mochas as well aswith pink and green plates covered in half-eaten doughnuts and cinnamon roll crumbs.
Alexis had organized the meeting so that all of them could work together to help restore Dean and Noelle’s wedding plans. Although most things would transition easily into the new venue, there will still things that had to be changed, such as the seating arrangement for dinner.
Noelle was slowly combing through a wedding dress catalogue, and every time she found a dress she liked, she would hold up the picture to get the reaction of the group. They all gushed enthusiasm over every dress, but Delilah could tell that Noelle didn’t feel completely thrilled with any of the dresses.
“What about this one?” Noelle said, holding up the catalogue to show everyone a dress with a large tulle skirt. “It kind of looks like my dress.”
Hazel put down her coffee cup in a hurry, a big smile immediately on her face. Delilah had spent enough time studying human movements in her career as an actress, however, to notice the way Hazel’s shoulders had tensed up slightly. She could tell that Hazel wanted to encourage Noelle, but that neither of them really thought the dress was as good as the one Noelle had picked out before.
“I like it,” Julia said slowly, leaning in toward the picture. “It’s cute, but I think that other one was more you, Noelle. The one with the heart-shaped neckline.”
“I like both of them,” Alexis said, smiling at Noelle.
Delilah felt a twinge of sadness as she saw the women that she cared about so much struggling to stay positive about Noelle’s situation. It was clear to Delilah that they all felt disappointed that Noelle was probably going to have to compromise and pick out a dress that she didn’t like as much as the one she’d had before.
I wish there was something I could do to help,Delilah thought, picking up her white mocha and taking a long sip of the creamy beverage.I want Noelle to have the dress of her dreams. It would be a shame for her to feel disappointed about her dress after all of the delays that she and Dean have had to face.
All at once, she had an idea. Her heart began to beat faster as she considered it for a few moments, and then she stood up.
“Excuse me, ladies,” she said. “I’ve just thought of a phone call that I need to make. I’ll pop outside and be back in just a little while.”
“Okay, no worries.” Noelle looked up at her with a smile.
The other women waved to her affectionately and Delilah waved back as she stepped outside into the fresh spring air. The wind was balmy that day, and the sunshine felt warm on Delilah’s face as she pulled out her cellphone and looked up the number of the wedding dress shop that Noelle had ordered her first dress from.
“Hello? This is Delilah Bates.” She grinned when she heard the sales assistant gasp excitedly.
“Hi, Delilah!”
“Hi. I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Could you look up the dress model that Noelle Calhoun had picked out for her wedding? And then could you email me a link to it?”
“Sure thing. I just need to look up her file.”
Delilah heard the young woman click on the shop computer a few times, and then she said, “Yeah, I’ve got it right here. Aww, such a pretty dress. We don’t have any more of that style that are anywhere near close to her size, unfortunately.”
“I’ve heard about that,” Delilah said. “That’s why I’m calling. I had an idea about how I might be able to help out.” Briefly Delilah explained the inspiration that she’d had a few moments earlier, and the sales assistant cooed with enthusiasm.
“I think that sounds just wonderful,” she said. “Let me email you this link—what’s your email?”
