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“Smart.”
One of the assistant’s opened the door for Mikayla. She stood in front of the three tall mirrors, the outside ones angled to show each view. She shot Leah an uncertain look. Leah shook her head. It was slim fitting and lacy. Too busy for Mikayla. “Thought so,” Mikayla said, moving back through the door. The next dress was just too much. A wide skirt and sweetheart neckline in deep ivory, it just didn’t suit. Leah felt a little nervous as Mikayla went back to try on the third and final dress, but the gasps from Juniper and Nora when Mikayla stepped out of the change room told her that her nerves were unnecessary.
“Close your eyes!” Leah ordered, jumping to her feet and moving over to Mikayla. With the help of the two assistants, she guided her to the mirror. “Keep your eyes closed.” She waited while the assistants fluffed out the skirt and then straightened the bodice before stepping back. “Now you can look.”
Mikayla opened her eyes and went completely still, staring at herself in the full-length mirrors. The dress had a bateau neckline, slim fitting bodice, a pale gold tie at the waist and then a waterfall of silk for the skirt. A sheer overlay led into fitted sleeves from shoulder to wrist. It was elegant in its simplicity and absolutely perfect for Mikayla. Her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at herself, and she reached out a hand for Leah. “It’s perfect, isn’t it?”
Leah squeezed her hand, turning to look in the mirror. “Yes,” she said simply.
“Mum?” When Nora didn’t answer, Mikayla and Leah turned to look at her. She was crying, nodding her head vigorously. “Juniper?”
Her eyes shining, Juniper said, “Yes, it’s absolute perfection. You’ve got yourself a wedding dress.”
“Ah, molto bella, Mikayla, molto bella.” Arabella came over, tweaking the skirt a little. “Now, turn around so you can see the back.”
“Oh, even better,” Mikayla said when she saw the cut out back and the way the skirt trailed prettily behind her.
“Now, Arabella, just to confirm. With the way this is cut, if Mikayla happens to be pregnant on her big day, there are no issues with rejigging it so that the skirt drapes over the belly? Lifting the tie up like this?”
“Ah, perfect. You have a good eye. There would be no issues with that at all. It might require some adjustments just prior to the day. But as discussed with Mr Sinclair, one of my attendants will be in Blessed Inlet in time to make any necessary changes.”
“Jesus, he thought of everything, didn’t he? How much is it?”
Arabella readjusted the tie around Mikayla’s waist, completely ignoring her question.
Leah smiled. “Don’t do that, Mik.”
“How much is it?” She asked again, more insistently.
“You going to put a price on your brother’s love?”
“That’s playing dirty.”
“Yep.”
Mikayla looked at Leah for a long moment. “Do you know why Callum was a bit shattered when he came home?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“And this’ll help make him feel better?”
“Yes.”
Mikayla sighed. “Okay then.” She turned back to the mirror, running her hands over the soft silk of the bodice. “Okay. I’m really going to do this, aren’t I?” She looked to Nora for confirmation. “I’m going to let Callum do this, Mum?”
Nora pushed to her feet and came to stand next to Mikayla, looking at her beautiful daughter in the mirror. “Yes, darling, you sure are.”
Tears shimmering in her eyes, Mikayla took a shaky breath and nodded.
“Bravissima!” Arabella exclaimed. “And now, we take a break before we go into the other room.” She gestured for Mikayla to follow her back into the change room.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
After Mikayla had changed back into her own clothes, they snacked on wafer thin crackers and expensive cheese. Leah pulled out her phone.
Callum:You’re killing me.
Leah:She found a dress!
