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“I’m happy to be sitting down for a change. I love working at the Moose, but my feet ache from standing up all day every day,” Sophie said, flexing her ankles.
Hazel stood up from her seat and loudly clapped her hands. “I was trying to wait for Honor to get here, but I can’t contain myself much longer. I promised you ladies I would show you the dresses you’ll be wearing at the ceremony. They finally came in from Anchorage.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to see them,” Paige said, her expression radiating excitement. Sophie smiled over at her. Of all the ladies in the room, Paige was the only one who fit the title of fashionista.
Honor Prescott burst in the door, shaking snow off her shoulders as she took off her coat and hung it on Hazel’s coatrack. “Sorry I’m late,” she called out. “The roads from the wildlife center were coated with ice. I had to drive really slowly.”
“Safety first. Come on in.” Hazel beckoned with a wave of her hand. “Take a seat and grab some food. I’m about to unveil the bridesmaid dresses.”
Honor quickly settled next to Sophie and began helping herself to breakfast. Sophie filled Honor’s glass with orange juice while her friend helped herself to a muffin and hash browns.
“You arrived just in time,” Hazel told Honor, then reached down into a box, pulled out a dress and held it up in front of her. It was a lavender-colored gown with feathers at the hem. Hazel’s expression radiated pure joy and satisfaction. “Ta-da! What do you think, ladies? Is this elegant or what?”
Honor sputtered on her orange juice. “Oh, please, no,” she said in a low voice.
“I—It sure is vibrant,” Sophie said, struggling to find something positive to say.
“Isn’t it, though? And who doesn’t look good in purple,” Hazel crowed.
“Are all the dresses just like that one?” Grace asked. The look of horror on her face didn’t escape Sophie’s notice.
“They are,” Hazel said, looking as proud as a peacock. “So who wants to try it on?” she asked, glancing around the table.
No one spoke for a minute. Not wanting to hurt Hazel’s feelings, Sophie jumped up from her seat. “I’ll try it on, Hazel. After all, lavender is one of my favorite colors.”
Ruby stood up. “Me, too. If you need someone else to try it on, I’m game.”
The women all nodded their heads and chimed in with their support. It warmed Sophie’s insides to see the overwhelming support for Hazel. It didn’t matter that the dress was hideous. Not in the grand scheme of things. Hazel was the heart and soul of Love. She was the most supportive and fiercely protective person Sophie had ever known. Although everyone called her Hazel to her face, she was often affectionately referred to as “Mama Bear” behind her back.
“You gals really are something else,” Hazel said. Sophie thought she saw tears pooling in her friend’s eyes. Although Hazel considered herself to be a stoic Alaskan, she was a teddy bear at her center.
“Right back atcha,” Sophie said, tears welling up in her own eyes as the realization hit her that Hazel was the closest thing to family she had. Even though there was a space in her heart yearning for home, she’d found something incredible here in Love. And every single person in this room had been a part of her journey.
Hazel threw her head back and let out a cackle of laughter. For a few moments she clutched her stomach and couldn’t seem to stop.
“Are you all right, Hazel?” Honor asked, her eyes wide with alarm.
Hazel swatted at her own eyes with the back of her hand. “You ladies never fail to amaze me. I wouldn’t have you girls wear this monstrosity if it were the last dress on earth. I’m sorry. I know it’s not April Fools’ Day, but I couldn’t resist pranking you.” She waved the dress in front of her. “Unless, of course, you really do want to wear this lavender eyesore. It’s been hanging at the back of my closet for decades.”
Several sighs of relief could be heard in the room, along with shouts of laughter.
“I came to the realization that I want you ladies to wear something that you really love. So you’re free to pick your own dress, as long as it’s a nice shade of white.”
“We can’t wear the same color as the bride,” Paige said, raising her hand to her neck in dismay. “Th
at would be a huge fashion faux pas.”
Hazel held her head high. “I’m not wearing white,” she announced in a firm voice. “I’ve decided to wear a beautiful blush color. White tends to wash me out. And I’m a big fan of blush tones. Jasper loves the idea.”
Sophie crossed her hands in front of her. “I think you’re going to be a lovely bride, my friend.” She took a few steps toward Hazel and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
“My sweet Sophie. This town sure was blessed the moment you arrived,” Hazel said as she patted her back.
“Anything I’ve given to this town I’ve gotten back tenfold,” Sophie said, knowing with a deep certainty the veracity of her words. Love had given her a soft place to land at a time when the bottom had fallen out of her world. She was part of this village now. And every single resident had been embedded on her heartstrings. God sure had known what He was doing when He had pointed her toward this very special place.
“Okay, this is really turning into a sobfest,” Ruby said, wiping away tears. “We’re supposed to be in celebration mode.”
“I know,” Honor said. “Let’s change the mood in here. Quick. Someone share some harmless gossip or a funny joke.”
