Page 32 of Kiss the Bride

Evelyn dabbed at her eyes. The simple veil was so perfect, Ames must have created it just for this bride and this dress. As an added plus, it gave the illusion of being more substantial that it was, which helped put Brianna at ease. She gave a breathy sigh. Ames was a miracle worker. Seeing the transformation his veil had worked on this bride-to-be, she could hardly wait to have him work his magic for her.

Of course, there was the little problem of finding her Mr. Right. Now wasn’t the time to think of that, though. Not when a salon full of women waited to see Brianna in the next gown.

Returning to the dressing area, she and the bride repeated the process twice more. Each time, Brianna looked more and more breathtaking in the creations Cheri had chosen. And each time, Ames added the icing to the proverbial cake with another perfect veil. There wasn’t a dry eye in the salon when it was time to leave.

As she said goodbye to the bride, Opal leaned in to whisper in Brianna’s ear.

“What’d she say to you?” Evelyn asked when she and the bride-to-be were alone and headed for the car.

“She told me to stop by her store and pick out a pair of shoes to wear in my wedding. On the house.”

Evelyn felt her jaw come unhinged. She stared at the bride with open envy. “The Glass Slipper?” she screeched.

“That’s a good thing, I take it?” Questions loomed in Brianna’s eyes.

“I’ll say. That place is amazing. They have the most gorgeous shoes. Even better, Opal recently started carrying Sophie Olsen’s new line of heels.” At Brianna’s confused look, she clarified. “The designer of the mermaid gown. Oh. My. Goodness. If you think that dress was spectacular, wait till you see her shoes. They’re to die for.”

“Well, I guess I’d better schedule time for a little shopping trip.” Brianna flexed her foot to show off a cute pair of flats with pink bows. “I do love new shoes.”

They were back in the car again when Brianna turned to her, her mood sober. “Thanks for today,” she said, her voice low. “Please tell all those ladies thank you, too. That was so sweet of them, giving up their afternoon to look at wedding gowns with me. I was touched.”

Evelyn waved a hand. “I’m sure they’d thank you for the privilege. Each of them dreams of shopping for wedding gowns with their daughters or nieces one day.” She leaned into the soft cushions. They’d had a few rough moments, but the day had turned out beautifully. “You and Daniel are going to make such a lovely couple. I can’t wait to see his eyes when you walk down the aisle wearing one of those creations. Do you know which one you’re going to pick yet?”

“I’m still thinking. I wish I could ask him about it.”

Her stomach clenched when a single, fat tear rolled down Brianna’s cheek. Had she said something wrong? “What is it?” she asked, tensing.

“I can’t even decide which dress to wear. I—I’m not sure I can go through with this.”

“The Wedding-in-a-Week festivities? They can be a bit much, can’t they?” She fanned herself, trying hard to put the bride at ease. “It was asking a lot to expect you to choose a venue and a gown on the same day. Maybe I should suggest we schedule those events differently next year. What do you think?” When the girl didn’t answer, she prompted, “Brianna?”

“It’s not just Wedding-in-a-Week. It’s—it’s the wedding, too.”

The bride’s thready whisper sent her stomach into freefall. Shocked, she went still as a stone. Sure, the girl had been in tears a couple of times today, but that was to be expected. Wasn’t it? After all, all the brides on the reality TV shows cried. None of them called off their weddings. “Why would you even think that?”

Brianna turned a pair of watery eyes on her. “Look at me. The least little thing happens, and I fall completely apart. I’m not what Daniel needs. He’s serving his country. He doesn’t need a wife he has to worry about while he’s away. He needs someone he can count on to keep things running smoothly at home.

“Somebody better, stronger than me.”

“That’s … that’s …” She faltered as she pictured Brianna and Daniel at the Captain’s Cottage that morning. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Brianna. The man is head over heels in love with you.”

“Well, there is that,” Brianna said with a self-deprecating laugh. “It’s just, sometimes, I don’t think it’s enough.”

“You said yourself he’s always been your rock.”

“That’s the problem.” Brianna’s head dipped. Her blond hair fell forward to hide her face. “He’s always helping me, lending me his strength. I should be able to help him, too. Shouldn’t I?”

Evelyn paused for a breath. Only one question mattered. She prayed for strength and asked, “Do you love him?”

“Oh, yes,” Brianna breathed. “More than anything.”

“Well, there you have it, then. You’re meant for each other.”

“I wish I could be as sure as you are.” As the car pulled to the curb in front of the Union Street Bed-and-Breakfast, Brianna looked up. Her eyes swam in a lake of unshed tears, but the smile she wore only wavered slightly. “You know what? I’m beat.” She yawned behind one hand. “I think I’ll go upstairs and take a nap before dinner.”

“You do that. A little rest will do you a world of good.” She crossed her fingers. Today had only been the beginning of a full week of decision-making, and Brianna had been on an emotional roller-coaster for most of it. No wonder the girl was exhausted. She mentally rifled through the schedule. Alicia had marked tonight as a date night. A little private time with her fiancé sounded like the perfect prescription for Brianna’s pre-wedding jitters. “You and Daniel have dinner plans, right?”

“Yes.” Interest sparked in Brianna’s blue eyes. “We’re going to a steak house. It’s one of our three choices for the rehearsal dinner. Daniel will like that. He loves a good steak.”

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