Page 29 of Wedding Bells By the Creek

‘Rustic weddings are all the rage right now.’ Lori was getting back into her stride. ‘We have some lovely designs just perfect for that sort of event. Let’s get you into one.’

It took three more tries. Lace wasn’t the answer. Nor was satin. Or ruching. But then Tia walked out of the dressing room and Helen knew by the look on her face that they had found it. The dress was ivory, with a tight strapless bodice embossed with what looked like leaves. It sparkled ever so slightly as Tia moved. The skirt was made from several layers of some soft fabric that Helen couldn’t name; full, but not too full. It was slighter shorter in front – exposing Tia’s bare feet. It was soft but strong. Sexy but simple. And it was fun.

‘That’s it,’ Helen said.

Tia stood staring at herself in the mirror. She nodded and then she started to cry. In a moment Helen was with her, their arms locked around each other as both sobbed and laughed in equal measure.

‘Now, how about a veil?’ the assistant asked hopefully.

‘I didn’t want a veil,’ Tia said. ‘But now … I’m not so sure.’

Lori’s face lit up. ‘A veil would be lovely with that dress. Perhaps with some sparkles? Or lace on the edge?’

Tia shook her head. ‘No. It would be a bit too much down by the creek.’

‘What about something like that?’ Lori pointed at a mannequin on the other side of the store.

Tia chuckled. ‘What is that?’

‘That’s a birdcage,’ Lori said. ‘We have some lovely ones. With flowers and feathers and—’

‘No feathers,’ Tia jumped in. ‘Something very simple.’

‘With maybe a little bit of sparkle,’ Helen added.

Lori almost managed to hide her disappointment as she hurried off and returned a few moments later with a simple headband that glittered in the light. She presented it hopefully.

‘Pretty,’ Tia said.

The assistant didn’t try to argue when Tia insisted on flat satin ballet slippers to complete the outfit. It seemed that she had finally realised Tia had a vision of her own. And as Helen watched her daughter twirl one last time in front of the mirror, she could hardly believe how beautiful she was.

Tia vanished back into the changing room, and a few minutes later Lori emerged, her arms overflowing with white fabric.

‘Your daughter says she wants to take all this now,’ she said. ‘The dress fits very well, so there’s really no need for alterations.’

‘I’m pretty handy with a needle and thread,’ Helen said. ‘I can manage any minor bits.’

Helen watched as the sales assistant began to total up Tia’s purchases. Getting married was an expensive business. She didn’t have much money, but she reached for her wallet anyway.

‘No, Mum,’ Tia said, appearing at her side, still tucking her shirt into her jeans. ‘I don’t expect you to—’

‘But I do.’ Helen stopped her. ‘There is so much I should have done for you when you were a teenager. So many things I wanted to do for you. Or at least with you. Let me at least do this.’

‘But, Mum, it’s expensive …’

‘I don’t care. All these years I’ve been saving what money I could. I worked and I lived cheaply. I wanted to make sure that if … when I found you … I had some money. Just in case you needed it. This is a far better use for it. Let me do this.’

Tia smiled. ‘I understand. I do. For so long I didn’t know when I was going to see my next dollar. Since I’ve been working at the mine, I’ve been saving too. Just in case I had to run away again. That’s never going to happen. I will never have to run away again. So let me spend my money.’

Helen took a deep breath. What an amazing woman her daughter had become. ‘I’ll tell you what, shall we go halves. Then there is something of both of us in this wedding.’

Tia nodded, blinking back tears.

While the purchases were being carefully wrapped ready for transport back to Coorah Creek, Tia broached the subject of a dress for the mother of the bride.

It was something Helen had not even considered. Tia dragged her off to another part of the store and began searching the racks.

‘This is the one.’

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