Page 29 of Coral Memories

“You look breathtaking, my dear.” Her mother’s eyes shone with unshed tears of happiness.

Ginger beamed, though she recalled her mother had always dreamed of making a wedding dress for her. “You’re sure you don’t mind that my dress is store-bought?”

Mary Lou kissed her daughter’s cheek. “This is your new life. It’s right that Bertrand bought your dress so that you’d look how he wanted you to on your wedding day.”

Her mother’s words stung a little. “It’s the modern way, Mama. He said he loves me in anything I wear, so I choose clothes to suit me and the situation. It’s quite efficient.”

“You always were so bright and practical.” Her mother blinked back tears. “I’m just happy you’re marrying a man you love.”

“Because of your efforts and support,” Ginger said, wiping a tear from her mother’s cheek. “Wherever I am, I promise I’ll write often with every detail, so you’ll feel like you’re there with me.”

Since being out in the world, Ginger had observed her social surroundings with the eye of a scientist. For all her mother’s instructions about making the most of her intellectual gifts and choosing a husband Ginger wanted, Mary Lou Sheraton was still mired in old-fashioned roles in her marriage.

However, Ginger couldn’t blame her mother entirely; that was her father’smodus operandi, and her mother chose to accept the status quo to keep the peace.

Ginger smoothed a hand across the silk dress. She loved the cut and quality of the fine clothing she’d discovered in New York that was as well-crafted as what she and her mother could make. Of course, the cost reflected that, but it didn’t faze Bertrand. Over her dress, she wore a long, delicate lace coat that brushed her satin pumps.

With her heels, she was nearly as tall as her husband to be.I like that we’re on an equal footing,he’d said when they’d danced on their first date. She’d loved hearing that.

The chatter of guests filtered through the closed door. It was almost time.

Her small bouquet of ivory roses from her mother’s garden released a soft scent, calming her nerves with every breath.

“I can hardly believe you’re moving so far away.” Mary Lou hesitated, wiping tears gathering in the corner of her eye. She adjusted Ginger’s strand of pearls—another gift from Bertrand. “You’re a vision in this gown; he can’t deny that.”

This realization of their move was dawning on Ginger, too. An uncharacteristic lump rose in her throat at the raw emotion in her mother’s voice, so she glanced down at her dress again, her mind racing to the familiar. “This bias-cut drape is doubtless a result of mathematical precision in the cut. It’s a study in geometry.”

Mary Lou laughed and pulled her daughter into an embrace. “Leave it to you to deconstruct the poetry of a wedding gown into pure mathematics.” She cupped Ginger’s face in her palms. “My brilliant, practical girl. I’m so proud of the remarkable woman you’ve become. Bertrand is a lucky man.”

At the mention of her soon-to-be husband’s name, Ginger’s chest constricted with excitement. Taking a steadying breath, she turned toward the doorway separating her from the man she loved.

Organ music filled the air, and Ginger could feel the vibration through the floorboards.

Her father stepped inside, looking ill at ease in his suit. “If that man doesn’t take good care of you in Paris, you’re to come straight home, you hear?”

“Why, Stu, that isn’t like you at all,” Mary Lou said with surprise.

He gave a self-conscious shrug. “Things change.”

Beneath her father’s scowl, she saw pride and love in his expression.

Blinking hard, Stu took her hand and squeezed it. “I don’t want to lose you to Paris, that’s all.”

“I’ll be back, Pa.”

“And probably with babies,” Mary Lou added. “We love you, darling. We’ll miss you, that’s all.”

“Me, too.” She kissed her father’s cheek. “I’m ready now.”

Ginger slid her hand through the crook in his elbow as he opened the door. Her mother also held her arm. This was how Ginger wanted it.

Their guests turned and, with a murmur of surprise, stood beaming as she entered between her mother and father.

The sight of Bertrand awaiting her at the end of the aisle stole Ginger’s breath for a moment. His tailored suit accentuated the lean strength of his frame and erect posture. His gray eyes, filled with adoration, anchored her in a way her rational mind could never quite quantify.

With his gaze trained on her, Bertrand mouthed the words,I love you.

She smiled, still amazed that she had fallen in love so quickly these past few whirlwind weeks. Yet, she also felt like she was marrying her best friend. Since meeting, she had shared all her dreams and aspirations with him. They had grown to know each other long before their first date at the ambassador’s estate.

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