“That pretty much sums it up.”
Lorea unzipped the garment bag and pulled out two of Natalie’s bridesmaid dresses. “Are you going to go out with him if he asks again?”
“I don’t think I have to worry about that.” A speck of lint on my computer keys drew my attention, and I busied myself with dusting off the keyboard.
Lorea patted my cheek. “But you are, just the same.”
I didn’t try to argue with Lorea, because she was right. I had been thinking about Luke and Dallas. Luke’s tortured expression when he told me about his wife kept haunting me. I could forgive him, but I didn’t know if I should go further than that.
Twenty minutes later, Natalie showed up for her fitting, her light brown curls twisted in an updo. “I’m trying to decide if I should wear my hair up or down.”
“You’ll look beautiful either way, so do what makes you most comfortable,” I said.
When she put the gown on, both Lorea and I sighed. Natalie’s full smile showed her white, even teeth. “I love this dress. It’s perfect, and the length is just right.” She turned slowly and Lorea followed, checking the circumference of the dress.
“I feel like a princess,” Natalie said. She swayed in front of the mirror and let the organza frill trail through her fingers. “I also feel a little guilty about how much this dress costs.”
Lorea’s smile faltered, and I knew she was fretting over the price and the conversation we’d had at the first fitting. Natalie was a native of this valley, and she knew the hard work required to earn every dollar on a farm.
I stepped forward and turned Natalie toward the mirror. “Brock called me and said you would be worried. He wants to do this for you, so let him. I think you two bring out the best in each other, and you need to keep reminding yourself of that. The dress is expensive, but you only get married once.”
Natalie laughed. “Hopefully.”
Lorea snorted, and I shot her a look that she knew meant, “Quiet the cynic.”
Natalie swished her gown back and forth in front of the mirror. “That is so sweet that he would call. This is all like a dream. I’ve always wanted a beautiful wedding.”
“Yours will be so lovely, it’ll take your breath away,” I said. “As soon as you’re finished with Lorea, I have a few more things I want to go over with you.”
“I want to check the waistline. You’d better not get any skinnier.” Lorea indicated Natalie’s thin figure, and Natalie blushed.
“Oh, I almost forgot to show you the latest idea for your garden party, Natalie.” I lifted a Mason jar bouquet off a filing cabinet. “You’ve met the florist, Melissa, right?”
“Yes, she’s fantastic.” Natalie eyed the flower arrangement with a smile.
I rotated the Mason jar slowly in front of Natalie. “She and I were brainstorming, and we put slices of lemon in the water. Melissa had some white lilacs and daisies handy, but she said that freesia or daffodils would look lovely as well.”
“I love the fresh look,” Natalie said.
The front door chimed, and I heard someone call, “Yoo-hoo! Where are you, darlings?”
“Oh, no.” I saw Lorea’s mouth drop open and several pins scatter to the floor. I set the Mason jar down and hurried out to the front, but I knew this wasn’t going to end well.
“Good morning, Sylvia.”
She wore a creamy yellow sundress that set off her auburn curls. When she waved a hand in my direction, her bracelets jingled. “I wish it was a good morning. I tried contacting the police, but they wouldn’t give me any information on whether my dress had been found or not.”
My shoulders slumped. This woman would be the death of me. “I’m sorry, Sylvia, but they still haven’t found it, and as Lorea explained, it will most likely be damaged like the others. It’s best not to pin our hopes on that gown.”
“But it was designed for me. There’s nothing else that even compares to it.” Sylvia’s nostril flared, and I looked away.
“I’m sorry. Is there something else I can help you with right now?”
Sylvia pushed past me. “I want to take a look at that detachable train Lorea showed me.”
“But . . .” Sylvia had already entered the back of the shop before I could do anything to stop her.
“You stole my wedding dress!” Sylvia screeched.
Lorea stepped forward to protect Natalie. “Sylvia, please.”
“I did not.” Natalie’s voice was quiet, yet firm.
“And now you’ve taken the next best dress. You conniving piece of white trash. You think you’ll be happy as Mrs. Brock Grafton? Well, think again.” Sylvia held up her left hand and ripped the ring off her finger. She stuffed the gaudy engagement ring in her purse. “I’m available, and I’m going to make sure Brock knows it.”
Natalie’s chin wobbled, but before she could say anything, Lorea took over.
“Did you know that Adri has a picture of you and your mother before your plastic surgery?”
I cringed as I watched the fury of Sylvia’s gaze redirect to me.
“I’m going to press charges against your business for all the trouble you’ve caused.”
My jaw clenched, and I felt anger shoot through me. I straightened my shoulders—no one talks to me that way and gets away with it. I stepped forward, catching her in a withering stare. “Sylvia, I’m sorry things haven’t worked out, but I’m certain you’ll be glad this happened later on. What if you had married a man you didn’t love?”
“How dare you?” she cried.
I took another step closer. “The police brought the old pictures of your family, so you might want to take it up with them if you’re concerned about how they are conducting their investigation.” I lifted my cell phone, selected Anthony Ford from my contact list, and then turned the screen toward Sylvia. “With this latest outburst, they might wonder if you stole the dress to sabotage your own wedding—you know, the
