Tears filled Cindy’s eyes. “I should just wear a suit or something.”
“Oh, please. You’re not wearing a suit. This is your wedding. Tell me what you see when you think of the princess dress. Not this one—the one in your mind.”
“I don’t know. Something magical and floaty. Like in that movie,Runaway Bride. A dress that swings like a bell.”
“You want a bell dress?” Victoria asked, trying not to sound doubtful. “Okay.”
Cindy laughed. “Not a bell dress, but something.”
Angelina walked in and immediately shook her head. “What do you think?”
“She hates it,” Victoria said flatly, knowing Cindy would hem and haw and not tell the truth. “She needs something more tailored and elegant. It’s the whole tall, blonde thing.Elegantis required.”
Angelina nodded. “Please go back to the dressing room. I have just the gown for you.”
Victoria followed Cindy and helped her out of the dress.
“Did you want to try it on?” Cindy asked generously. “It could be fun.”
Victoria nearly recoiled in horror. “No and no. For one thing, I would drown in that much fabric. For another, I’m not the fancy-wedding-gown type.”
“How would you know? Have you ever tried?”
“I’ve never had cod liver oil, and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t like it.” She patted Cindy’s arm. “This is your magical day, not mine. We’re going to focus on you.”
Cindy looked back at the failed princess dress. “Maybe I should just—”
“No,” Victoria told her. “You’re not sacrificing your wedding-dress dreams because the first one isn’t perfect. When Shannon started walking and fell, did you tell her that was fine? That you would carry her for the rest of her life?”
“No, but—”
“When she was learning to ride a bike, did you both give up on the first day?”
Despite her tearful eyes, Cindy smiled. “I get what you’re trying to do.”
“Try? There’s no try. Ask my mother. I figure it out and get itdone. You will find the perfect wedding dress, no matter what. Now it’s a mission.”
Angelina returned with a dress over her arm. “It’s not what you said you were looking for, but I think it’s going to look beautiful.”
Cindy looked from her to the dress, obviously disappointed by the plainness. The gown was a silvery champagne color with a wide neck and sort of netting lace-ish overlay.
“I don’t know,” Cindy began.
Victoria privately agreed with her doubts but refused to let them show. “Nope. You’re trying this one on. Then we’ll judge.”
Cindy dutifully stepped into the dress. She was already wearing a strapless bra and shapewear, so the fabric slid up easily. The gown molded to her body while the overlay gave the garment a beautiful, ethereal quality. The wide neck flattered her face and her shoulders. Victoria helped her with the satin belt, then stepped back.
The dress was stunning. It fit as if it had been made for her, and the silvery-blush color was perfect with her skin tone. She looked tall, slender and “Regal,” Victoria breathed. “Like you’re the queen of one of those small, rich European countries. I’m not a big wedding-gown person, but this one has to be in the best Top Ten ever.”
Cindy’s eyes filled with tears again, but this time they were happy ones. “It’s so pretty. I feel elegant.”
Angelina knocked once and let herself in, then pressed a hand to her chest. “You must come and see yourself on the dais. You’re a beautiful bride.”
Cindy moved into the other room and let Angelina fuss over her. They discussed veils, but then Angelina found a charming lace and feather fascinator that would be perfect for the ceremony and easily removed for the reception.
“I love it,” Cindy gushed when they were back in the dressingroom. “Can you take a couple of pictures with my phone so I can show them to Shannon later? If she likes it, I’ll bring her back to try it on in front of her, and then we can decide.”
Victoria took the requested pictures, capturing Cindy from every angle. Once she was dressed, Cindy insisted they go to a nearby bar for a celebratory glass of champagne.
