“How do you feel about her moving here?”
Sam didn’t have to say anything. Her face spoke volumes. “I’m not sure it would work. Shelley is a great person, as long as she has a project to keep her busy. At the moment, she’s bored at work and thinks I need rescuing.”
“Give her a job to do. She might moan and groan to start with, but at least it will keep her out of your way.”
“That’s a good idea. Shelley could organize all the decorations for inside the church.”
Cassie smiled. “Make a list of lots of things she can fix. It will keep her busy for hours.”
“We’ve found it,” Megan yelled from the other side of the store. “And it’s every bit as perfect as I remembered.” She rushed back and showed them a small pillbox hat.
Sam’s gasp of delight made Cassie smile.
“I love it,” Sam squealed. “I’ll try on my dress and see what it looks like.”
Mrs. Cousins held open the changing room curtain. “Your dress is in here. Just be careful not to get any makeup on the fabric.”
She took the scarf Mrs. Cousins handed her. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” It was a relief to see Mrs. Cousins’ beaming smile. Especially after she’d spent the last hour trying to find the perfect veil and shoes for Sam.
Mrs. Cousins looked across the store. “I’d better check on Megan. If I’m not careful, she’ll be rearranging everything.”
While Sam was trying on her dress and Megan was getting into mischief, Cassie looked at the bridal gowns. She’d never imagined getting married. When her friends in Los Angeles were dating boys, she was sketching different jewelry designs. Instead of spending time at the mall with her girlfriends, Cassie sat in her parents’ studio, practicing the same techniques her father used.
Looking back, she’d led a very sheltered life. Even though she lived in a city of four million people, her parents didn’t travel far from home. If they went anywhere, it was as a family and usually somewhere a lot quieter than Los Angeles.
“What do you think?” Sam asked.
Megan stood beside Cassie. “You look amazing.”
“It’s perfect,” Mrs. Cousins said.
Cassie had to agree. The pretty hat and veil gave Sam’s knee-length 1950s inspired bridal gown a touch of glamour and sophistication. “It’s fabulous. You couldn’t have found anything better.”
Sam twirled in front of the full-length mirror. “I feel like a modern-day Cinderella.” She lifted one foot off the floor. “What about the shoes?”
“Mrs. Cousins knows what she’s talking about,” Cassie said. “The shoes are perfect. The little bows on the heels make them extra special.”
“I agree,” Megan said. “All we need to do now is find you something borrowed and something blue.”
Cassie opened her bag. “I might be able to help with the something borrowed. But if you don’t like it, tell me. I won’t be offended if you don’t want to wear it.” She handed Sam a velvet box.
“You didn’t have to…” Sam opened the lid and sighed. “Oh, it’s beautiful.”
Megan looked over Sam’s shoulder. “That has to be the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen.”
As soon as she saw Sam’s dress, Cassie had sketched a necklace that would look stunning. It had taken more than two months to make it, but she was thrilled with the result.
Three strands of delicate, white pearls formed the basic framework of the design. At regular intervals, silver filigree clasps, decorated with small diamonds, drew the pearls into soft, fan-shaped curves. The necklace was simple, timeless, and elegant.
While Megan helped Sam with the clasp, Cassie sat on one of Mrs. Cousins’ plush velvet chairs. She wondered what it would feel like to get married, to love one man for the rest of your life.
Sam turned around. “What do you think?”
Cassie sighed. “You’re beautiful.”
Sam touched the pearls. “Thank you for making such an amazing necklace. I’d love to wear it at my wedding.”
