Emily smiled.“That’s a good sign.This dress is made from Italian silk.The square neckline and long sleeves look lovely on Penny—and it’s perfect for a November wedding.”
Barbara smiled at her sister.“Do you think this is the dress for you?”
“I love the design, but could we try on another gown just to make sure?”
“Of course, you can,” Emily said.“I’ll bring another two dresses into the fitting room.They have the same silhouette but are made from different fabrics.And they’re all within your budget.”
Penny breathed a sigh of relief.“You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
Emily grinned.“It makes a lot of brides happy.Let’s try on the next dress and go from there.”
After Penny and Emily disappeared behind the fitting room curtain, Katie walked across to a mannequin.The gown on display wouldn’t have looked out of place on Cinderella.With its full skirt, glittery bodice, and wide sash, whoever wore it would look as though they’d stepped out of a fairytale.
Katie sighed when she saw the back of the dress.“Come and look at this.It’s gorgeous.”
Barbara stood beside her sister, admiring the barely-there back and the large satin bow.“It would look amazing on you.”
Dimples creased Katie’s cheeks.“That’s what I was thinking.It’s a pity I need to find a fiancé first.”She glanced at the price tag and gulped.“Don’t worry.It’s better staying here.”
“It can’t be that bad.”Barbara flicked over the price tag.It was.“You’ll have to sell a few books to be able to afford a dress like this one.”
“Or win the lottery.”Katie pulled another dress off a rack and sighed.The flapper dress was a gorgeous tribute to one of the most glamorous periods in history.With its straight, loose design, it would be perfect for a summer wedding.
Katie ran her fingers through the white fringe decorating the skirt.“How does anyone create such amazing clothes?When Mom tried teaching me how to use a sewing machine, I couldn’t even sew a straight line.”
Barbara touched the sleeve of a satin ballgown.“I don’t know how Emily does it, but it’s probably like your writing.It’s a gift.”
The swish of the fitting room curtains made Barbara and Katie turn around.
Penny stepped in front of the heavy red fabric.
Katie’s gasp matched how Barbara felt.The silk dress hugged Penny’s body like a glove.She was so beautiful that anything Barbara could have said was lost in the tears clouding her eyes.
“What do you think?”Penny asked.
Their mom sighed.“You look stunning.”
A soft blush colored Penny’s cheeks.“Thanks, Mom.”With a worried frown, she glanced at Barbara and Katie.“What do you think?Is it too fancy for a wedding in The Connect Church?”
Katie smiled.“It’s perfect.Show us the back.”
Penny lifted the skirt and turned around.
With a flick of her wrist, Emily repositioned the circular train.
Barbara sighed.A row of tiny pearl buttons ran from Penny’s neck to her waist.It gave the gown a simple, understated elegance that would look gorgeous anywhere.
“It’s perfect,” she said softly.
“Would you like to see the dress with a veil?”Emily smiled when everyone nodded.Moving to another area of the store, she returned with a long veil.“This is the one I designed to go with this dress, but I have other options.”
As soon as the veil was in place, their mom’s eyes filled with tears.
Katie hugged her.“It’s okay.”
Barbara knew one of the reasons why their mom was so overcome with emotion.If their grandma hadn’t died, she would have loved being here, seeing her eldest granddaughter choose her wedding gown.
With tears in her eyes, Penny took a handful of tissues out of a box and handed them to her mom.“I miss Grandma, too.”
