Paris climbed the stairs to the entrance of The Bridesmaids’ Club headquarters and knocked on the door. “I can’t believe we’re finally here.”
Andrea waited beside Paris. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing the dresses, and I’m not even the bride.”
Shona smiled. They were all super excited and a little desperate. With two weeks until Paris and Richard’s wedding, they needed to find Paris a wedding dress. “I thought we were going to a small office. Tess’ home is huge.”
The two-story house sat in a leafy suburb of Bozeman. Surrounded by other beautiful homes and landscaped gardens, it would be a lovely place to live.
The door opened, and a tall, blond-haired woman greeted them with a smile. “You must be Paris, Andrea, and Shona. I’m Tess. Welcome to The Bridesmaids’ Club.”
Paris held out her hand. “It's great to meet you. I'm Paris.”
Andrea smiled. “And I’m Andrea, and this is Shona.”
“It’s nice to meet you all. Come in, and we’ll get started.”
When she stepped into the loft, Shona’s eyes widened. The large room was filled with racks of colorful dresses, shelves of jewelry, and a wall of veils. For most women, this would be like stepping into bridal heaven.
“This is amazing,” Andrea murmured.
Tess smiled.
Shona figured she must be used to people being surprised when they came to see her.
“We have about two hundred gowns on display,” Tess said. “As well as bridesmaids’ dresses, we have thirty bridal gowns, and a few mother-of-the-bride outfits. That changes depending on how many donations we receive.” She walked across to a rack of dresses. “These are the bridal gowns you selected from the website. If they aren't what you're looking for, I have some others you might like.”
Paris bit her bottom lip. “I really appreciate your help. I don't know what I would have done if we hadn’t found you.”
Tess gave her a quick hug. “That’s why my friends and I started The Bridesmaids’ Club. Try not to focus on what’s happened to your dress. You wouldn’t believe the number of gowns that go missing in the mail. Hopefully, you'll find something you like.”
Shona’s breath caught when she saw the first gown Tess pulled off the rack. It was the 1920s Gatsby dress with a sparkly fringe and decorative beads. And, incredibly, it looked even better than it did in the pictures they’d seen.
If they were looking for a sign that Paris would find a wonderful wedding dress today, this was it.
* * *
Joseph stoodwith his hands on his hips, looking at the sign John had attached to the front of Shona’s business. “Are you sure that’s where she wanted it?”
John stepped off the ladder and took a piece of paper out of his pocket. “She drew me a picture.”
Just to be sure, he looked at the sketch. Shona had drawn a rectangular box directly above the front door with a big X in the center. “Why didn’t you show me this when we arrived?”
“I wanted you to trust my judgment.”
“You could have chosen something else for a learning moment,” he muttered. “Shona wouldn’t be impressed if we put the sign in the wrong place.”
If Joseph had trust issues, Shona was almost as bad. John had to convince her they could add the finishing touches to her store while she was in Bozeman. Even though it would save her time and make the last week before her opening day easier, she was reluctant to let anyone help. In the end, Paris and Andrea convinced her to let them work on the cottage.
Picking up a basket of flowers, he handed it to John. “This needs to be hung on a hook under the veranda.”
John frowned at the other half-finished baskets sitting on the ground. “How long will it take to make the others?”
“Not long.” Joseph checked his watch. “Adele should be here soon. She’ll help me finish them before the electrician arrives to install the extra lighting.”
John looked at his list. “The only other person we’re waiting for is Penny. She said she’d drop off a welcome mat for the front door and a table and chair set they don’t need at the inn.”
“Shona won’t recognize her cottage when she—”
“Goodness me,” Mabel said as she bustled across to them. “I was just buying two muffins when I saw the store. It looks lovely.”
