Paul was grateful for Harry’s offer, but he wasn’t ready to commit to the church event yet. Not until he was sure they could manage the additional workload.
“I’m okay at the moment,” Paul told Harry. “But I’ll let you know if I need help. For now, let’s focus on tonight’s service. Those chicken breasts look perfect.”
Harry grinned and returned to his station. Paul covered the sourdough starter and set it aside to ferment, then began preparing the béarnaise sauce for this evening’s steak special.
By the time dinner service began, Paul still hadn’t decided what he’d do about Pastor John’s request. But he knew the questions that needed answering before Monday morning, and that felt like progress.
Chapter 9
Susan watched Kathleen adjust the rearview mirror after she’d parked her truck in downtown Bozeman. The drive from Sapphire Bay had been filled with laughter, memories of buying Isabel’s wedding dress, and Lynda’s creative reasons for not needing a wedding dress.
“I still think we’re making too much fuss over this,” Lynda said from the passenger seat. Her fingers twisted the strap of her purse in a way that contradicted her words. “We could be doing something more productive than searching for a dress for me.”
Susan glanced at Kathleen from the backseat. They’d heard variations of this argument since leaving home.
“You don’t get married every day,” Kathleen said gently. “After everything you’ve been through, you deserve to feel special.”
“I already feel special.” Lynda opened her door but didn’t immediately exit. “Matt proposed. We’re having a wedding. Why do I need expensive clothing to prove anything?”
Susan climbed out and stretched, breathing in the crisp November air. With its mix of local shops and galleries, the historic area of downtown Bozeman was charming.
“Your clothes don’t need to be expensive, but they need to be special,” she said, walking around to Lynda’s side of the truck. “Memories matter. Photographs last forever. And deep down, I know you want to wear something that makes you feel like the most important person in the room.”
Lynda finally emerged, smoothing her hands down her practical khaki pants. “Fine. But I’m not trying on anything with excessive lace or those puffy sleeves that make women look like they’re wearing lampshades.”
Kathleen laughed as she joined them on the sidewalk. “You’ve got a deal. No lampshades.”
Susan pulled out her phone and opened the video call app. “Before we go inside, let’s bring Isabel into this adventure.”
The phone rang twice before Isabel’s face appeared on screen, bookshelves visible behind her. “Perfect timing! I just finished helping a customer find the entire Longmire series. Show me everything.”
“We haven’t gone inside yet,” Susan said, angling the phone so Isabel could view their surroundings. “But Lynda’s already complaining.”
“I’m not complaining,” Lynda protested. “I’m being realistic.”
“You’re terrified,” Isabel corrected warmly. “Which is completely normal. I was a disaster when we shopped for my dress, remember? I tried on seventeen gowns before finding the right one.”
“Seventeen?” Lynda’s eyes widened. “We’re not trying on seventeen dresses. I’ll wear my pantsuit first.”
“No pantsuits,” all three friends said simultaneously, and even Lynda had to smile.
The first person they saw when they walked into the boutique was the owner, Emily. She greeted them immediately, her enthusiasm infectious.
“Hi everyone. It’s great to see you again! Are you shopping for something specific today?”
Emily’s smile was as warm as Susan remembered from when they’d bought dresses for Kathleen’s wedding. The boutique owner had helped them navigate countless decisions back then, and Susan felt grateful they could return for Lynda’s big day.
“Our friend needs a wedding gown,” Susan said before Lynda could redirect the conversation. “She’s getting married on Christmas Eve, so we’re hoping to find something that doesn’t require a lot of alterations.”
Emily’s expression brightened. “A Christmas wedding sounds wonderful.” She gestured toward the back of the boutique. “Let me show you our winter collection.”
Susan held up her phone so Emily could see Isabel. “Isabel’s stuck at her bookstore, but wants to help choose a dress for Lynda.”
“Hi, Isabel!” Emily waved at the screen. “I remember you from Kathleen’s wedding. It’s good to see you again.”
“I want to see everything!” Isabel called from the phone.
Emily smiled and led them past racks of formal wear toward a section with ivory, cream, and champagne-colored dresses. Susan watched Lynda’s shoulders tense as they approached.
