Annie's Song(43)

Claire cleared her throat. All three women turned, each one at a different stage of emotional meltdown. She wanted to smile, but she forced herself to look serious. “We really came here to ask your advice on a shop where Annie can find her wedding dress. We’ve had no luck on our own.”

Penn and Michelle looked at each other. After a long moment, Michelle nodded, and Penn took off, headed for the shop.

“I might have something that would work,” Michelle said. “It’s not conventional—at all, actually, which is why I still have it. I do a little designing on the side.” She smiled. “I couldn’t get arrested in LA after finishing design school, so when I met Penn here during a ‘get over it and get on with my life’ trip, I decided to stay.”

Penn returned, a garment bag draped over her arm. “I think it will fit. You look about the same size.”

Michelle held the hangar while she unzipped the bag. Instead of the classic, creamy white, it revealed a deep, rich green dress. Where the sun caught the fabric, it glowed a subtle gold.

Annie moved forward, her fingers brushing over the fabric. “An unconventional dress, for an unconventional wedding.” She wiped her eyes, smiled at Michelle. “I’ll take it.”

“Without even trying it on?” Claire touched her arm. “It may not—”

“I can fit it for her,” Michelle said. “I have extra fabric, if it’s needed. No,” she touched Annie’s wrist when she pulled out a wallet. “Consider it my wedding gift.”

“I can’t—that fabric must have cost you a fortune, and you never got paid for it.”

“What about borrowing it?” Penn shrugged when they all looked at her. “Hey, I’m a girl, I know all the wedding stuff. Something borrowed—well, there you go.”

“I don’t, I can’t—”

Claire rubbed her back. “Just say yes, Annie.”

“I—yes.” She looked at them. “Thank you.”

“We should be going,” Claire said. She turned to Michelle. “I want to thank you as well. For everything. Annie will call to set up a time for fitting the dress.”

Still looking shocked, Annie followed her to the back door of the shop. They walked through, and were halfway back to their hotel when Annie finally spoke.

“Claire?”

“Yes, sweetheart?” She stopped, concerned at the tone in her friend’s voice. “Annie, what is it?”

“I’m getting married.”

Claire smiled, and led her dazed friend back to the hotel.





SEVENTEEN



The morning of the wedding arrived, clear and cool, despite Annie’s dire predictions it would rain, since she decided on the outdoor wedding of her dreams.

Now she waited in her room, fidgeting, for Claire to come and fetch her. Eric spent the night—somewhere else. He wouldn’t tell her, knowing she’d hunt him down and climb into bed with him, just to keep herself from thinking about today. About this.

All the rash decisions that led here made her want to throw up. The dress, which she had to admit went pretty far outside even her oversized comfort zone. Doing this in a foreign country, which she thought was a good idea at the time. Having Simon marry them. That one had her sitting down.

She started to rub her face, and halted. Her makeup for the wedding was already in place, courtesy of the local hair salon, touchups not an option. Instead, she rested both hands on her stomach. The contact calmed her immediately.

“It’s our big day, sweetheart. Your daddy is going to meet me, in front of our friends, and we’ll be a family.” She took in a shaky breath, missing her parents, wishing they could have been here, met Eric, shared the joy that flooded her. “God, I’m so scared, Mom. I’m going to try to be a good mother. I had the best example in the world. Okay, and now I have to stop this before I start crying.”

“You and me both.” Claire stood in the doorway, and Annie let out a whistle. “You like it?”

“You look gorgeous, honey.” She twirled her finger. “Take a turn.”

Claire obeyed, the skirt of her cobalt blue dress swirling around her. Walking into the room, she cradled Annie’s cheek. “I am not your mother, but I hope I can stand in her place, be here for you today.”

“Oh, God.” Annie hugged her, tears threatening to spill over. She pulled back, looked into Claire’s eyes. “I couldn’t have done any of it the last three years, not without you. We are family. Part of me knew the first time I walked into your store and saw you, all fire and ice as you dealt with Mildred.”

“Sweet heaven.” Claire let out a watery laugh. “I remember that day. I had no idea how to handle her.”