“I appreciate your faith in me,” she said slowly. “Thank you for being blunt. You’re right. I should be committed to one job or the other. I love planning weddings and the other events. Thank you for the opportunity to do it. Thank you for having faith in me.”
Joyce’s stern expression didn’t change. “Was that a yes?”
Courtney blinked. “What? Of course it’s a yes. Yes, I want to be the events planner. Full-time. I’ll miss cleaning toilets, but I’ll get over it.”
Joyce smiled. “I’m glad to hear that because I’ve already hired the new maids.”
“What if I’d said no?”
“I’m afraid I would have had to fire you.”
Courtney was glad she was sitting down. “For real?”
“I love you, child, but every bird needs to leave the nest. You weren’t flying before. Now you are. I’m proud of you, Courtney. You’ve accomplished a lot. Everyone’s afraid at one time or another. The trick is not letting the fear control you.”
Rachel put in the last bobby pin and reached for the hair spray. The updo flattered her mother’s features. Maggie had decided on a short veil anchored by a comb.
“When the ceremony is over,” Rachel said as she put down the can of hair spray, “I’ll be able to pull the pins. The curls will stay in and you’ll have a more casual look for the reception.”
“I love it. Thank you, darling.”
They were in Maggie’s large bathroom for a practice hairstyle session. Her mother stood and walked over to her closet, then looked back over her shoulder. “Not a word to your sisters. I want them surprised.”
“I promise.”
Rachel was used to dealing with brides and their idiosyncrasies. She was usually one of the first nonfamily members to see the dress. Often she did a practice run on hair and makeup, and at the end the bride put on the dress to check the look. With her mother, she’d only created the hairstyle. She’d done Maggie’s makeup countless times before.
“I’m afraid I’m going to need you to zip me up,” her mother called.
Rachel stepped into the closet and pulled up the zipper, then quickly retreated to the bathroom so she could get the full effect.
Her mother stepped into the room.
“Oh, Mom. You’re beautiful.”
The dress was perfect. The lining was pale pink and strapless, but the sheer ivory lace overlay came up to her collarbones. The same overlay created long sleeves and fell to the tea-length hem. The bodice was fitted with the skirt flaring out. It swayed and moved with every step.
Her pumps were hand painted with a pink floral pattern and the date of the wedding in the design.
“My bouquet is white with hints of green, so it will show up against my dress. You girls are carrying pink flowers.”
Rachel sighed. “You’re stunning. It couldn’t be more right for you.”
Maggie’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you so much. Now help me unzip this. I don’t want anything to happen to it before the wedding.”
Once Maggie was back in her shorts and T-shirt, she and Rachel went out to the kitchen. They sat across from each other at the glass table. Her mother had promised lunch in exchange for the practice session.
“You’ve been very good to me,” her mother said. “I’ve always been able to lean on you.” Maggie poured them each a glass of iced tea from a pitcher on the table. “Maybe a little too much.”
“Mom, I do hair for a living. I want to help.”
Her mother looked at her. “I’m talking about when you were little and your father died. Finding out about what Courtney kept from me has gotten me to thinking. I was so desperate back then. So frightened. Phil died and then I lost the house. If Joyce hadn’t taken us in, we would have been in a shelter. I had nothing and I didn’t think I could hold it together. I depended on you to help me. But you were just a little girl.”
“I was scared, too,” Rachel admitted. “Helping you gave me something to focus on.”
“I was drowning and you saved me.”
“That’s a little dramatic.”
“Maybe, but it’s true.” Her mother leaned toward her. “Tell me I didn’t ruin you forever. Tell me I’m not the reason you and Greg split up.”
“Are you stressed about the wedding? You’re acting kind of strange.”
“I’m serious. Did I destroy your marriage?”
Rachel thought about all that had gone wrong. Her inability to ask for what she wanted or accept help of any kind. Greg not being mature enough to handle the responsibility. They had been in love, but love hadn’t been enough.