Daughters Of The Bride(53)

Because the four hundred he’d mentioned before wasn’t everybody?

“My head is spinning,” she admitted. “I need to think about this.”

“Take all the time you need,” he told her as he kissed her. “Or at least a week. This is going to be great. You’ll see. The third time’s the charm, Sienna. I just know it.”



“I’ve ordered the shoes already,” Maggie said. “So the dress is going to have to work with them.”

Betty Grable—no relation to the 1940s movie star—stared at Maggie. “You bought your shoes before your wedding gown?”

Courtney wanted to tell the transplanted thirtysomething that there was no point in trying to understand Maggie-logic. Easier to simply go with it.

“Wedding dresses always need alterations,” she said, stepping between her mother and the brunette salesperson. “At least that’s what I’ve picked up from my Say Yes to the Dress marathons.” She smiled at Betty. “You’d know a lot more about that than we would. Wouldn’t any pair of shoes work as long as the dress isn’t too short to begin with? If it’s going to have to be hemmed anyway, what’s the problem?”

“I suppose that’s true,” Betty admitted, still sounding doubtful.

“Mom, didn’t you bring a pair of shoes that are the same height?” Courtney asked. “Be sure you wear those when you’re trying on the dresses so we can all have an idea of the end look.”

Rachel leaned close. “Nicely done. You defused that potential powder keg beautifully.”

“Thanks. I’ve worked with a lot of fussy people at the hotel.”

They were at For the Bride, the only wedding gown shop for a hundred miles. Despite being in the middle of a small town, the store had a very upscale clientele. Betty was known for getting in beautiful samples and having tons of contacts in New York and San Francisco. Whether your budget was three hundred or thirty thousand, Betty provided a one-stop go-to bridal gown experience.

Maggie had made her appointment right after Neil had popped the question and several weeks before the engagement party. She’d informed her three daughters they were expected to be there for the full five hours. Yes, an initial consultation really could take that long, she shared. At least Betty would provide lunch, Courtney thought. And the hangover from the previous weekend’s margarita-fest was long over.

While the morning after—one spent with a massive headache and roiling stomach—was firmly etched in her brain, the evening that had caused it was a little fuzzier. She remembered the dinner at her mom’s, how Sienna had annoyed her and the unfortunate consumption of too many margaritas. It was the part after that had her confused.

She knew Rachel had driven her back to the hotel and that she’d met up with Quinn. The bits that followed were more of a blur. There had been water and Oreo cookies, and she was pretty sure Quinn had told her he’d written the lyrics she’d had tattooed on her back. But the rest of it... Not so much with the details.

She was hoping that her asking Quinn for sex had happened in her head rather than in life. Either way, she’d ended up in her bed. Alone. Which meant either she hadn’t asked the question or he’d been a gentleman. While she believed that he was a nice guy who didn’t take advantage of drunk women, she was really hoping that the topic had never actually come up. Only, she was kind of afraid it had.

“Based on our phone conversation and the Pinterest pictures you sent me, I’ve pulled several samples for you to try on,” Betty told Maggie. “You’re not expected to find your dress today. In fact, if you fall in love with one, I’m not going to let you buy it. This is the most important decision you’re going to make about your wedding. You have to be sure. You have to love it.”

“Now look who’s defusing the situation,” Courtney said in a low voice.

Rachel grinned. “Maybe this will be fun.”

“Don’t tempt fate with that kind of talk.”

They laughed.

“Let’s get started,” Betty said. “Maggie, you’re in this dressing room here.”

She led their mother through wide double doors. The three sisters settled into comfortable chairs in the waiting area. Sienna pulled out her tablet, opened the cover and then frowned. “There’s no Wi-Fi.”

Rachel pointed to a small sign on the wall.

There is no Wi-Fi available. Today is about the bride.

“I’m not sure if that makes me like Betty more or less,” Courtney admitted. “Either way, you have to respect her style.”

“I just wanted to check work emails,” Sienna grumbled. “Seth is contacting donors about the new property we want to buy. I have to be able to give him input.”