Rapture and Lace(14)

An hour later and I sat in front of the mirror, Clyde and Rachel's handiwork staring back at me. I looked beautiful, and fresh—natural, like me. They'd given me exactly what I’d asked for. My hair was down and in soft waves around my shoulders; my makeup was light—a warm glow across my cheeks, a little shimmer dusted on my cheekbones, peach eye shadow with warm brown eyeliner for definition. I looked like myself after a summer day spent at the beach. I felt beautiful and natural and I knew Carter would love it.

"Time for the white dress." Clyde air kissed both my cheeks and Rachel gave me a quick squeeze and wished me good luck. I assessed myself in the mirror for a few more moments before stepping out into the bedroom. The dress designer was here to personally help dress me along with her assistant from yesterday.

"You look so beautiful." She smiled when I walked out. I gave her a nervous nod. The dress designer unzipped the garment bag and my breath caught. The dress was so beautiful.

"Ready, dear?" She gave me a reassuring smile. I nodded again, too choked up to speak.

"Off these go, then." She tapped my hip to indicate my shirt and yoga pants.

I slid the fabric of the pants over my hips and stood in front of the mirror in a pair of panties, my arms covering my chest. Because of the open back of my dress, I couldn't wear a bra. The dress was structured enough through the bodice to provide support, but it was awkward standing in front of two strangers almost nude.

Cate would shrug it off with an unabashed grin. I wished again that she could be here to share this with me. As excited as I was to marry Carter, there was a little piece of me that was the slightest bit sad to admit that I was also a little lonely.

Nanette held the dress open for me; her assistant held onto my elbow as I stepped into the delicate lace. They slid the fabric over my body and I slipped my arms through the cap sleeves. I closed my eyes as Nanette moved my hair out of the way and hooked the few buttons at the back of my neck. She slid her hands down the fabric and held them at my hips.

"You look beautiful."

I looked up at the mirror in front of me. The designer was beaming behind my shoulder. My eyes slid to my form in the mirror and a smile broke out across my face. The dress was somehow more beautiful than it had been yesterday. Dark waves of my hair cascaded around my shoulders, and the lace of the high neckline and cap sleeves peeked out. The effect was overwhelmingly romantic, in a modern and elegant way. It felt perfect for the understated affair that would be our wedding.

"Are you ready dear?" Nanette smiled. I took a deep breath and gave her a bright smile.

"I am."

Her assistant reached for my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I walked over to the door of the bedroom and butterflies jumped into my throat as my fingers touched the doorknob. Outside that door was the rest of my life with the man I loved. I had the white dress, the beautiful shoes, and a stunning and sexy groom waiting for me. I was ready.

I stepped out of the bedroom door and walked to the top of the stairs. I glanced down to the front door and was saddened that instead of Carter, I found the driver that had been with us the past few days. I frowned and walked down the stairs slowly attempting not to tumble with the high heels and the train of lace behind me.

"Miss." The driver tipped his hat. "We'll be meeting Mr. Morgan at the venue." He opened the door for me. I walked into the bright sunny afternoon and inhaled the fresh autumn air. The weather was unseasonably warm and I wasn't at all chilled in the gown.

I lifted the train of my dress and stepped into the back of the car. The driver shut the door and then slipped into the front seat.

"How far are we going?" I was anxious to see Carter.

"Not far." He gave me a small smile in the rearview mirror. We pulled out of the driveway and drove for a few minutes before we pulled into a narrow twisting road that climbed farther up the mountain. It felt like miles as we made our way through the sunlit aspens on the gravel drive, but after a few minutes the car came to a stop. The driver came around and offered me a hand out of the car. I stood up and frowned in confusion. It was desolate. We were somewhere high in the mountains, birds chattered around us, and there was a calm breeze, but no sign of Carter anywhere.

The driver offered me his elbow. "This way, miss." He led me to the edge of the gravel drive and a small path that curved around a small group of evergreens. We turned the corner and the view opened up before us.

The grassy clearing was small, around fifty yards in diameter, and on the opposite edge it fell away into a sloping grass-covered mountain. Across the valley the sun glinted off the yellow and orange leaves that led up to the snow-peaked mountains. The view was breathtaking, and standing in the center of that fantastic view was the man of my dreams.