Bree gasped when she took me in. “Willa, you look beautiful. That dress is stunning on you. More than stunning—gorgeous.”
“Bree, how in the world did you get this dress to fit me so perfectly?” I asked as our eyes met in the mirror.
“It was my wedding dress. I simply had them make the alterations to fit you.”
I spun around and stared at her, my mouth gaping. “Your wedding dress?”
“Ohh…things just got good!” Lacy said as she nestled a whimpering Jacob to her breast to feed him.
Bree glanced at Lacy and laughed before she focused back on me. “It’s a long story, but I’ve had this dress sitting in my closet for a few years. We’re about the same size, but you’re a bit smaller in the waist. The off-the-shoulder style looks beautiful on you. I love how the sheer fabric wraps around your shoulders and goes down your arms.”
“Your wedding dress?” I asked again.
Bree sighed. “Later, Willa. I promise I’ll explain it all.”
I nodded and then looked back in the mirror. “It has pockets!” I announced.
Brighton laughed. “I know. I had them sewn in.”
I shook my head and looked down at the dress. “I never would have worn it if I’d known…”
“Stop. Don’t even. It’s a simple yet elegant dress, and the silver makes your eyes pop. I have one other detail, though, to dress it up.”
She reached into a drawer and pulled out a thin belt that was covered with rhinestones. She wrapped it around my waist and then stood back to look at it. She nodded in satisfaction.
“Nice touch!” Lacy said.
Bree clapped her hands in excitement. “Beautiful. Now, do you want to skip a necklace?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Good call.” She went back to the door, opened it a bit, and then motioned for my parents and Rose to enter.
Rose held two bouquets of flowers in her hands, one large and one smaller. The moment she saw me, she burst into tears. My mother did the same only seconds later.
“Do not make her cry!” Lacy and Bree said in unison.
My mother held me out at arm’s length and took me in. “Oh, my darling girl. You look breathtaking. You are the most stunning bride I’ve ever seen.”
“Hello, your other daughter is in the room, or did you forget?”
My mother glanced at Lacy and stuck her tongue out. “You were just as beautiful.” Turning back to me, she smiled. “Such a difference.”
I frowned as I looked at her. “What do you mean?”
Daddy walked up and kissed me on the cheek. “She means, you look happy this time. You were beautiful in your first wedding dress to that bastard—”
“Daddy!” I scolded.
He ignored me and went on. “But in this dress…in this dress you look happy, Willamina. You have a glow about you that I don’t think I’ve ever seen on your face before. I’m so thankful to be here to see this day.”
I blinked rapidly to block the tears. “So am I, Daddy. So am I.”
Rose stepped forward and handed me the larger bouquet. “Joanne just finished making them. It took us forever to find silver fabric to wrap around the flowers.”
I ran my fingers lightly over the silk fabric. “It looks like the fabric from the dress.”
Bree spoke up. “It is. The dress came with matching gloves and a wrap for colder weather.”
I lifted my eyes to my best friends. “Bree,” I said softly, almost unable to get the single word out.
She shook her head and quickly wiped away a tear. “Stop or you’ll ruin your makeup.”
A light tap at the door had us all looking to see who it was. Hunter poked his head in and went to say something but then stopped. His mouth fell open, and he stared at me.
“Willamina, you look beautiful,” my brother said.
I felt my cheeks heat, and I smiled at him. “Thank you, Hunter.”
“I hope he knows how lucky he is to be getting you as his wife,” he added.
“He knows,” Rose said as she tilted her head and beamed with happiness.
I pulled in a breath. “I’m just as lucky.”
The room was silent for a few moments before Hunter spoke again. “It’s almost time, Willa. Are you ready?”
A feeling of utter happiness washed over me at the realization that I was going to be Mrs. Aiden O’Hara in less than an hour.
“I’ve never been more ready!” I announced.
“Good thing the little man just finished eating,” Lacy said as she stood and walked over to Bree. “He’s all yours.”
Bree stared down at the baby, and I saw an emotion I had never seen on her face before. Longing. My heart ached, and I wanted to ask her again about this dress, but I pushed my curiosity to the side and decided it could wait until later.
“Come on, sleeping prince, let’s go get our seat next to your daddy and sister.” Bree carefully walked out of the room with the precious cargo safely in her arms.