Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Betsy said, “You know Howie would be more than happy to walk you down the aisle.”
Tessa’s eyes filled with tears. “I know. And I appreciate it. But Margaret really wanted to do it, and when you think about it, she’s the one who brought us together. I want to walk down the aisle toward Arch on her arm, just as I did that day on Carmel beach when I first met him. But I’m definitely looking forward to a dance with Howie later.”
Betsy wrapped her arms around Tessa from behind, being careful not to muss her hair, and Mila looked at the two women reflected in the mirror. Her heart hurt with how much she loved them both. It made her think about family. “Are you okay that your sister’s not going to be here?”
A shadow of sadness crossed Tessa’s pretty face. “I hinted that maybe we’d do something small for our wedding, but the minute I started talking about the castle in Scotland, my sister shut down any idea of a small wedding and said that absolutely, since I was marrying a man of so much wealth, I should be sure to spend some of it on a big wedding. So, while I’m a little sad not to have my niece here, they’ll be more than delighted to play a bigger part in the Scottish wedding.” She glanced around and said, “I think of you all and Margaret as my family now.”
Betsy tightened her hold and said, “And you are like another daughter to me. It warms my heart to see how happy you make Archer.” Both women blinked furiously, and Betsy pulled away. “Before we spoil our makeup, let’s get you ready to get married.”
The dress that Betsy had first worn nearly forty years ago hung in perfect condition. The dry cleaner had managed to remove the stain so beautifully that no one could tell it had ever been there.
Mila teased, “So, that’s your something old. Now you need something borrowed and something blue.”
Tessa blushed furiously. “I went out and bought blue satin lingerie. It’s the most money I’ve ever spent on any item of clothing in my life. So that’s new and blue.”
“Sexy blue lingerie? There’s hope for you yet,” Mila said.
“And obviously, the dress is borrowed.”
“No,” Betsy replied, looking surprised. “Honey, it’s a gift from me to you.”
Tessa looked both grateful and perturbed. “I’m honored that you would give me your beautiful dress, but if I don’t return it, then I don’t have something borrowed.” She glanced at the women around her. “Isn’t that bad luck?”
“I’m sure it’s not,” Betsy assured her, “but why don’t I lend you those lovely pearl earrings you wore to the red-carpet event?”
Tessa lifted her hair to reveal the stunning diamond earrings Archer had bought her for a wedding present. They shone like perfect stars. “I have to wear the earrings Arch gave me.”
“I have an idea,” Mila said. “Give me one minute.” She raced to her old bedroom. And, as she’d imagined would happen, Erin followed her.
Her sister was out of breath as she shut the door of the bedroom. “You don’t have any ideas, do you?”
Mila shook her head. “Between us, we must have left something behind she could borrow.”
Erin opened the closet doors while Mila went to her old desk and started opening drawers.
“Cowboy boots?” Erin murmured from inside the closet. “They’d make a strong statement.”
“Cherry-flavored lip gloss?” Mila suggested as she pulled out her top drawer.
“But would you really want it back?” Erin asked.
Obviously not.
And then she found it and cried out with triumph. “Look. This is it.”
Erin came over and gazed at the object in Mila’s hand. “I gave that to you.”
“I know. That’s what makes it so special.” To her surprise, Mila felt tears gather as she touched the silver bracelet with the secret message Erin had had engraved on the inside. You’re stronger than you know. She’d given it to her after the accident, when she’d struggled so hard to get her life back. “I wore that every single day while I healed. And then, one day, I didn’t need it anymore.”
“And as Tessa starts her life married to a movie star and with a fledgling painting career, it’s perfect for her.”
The sisters hugged and then ran back to Tessa. As they told the story of the bracelet, every one of them got a bit teary. Tessa held out her wrist, and Mila slid the bracelet in place.
With the bride ready, it was time for her bridesmaids to get dressed.
Tessa had been the easiest bride as far as choosing bridesmaids’ outfits went. Mila and Erin were the only attendants, and they’d each chosen a dress in a turquoise color that reminded them of the ocean on a sunny day. Erin’s dress had a flared skirt and a full bodice that really suited her petite frame, while Mila, more on the statuesque side, had gone with a silk sheath with a deep V-neck. She wasn’t one to hide her assets. She couldn’t wait for Herschel to see her in it.