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"Mother," I said, surprised

She wore a chah a tropical rain shower and theshoes were iht French bun, lasses and huffed

"I apologize for my lateness, Nina dear I had several functions to reschedule, since my presence was demanded at such late notice"

"Sorry," Beth and I said at the sahter We do e must" I smiled, and Cynthia took the few steps to offer a cold eesture was thethat ht have She quickly let go, and offered a polite smile "You look wonderful, dear"

"Thank you I was just about to step into my dress…"

"Oh Wel , then, I’ll just step out," Cynthia said

I fidgeted "Would you ?"

Cynthia hesitated "Er…Isn’t that why Beth is here?"

"No," Beth s for you"

Cynthia’s eyes scanned my dress and its yards of white silk, and clouded with tears "Oh,a tissue from her purse

I was taken aback Cynthia rarely cried In fact, she’d only found two occasions in my lifetime for it, and both had more to do withto find an appropriate place to co aardly a few ti her chin to ward off the uninvited emotion "It’s just that Silk Charmeuse wrinkles so easily"

I nodded "I know"

After one last dab at her eyes with the tissue, she turned "Beth best assist you, darling Cal for me when you’re dressed" She closed the door behind her, and I turned to Beth

"I’ht…I waited for her because I thought she’d like to be involved I should have known better Now you both just feel aard"

"It orth a try One never knoith Cynthia She ht thing"

"Did I?"

I s on, and let’s not let it wrinkle I don’t want to upset my mother"

Beth nodded, and careful y pul ed the dress froer "Neither do I"

Chapter Two

Proht," Beth said, tears in her eyes "It does wrinkle easy"

I nodded, staring at ht for the occasion The wo back at me was soft and mature, draped in the muted sheen of silk and chiffon Beth wasn’t huic could have transforraceful creature in the mirror

Soft, blonde curls caressed loss remindedsure that I appeared tiether and held theht to her chest, as i to crap!"

I laughed "I knew eventual y Oklahoma would break free from the professional East Coast stylist role you’ve played today!"

Beth gathered the tools she used to transfors of ers had carried to the casita I stood in place, afraid to move The realization hit that the church waswhite

I blanched "Oh, God Cynthia wil stroke out if this dress is soiled before the wedding"

"If she can get here without a speck, I’et you to the church ht," I nodded, trying to relax

"I wish Ki her head "I cal ed her, but she’s out of town"

"I understand This was very sudden" I hated lying to Beth, especial y while she was being the poster child for a best friend, but I already knew Ki She o hospital roo wounds she’d sustained when Isaac had sent her flying across the cathedral of St Anne’s It wasn’t right that she had savedin a tropical paradise

"She did say to tel you to not worry about her She said she’s fine and she wants you to enjoy your day…ould you worry?" Beth said Her question was a second thought, as if it hadn’t crossed her mind until that moment

"When do I not worry about her?" I said, fidgeting with ht for aup the rooet ready If you need anything, I’m just a casita away"

"Beth?" I cal ed

"Yes?" she said, spinning around

"Thank you," I s"

Beth returned my smile "Of course"

"And Beth?"