CHAPTER TWO
“Oneweektogo.”
The Perky Pink Wedding Planner’s words echoed in Angela’s mind. She was so excited. Her life with Carter was about to begin. Even though they’d lost their singer, it was still going to be the most beautiful wedding.
The wedding planner, Clara Harrington, smiled at her. “You must be so excited.”
“I am. Today, Carter and I are taking care of a bunch of last-minute details. We want to be all ready for the big day.” She couldn’t stop smiling.
“You are going to be such a beautiful bride in this dress.” Liza Howard, the owner of the bridal boutique, zipped the back of Angela’s dress.
“You did an amazing job with the alterations. Thank you so much.” Angela focused on the mirror.
The gown was beautiful in a snow white with crystals in the fitted bodice that made it sparkle in the light. The scooped neckline would give her a chance to wear her mother’s diamond pendant necklace. She wanted something of her mother’s with her on her big day. Her father had given her mother the necklace on their wedding day.
Angela continued to stare in the mirror. She tugged on the sheer lace sleeves until they fit comfortably down to her wrists. She turned this way and that way, checking out the skirt that flared out over her hips and in the back there was a modest train.
“Do you still like it?” Liza asked.
“I definitely do.”
“Great. I need to make sure we positioned the buttons for the bustle correctly. Hold still.” Liza lifted her bustle in order to button it up.
While she stood there, she started going over her list of items to address with Clara. “Did I tell you that we have two more people for the wedding and reception?”
Clara shook her head. “I don’t believe so.”
“They are coworkers of Carter’s. I hope we’ll be able to make it work.”
Clara sent her a reassuring smile. “I always order a few more meals than we need for the reception for this exact reason. So no worries.”
“That’s good. I also need to let you know that the person I had selected to sing in the ceremony has come down with pneumonia. I’ve contacted the minister to see if someone in the choir would be able to fill in, and I’m waiting for him to phone me back.”
Buzz-buzz.
Talk about the power of thoughts. It had to be the minister with the name of someone to fill in. “This could be the answer to my problem with the singer.”
Anxious to solve the problem, she rushed toward the chair where her purse was resting. Her high heel caught on the fabric. She can feel the material straining but she couldn’t stop her forward momentum.
Rip!
Angela gasped.No...She didn’t just rip her wedding dress, did she? She jerked her head around. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Liza’s hands up in the air still holding pins and a horrified look on her face.
What had she just done? In the hopes of fixing one problem, she’d just created a new problem. Maybe it was just a tiny stitch or two that no one would see. Yes, maybe that was the case. Her hope was dashed when she caught the worried looks passing between Clara and Liza. Her heart plunged down to the designer, white glittery pumps she was wearing.
She swallowed hard. “How… How bad is it?”
Liza straightened. The strained look on her face spoke volumes. “I don’t know yet. I need to have a closer look.”
“I… I need to take it off.” She also needed a moment alone.
“Certainly.” Liza approached her. “Just let me undo the buttons and zipper.”
Even though it took just a few seconds to complete the task, to Angela it felt like forever. When at last she had the dress off, she stood there in her strapless bra and petticoat. She stared in horror as Liza and Clara hunched over the back of the gown to examine the torn material.
Clara called to her assistant in the outer office. Brooke Carson rushed in. With rounded eyes, she gasped before pressing a hand to her chest. The young woman looked utterly horrified.
Brooke helped Angela out of the petticoat and the special bra that was to go with the gown. All the while Angela fought back the wave of tears that threatened to overtake her. Her wedding dress was ruined.