Page 97 of Banter & Blushes #1

ARWYN

F riday morning, I woke up early to finish my gown. After an entertaining breakfast of Zaki recounting and overperforming “Because You Loved Me,” complete with pulling me up from my chair and waltzing me around the kitchen to the chorus, he walked the girls to camp.

I watched them go, shaking my head and feeling warmth from my head to my toes. In two days, we’d be an official family, and I was overcome with the best emotions.

I retrieved the bodice and skirt from my closet and moved the furniture to block the dogs, apologizing to them for the fourth day in a row.

Mom would be here any minute to help me pin the waistband of my dress to the skirt, sew it, and reinforce the seams. I’d opted to keep the bodice separate from the skirt.

It was long enough to cover the waistband, and this way, I could tie on a train with a sash for our church wedding.

The dress was heavy and needed a good steaming but was otherwise completed.

I couldn’t believe I’d done it! No sleeves, no train, minimal puffs at the shoulders, and about three quarters of the embellishments I’d planned, but it was finished.

And just in time, too. Our friends from Colorado would arrive at the resort any minute now. All that was left to do was affix a ruffle to the hems of each of the girls’ dresses, but that would take no time at all.

“It’s beautiful,” Mom said, pulling me in for a hug.

“I love how you used pieces of my gown and each of your grandmothers’.

It’s like a bit of them are here with you.

And you added in your own flair to the bodice and hemline.

And, of course, the trademark Wynnie puffed sleeves.

It’s brilliant work. They’d be so proud of you. ”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you decided to get married here. Jumping into things like that isn’t like you, but it’s good for you. You’ll have a great story to tell and beautiful memories. As the Wayne Gretzky guy said, ‘You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.’”

I laughed. “Like I said, I’ve changed. Not too much, but Zaki’s good about easing my anxiety so I’m not afraid to experience new things and go off-plan. Occasionally.”

“I can see that. You complete each other. He’s your lobster. Full steam ahead!”

“Ha!” I chuckled. “Just not in a lobster pot!”

Laffy and Vennie howled, and it took me a second to realize they weren’t just laughing along with us.

I turned my attention to the front door, and I grinned when I saw the mop of blond curly hair.

I hurried over to let Molly in. Behind her was my friend Brenna Trotter, another hometown girl who’d married a hockey player.

Her husband, Brendan, started with the Voltage, the minor league team based in Palmer City, then moved up to the Denver Edge. He and Zaki were good friends.

“I’ll walk the dogs,” Mom offered, swiping a tear from her eye. “You get this wedding planned, okay?”

“I’ve never seen you cry,” I said, touched. Not even when Dad died.

“I must be getting sentimental in my old age.” She called the pups to the back door, and I raced to the front.

“Hey!” Molly greeted me. “I brought reinforcements!”

Brenna grinned and flicked her long blond hair behind her shoulders. “I wanted to rush over before all the girls arrived. They’re bringing in a mini bachelorette party for you.”

Oh my. That was unexpected.

I hugged them both and gestured for them to sit on the couch. I sat across from them in an armchair, the only other piece of furniture that wasn’t cluttered with sewing supplies or being used to block my work area from the Westies.

“You look like a deer in headlights!” Molly chided. “Not to worry, everyone gets the jitters.”

“It’s the people,” Brenna told her. “Wynnie’s an introvert.”

“I’m right here, Bren,” I said, maybe a little too sharply. I gave a nervous chuckle to try to soften the comment. “Sorry. That came out harsh.”

Brenna waved me off. “No worries. Let’s get these details finalized. Oh! And I brought favors.” She reached into her tote bag. “This one’s for you. What do you think? ”

I unwrapped the bundle of tissue paper she handed me.

It was a circular salt-dough ornament. I brushed my fingers over the tiny starfish glued to the sand on the bottom third of it.

Textured white paint outlined the sand above and blended with an ocean blue.

The top crescent was painted royal blue and punched with a hole for hanging twine.

Arwyn Penny and Tasha, sisters to each other and my closest friends from back home; plus three of the Edge Wags—the pro sports nickname for wives and girlfriends—Kami, Taylor, and Lauren.

All were armed with tote bags, except for Tasha, who wore her two-month-old daughter Nanette on her chest and carried a covered cupcake pan.

“Monty asked if he could volunteer at camp, so I’ve got the baby,” Tasha explained.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course he did. And no one’s complaining,” I assured her. “She’s the sweetest!”

“Bless his heart,” Kami cooed in her Southern accent. “That Monty is something else. The rest of the guys took all the kids for a nature walk on the trails. That flight was long, and it’ll do ’em good to get their wiggles out before Meggie and Flynn’s rehearsal and the bonfire tonight.”

“I made the girls new bows!” Taylor handed me two pale blue gift bags.

A former all-star cheerleader, she had a booming cheer bow side business in addition to counseling current and retired pro athletes full-time.

“They can wear them Sunday if you want to save their tiaras for the Montreal ceremony.”

“Thank you,” I said, touched. “Knowing them, they might wear both.”

“If anyone can pull that off, it’s Isla and Amelie,” she agreed with a chuckle.

She joined the other women in the kitchen, and all I could do was watch and smile in wonder as all eight women took over the cottage.

Caterers from the resort arrived with tri-level stands for sweet and savory bites.

Every spare chair and stool was procured, and by the time my mom returned with Laffy and Vennie, the porch was set up for a proper tea party.

“Now for the finishing touch!” Kami announced. She wrapped a feather boa around my neck and perched a fancy wide-brimmed hat on my head. “And I brought you some lavender honey from my family’s bee farm.”

“Wow.” I sniffed. “This is so nice of you all. You didn’t have to?—”

“We wanted to,” she insisted. “You’re a blessing to us, Wynnie, and we’re so happy for you. Now go sit in the comfiest chair out there. You can’t miss it. It’s the one with the ‘Bride to Be’ sign taped to the window behind it.”

I’d never been the recipient of a big fuss like this. I felt so loved.

Taking a deep breath, I strode purposefully toward my designated seat and pushed away all the insecurities that wanted to steal my joy.

I was getting married in two days!