Page 12 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

S unday morning, Taylor helped Julie make brunch for the female half of the wedding party.

Her bridesmaids, Nicole and Lindsey, were seated outside on the patio as they all forked into quiche lorraine.

Fresh berries along with salad and homemade lemon poppy seed muffins complemented the meal thanks to her and Julie’s combined culinary talents.

They’d had a blast cooking together and, in the end, the meal did turn out delicious.

Mimosa was the drink of choice and, after a couple of refills, all four of them were in a very giddy place.

“I can’t wait for the wedding,” Nicole, the kindergarten teacher, said. She was a longtime friend of Julie’s. “Julie’s the first of us to plan a wedding. She’s our lab rat.”

Taylor blinked, but Julie only giggled. “That’s right. You’re putting me out there on the front lines. Making me test the waters first.”

“You’ve got a secret weapon, Jules. You’ve got your very own tailor, Taylor. Get it?”

“Good one,” Lindsey said, chuckling. She was the music teacher at the school and apparently had a lovely singing voice. “I can’t wait to see your wedding gown.”

“Well, that’s why we’re all here, isn’t it? To see how all the gowns fit.”

“And I’m here, to tailor your gowns, if they need it,” Taylor said, grinning. The champagne drink was definitely going to her head too.

More giggles.

“You and Lindsey aren’t far behind,” Julie added. “Summer will be here before you know it and then we’ll all three be married.”

“So, the three of you are engaged?” Taylor hadn’t gotten the memo, not that she even had a prospect in the fiancé department.

She glanced at each one of the girls, suddenly feeling a bit left out.

A tinge of envy swept through her, the feeling completely foreign.

She’d never been envious before. And maybe she wasn’t now, exactly.

Maybe, she was just wondering what she was missing out on.

It made her question her goals and priorities.

She wasn’t allowing herself a personal life, she was dead set on keeping the promise she’d made to her mother, to herself.

While everyone else seemed to have both, a love life and a career.

“I’m getting married in July,” Lindsey said, her voice elevating. A combo of nerves and excitement. “It’s coming so quickly, I can hardly believe it.”

“And my wedding is in September,” Nicole added. “So much to do.”

“I can imagine.” She sighed and then remembered her manners. “Congratulations to both of you…actually, all of you.”

Julie put a hand on her arm, looking at her far too seriously, an underlying question in her eyes. “Thanks, Taye.”

She snapped out of it quickly. No need to worry her cousin. “Wow, those mimosas pack a punch. I’m gonna need strong coffee.”

Julie bounced up. “Like mud?”

She nodded. “Like mud.”

“I’ll be right back.”

And an hour later, after drinking a strong dark roast blend, Taylor was feeling herself again.

That momentary bit of envy gone, she was back on track and sitting on the sofa with Julie.

The two bridesmaids went first, coming into the parlor in true fashionista style, big smiles on their faces as they modeled their light rose chiffon gowns.

The bodice was form-fitted with pale pink and white sequins, and the skirt flared from the waist. Perfect for a spring wedding.

Her maid of honor gown was of the same light rose coloring, but a bit different in style. Julie had wanted it that way, so Taylor had made variations to her gown.

“These look beautiful on you,” she told the two bridesmaids, rising from her seat.

“But I think, Lindsey, you’ll need more of a hem if you plan to wear those shoes.

” She bent to tug on the hem and pin it in the right place.

“The dress is dragging on the ground a bit. It’ll get too dirty without a little adjustment. ”

“Okay. Thanks.”

She walked over to the other bridesmaid.

“And, Nicole, the waistline is a little baggy on you. I can take a tuck on the seam and tighten it up a bit.” She demonstrated by cinching in the fabric and eyeing where she’d have to make the alteration, pinning it carefully.

“It’ll fit your frame just right. Just don’t gain five pounds in the next two weeks, okay? ”

Nicole snorted a laugh, feigning a horrified expression. “Gosh, if I do, just shoot me.”

Taylor laughed too. “Okay, Julie. It’s your turn. Time for the big reveal.”

“Yes, we’re dying to see your gown, Julie,” Nicole said.

Julie rose and grabbed her hand. “I’m excited for you guys to see it too. But I need Taylor to get me into it.”

And a few minutes later, they exited the bedroom and came down the stairs. Taylor took her seat on the sofa again to let Julie make her grand entrance. She was met by oohs and aahs, Nicole and Lindsey not shy about sharing their enthusiasm.

“I love it,” Nicole said.

“Copy that, it’s amazing. Julie, you look like a…I don’t know, a princess with edge, a true statement of sweet and sass. It’s definitely different, all those angles, they work. I wouldn’t have guessed it,” Lindsey said.

“And the way those pearls are sewn over your shoulder.”

Julie beamed. It was clear she was thrilled her friends liked the gown. “It was Taylor’s idea. These are my mom’s pearls and I really wanted to wear them on my wedding day, but the strand just didn’t look right with the dress. You know what I mean? And then, Taylor performed a miracle.”

“I’ll say. It’s unique.”

“That’s Taylor.” Julie smiled her way. “Her designs are distinctive and definitely one of a kind.”

“I guess I do think out of the box sometimes,” Taylor said. “Maybe too far out of the box, ending up somewhere in unemployable land. Or else I’d have a job right now.”

“I’d hire you in a heartbeat,” Nicole said.

“Me too,” Lindsey said.

“You ladies are very sweet,” Taylor told them. She really did appreciate their support. It helped boost an ego that had been recently deflated. “But what’s important is that the bride is happy. That’s my goal when I design a gown.”

“And you succeeded,” Julie said, picking up the sides of her dress and twirling around like a fairy princess. The material spiraled around her body and flowed back into place as she finished her turn.

Everyone took a moment to stare at the glowing bride-to-be.

Then Lindsey piped up. “Taylor, have you ever…I mean, would you ever consider, oh never mind.”

“What is it?” Taylor asked. “Would I ever consider what?”

“Well, I have a piece of my grandmother’s veil that I wanted close to me when I walk down the aisle. I know some people would have it wrapped around the bouquet stem, but I’ve been hoping to do something different with it. Though, I don’t have a clue what and I wondered…”

“I’d be happy to take a look at it, Lindsey.”

“You would?” Lindsey’s pretty blue-gray eyes lit up. “Maybe you can help me come up with a better idea.”

“Maybe I can.”

“Gosh, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Taylor didn’t mind a challenge. And if, after giving it some thought, she couldn’t help Lindsey find the perfect solution, she would be honest with her. But already her mind was working overtime with ideas.

Nicole bit her lip and glanced at Julie a few times.

Julie kept nodding to her friend. Apparently, Nicole wanted to say something and Taylor waited, but then Taylor’s cell phone rang.

She smiled at the photo coming up on the screen.

“Excuse me, I should probably get this.” She walked out the back door and sat at the table where they’d had brunch.

“Simone! It’s so good to hear from you.”

“Good to hear your voice too. Tell me, how’s it going in Last Stand?”

“Well, I’m still adjusting to being back here. It’s been a long time, and it’s certainly different than home, but Julie is keeping me busy. We were just finishing up a fitting when you called.”

“Sounds like fun. I imagine you’re wowing everyone with your designs.”

“Julie is pleased and that’s all I care about right now.”

“Oh yeah? What about the third side of your equilateral triangle?”

“My what?”

“You know, the guy. The one who was part of your Last Stand trio, every summer. The one you left behind. Have you seen him?”

“Coop? Uh, yes. I’ve seen him. He moved back here recently. His daughter is the flower girl in the wedding, actually.”

“And?”

“And nothing, Little Miss Troublemaker. Nothing’s going on. And why would it? Are you forgetting I’m leaving after the wedding?”

“Yeah, about that. Taylor, I’ve got some good news. Remember Swivel Bridal, the new cutting edge salon I was telling you about? Well, they’ll be opening their doors next month and one of their new hires fell through. There’s an opening. It might be perfect for you.”

“Really?”

“Are you interested?”

Taylor thought about it for a moment. Was she ready to put herself out there again?

To be judged? To have her designs scrutinized and go through marketing to see if they hit the right note with the buying public?

She sighed. It certainly was her goal, and the promise she’d made to her mother was always in the back of her mind.

She couldn’t break that promise. She couldn’t give up on her dream.

“I…am. I’ll send them my résumé when I get back. ”

“Maybe you should do it sooner, Taye. I don’t know how long the position will be open.”

“You’re probably right. I’ll look over my résumé. It needs an overhaul, but I don’t know how much time I’ll have to work on it. I promised to devote my time here to Julie and the wedding.”

She wanted that. She wanted to continue on her “break.” She was just beginning to feel like herself again.

Beginning to unwind and gain some confidence again.

She wasn’t sure she could handle another rejection right now.

Last Stand was her sanctuary, in heart and mind.

Being here meant safety and friendship and family.

“Okay, but don’t wait too long, hon. So, what’s on the agenda for the rest of the day?”