Page 7 of With This Ring
Dakota examined the ring, then hugged Layla as a warm burst of affection overwhelmed her. “Congratulations! It’s just lovely. I’m so happy for you, Layla.”
The young woman beamed and pushed her long, thick dark hair off her slight shoulders. “Thank you. Shane asked last Monday. It was our three-month anniversary, and he took me to our favorite restaurant, which was where we had our first date. Then we went for a walk, and he got down on one knee.”
Dakota smiled. She had observed Layla and Shane together at the roller rink, and he seemed like a sweet young man. He hung on Layla’s every word and studied her like she was the most interesting and attractive woman in the world.
A dreamy sigh escaped Layla’s lips. “When you know, you know, right?”
Dakota nodded, though she wondered what it would feel like to know for sure she’d found the love of her life. She’d thought she’d known once, but...
Memories of Hudson and their happier times flashed through her mind all too often. She tried to ignore them and focus on Layla, but it was the second time in the past week he had snuck back into her thoughts. She might not be sure about her love life, but she was positive she’d left Hudson in the past, where he belonged. What was wrong with her?
“Have you set a date?” she asked, hoping to kick Layla’s older brother out of her brain for good.
Layla’s sky-blue eyes twinkled, and she shared a smile with her aunt. “The second Saturday in June.”
“That only gives us three months to pull everything together,” Trudy Garrity chimed in, rubbing her niece’s shoulder. “I’m sorry we didn’t make an appointment, Dakota, but Layla happened to get the afternoon off.”
“This is the perfect time. Do you have a gown in mind?”
Layla bit her lower lip and pulled a framed photo out of her tote bag.
Dakota sucked in a breath as she took in the portrait she immediately recognized—Layla’s parents, Daphne and Chandler Garrity, on their wedding day, posing in front of the altar at their church. The portrait hung in Trudy’s den, a room where Dakota had spent countless hours with Hudson—watching movies, snuggling on the sofa, kissing, talking late into the night, playing games with his aunt and sister, and making plans for a future they’d never share.
Stop, stop, stop!
“What do you think, Dakota?”
Her gaze moved to Layla’s, and heat crawled up her neck. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
Layla’s expression was hopeful. “My mom’s gown. Can you make it for me?”
Dakota shook off her embarrassment and focused on the dress. Confidence hurtled through her. She’d much rather sew than steam gowns.
She quickly assessed the dress’s details. The white, early ’90s gown had a sweetheart neckline, short sleeves, a full skirt, a chapel-length train, and copious amounts of beading and ruffles. Oh boy.
“I can make it for you, but I’m not sure I can get it done by your wedding. And creating one from scratch is expensive.” She tapped her chin with a light-pink manicured nail. “By any chance, do you still have your mom’s gown? If you do, then I can alter it for you.”
Layla and her aunt exchanged a sad expression. “No.”
“Chandler and Daphne moved around a lot before Hudson was born,” Trudy said. “I remember Daphne once mentioning the gown had been lost in one of their moves.”
Dakota recalled the stories about Hudson’s parents. They’d always struggled financially, with his father jumping from job to job.
“I wish I had it. I would have cherished it.” Layla’s voice was small, and her stricken expression squeezed Dakota’s heart.
Dakota snapped her fingers. “I have an idea.” She beckoned Layla and her aunt to follow her over to the racks of gowns. She quickly found a similar white one from two seasons ago with short sleeves and a chapel-length train, sans the beading and ruffles. “What do you think about altering this to look more like your mom’s?”
Layla’s pretty face lit with excitement. “You can do that?”
Dakota nodded.
“Thank you, thank you! I mean, I know it’s a rush job. Not that I doubt your sewing skills!” Layla was almost bouncing with excitement. “Oh my gosh, remember those matching shirts you made for you and Hud...” She paused a little awkwardly. “Of course, I mean, a wedding dress is, like, a way bigger project, and I’m sure you don’t remember some silly shirts from fifteen years ago...” She trailed off.
Dakota didn’t know what to say. The silence was almost painfully loud, but she tried to keep smiling through it.
“Anyway, you’re a lifesaver, Dakota!”
Dakota gripped the hanger but kept her expression blank. “Well, let’s see if the dress fits first. I think this is your size. Would you like to try it on?”