Page 8 of With This Ring
“Oh yes, please.” Layla and her aunt slipped into the nearby dressing room.
A few moments later when they returned, tears pricked Dakota’s eyes at the sight of Layla stepping up onto the small platform in frontof the wall of mirrors. This was her favorite part of the job—when the future brides gazed at their reflections, and their faces shone with joy and anticipation. She loved helping them create their fantasy wedding. Many of them declared they felt like princesses, and that was her goal. It was the main reason she’d named her store Fairytale Bridal.
Trudy covered her mouth with her hands, and her bright-hazel eyes gleamed with tears. “Oh, Layla. You’re positively glowing.”
“I agree,” Dakota said.
Layla moved back and forth in front of the mirror, the satin softly swishing. A wide smile took over her face, and she met Dakota’s gaze in the mirror. “How’d you know this was my size?”
Dakota shrugged. “I’ve measured a lot of dresses.” Then she pointed to the gown. “If you’d like, I can add the ruffles and beading. I’ll do my best to match your mother’s dress.”
Layla examined herself at different angles. “Do you think Shane will like it?”
Dakota and Trudy shared a knowing look before Trudy said, “He’ll love it, honey.”
“He sure will,” Dakota agreed.
Layla spun to face them. “Thisis the dress.” She grinned. “I’m so excited I could pop.”
“Perfect.” Dakota couldn’t wait to dive into the alterations. Happiness swelled inside her as she imagined adding the details to match Layla’s mother’s gown. She already couldn’t wait for the final fitting, when Layla would stand in front of the mirrors again and see her reflection in the finished dress.
“How much will it be?” Trudy asked.
“Why don’t we talk at the counter, and I’ll look it up for you?”
After Layla changed back into her jeans and hoodie, she and her aunt met Dakota at the counter. Trudy handed Dakota the wardrobebag, and she hung it on a nearby hook before pulling the ticket out of a pocket on the bag.
Dakota scanned the barcode, and the price filled the computer screen. She opened her mouth to share the figure just as Skye flounced through the front door of the shop.
Dakota greeted her niece, who dropped her purse and backpack behind the counter.
“This is my niece,” Dakota said. “And this is Layla and her aunt, Ms. Garrity.”
Trudy smiled. “I remember when you were knee-high to a grasshopper, sweetheart. Call me Trudy.”
“Nice to see you, Ms. Trudy.” Skye nodded toward the gown. “When’s the big day?”
“The second Saturday in June,” Layla told her. Then she turned to Dakota. “How much did you say it was again?”
Dakota calculated the cost of the alteration, adding in beading and ruffles, then told her the price.
Layla blanched. “Oh. I had no idea.” She turned to her aunt. “I don’t have that much saved up. I want a small wedding, but I’ve always dreamt of looking like my mom on my wedding day to remember and honor her.”
Her aunt patted her hand. “Sweetie, I’m sure your brother would help cover the cost if you asked him. He’d do anything for you.”
Layla’s face fell again, and her aunt turned back to Dakota. “Before we commit, I’ll have to talk to Hud about it.”
“I understand.” Dakota hesitated, and the strange urge to help her ex-fiancé’s sister took hold of her. “I’m happy to give you the friends and family discount. That will save you 10 percent on the gown and the alterations.” Dakota felt Skye staring at her, but she didn’t budge.
“You’d do that for me?”
“Of course I would.”
“I appreciate it so much. Would you possibly hold the gown for me so I can come back to pay for it later this week?”
“I’m happy to.” Dakota gestured toward the photo of Layla’s parents. “I’ll need to make a copy of that so I can match the dress to it.”
“I can make a copy in the back,” Skye said.