Endless Love (Santa’s Secret Helpers #5) - Leeanna Morgan Page 0,13
found the picture she was looking for and showed Emily. “It’s kind of like this. The dress was made from a very soft crêpe with spaghetti straps and a softly draping neckline. There were no beads or sequins anywhere.”
A smile lit Emily’s face. “It’s still here.” Quickly, she walked toward the back of the store and looked through a rack of dresses. “Is this it?”
Shelley’s breath caught. The gown was as beautiful as she remembered. “That’s the one.”
Bailey touched the skirt of the dress. “It’s lovely.”
“Try it on,” Elena urged. “I have a feeling it will look lovely on you.”
Emily smiled at Shelley. “What do you think? Are you ready to try it on or would you like to look for some other gowns, as well?”
Shelley had been waiting to try on the dress for weeks. But each time she thought about calling Emily to see if it was still available, something else came along to keep her busy. “Let’s try this one on first. If it doesn’t look any good, I’ll look for something else.”
Elena stood beside a display of veils. “Try it on with a veil. It will give you a better idea of what it will look like on your wedding day.”
“That’s a good idea,” Shelley said.
“Would you like the veil to be floor-length or shorter?” Emily asked.
Shelley looked at her sisters. “What do you think?”
Bailey looked at the veils. “You could take one of each into the changing room. That way, you can try both.”
Sam studied the dress. “Or maybe not have any veil at all.”
Shelley was happy either way. She was just grateful that no one had bought the dress.
With the veils and dress in their arms, Shelley and Emily walked to the changing room.
As soon as Shelley slipped the dress over her head, she knew it was perfect. “It feels so soft and light.”
“It’s one of my favorite designs.” Emily tightened the shoulder straps and stood back. “What do you think?”
Shelley looked in the full-length mirror and sighed. The dress looked incredible. “It’s amazing.” She twisted sideways, admiring the draping cowl back and the way the skirt fell in soft folds to the floor.
“If you want to add a little bling, I’ve got the perfect belt we can add.”
Tilting her head sideways, she tried to imagine the dress with the glittery accessory. “I think I like it better without one, but we could show my mom and sisters to see what they think.”
Emily held the floor-length veil and her hands. “Let’s see what the dress looks like with a veil.”
Walking across to the coat stand, Shelley took a hair tie out of her jacket. “I’ll pull my hair into a ponytail so it looks similar to how I’ll wear it when I get married.” A few minutes later, after Emily had fastened the veil to Shelley’s head, she stood back from the mirror and sighed. “Oh, wow.”
The woman staring back at her was almost a stranger. If Shelley thought she was emotional before, she was ten times worse now. The veil fell to the floor, forming a sheer, three-foot train behind the chiffon dress. It made the dress seem even more bridal than before.
Tears filled her eyes as she realized just how life-changing the next few months would be. “I’m getting married,” she whispered.
Emily touched her lightly on the arm. “You are, and you look beautiful. Are you ready to show your mom and sisters the dress?”
Taking a deep, steadying breath, she nodded.
“Here,” Emily said gently as she handed Shelley a handful of tissues. “Seeing yourself in a wedding dress can be overwhelming.”
Shelley dabbed her eyes. It was just as well she’d worn waterproof mascara. Otherwise, she’d look like a raccoon by now. “It was emotional enough when we saw Bailey in her beautiful gown. But when you’re the bride, it’s even more so.”
“Even I get emotional,” Emily said with a smile. “There’s something special about a wedding dress and the happiness and joy shining out of a bride’s face. Let’s show your family what the dress looks like.” Gathering the veil into her hands, Emily followed Shelley into the boutique.
When Elena saw the dress, tears filled her eyes. “You look beautiful.”
Bailey bit her bottom lip. “The dress is stunning. I can’t imagine you in anything else.”
Sam sighed. “All I can say is, wow. You look amazing.”
Shelley turned around. “Look at the back. I love the way it dips down.”
“It is gorgeous,” Elena said. “And the veil. It reminds me so much of my