and stood in front of the mirror. Mitzi slipped on the bodice of her dress, and Ellie Mae squealed like a little girl.
“It’s going to be exactly what I wanted, only prettier than I could have ever imagined,” she said.
“Okay, now be very still while I mark the back seam, and then I’ll pin it so you can feel the fit and see if we need to tighten or loosen anything.” Mitzi laid the pincushion on a small table in front of the mirrors.
“Did Paula tell you my news?” Ellie Mae asked.
“About what?” Mitzi asked.
“I’m pregnant, but only Darrin and I know—and, well, Paula because we ran into each other at the ultrasound place. We’ll spring the news on my family after they get over the shock of this gorgeous dress,” Ellie Mae said.
“Congratulations.” Mitzi’s thoughts were on what her grandmother had said about Ellie Mae being the typical preacher’s daughter.
“Thank you. We’re really excited. We’d wanted to start a family right away, but imagine my surprise when I went to see my doctor and found out I was already five months pregnant,” Ellie Mae gushed. “That’s when we moved up the wedding date by three months. Didn’t want to go into labor walking down the aisle.”
“I guess not.” Mitzi finished pinning the bodice. “How does that feel?”
“Make it just a little tighter. I’ll be wearing Spanx,” Ellie Mae said. “Wait. Don’t. I might gain a few more pounds. Can you just leave a big seam allowance in case we need to adjust right at the end?”
“Of course. So do you know what you’re having?” Mitzi asked.
“A boy and we’re so happy about it. What about Paula?”
Mitzi unpinned the dress and stuck the pins back into the cushion. “She hasn’t told us yet. I’ve also got something I want you to look at after you get dressed.”
“Did you finish the hat?” Ellie Mae’s voice quivered with excitement as she slipped her shirt down over her head. “I’m going to love it as much as I do the dress.”
Mitzi carefully put the bodice on a satin hanger and hung it on a rack. Then she disappeared into the fabric room and brought back the bouquet the girls had made. Ellie Mae reached out to touch it.
“I’m so damned emotional, but this is beyond beautiful. It’s exactly what I told you I wanted. I don’t care how much it costs. Who made it? And will they do the rest of my flowers?” She held it close to her body, as if she were walking down the aisle with it.
“The Harrison girls,” Mitzi answered. “And yes, they’d love to make the rest of your flowers. Just make a list and email it to me. They could get started on your sister’s bouquet this afternoon. Got a rough idea of what you want?”
“White roses—about half this big, but do some red touch-up with whatever satin or silk she picks out for her dress. She said she could come in right after lunch today if that’s okay?”
“That would be a perfect time,” Mitzi said.
“Can I take it with me today?” Ellie Mae ran the fingers of her right hand over it as if the bouquet were made of precious metals.
“Yes, ma’am, you can. We might possibly have the rest of the flowers done next week when you come in for the skirt fitting, if you’ll send me a list of what all you need.”
“Thank you.” Ellie Mae nodded.
“I can put that in a plastic bag for you,” Mitzi offered.
Reluctantly, Ellie Mae handed it back to her. “I can tell you right now that I want a red-rose boutonniere for Darrin and a white one for the best man. And I don’t want little bitty things, either. Do them up fancy with three rosebuds in Darrin’s and some black lace like my bouquet. And the others should have two with some red in it from Darcy’s dress. I’ll send you a list this afternoon of the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and special friends that will need corsages. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to have the most beautiful wedding in the whole state.” Ellie Mae waited until her bouquet was in plastic before she wrapped Mitzi up in a tight hug.
“That’s what we’re here for,” Mitzi assured her.
Fanny Lou arrived for the party that evening with a decorated cake from the bakery. One side had blue icing; the other, pink. A big question mark had been piped in the middle.
“That