by Clare Revell
“The…the Abbey?”
“Of course.” Prince Edwin smiled. “Even if we break the final stitch tradition, we’ll need the royal dressmaker on hand, just in case. I understand, not that I know from personal experience, you realize, that high heels and long dresses aren’t always a good combination.”
“I’d be honored.” Cassie looked at Jack and then at her parents and Danny. Then she took a deep breath and turned back to the royal couple. “Thank you.”
“And the charity?”
“One which provides prosthetic limbs. They helped me; it’s only fair I help them in return.”
“Consider it done.” Prince Edwin smiled.
Cassie's Wedding Dress
11
“Can we talk?” Jack looked at Cassie.
“Sure.”
Jack’s phone rang. “Once I deal with this, excuse me.” He moved into the garden and answered the phone. “Hello.”
“Jack, its Bruce. I just wanted to update you. Have you spoken to Nate, yet?”
“He said something about having arrested Miss Wickham, but nothing more.”
“Yes. Pippa tried something similar at her previous church. Nate questioned her and she owned up. She also admitted sending threatening texts and letters to Cassie. And of course they have her for taking Lara from school and abandoning her in the park.”
“So it’s over.”
“Yes. So there’s no need for you to remain on leave.”
“No…the damage is done. I can’t stay.”
“Rubbish. No one knows apart from those involved, and they won’t say anything. Nate and I both agree on this. The charges were groundless. If you want, we can tell the rest of the elders, but there’s no need. Resume your pastorate. We need you.”
“Bruce, I—”
“Jack, you can’t let Satan win. He wants you out of Headley Baptist and used this as a means to do it. Now are you going to take a stand for Christ here, or run and hide?”
“Put like that, I don’t have a choice, do I? I take a stand. This is one battle I’m not going to lose. I’ll start work again tomorrow.” He hung up and went back inside.
Cassie was waiting.
“Can we talk now?”
“Cue phone or missing child or—”
“Oh, ye of little faith.” He grabbed her hand and led her into the garden. He sat on the wall and patted the space beside him.
Cassie sat. “I don’t understand why you broke things off. I thought—thought you liked me.”
“Before we go any further, I need to explain something. I was charged with conduct unbecoming a pastor, assault…you name it. I didn’t want to bring disrespect to the church or to the Lord, so I offered to resign. I didn’t want you involved or hurt, so in order to keep you out of it, I had to break things off with you.”
“And are you?”
“Am I what? Protecting you—I was trying to.”
“Resigning the pastorate.”
“Oh—no. Bruce refused to accept it. He said to take some leave instead, while he and Nate investigated.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Did you think I’d believe her rather than you?”
“I was ashamed…hurt…”
“I see.”
“But I was wrong. I hurt you by not telling you. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah…” Cassie paused. “Thing is, I was involved anyway. She left me notes in church, sent me photos and texts, warned me to stay away from you. She said if she couldn’t have you, then no one would. You’d broken things off anyway, so I didn’t see point in saying anything.”
“Oh, Cassie…”
“The notes came in church on Sunday. Pastor Bruce saw Danny get one of them out of the pigeon hole and hand it to me. He asked if he could have it. I gave it to him, and he involved Nate. Nate told me this morning they arrested her and are charging her.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I’m sorry I broke things off. It was probably the second stupidest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Only the second?” One finely trimmed brow raised a little and her head tilted to one side. “I dread to think what the first was.”
It was now or never. His heart leapt up his throat, threatening to choke him before he ever got a word out. “The first was letting you go. I don’t regret any of the years I spent with Elisa, but letting you walk out of my life was by far the stupidest thing I have ever done.”
Color touched her cheeks.
Jack’s fingers moved gently over the back of her hand.
“I understand if you don’t want to give us another try, but would you please think about it? Pray about it?”
“I’ll do that.”
“Thank you. No rush on an answer. Take as much time as you need.”
“I’ll think about it.” She took a deep breath. “I can’t believe what happened today…is my dress really going to be the royal wedding one?”
“Looks that way.”
“Wow,” she whispered.
Jack squeezed her hand. “Yeah…wow.”
****
Midafternoon, Dorrie’s voice echoed from the hallway.
“Cassie—mail. It came by courier. It looks official.”
Cassie took it into the kitchen and slit it open with a knife. She pulled out a gold rimmed invitation for her and two guests to attend the wedding at the Abbey. She showed her parents.
“Who do I take?” she whispered.
“You take Jack and Lara, of course. We’re content with watching it on the television.”
“Don’t look at me.” Danny raised his hands. “Lara wants to go, and if you take her you need to take Jack.”
“But we’re not dating anymore.”
“Cass…just ring him. Ask him.”
Cassie pulled out her phone and rang the manse. “Hey, Jack. It’s me. I need to see you.”
“Now?” Concern filled Jack’s voice. “What’s wrong?”
“I…just need to speak with you. Please, come now.”
“I’ll be right over.”
“Thanks.” She hung up.
“Now you’ve scared the poor man half to death,” Dorrie said, getting up from the table. “I’ll make some coffee while you go wait for him.”
****
Jack pulled up outside the house three hours after he’d left. His mind whirled with possibilities. What have I done wrong? It can’t be good if she’s made a decision in a few short hours?
Lara rang the bell.
Danny opened the door. “Hey, Jack. She’s in the lounge.” He smiled at Lara. “I’ve got something for you in the kitchen.”
“Cookies?”
“Chocolate chip ones.”
“Yay.” She ran off, leaving Jack standing there.
“Don’t look so worried, Jack. She’s just winding you up with her ‘come now, it’s an emergency’ line.”
Jack headed to the lounge, his steps slow. Danny’s words hadn’t made him feel any better. Pushing the door open, he took in Cassie sitting there, a letter in her hand. He loved her so much. He’d been a fool to let her go. Was she now doing the same to him? “Hey, I came as fast as I could.”
Panic etched into Cassie’s eyes. Her hands—her whole body was shaking. Something was definitely wrong.
“Cassie, what is it?”
“This came.” Her voice was no more than a whisper.
Jack took the card and read it. Wow.
“I can’t do it.”
“Sure you can. You told her you could this morning.”
“But it’s so real now. I mean, they’ll have TV cameras, and it’ll be live all over the world, and everyone will see me. They’ll rehash the accident over and over, and it’ll be Cassie Hinton, the jockey, instead of their wedding day. And what if I fall or this stupid leg breaks? I can’t wear a posh short dress or a trouser suit or jeans or—”
“That’s enough. Cassie, forget your leg and what you’re going to wear. And so what if the commentators say who you are. Being a jockey is
part of who you are, but you’re so much more than that. No one is going to care what you wear or anything else about you—besides the royal dressmaker always gets a mention, but that’s all it is. A passing mention. All eyes are going to be on Lady Rebekah. She’s marrying our prince. When he becomes King, she’ll be Queen. Thousands of brides the world over are going to want a dress like hers.”
“Maybe.”
“No maybes. They are. Wear what you want.” Jack winked at her. “You asked why you survived the accident. This is why God saved you, so you can save the royal wedding.”
“Now you’re being silly.”
“I’m being serious. If you died…there’d be no dress. It’s as simple as that.”
“They’d have found a dress somewhere else. An off-the-peg one. You know that as well as I do, but I’m not going to argue. Jack…I know, strictly speaking, we’re not going out anymore, but would you come with me? You and Lara—the invite is for me and two guests. You and Lara could save me a seat if she decides she wants me to do this last stitch tradition.”
“Don’t you want to take your parents?”
“They don’t want to go, but that’s not the reason I’m asking you. Do you want to come to the wedding or not?”
“Is this a plot device to ask me out?” Jack feigned shock, putting his hand over his heart
“No, of course not. None of this would have happened without you or Lara, and I can’t take her without you. She can wear the yellow dress from the window display. It’s not much good on its own, and she’ll need a posh frock for a wedding in the Abbey.”
“We’d love to come, thank you.” Jack wrapped his arms around her. A spark of hope lit within him. She’d not given him an answer as such, but of all the people in Headley Cross she could have asked to the royal wedding, she’d chosen him and Lara.
Cassie's Wedding Dress
12
Cassie walked quickly up the aisle and took her seat next to Jack. “All done,” she whispered. “She looks amazing.”
Jack grinned at her. “So do you.”
Cassie smoothed her full-length, pale green silk dress over her knees. “Thank you.”
Lara looked behind them as the music started. Her yellow dress suited her perfectly. “She’s coming.”
Cassie stood, her fingers entwined with Jack’s. Heart pounding, she wished she could see the prince’s face as he saw his bride for the first time. As the bridal party passed, Lady Rebekah shot Cassie a beaming smile.
“Wow,” Jack whispered. “You did an amazing job, Cass.”
“Not just me,” Cassie whispered back. “God gave me the skills I needed.”
“New career maybe?”
She shook her head. “I know what I want…I’ll tell you later.”
****
Leaving London would have been a nightmare had it not been for the chauffeur-driven car and escort the palace had provided.
Jack and Cassie sat on the back seat, hands entwined.
She still hadn’t given him an answer.
“Cassie…I know I said I’d give you time, but as much as I pray for patience…”
“I don’t think ‘God, give me patience, but hurry,’ counts, Jack.”
“Maybe not.”
She flicked the button that pushed up the screen between them and the driver. Lara was listening to music on the MP3 player and not taking any notice of them.
Cassie twisted in the seat and took his hand.
Jack tried to read the look in her eyes, but failed. The rest of his life could hinge on the next minute. He was terrified she’d say no.
“My feelings for you haven’t changed, Jack. They never will. If friendship is all I can have, then I hope you’ll be happy in whatever you do and whoever you’re with in the future.”
Lord, this just feels so right. I’m going to ask her. I know it’s soon, but I know this is from You and if it’s not, then she’ll refuse me. He pulled back. “I don’t want to be friends, Cass.”
Her face fell. “Oh.”
“I want so much more than that. I have something I need to ask you.”
“Oh?”
Jack hugged her tightly, then undid his seatbelt and got down on one knee and took hold of her hand. His heart pounded, terrified. He prayed Lara wouldn’t interrupt the next few moments.
“What are you doing? Get up.”
“We’re at traffic lights. I’ve got a minute at least. Cassie, will you do me the honor of being my wife? I know this may seem sudden, but if I’ve learnt anything from the past few days, it’s that I love you and don’t want to be apart from you. Well, I knew I loved you before. I have for a long time.”
“Jack…”
The car moved and Jack fell forward, bashing his nose hard on Cassie’s prosthetic knee joint. “Owww….” He clamped a hand to his face and struggled back onto the seat. Pain surged through him. Was it broken? It sure felt like it.
“You’re bleeding.” Cassie pulled out a packet of tissues and handed them to him.
Jack leaned back in the seat and let Cassie do his belt up again, as he staunched the stream of blood from his nose. What an idiot. No way is she going to say yes, now.
“This wasn’t quite how I imagined this conversation going. I’d thought more along the lines of flowers and a candlelit dinner…I know what I want with my life and being a dressmaker isn’t it. Nor is regretting my racing career and moaning about only having one leg.” She took a deep breath. “What I want…is a new career. Wife, mother and maybe…maybe another role, supporting my husband in his pastoral work.”
“You’re saying yes? Yes, you’ll marry me?” Jack’s heart leapt
Cassie threw her arms around him. “Yes, yes, yes, and a thousand times, yes. I’ve been in love with you since I was twelve and that will never change.”
“Cassie…”
Cassie turned her face to his and caught his lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with as much love as he could.
“Ewww.” Lara pulled out her earphones. “Now you have to mawwy her. What did you do? You’re talking funny and bleeding on Auntie Cassie’s new dwess.”
“I bashed by dose.”
“So I see.”
“My dress will be fine,” Cassie assured her. “The blood will come out with a little cold water.”
“Why are you kissing her, Daddy? Are you fwiends again, now?”
“Yes we are. Actually we’re more than friends. Auntie Cassie’s going to marry me.”
“Yay,” Lara yelled. “Does this mean I can be a bwidesmaid?”
“Yes, it does.” Cassie said. “What color dress do you want?”
“Lellow.” She paused. “But the pwincess wore your dwess. You don’t have one.”
“Yes, I do. I’m going to make another one. And I know just what it’s going to be.”
“And what’s that?” Jack asked. “Enquiring minds want to know.”
“But the groom isn’t supposed to know what the bride is wearing.”
“If it’s good enough for the future King of England, then it’s good enough for humble Jack Chambers.” Jack kissed her. “So, tell me, what will Cassie’s wedding dress be?”
“Long and white.”
“Tease. Seriously, Cass…”
Cassie reached into her purse and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “I designed a new one.”
Jack took the paper and opened it. Long, and white with a square neck line and long sleeves, it was another dress straight from the history books. Yellow embroidery lined the neck and cuffs. A gold band curved along the high waistline. A cloak fell from the shoulders in lieu of a train. “Regency?”
“Well, I figured go a little more modern than the royal wedding dress.” Cassie smiled. “But I would like more than a week to make it in this time.”
“How does six months sound? You could have that winter wedding you always dreamed of.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Jack wrapped his arm around her. “See, fairy tales do come true after all.”
Cassie grinned. “I get my Prince Charming, my wedding dress—” she winked at Lara, “—a Princess Mermaid-in-training and a happily ever after. What more could a girl need?”
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