by Dawn Kinzer
“I’m looking for a lightweight yarn in pale yellow. I’m crocheting a baby blanket for my new granddaughter. I also need white cotton thread for tatting, and I’d like to look at the shuttles. My daughter-in-law is interested in learning how to tat.”
“How nice of you to teach her. I’d like to learn myself. The lace makes lovely dress collars and cuffs.” Hope gestured to the left. “Right this way.” She led the customer to another section in the store and laid out several skeins of yarn in light yellow shades. “Do any of these suit you?”
The woman chose one and felt the wool’s texture. “This will do nicely. I’ll take several.”
Hope searched for another skein to match while her customer picked out thread and a new shuttle. With purchases in hand, the woman thanked Hope and left the store with a smile on her face. If only customers’ requests were always that easy. Earlier that morning, a cantankerous older gentleman insisted she find a man to help him when she could have just as well assisted him herself.
Her cousin was better suited for this job. Somehow Annie found patience for customers who couldn’t make up their minds, and her vivacious personality and sense of humor put a smile on the most dissatisfied-looking faces.
She may not be as natural at the job as Annie, but Hope did her best, and she appreciated the income, now even more important after the sum spent on Ben’s painting. Replenishing funds necessary for her trip to see Miss Lancaster in Minneapolis, as well as her dwindling art supplies, would require being extra careful with earnings. Regardless, it was worth every penny to have the painting in hand.
The framed canvas hung in her bedroom on the wall opposite the bed. There she could gaze at it in the evening before turning off the lamp and view it first thing in the morning. The warm colors, the boy playing with his dog, the way the wind seemed to blow through the tall grass—in some way they soothed her soul.
As she studied the painting, Hope had discovered little things missed at first glance—the sheen on the collie’s coat, the delicate butterfly on a wild flower, a deer observing from the edge of the woods surrounding the field. Those details made the picture come alive, and in some surreal fashion Hope felt like she was experiencing the world through Ben’s eyes.
She had plans for the painting, and before long Ben might be thanking her for being so persistent in obtaining the piece.
Annie strolled up and dropped several small boxes on the counter. “Do you think you can stand to work with us lowly clerks for the next four weeks?” She grinned and winked. “Until the famous Miss Lancaster declares you a prodigy and takes you under her wing?”
Hope returned the grin. “Dear cousin, I appreciate you having such faith in me, but that reality is pretty far-fetched.” Twenty-eight days left to build up her courage. Even the remote possibility of Miss Lancaster offering to advise her beyond that meeting kept Hope’s mind reeling. “Just knowing that I’m getting an opportunity to show her my drawings gives me the chills. I’m excited, but at the same time, I’m terribly frightened that she’s going to declare my designs are a travesty and an abomination.”
“That’s not going to happen, and I’m going to be there right beside you to witness every moment so I can relive the evening with you for days after.”
“Oh, Annie, I’m so glad you’re going to Minneapolis with me. I know it’s for only one night, but we’ll have such a good time in the city. I’ve read the West Hotel is quite grand.”
“You’re used to the fancy hotels in New York, but I’ve only seen them in magazines.” Annie eyes sparkled. “Can you believe it? Good things are happening for both of us. We raised the money needed for the library, and if all continues to go well, it will be open in two weeks. And only two weeks later, we’ll be on a train heading for the city where you’ll meet someone who could change your life.”
“Hope, you’re just the person we need.” Sarah waddled toward them, glowing and looking strong and beautiful, even in the last days of her pregnancy.
Rachel Kahl followed close behind, carrying a bundle wrapped in brown paper. Hope had met the young woman with dark hair and hazel eyes at church, and she was immediately attracted to the nineteen-year-old’s sweet nature.
“What can I do to help?” Hope focused on her two friends. Whatever they required would be far more fun than waiting on the challenging customers she’d served earlier.
“First things first. We have an announcement to share.” Sarah wrapped an arm around Rachel’s shoulders and gave her a slight squeeze. “Or, at least Rachel does.”
The pretty girl blushed as she smiled. “I’m getting married!”
“Rachel, that’s wonderful!” Annie hugged her. “Congratulations. When is the happy day?”
“Saturday.”
“As in tomorrow?” Annie squealed. “That doesn’t give you much time to plan a wedding.”
“I know. My parents are as nervous as cornered rabbits.” Rachel wrung her hands. “Not because they don’t want me to marry Caleb. They think he’s wonderful, and they’ve given us their blessing. But they didn’t expect to marry me off quite this soon.”
“Then what’s the rush?” Hope couldn’t imagine anything improper.
“Caleb was just offered a teaching job in Madison. It’s a wonderful opportunity because of the available college courses nearby that will help him become a professor someday. The only problem is that he needs to move there right away. He doesn’t want to go without me, and I don’t want to be separated from him either.”
Annie sighed. “How romantic.”
“And exciting. You’ll be off on your own adventure.” Hope swallowed the bitter taste of envy. Her time would come according to God’s design, not hers. This was Rachel and Caleb’s opportunity to create and share the life intended for them. “So, why do you need my help?”
“We’re just going to have a small wedding at two o’clock in the afternoon with family and a few friends at the church. Reverend Caswell is officiating. Then a simple reception at the house. But, I...” Rachel glanced at Sarah.
“Rachel won’t have a wedding gown.” Sarah smiled at Hope. “So, we’d like to add something to her Sunday dress to make it feel special.”
Rachel perked up. “Not that there’s anything wrong with the dress. It’s like new, and Mrs. Boyle did a wonderful job fitting and sewing the garment.” She laid down the package she carried and opened it, revealing a lovely blue dress. “I just never expected to get married in it. I always thought I’d wear my mother’s dress, but it doesn’t fit, and there’s not enough time to alter it.”
“We’re just country folk, but you have a wonderful sense of fashion, Hope.” Sarah helped spread the dress out on the counter. “We thought you might suggest a piece of jewelry, a sophisticated hat, or something that might serve as a lovely veil.”
Hope trailed her fingers over the fabric. Nice, practical, and Clara’s perfect stitching was some of the best Hope had seen—even in New York. Still, the dress wasn’t what a bride envisioned wearing on her wedding day.
An idea germinated and within seconds grew into something that excited and frightened Hope. Could she do it? It was worth trying, and she’d create a backup plan just in case she failed. “Rachel, would you be willing to leave the dress with me until morning so I can give it some thought?”
“I—I don’t know...” Rachel bit her lower lip and turned to Sarah.
“I think it would be all right, Rachel.” Sarah gave her a confident smile. “Hope will take good care of the dress and be prompt in returning it.”
“I promise to bring it to your home in plenty of time before the ceremony.” Even if Rachel insisted on taking the dress with her, Hope could still carry out her plan if Clara agreed to help. Without her, Hope would still look for a way to make the existing dress more elegant.
“All right.” Rachel smiled. “I trust you.”
“Good. I’ll get to work on your wedding attire this evening.” Hope grinned and re-wrapped the dress in the brown pa
per.
Rachel and Sarah left the store, not realizing the literal meaning behind Hope’s words.
***
Hope rubbed her eyes, then poured strong coffee for them both. “Clara, I can’t thank you enough, or Rose for taking care of her siblings all night. It would be impossible to do this without you.”
“No need for thanks.” Clara accepted one of the steaming cups. “I’ll admit that I had some reservations. I thought we should have asked Rachel first, but now, seein’ this dress, I don’t know how she couldn’t help but love it. Besides, Rachel has always been kind to me and my children, especially after my Frank passed. I’ll do anything I can to make her wedding day special.” Clara took a sip, then set down her cup, away from the garment in front of her. “I’m so happy she’s found love again.”
“Again? She had another beau?”
“Oh, you didn’t know?” With nimble fingers, Clara moved a threaded needle through a small section of the gown’s left sleeve. “Caleb’s younger brother, Martin. He and Rachel were very close, but Martin drowned several years ago. Early in November when the water was frigid, and the river hadn’t completely frozen over. He’d gone out lookin’ for a missing heifer. He was only seventeen.”
“So young. His death must have been heartbreaking.”
“Rachel was devastated. When Caleb came home from college for the funeral, the two of them spent some time together, then started writing after he went back. Now, two years later, they’re getting married. God is sure full of surprises with how he takes care of things.”
“Yes, I guess he is.”
“Now take the two of us. Did you ever think we’d be sitting here together in the wee hours of the morning, puttin’ together a wedding dress?”
“No, can’t say I ever imagined it.” Tired as she was, Hope still laughed. “I’ve been working on this design for a while, and I plan to submit it to Butterick, but I needed your skilled fingers to bring it to life.”
A light shade of pink filled Clara’s cheeks. “Good thing I’ve sewed for Rachel before. If the dress fits that mannequin, it should fit the bride.” Clara snipped the thread. “Finished.”
Hope set her coffee aside, her fingers slightly shaking. “Time to see if we’ve mastered the task or not.” She took a deep breath and gestured toward the mannequin.
Clara draped the light blue satin gown over the form. Hope had been saving the fabric for herself, but knowing how perfect the color would look on Rachel, and now seeing how gracefully the material fell to the floor made the sacrifice worth it. The silhouette was soft and feminine, and the fabric would flow as Rachel walked. The top piece of the dress was created with sleeves fitted at the shoulder down to the elbow, an open square neckline, and a gathered bodice. The trumpet-shaped skirt flowed softly over the hips, flaring at the hem. A short train trailed in the back.
Clara’s fingers traced the left sleeve. “It’s beautiful.”
Hope stood back and crossed her arms over her chest, a wave of disappointment flowing through her tired body. “Something isn’t right.”
“Not right?” Clara’s eyes widened. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, not at all. Your work is impeccable.” Hope sighed. “It’s my fault. The gown just doesn’t look like a wedding dress.”
“But with so little time, I think we’ve accomplished a miracle.” Clara, now looking even more weary, dropped into her chair. “Without your satin, what would we have to work with?”
Hope sat in the chair across the table from Clara. “It’s just that I wanted it to be so much more...”
“Are you two still working? It must be almost four in the morning.” Annie appeared, from what felt like nowhere, tying her robe.
“We thought we’d finished, but now I’m not so sure.” Hope yawned, then rubbed her burning eyes. They’d been up all night. Lack of sleep was one thing, but feeling disappointed with their efforts was another. “What are you doing up at this hour?”
“I came down to use the outhouse and get a drink of water.” Annie shuffled toward the kitchen in the back of the house.
Clara and Hope sat quietly, staring at the dressed mannequin.
Hope’s focus strayed from the gown to the curtains hanging on the window behind it. “How could I have been so...” Hope leaped up from her chair, now feeling quite awake. “Of course it’s wrong. My design wasn’t originally meant to be a wedding dress.” She faced Clara. “It’s so clear. What’s missing?”
Clara’s eyebrows furrowed. “It’s missing lace, but we talked about that. Neither of us have any tucked away that would be suitable, and there’s not enough time to ask one of the lady’s in town for tatting.”
“We don’t need to. It’s been right here in front of us the whole night.”
Annie lumbered into the room and yawned. “I’m going back to bed.” She headed toward the stairs leading to the second floor.
“Wait.”Hope chewed her lower lip. This could go either way. “Annie, we need your help. Actually, we need your lace curtains.”
“My new curtains?” Annie swung back around, her mouth wide open. “The curtains I saved for and waited three months to buy?”
“I promise I’ll replace them—as soon as I can.” Hope rushed to the mannequin to state her purpose. “I know it would be a sacrifice, even for someone as generous as you. But, these lacy curtains could turn this dress into an elegant wedding gown—one that would be special, like Rachel.”
Annie thought for a moment, then she re-tied her robe and pulled a chair close to one of the windows. “Why can’t I ever say no to you?” She climbed up and slid one of the curtain panels from the rod. “Hope, I know you mean well, but you have a tendency to act in haste. You don’t even know if Rachel will be interested in wearing anything different than what she’s already chosen.”
“She’s going to love it. Trust me.” Hope stepped onto a chair next to a second window. Oh, my. Eager to get started, Hope had proven Annie’s statement to be true. She’d moved forward again with an idea without consulting an important party. “Clara, I’m sorry. I haven’t even asked if you’re willing and able to work longer.”
“Of course I am. I wouldn’t think of leavin’ now.” Clara perked up as though she’d had a full night’s rest. “We have plenty of work ahead of us, so we’d best get started.”
“Thank you.” Hope smiled, then stepped down with her arms full. She draped one of the panels decorated with white lace over the dress on the mannequin, and a delicate shade of blue showed through the transparent overlay. “We’ll make a second dress from the curtains and the blue one will serve as an undergarment. Sheer sleeves edged with lace will replace the satin sleeves. We should also have enough lacy material for a veil.” Hope hadn’t experienced this kind of excitement in a long time. She pointed to the end of the table. “That blue satin ribbon over there will go around the waist.”
It would be perfect—just perfect.
***
“I—I can’t believe you made something so beautiful—for me!” Rachel’s eyes lit up as Hope held the wedding dress for her to see. “I want to hug you both, but I’m afraid I’ll crush my new dress.”
“We made a veil to match.” Hope, trying not to squeal in her own excitement, nodded at Clara to show Rachel the veil, and Clara draped the lace over her own arm to display the delicate piece.
“Oh, my...it’s just lovely. We must show Mother.” Rachel, beaming, took the dress in her arms and held it with care. “She went upstairs right before you arrived, but said she’d be down shortly. She has a surprise for me too.”
“Rachel, what’s going on down here?” Millie Kahl moved down the stairs, carrying a cream-colored satin garment. She stopped several steps from the floor.
“Mother, Hope and Clara have done the most generous thing.” Rachel held the dress against her front. “Isn’t it the most gorgeous wedding dress you’ve ever seen? They worked all night. It’s a wedding gift, but I don’t know how I’ll ever repay th
em for their kindness.”
Hope’s heart would surely burst any minute. Rachel loved the dress, and if it would make this sweet girl feel even more beautiful as she said her vows and pledged herself to the man she loved, it was well worth losing a night’s sleep.
“That’s wonderful, dear.” No one could have missed the crack in Millie’s voice. “The dress is beyond exquisite.” She looked at Hope, her eyes filled with disappointment. “How thoughtful of you both to have worked so hard for my daughter.”
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Rachel clutched the wedding dress to her chest. “What are you holding?”
Millie’s weak smile lacked cheer. “It’s nothing, dear. I’ll just go put it away, and then we can have a quick cup of coffee with Hope and Clara before we need to finish preparations. We still have much to do.”
Hope had to speak up. “Mrs. Banks—Millie—you also have a dress for Rachel, don’t you?”
“It’s nothing.” Millie looked from Hope to Rachel. “Really.”
“Mother, is that your wedding dress?” Rachel’s tone was warm and loving.
Millie nodded. “I wanted you to have something nice to wear, so I altered it the best I could. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“You must have been up all night working, too, only without any help.” Hope reached over and touched the smooth fabric. “You poured your love into this dress.”
Millie’s chin quivered, and pools of liquid emotion welled in her eyes. “She’s my daughter.”
“Oh, Mother...” Rachel leaned over and kissed her mother’s cheek.
Hope’s eyes stung, and by the looks of it Clara was fighting her own tears.
“You should wear your mother’s dress.” It didn’t matter that Hope had good intentions. She’d rushed ahead and neglected to think of the possible cost to others. She should never have given Rachel a dress without consulting her mother. Hope touched Rachel’s arm. “Clara and I will understand.”
Clara dabbed at her eyes and nodded. “Of course we will.”
“Well, I won’t!” Millie sniffed. She fingered the lace on the gown in Rachel’s arms, then gave her a warm smile as she cupped the bride’s chin in her hand. “My sweet daughter, I’ve always wanted the best for you, and that means you’re going to wear this lovely dress and be the most beautiful bride Riverton has ever seen.”