by Donna Doyle
The gentle classical music that had been filtering into the office was suddenly interrupted, jolting Molly out of her work with the sound of a booming voice.
“This is Dan Blake with your hourly weather report. It looks like the rain is going to be sticking around for a while. Expect steady showers through the rest of the week and on through the weekend as the remains of Tropical Storm Larry are breaking up and sending lots of heavy rainclouds our way. Please, folks, remember not to drive through any water on the road. You can’t tell how deep it truly is. We want to keep everyone safe here in Calmhaven.”
Molly sighed. That was exactly what she hadn’t been hoping to hear. So much for an outdoor wedding. “Did you make any progress on a tent, Dora?”
Her assistant hung up the phone and smoothed a hand over her recently washed hair, which she had pulled back into a low bun. “I’m afraid not. The rental company said the ground is just too soft after all this rain. If they put up a tent, they’re convinced it will just fall right down again. Obviously, they don’t want to take the risk, and a collapsed tent isn’t exactly going to be good for our business, either.”
Molly agreed, immediately envisioning what the headlines would be like if the entire wedding party was trapped under a bunch of wet tarp. It probably wouldn’t be a life threatening disaster, but it wouldn’t exactly be a dream wedding. “That’s just as well. I’ve never been a big fan of tents, anyway. It makes the event feel like a circus, and they usually smell funny. See what you can do about finding a church or a hall.”
Just as she was doing her best to stay hopeful, Molly Gertrude noticed an unusual sound. She put down her pen to listen, and her eyes slowly drifted to the ceiling. A dark spot had formed on the ceiling, and water was slowly condensing in the center of it. When it got heavy enough, it fell to the hardwood floor with a plop. Another drop immediately began forming in its place.
“Oh, the ceiling is leaking!” Molly shot to her feet and instantly regretted the quick movement. Her lower back didn’t agree with sitting still for so long and then moving so swiftly, and neither did Misty. In her frightened state, the cat left a few claw marks in Molly’s leg. It seemed that leaky roofs were a thorn that Molly had to bear. It wasn’t long ago she dealt with a similar problem at her home. Now the office was leaking as well!
But there was no time to worry about it. Immediately heading toward the back room, Molly found a mop bucket and put it under the leak just as another drop of water was released from the drywall. Putting her hands on her hips, Molly frowned up at the leak. “Just what we needed! I’ll call the repairman.”
Just as she reached for the phone, it rang. While Molly usually left it up to Dora to answer the phone, she lifted the receiver. “Good afternoon, and thank you for calling the Cozy Bridal Agency. This is Miss Molly Grey. How can I help you?”
“Oh, Miss Molly! I’m so glad I reached you. I was afraid you might have gone home for the day. This is Michelle Harris.” Michelle was a local graphic designer. Even though she got lots of work online from clients around the country, she had designed logos, flyers, and websites for most of the local businesses as well.
“Yes, dear. What can I do for you?” Molly noted that the bride-to-be sounded particularly stressed.
“I heard the weather report a little while ago. I wasn’t thinking about it at the time, but I just realized it’ll be raining on our wedding day! How are we going to have an outdoor ceremony in this weather? Maybe we should cancel?” Michelle’s voice went shrill on the last word.
Molly had been hoping to wait to talk to Michelle until they had a plan laid out, but it would just have to be good enough. “Oh no, dear. I know you really had your heart set on having the wedding outdoors, but all will be well. We’re currently working on finding you a new venue.”
“But it’s too late! The caterer and the florist and everybody have it down as being at the venue we already agreed on. Don’t they charge extra if the plans change? Or what if they refuse to show up at all?” She was getting more and more desperate, insistent that all was not well, even if Miss Molly said so.
“There’s no need to panic,” Molly assured her. “I’ll be in touch with everyone, and I’ll get it all worked out. You just sit back and trust me. All you have to do is get your hair and nails done and show up. The rest is my job.” While it was true that many vendors would charge for a change of venue, Molly knew she could convince them not to. It was part of her job, and she was good at it.
“Well, okay, Molly, if you say so,” Michelle reluctantly conceded. She didn’t sound convinced. “I just know there’s been so much planning already.”
“It’s not the first time we’ve had a rain delay, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Don’t worry at all, honey. We’ll see you tomorrow for the dress fitting, right?”
“Yes. I’ll be there.”
When she hung up, Molly looked hopefully at Dora. “Any joy? I think we may need to pray about this one!”
Dora quirked her mouth up on one side. “Nowhere yet, Miss Molly. I still have a few ideas up my sleeve, though.”
Molly nodded. “Get right on it. I’m going to see if I can keep this place from falling down around our ears in the meantime.” She gave the leak in the ceiling another glare and turned to call the local handyman.
2
A Perfect Fit?
“I just love to see the final fitting of a wedding gown,” Molly mused as they headed down toward Gloria’s Gowns. “There’s just something magical about it.”
Dora nodded her agreement from the driver’s seat. “I agree! It’s just like in Cinderella when the Fairy Godmother waves her wand and the fair maiden is completely transformed. I always felt as though that was the moment when Cinderella became a princess instead of when she married the prince.”
“And what about you? Are you going to find your own prince someday?” It wasn’t any of Molly’s business, really, but she loved to play matchmaker. In fact, most folks in Calmhaven knew that spending a little bit of time around Molly Gertrude would inevitably result in an engagement ring. She had a knack for matching up personalities and lifestyles. Someone had told her once that it was like she had matchmaking superpowers, but Molly knew it was just that she liked to pay attention to what was going on around her.
Dora blushed prettily. “Oh, I don’t know. I think it’s a lot more fun to help other people. I’m not sure I’m ready to settle down yet.”
Molly thought Dora was the perfect type to be settling down. She didn’t go out and party on the weekends. Though she was dedicated to her job, it wasn’t as though she spent sixty hours a week at the office. And she was a nice girl who thoroughly deserved to find her Prince Charming. “Are you sure? There’s nobody special that you’ve been thinking of?”
If Dora hadn’t been driving, she probably would have looked down at her lap. Instead, she focused intently on the road. “No, not really.”
Molly knew that wasn’t true, but she decided not to push the issue. She didn’t want to embarrass her assistant, and they were just pulling into the parking lot of the dress shop.
Gloria’s Gowns was an old brick home that had been converted into a store many years before. The covered porch and the wide stairs that led up to it were lined with brilliant flowers of purple and gold. Similar flowers hung in baskets from the upstairs windows. The rain only brought out the glorious colors. As they walked in the front double doors, Molly appreciated the hardwood floors and custom displays. Everything had been carefully handcrafted, and Gloria had spared no expense in having the shop recently remodeled. The original rooms of what was once a family house were now showrooms for different types of dresses. Prom and homecoming dresses—always a big attraction for the younger crowd—occupied the space at the front of the home. Toward the back, where there was a little more privacy, hung the wedding gowns. The upstairs was split into cocktail wear and clearance.
The two ladies made their way to the back, where Gloria was just pulling the plastic
off a beautiful gown. Molly clasped her hands in front of her as she admired it. “Oh my, just beautiful!”
Dora took off her glasses to wipe the raindrops from her lenses. “It’s even prettier than I remembered!”
Gloria, a slim woman in her forties with her light brown hair swept up into loose bun that resembled a Victorian hairstyle, smiled back as she fluffed out the skirt. “I agree. It’s a designer piece, and certainly not a cheap one, but I think Michelle is really getting her money’s worth.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Where is Michelle, anyway? Is she not here yet?” Molly Gertrude checked her watch. They were on time, but brides were usually early for exciting things like this.
The dressmaker gave a little shrug of her narrow shoulders. “I’m sure she’ll be along soon. This weather doesn’t help anybody. As it is, I think I’ll be wrapping this dress two or three times before I let it out of the shop just to make sure it doesn’t get damp.”
Molly heard the sound of the front door opening and turned around, looking expectantly through the doorway of the wedding gown area. Sure enough, it was Michelle. She was shaking off her jacket and putting a wet umbrella into the nearby stand. A woman with brilliant red hair was at her heels.
“Sorry we’re late,” Michelle said as she came through the store, running her fingers through her gold-blonde hair. “The storm drains are actually overflowing, and some roads have even been closed because of flooding.”
“I think we’re all going to be trading our cars in for boats after this.” The red-headed woman shook out her curls. Molly had come to know her as Renee, Michelle’s best friend who had come along for the wedding adventure every step of the way. Unfortunately, she was also usually full of snide comments, and Molly for the life of her could not understand why. “Or maybe you could just trade your wedding dress in for a rain slicker,” quipped Renee.
“Not as flattering, I’m sure.” Gloria’s thin lips turned down slightly.
“Speaking of, were you able to figure anything out as far as the venue?” Michelle looked at Molly hopefully.
Molly was pleased to say she had. Or rather, Dora had. She gestured with her head for Dora to fill the bride in.
“Most of the usual places were full, and I still wanted to find something that felt romantic. I mean, the VFW hall in Greenacres was free, but that didn’t really seem appropriate. Anyway, I contacted Stephanie Graham who owns the Old Rose Bed and Breakfast. It turns out they have a space big enough for your ceremony as long as they just move a little bit of furniture around.” Dora beamed, proud of her work.
Molly had to admit that she was proud, as well. It was an innovative idea, and one she might not have thought of herself.
“That place is beautiful inside,” Michelle marveled. Then she shook her head and blinked. “But how much are they going to charge?”
“No more than it would have cost to rent a big old ugly tent,” Dora assured her. “And I think you just might be starting a new wedding trend around here. By next week, we’ll have all the brides calling the agency and asking to switch their venues!”
“Thank you, really. With as close as it is to the ceremony, I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
“That’s exactly why you hired us,” Molly reminded her. “You don’t have to do anything, not even worry.”
Michelle seemed nervous at the thought of the big day, but such pre-wedding nerves were to be expected.
“Michelle, are you ready for your final fitting?” Gloria asked.
“As ready as I’m going to get, I think!”
“Cold feet?” Gloria asked as she picked up the dress and carried it toward the fitting room. Her usual smile was back now.
“Just damp ones. Honestly, it’s just so difficult to get this dress on and off. I think I’ve worked up a sweat every time.” Michelle followed her.
“Don’t worry. You’ll only have once more after this, and then it will all be done with. Then you’ll be wishing you could wear it again!” She chuckled as she went to help the bride get into her gown.
Meanwhile, Renee flopped down on the fluffy sofa in the viewing area. “How are you ladies faring in this downpour?”
“Well, the office ceiling is leaking, but other than that we’re managing.” Molly gave a small smile.
“Sounds glorious compared to everything I’ve been through this week.” Renee plucked a wet strand of hair off her face. “The boss has been riding us to meet our sales goals all month, and I can’t tell you how many rude customers I’ve had to encounter.” She rolled her eyes to drive her point home.
“Well, at least you’ve had a nice distraction helping Michelle get ready for her wedding. A woman’s best friend is extremely important at times like this,” Molly replied.
“Yeah, but what a waste of time and money! No offense, but why spend all that cash on a dress that she’s only going to wear for a few hours? She could take that money and invest it or put it towards a down payment on a bigger house. And don’t get me started on the caterer.”
It wasn’t the first time Molly Gertrude had heard someone complain about the expense of a wedding. She always tried to get the best prices for her clients, but there was no denying that weddings cost a lot of money. Still, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “You’ll feel differently when you’re the one with a diamond on your finger.”
“Oh, no. Not me! I don’t need some man to make me happy. I’ve got my job and my pets, and I don’t need anybody else.” She widened her eyes and shook her hand in the air as if the notion of getting married was horrifying. “I’m happy for them. I’ve known Michelle and Brian forever. We go all the way back to high school, but marriage is just not for me.”
Fortunately, Michelle emerged from the fitting room just then, keeping Molly from trying to reply. She looked absolutely gorgeous as she stepped out into the center of the room. A small, round stage was constructed in front of the tri-fold mirror, which gave everyone a thorough view of the dress.
“You look like a princess, Michelle!” Dora resisted the urge to run forward and hug the bride. The skirt was made of voluminous tulle arranged into rosettes, and it frothed around Michelle’s hands where they hung at her sides. The bodice fit perfectly, sparkling with tiny crystals that had all been handsewn onto the fabric. The sweetheart neckline completed the look. The dress was truly unique.
“I’m impressed at how few alterations we have had to do for this gown,” Gloria said, her dark eyes sparkling. “It’s was made for you and you alone!”
Michelle turned to Renee, a nervous wrinkle in her forehead. “What do you think?”
For the first time, Renee’s face actually softened a little. She usually carried around a very hard countenance that matched her severely styled pantsuits a little too well. “You look great, girl. You really do.”
The bride turned to the mirror, swishing the skirt a little around her legs. “You really think so?”
“Of course. Brian is going to just cry when he sees you.” Secretly, that was one of Molly’s favorite things about a wedding. Men usually went through the planning process with a cavalier attitude, pretending that they didn’t care about any of it and were only doing it to make the women happy. But the majority of the time, they were the ones who ended up in tears before they even had the chance to say, “I do.”
Michelle herself began to tear up. Her face crumpled a little, and she took a few deep breaths to calm herself down.
“Oh, look! She’s so happy,” Dora whispered.
“Is there anything else we need to do?” Michelle asked Gloria.
“Not at all.” The dressmaker spread her fingers in the air and smiled. “But you can stay in it as long as you like. I’m in no rush.”
The bride shook her head. “I think I’m done. I don’t want to cry all over it.” She skipped down off the little stage and headed toward the changing room with Gloria in tow.
Molly watched her go, enjoying the gentle movement of the tulle as it swayed
around her. Fashion had changed so much since she was younger, but wedding gowns were still so glorious. She loved it.
She turned around to find Dora, ready to head back to the office, but the assistant was nowhere in sight. Renee grinned and pointed a finger. Molly followed it and found the young woman admiring a big white ballgown on a mannequin. The look was completed with long white gloves, a tiara, and a full-length veil. It wasn’t the sort of look that most modern women went for.
“There’s something nice about a classic look isn’t there?” Molly said, joining her. “I can’t imagine trying to keep the wrinkles out of that satin, but otherwise it’s fabulous.”
Dora almost seemed startled, as though she had been caught doing something naughty. “Y-yes. It’s very nice. I’m ready to go whenever you are. I know I still have some things to take care of.”
“Sounds good to me. I think the rain is getting to these old bones, and there’s nothing I’d like more than heading back for some nice hot tea.” Molly always made sure she was stocked with tea and Dora’s favorite cookies. “We’ll see you later, Renee. Tell Michelle to let us know if she needs anything.”
3
Leaky Friendships
The rain pounded on the windshield as they made their way back to the agency, reminding the two women that they couldn’t avoid the weather no matter how beautiful the dresses back at Gloria’s Gowns were. The wipers were working hard to keep up, but Dora still had to slow down and squint.