“Well, my vision is twenty-twenty and I see just fine. But I’m so distracted by all of this finery.” Mama pointed to a gold-framed mirror on the wall that was nearly the height of the room itself. “Who lives like this?” she whispered.
“Eduardo.” I laughed. “And possibly Aunt Alva—someday.”
“Not sure I could get used to it.” Mama turned to her right and gasped when she saw the statue of the near-naked woman. “My goodness.”
“Oh, you missed the story. Eduardo got this one in Athens,” Alva explained. “He said he wasn’t drawn to it at first, but he felt compelled to purchase it to provide funds for the artist’s family after hearing of his medical issues. Isn’t that just like Eduardo? Always thinking of others.”
Yes, always thinking of others, like me. And Brady.
Brady.
I’d lost him in this huge house.
No, I found him standing next to Stan, who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Madge, who visited with Nadia on the opposite side of the room. Interesting. I overheard Brady and Stan saying something about basketball. Hopefully they wouldn’t interrupt tonight’s festivities with shoptalk, even if it had something to do with Brady’s career. Tonight was all about us, after all.
I moved toward Beau and gestured to the room. “What do you think, Beau?”
“Pretty sure Twiggy took one look at this and wished she lived here. Which means I’m just going to have to work even harder to give her a life like this.”
“Pooh on all that.” Twiggy drew near and slipped her arm through his. “I wouldn’t care if we lived in an apartment with secondhand furniture, as long as we were together.”
“Now this one’s a keeper.” Stan gave a curt nod. “Better snag her quick, Beau.”
“Yes, listen to Stan, honey. Snag me quick.” Twiggy gave my brother a gentle kiss on the cheek.
When all of our guests had arrived, Eduardo clapped his hands together. “Welcome, friends and guests. We are here to honor two people we love—Katie and Brady—with a lovely party. I have asked my chef to prepare some delicious foods. Servers await you in the dining room to lead you through the buffet line. Feel free to sit wherever you are comfortable—at any of the tables, or here in the living room. We want you to feel at home.”
As Brady and I took our place at the front of the buffet line, I noticed the gorgeous silverware and delicate china plates. I couldn’t even imagine how much money had gone into the serving ware alone.
Brady picked up a plate and it almost slipped out of his hand. I lost my breath for a second until I knew he had a firm grip on it. The servers filled our plates with some of the most divine food I’d ever seen—some sort of shrimp appetizers, followed by asparagus, risotto, and something the server called beef Wellington.
We ate our fill and then nibbled on Eduardo’s homemade tres leches cake.
“The recipe was my mother’s,” he explained. “She would be honored that I served it to such wonderful guests.” His eyes flooded with tears. “And you are all like family to me. Now that you know where I live, feel free to come and see me anytime. As I’ve said so many times, mi casa es su casa.”
“I wish this was my casa,” Twiggy said, then laughed.
“Oh, trust me, Eduardo really means it when he says ‘mi casa es su casa.’” Aunt Alva’s face turned pink, and she fanned herself with her napkin. “He really, really means it.”
“From the bottom of my heart.” Eduardo pulled her into his arms and kissed her hair.
“Wait. What are you two not saying?” I asked. “You’re up to something.”
“Oh, just saying that the totally fabulous house is about to be my new home. Once we tie the knot, I mean.” She turned to Eduardo and tapped his arm. “Do you think we could change the wallpaper in the entryway, sweetums? All of that gold is dizzying. Affects my vertigo.”
“But of course.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I want you to be happy in your new home, my darling.”
“I think I must’ve missed something,” Pop said. “What are we talking about?”
Mama’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I think perhaps they’re trying to tell us something. Are you two engaged at last? Is that it?”
“Surely not.” Queenie clucked her tongue. “She’s my sister. She would’ve told me.”
Alva and Eduardo remained locked in each other’s arms. I continued to stare at the two of them. From the looks of things, they were playacting, nothing more.
Right?
Then I caught a glimpse of the rock on Alva’s ring finger, and my heart sailed to my throat. “Oh. My. Goodness! You two really are engaged, aren’t you!”
Alva squealed with obvious delight, then held her finger out to show off the brilliantly cut diamond masterpiece. “I thought you’d never notice. Do you realize how many times I’ve flashed this hand right under your nose tonight? And you never even noticed a thing!”
“Just call me Uncle Eduardo!” Eduardo opened his arms wide for a hug. “Get over here, girl,” he said. “Congratulate us.”
All of my co-workers and family members started talking at once. I took several quick steps toward the happy couple and Eduardo swept me into his arms for a tight hug.
Dahlia reached for my aunt’s left hand and gazed at the ring, words of excitement spilling forth.
I gasped when I saw the diamond in its white gold setting. It looked like something from the 1950s. A luscious marquis diamond in the center, surrounded by exquisite dark red stones. Garnets, maybe?
“Wow, Alva!” Hibiscus squealed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“And you never will,” Eduardo said. “I’ve had this ring since the early sixties. It’s a one-of-a-kind, designed by Joseff of Hollywood. I bought it at a fund-raiser from Doris.”
“Doris . . . Day?” Aunt Alva looked startled by this revelation. “This was Doris Day’s ring?” Her hand began to tremble.
Eduardo reached for Alva’s hand and gave it a squeeze, likely an attempt to quiet her nerves. “Well, I can’t attest to the fact that she owned it, but I purchased it at a fund-raiser held by Doris. She was raising money for our local animal shelter. Even back then she always cared more about animals than stuff. But I’m glad you like the setting. I always thought it was exquisite. Still do, in fact.”
“And just the right size for my finger.” Alva held up her hand for all to see the gorgeous gems. “Which just goes to show you that Doris must have had really fat fingers.”
“Posh. That ring is a size six,” Eduardo said. “Not large at all.”
“What fun! I feel kind of the same way I did when I found out that Cheryl Tiegs and I could both wear the same size panty hose.” Alva giggled. “Such a revelation.”
“Cheryl Tiegs?” Dahlia looked perplexed. “Who’s that?”
“She’s . . . oh, never mind.” Alva laughed. “Wrong generation.”
“Tell us everything, Alva. Don’t leave out a thing.” Twiggy pulled up a chair and insisted my aunt take a seat.
“Yes, how did he propose?” Dahlia asked. “Ooh, hang on a second. I want to grab Dewey so he can take notes.”
I somehow doubted my brother would be taking any notes from the slick, suave Eduardo, but I kept my mouth shut as Dahlia headed across the room to grab him.
Alva’s voice grew animated as she spoke. “Eduardo came to fetch me a little after noon. I knew we had a lot of work to do for the party, so I never suspected a thing. He took me to the most glorious French restaurant—someplace I’d never heard of before with a name I couldn’t pronounce. And right there, with half of the diners looking on, this sweet man pulled out a ring and got down on one knee.”
“Did you hear that, Dewey?” Dahlia jabbed my brother in the ribs. “He got down on one knee.”
“I heard.” My brother took a bite of his tres leches cake and shrugged.
Eduardo swept my aunt into his arms. “Anything for this wonderful woman. I would kneel on a bed of hot coals just to get her to say ‘I do
.’”
“Well, for pity’s sake, I hope it doesn’t come to that. I felt bad enough having you down on the carpet at all. I would’ve said yes even if you’d hopscotched across the room toward me instead. All that mattered was hearing the words.” My aunt’s eyes flooded with tears. “I’d dreamed of them for weeks but to hear them firsthand? Oh, it was like magic, I tell you.” She turned to my co-workers, who appeared to cling to her every word. “Ladies, there’s nothing finer than a fella telling you that he wants to spend his whole life with you.” Alva’s nose wrinkled. “Of course, when you’re in your eighties, you have to wonder about the interpretation of those words, but I’ll take whatever time I can get with this amazing man.”
“And I with you.” Eduardo took her hand and kissed the back of it. “And don’t count on a long engagement, folks. I don’t know how much time I have left on this planet, but I want to spend every moment of it with this wonderful woman. So keep your calendars open and your hearts ready.”
All of the ladies in the room swooned. Well, all but Jane, who rolled her eyes. And maybe Madge. She looked a little put off as she stared at Stan, who watched all of this from a distance.
Everyone continued to congratulate the future bride and groom, until Eduardo reminded them of the real reason for the evening’s festivities. “I do apologize for drawing attention away from our guests of honor,” he said. “But I simply could not resist proposing today, knowing we would all be together tonight. I pray Katie and Brady will forgive the intrusion.”
“No intrusion at all.” I gave him a warm hug. “This is the best night ever.”
The night continued to get better and better as we opened some unexpected gifts, including our honeymoon reservations from Nadia. As the night grew to its rightful close, Brady loaded up our gifts and we said our goodbyes to our host and hostess and the few lingering guests.
“Brady, since you’re taking Katie back to our place, can I hitch a ride?” Alva asked. Just as quickly she put her hand over her mouth, then pulled it away. “Oops. Guess it won’t be our place for long. I’ll have to put that old house of mine on the market, won’t I?” Her broad smile faded a bit. I felt mine fading too.
“Should be easy to sell something with that much charm, sweet girl.” Eduardo gave her a longer-than-usual smooch, and we headed out to the truck.
Alva took the backseat and I sat in front with Brady, who seemed lost in his thoughts.
“Not going to sleep, are you?” Alva asked.
“No way.” He chuckled. “Just thinking about what a cool night it was and what great friends and family members we have. God’s been mighty good to us.”
“For sure,” I said. “I’ll be honest, that was probably the most extravagant party I’ve ever attended—and all for us. I can’t get over the fact that Eduardo pulled it off. Is there anything the man can’t do?”
“From what I hear, he’s not very good at sports.” Brady laughed. “But with an artistic flair like his, who cares?”
Sports.
Just that one word reminded me that Brady and I still needed to talk about his basketball plans. Later, of course, without my aunt listening in.
“Were you disappointed that we chose your special night to announce our engagement?” Alva asked. “You can be honest. It’s just us now.”
“Not disappointed at all. Tonight was all about love. Seeing that ring on your finger was the icing on the cake for me, Aunt Alva. And I really loved what Eduardo said about how he feels he’s part of the family.”
“Won’t be long before we all really are.” Alva yawned. Then I yawned. Then Brady yawned.
“Don’t fall asleep on me now,” my aunt said to Brady. “I’m in my eighties and I’ve never had a honeymoon before. If you drive off the road and kill me, I’ll miss it completely. So keep your eyes wide open, if you please.”
Brady laughed out loud at that one. I did too. As I settled back against the seat, as I thought through the truth of what Alva had just said, I realized something rather extraordinary: we were both about to get married. That meant we had not one but two weddings to plan! I had a feeling hers might be a little different from mine, but no doubt both would give us memories we wouldn’t soon forget.
18
I’m Gonna Love You Through It
I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.
Audrey Hepburn
May eased its way into June, and before long the wedding shop was filled with more customers than we could handle—most preparing for June weddings. By the time we reached the first week in July, I was ready to collapse.
Not that I had time to rest. With wedding plans looming, I needed to stay focused. And I needed to encourage Brady, who—after many hours of prayer and conversation—had decided to try his hand once more at a new season with the Mavericks. Of course, this meant a lot of physical therapy. And hours on the court, testing his limits. This took him away from Cosmopolitan Bridal much of the time, but no one dared complain, not with his passion for basketball reigniting.
We somehow managed without him at the shop, but it sure did make for lonely days. On the first Tuesday in July, Alva asked if she could ride with me to the bridal salon.
“Itching to spend time with your fiancé?” I asked.
“Something like that.” She gave me a girlish smile. “I’ll take all the time I can get with him.”
This only made me long for Brady’s company even more. When we arrived at the store a short while later and I saw his truck in the parking lot, my heart almost burst into song.
“Brady’s here today.” I turned off the car and stared at his empty vehicle.
“Nothing too strange about that, right?” Alva asked.
“Oh, he usually spends the mornings at the gym or on the court. We rarely see him until later in the day.”
“Well, maybe he needs to be here for something special.” Alva shrugged.
“Looks like he’s not alone.” I shifted my gaze around the parking lot. “I can’t believe Hibiscus beat me here.”
“Hmm?” Alva looked up from her cell phone. “What, honey?”
“Oh, just saying that Hi is here. And Jane.” I pointed to her older-model sedan. “And Dahlia. And Twiggy. Just so strange. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I was late, not early.”
“Maybe they’re doing inventory or something,” my aunt said.
“Inventory.” I considered that. Maybe. But wouldn’t I have known about it? Nadia would’ve asked for my help, for sure.
Before I could think twice about it, Brady walked out of the store and headed right for us. At that very moment a text came through from Lori-Lou, asking if I wanted to go to the pediatrician’s office with her on Thursday. Who had time for that? Didn’t she know I had work to do?
I responded to Lori-Lou’s text with “Let’s talk later” and then noticed Nadia pulling into the parking spot beside me. She climbed out of her car, looking as glorious as usual in a lightweight suit and perfectly coiffed hair. Really? Who looked like that on a random Tuesday morning? If I worked all day, I couldn’t look as put together as my future mother-in-law.
Brady approached my car just as his mother got out of hers.
Alva shoved her phone into her oversized purse. “Sorry, y’all, but I’ve got to go to the little girls’ room. You folks take your time. Don’t rush on my account.”
“Okay. See you in a bit.”
I turned to Nadia, giving her a wave, and then focused on Brady. He pulled me into a warm embrace and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Good morning, you.”
“Well, good morning to you too. I can’t believe you’re here. Don’t you have physical therapy or something?”
“They rescheduled for later in the afternoon, so I decided to swing by. That all right?”
“Of course.” I glanced at his dress shirt and slacks and gave a little whistle. “This is twice now I’ve seen you dolled up. What’s the occasion?”
“Oh, I h
ave an event later today. I’ll tell you all about it when we get inside.”
“That’s my boy,” Nadia said. “Lookin’ like a champ.” This somehow led to a conversation about men’s fashion, which—as always—led back to a lengthy discussion about wedding trends. Brady listened politely, but I had a feeling he wanted to bolt.
After a few minutes the front door of the shop opened and Madge stepped outside. She glanced our way and waved, then walked toward us. “Having a party out here?” she asked when she got within hearing range.
“Oh, just girl talk,” Nadia said. Brady cleared his throat. “Okay, okay, just a talk with two of the people I love most in the world. Have I mentioned how blessed I feel?”
“You are blessed, my friend.” Madge gave her a warm hug. “You’ve got the best son in town, the best incoming daughter-in-law, and the best business to boot. What more could a mama ask for?”
What indeed?
“Cosmopolitan Bridal is my home,” Nadia said. “My baby. I guess that’s what we empty nesters do—we fall in love with our work.”
“If I had half your talent, I’d be in love with dress design too.” I sighed. “Even without the talent, I love this place. I have ever since the first time I laid eyes on it.”
“I’m so happy you’ve fallen for the bridal shop like I have.” Nadia’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s hard to explain the effect it has on me, but I fall in love with dress design all over again every time I walk through the front door.”
“I still remember the very first time I walked through the doors of Cosmopolitan Bridal.” As I spoke the words, I thought back on that amazing day. “I came to tell you that I couldn’t possibly take the gown I’d won in the contest. But when I got here, I was so distracted—in a good way—by the shop, by the people who worked here . . .”
“And by my shocking good looks,” Brady chimed in.
“Well, yes, that too.” I giggled. “But honestly, I was so enamored with everything and everyone that I couldn’t seem to think straight. This place has a magical effect on people, I think. It’s not just a bridal shop, it’s a . . . a . . .” I paused to choose my next words. “It’s like entering a fairy-tale kingdom, one where dreams really do come true.”