“This is so exciting.” Hailey settled into the car and buckled her seat belt. “I can’t wait to see what dress she picks.”
“I wish Addison had even a quarter of your enthusiasm,” Blythe said as she pulled out of the driveway.
Hailey turned to look at her mother. “Addison doesn’t let her emotions show much, Mom. You know that. It doesn’t mean she’s not enthusiastic.”
“I guess I don’t understand. This is supposed to be one of the happiest times in a young woman’s life. She should be brimming with excitement. Certainly Darcy would be,” Blythe said, keeping her eyes fixed on the road.
“Mom.” Hailey said the word like a reprimand. “You have to stop this. Gabriel’s not marrying Darcy. He’s in love with Addison. I don’t know why you’re having such a hard time with that.”
Blythe flexed her fingers on the steering wheel but said nothing. Hailey was right about Addison. She might not have had Darcy’s joie de vivre, but why would she, given all that she’d had to overcome? If Blythe were being honest, she had to admit that Addison possessed an inner strength, a courage even, that was admirable. It was unfair to compare her to Darcy. “Have you and Addison talked about your dress?” she asked, changing the subject.
“She just said to pick something I’d be happy to wear again. Not a froufrou bridesmaid dress, thank goodness. But I’ll wait and let her choose hers first.”
Blythe didn’t reply. Hailey was to be Addison’s only attendant. It bothered Blythe that in the two years Addison had lived in Philadelphia, she hadn’t gotten close enough to anyone else to include in the wedding. She wondered what that said about Addison’s ability to connect with people.
Blythe was able to avoid sensitive topics for the rest of the short drive, and when they walked into the salon, she was pleased to see that Addison was already there and talking to Philippa Morgan, the owner.
“Ah, here they are,” Philippa said as she and Addison turned to welcome them. “Hello, Mrs. Oliver. Addison and I were just talking about what kind of style she has in mind.”
“Please call me Blythe. This is my daughter, Hailey.” She stepped forward to give Addison a quick hug. “Hello, my dear.”
“Thank you for arranging this, Blythe,” Addison said. “I appreciate it.”
“Wonderful,” Philippa gushed. “May I get you coffee or tea? Perhaps some water?”
“Nothing for me,” Addison said.
Blythe waved her hand. “Maybe later. Why don’t we get started?”
“Perfect. Well, as I was saying, Addison and I had a few minutes to talk about the styles she’s interested in seeing, so why don’t you and Hailey have a seat while I take the bride-to-be to the dressing room?” The owner turned to Addison. “All long-sleeved, right?” She waited for Addison’s nod and then said to Blythe, “She’ll be out in a jiffy to model for you.”
After a few minutes Philippa swept back into the room with a flourish. “Here is the first dress for you to see.”
When Addison stepped up onto the dais in a Carolina Herrera silk gown with a cascading train in the back, both mother and daughter gasped. She looked stunningly beautiful in the elegant, form-fitting dress.
“Oh my,” Blythe finally said. “I’m not sure she needs to try on anything else.”
“It’s fabulous,” Hailey chimed in. “You look amazing.”
“I . . . I don’t know,” Addison said, turning around and looking at her reflection from different angles. She stepped down from the pedestal and went to Blythe. “It’s so expensive,” she said softly. “I didn’t even want to try it on, but Philippa insisted.”
“She was right. It’s perfect for you.”
“But it’s almost nine thousand dollars,” Addison said, looking stricken. “I’m not sure I’d be comfortable wearing a dress that cost so much.”
It was a struggle to contain her frustration, but Blythe did her best. “I understand,” she said, and turned to Philippa. “I think we’re interested in seeing some gowns that are more in the one-or two-thousand-dollar range.” She looked at Addison. “How does that sound?”
“I’m sorry. I hope you don’t think I’m ungrateful, because I’m not. You and Ted have been wonderful. It’s just . . .” She looked at the floor, and Blythe could tell that she was trying not to cry.