Page 1 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

Prologue

“Where is she?”Sixteen-year-old Aylin Broussard asked impatiently, her nose pressed against the window of the designer boutique at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn. “Even though I told everyone not to show up until eleven, I wouldn’t be surprised if they arrived early, before Camille has a chance to see what we’ve come up with to update her mother’s wedding gown.”

“Whatyou’vecome up with, my dear,” Rene Vasquez said, wrapping an arm around Aylin’s shoulders. “All the credit definitely goes to you. I’ve simply made a few suggestions.”

A former model and friend of Danielle Loughlin, one of the Inn’s owners, Rene had managed the boutique for several years before buying out the previous owner.

Aylin had been full of questions since she was considering going to design school if she could think of a way to bring up the subject to her parents. She knew full well that Dad was expecting her to attend college once she graduated from high school.

“Let’s take a look at the bridesmaid gowns again,” Rene suggested. “You’ve made a great choice from what I had in stock since your family came down to the wire on making these last-minute wedding plans for your brother and sister-in-law. Sometimes previous cancellations really do come in handy. I willadmit that I was wondering if I would be able to repurpose them since they’re so holiday specific. Although I guess they would have worked for a Valentine’s wedding, I suppose, and not just for Christmas.”

“This deep red velvety fabric is really beautiful though, isn’t it? Although I feel like the gowns need something more around the waist and wrists for accent. Why did they cancel?” Aylin asked, pursing her lips as she fingered the fabric, considering some of the embellishments she’d chosen for the gowns.

“Not for any terrible reason. They simply decided they were rushing into marriage much too quickly.”

Aylin shook her head in amazement once again. She couldn’t believe her brother Rafe had been married to Camille after they’d both turned eighteen, before Rafe had entered the Army. On Saturday, which was Christmas Day, Dad was giving them a second ceremony with all the bells and whistles at a chapel nearby.

“Aylin? Rene?” Camille smiled at them as they stood in the open workroom when she walked through the boutique entrance. “I’m sorry if I’m a little late. Rafe and I lost track of time.” She glanced around. “Am I the first one here?”

“Not exactly,” Aylin admitted, feeling sheepish. “I kind of wanted them to see the full effect of the gown after we’ve pinned in the alterations. They won’t be here for another couple hours.”

Rene smiled. “I gather that most of your family isn’t aware of Aylin’s hidden talents?”

Camille’s look was quizzical as Aylin cleared her throat while holding up a sketchpad.

“Here’s what I had in mind,” she said.

When Camille reached for the sketchpad, her jaw dropped after studying the rendering of the wedding gown Aylin had drawn.

“Aylin,”she gasped. “I had no idea you could even draw like this let alone redesign a relatively simple gown and transform it into something that’s absolutely stunning. I felt proud wearing it at the botanical garden when Mom was still alive to see our small secret wedding. But my mom would have definitely approved of the changes, since this is our first step moving forward after dealing with so much tragedy since we were first married.” She held up the sketchpad. “So, do you really think that we’ll be able to make my mom’s wedding gown look like this?”

“We can begin right away if you’d like to put on the gown,” Aylin said, smiling.

“How about I take off my coat first?” Camille said, grinning.

“I guess I’m kind of anxious to get started,” Aylin admitted, feeling sheepish.

“I’m glad,” Camille said, reaching out and squeezing her hand. “I can’t wait to see how it looks once you’re finished.”

“Why don’t you help yourself to coffee if you’d like and we’ll show you the fabrics that Aylin chose before you put on the gown?” Rene suggested, heading behind the counter where everything was laid out on a table.

Another hour and a half later, Aylin stood back with satisfaction as she stared at the cutouts she’d placed and pinned onto the original wedding gown. With the delicate beaded fabric covering the bodice, the gown looked completely different. Aylin had also incorporated a long length of the fabric into the train, transforming the simple wedding dress into one that was designer formal.

Rene stood back, smiling her approval, giving her advice whenever she was asked.

“When are you going to let me see how it looks?” Camille asked, sounding impatient.

Aylin held up a staying hand.

Camille blinked, before she began laughing. “Since when did you become so commanding, Aylin?”

“I suspect it was when she began having confidence in herself,” Rene said, giving Camille a grin. “It’s hard to believe that Aylin and I only met last night after your family arrived at the Inn. She came in here practically demanding to take charge of everything related to your wedding.”

Aylin was too busy concentrating to pay much attention to what was being said.

She pursed her lips. “What do you think, Ms. Vasquez?”

“Please just call me Rene, Aylin,” Rene replied, approaching to study the gown closely. “You’re doing meticulous work. I think she looks beautiful.”

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