Page 6 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

“Now, I’m more impressed.”

“There’s more beading to do.”

“All hand stitched.”

“Yes, and the hideaway zipper’s going to be a challenge, but it’s the detailing that’s going to make this gown come to life.”

“Julie’s a lucky girl.”

“We’ll see.”

Simone gave her a don’t-go-there look. “She’s going to love it, because you’re great at what you do. Don’t doubt yourself, Taylor. Ever.”

Simone was not only a loyal friend, she was a big fan of her work, which warmed her inside, but Taylor still couldn’t believe she was out of a job. She’d worked so hard to get to this position in life and now, it all seemed to have blown away on a frivolous gust. She felt like the star of a terrible dream. She wanted to wake up and have it all go away. She wanted her old reality, not this new one that totally sucked.

She said goodbye to Simone, giving her a long, loving embrace. It was late and her friend had to get up early for work the next morning. Whereas tomorrow, Taylor had only to pack her bags and lament her future.

She donned her blue polka dot pajamas, which were much too cheery for her mood, and slipped into bed after midnight. Oddly, as her eyes closed, the first image filling her head was of a seventeen-year-old Ryan Cooper, kissing her goodbye for the final time behind Julie’s gazebo in Last Stand.

Chapter Two

As soon asshe landed at the Texas airport and caught sight of Julie’s smiling face, Taylor’s entire body relaxed. The air here was fresher, and warmer than the cold, almost nonexistent spring in New York, and now a deep sense of déjà vu set in, recalling the excitement of visiting Julie as a child. Their summers together, she, Julie, and Coop were the best and they’d nicknamed themselves the Three Musketeers. Coop didn’t mind playing with girls; he was the most vocal and often dictated the terms.

“Julie, it’s great to see you.” She hugged her cousin tightly. Even though it’d been two years since she’d come to New York for a visit, it was like no time had actually passed between them. They spoke on the phone regularly and FaceTimed often.

“Same here. Oh, we’re going to have a good time, Taye. But first,” Julie said, taking her hands and giving them a loving squeeze, “tell me, how’re you doing? I’m so sorry about the way things turned out at Boutique Bridal. I swear, they don’t know what they’re missing.”

“Thanks, hon. I’ll be okay.” She shrugged. “Dad says one day I’ll be glad about this. He says I’ll find a place where I’m really appreciated. You know, he’s a great believer in destiny.”

“I know. How’s he doing?”

“Going strong. But I still worry about him doing too much at his age.” Her father was a minister and had been living and preaching to his congregation in Florida ever since her mom had passed some five years ago. Knowing him, he hadn’t taken a day off since.

“Still thinks he’s thirty-nine and holding?” Julie asked.

“Exactly.” Her dad was thirty years older than that. “But he’s excited to officiate your wedding.”

“I can’t wait to see Uncle Jay. It’s been too long.”

They retrieved her luggage and the garment bag housing Julie’s wedding gown and off they went, her cousin behind the wheel of a red convertible sports car. Funny thing, ever since Julie had met Miguel, the grade school teacher in her had become much more adventurous and less timid about things. Love, she’d said, had a way of changing a person. But love had eluded Taylor all these years.

Unless she counted that last summer with Coop. They’d been so young, with both of their lives ahead of them. And she’d had to leave. She’d had a promise to keep. To her mom and to herself.

As they motored toward Julie’s farmhouse on the outskirts of Last Stand, they reminisced about their youth and all the changes occurring lately in town. The car was moving at a fast clip, springtime breezes lifted her hair and sunshine lightened her mood. She stuck her chin skyward, closing her eyes toward the warmth and laughing at Julie’s stories. It was easy to forget her troubles here. She had Simone to thank for persuading her to make this trip early. “Simone.” She smacked her wrist to her forehead. “Sorry, Julie. Have to text my friend.”

“No problem. Say hello to her for me, will you?”

Her thumbs worked fast, and she sent the message that all was well, she’d landed safely. And after she was through with her message and tucked her phone back into her purse, Julie pulled the car into the driveway. “Here we are.”

“Wow,” Taylor said, taking in the house she hadn’t seen since Aunt Suzie died some seven years ago. “It looks great. But it’s blue, not yellow anymore.”

“Miguel helped me pick out the cornflower blue.” Julie parked the car. “The yellow was faded and we wanted to replace it with something more vibrant.”

“It’s pretty, especially against the white trim and shutters.” The property was several acres of rolling meadow that once had been farmland. For three young children spending the summer together, it had been the perfect place to explore. There was a tree house back behind the barn that Julie’s dad had built. Was it still there? And what about the gazebo where they’d played endless games? “I really like it.”

“Thanks, we thought we needed a change since Dad’s giving us the house as a wedding present.”

“That’s so sweet of Uncle Zach.”

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