“You should see this.”
Tessa’s mouth fell open. “I can’t believe it.”
I straightened my back, adrenaline kicking in. “I’ll handle Brenda after the ceremony. For now, I need another dress.”
A memory hit: Mom’s wedding gown, boxed in the attic for decades.
“Come with me,” I said.
Jess grabbed her flats, and we ran up the back stairs, dodging Aunt Lynn, who called out, “Everything okay, girls?”
“Just a wardrobe hiccup!” Jess called back.
“For now, I need another dress.”
***
The attic was hot, dusty, and sunlight streamed through a tiny window. We pushed aside bins and old luggage until I found the ivory box, heavy and sealed with yellowed tape.
Jess wiped dust off her hands and grinned. “Moment of truth, Cal.”
I peeled back the tissue. Mom’s gown gleamed, ivory satin, delicate beadwork catching the light.
Jess squeezed my arm. “Try it on. If it fits, it’s fate.”
I slipped it on, it fit like fate, and Jess zipped me up.
“If it fits, it’s fate.”
I blinked back tears. “Let’s get back before Dad sends a search party.”
We raced out the door. The ride back was a blur; Jess kept peeking at me at every red light.
“Anna just texted,” Jess said, glancing at her phone. “She’s waiting in the bridal suite with safety pins and hairspray, says she’ll help with whatever you need.”
Anna was Rowan’s sister, and I’d grown to love her, too.
The ride back was a blur.
***
By the time we pulled up, Anna was standing by the door, waving both hands.
“Come on! We’ve got to hurry if you’re going to make it on time!”
We rushed inside, hearts pounding. Anna grinned, grabbing a makeup brush. They worked together: Jess handling the skirt, Anna fixing my curls, both fussing over every detail.
When I finally stood in front of the mirror, I sighed.
Jess squeezed my shoulder. “Let’s go have your moment.”
“Come on! We’ve got to hurry!”
***
My dad was pacing at the entrance. His face softened when he saw me in Mom’s gown.
“You look just like her, honey.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “Think she’d be proud?”
“She already is. Come on, let’s walk down this aisle.”
Rowan’s eyes widened as I walked in.
“Wow!” he mouthed, awestruck.
The guests turned, whispers rippling through the pews. Brenda went pale, clutching her purse like a lifeline.
“Wow!”
Dad squeezed my arm and handed me to Rowan.
Rowan leaned in, grinning. “I’d marry you in a burlap sack. But this is something else.”
I laughed, tension easing. “Let’s get married before something else goes wrong.”
**
The ceremony began. Rowan’s vows were emotional. I stumbled through mine, voice cracking once.
“You are my family now, Rowan.”
As the officiant prompted the ring exchange, I felt something odd under the hem, a tug, a sudden give.
“Let’s get married before something else goes wrong.”
Then a rip. A thick yellow envelope slid out and hit the marble floor with a sharp smack.
Silence filled the room.
“I’ve heard about brides hiding food in their dresses,” Aunt Lynn said loudly. “But an envelope?”
Dad bent and picked it up. He read the front.
“It’s for you, Callie.”
He opened it and pulled out a handwritten letter and a neat bundle of papers.
A thick yellow envelope slid out and hit the marble floor.
Brenda shifted in her seat, a deep frown on her face.
Dad’s eyes scanned the first lines. Then he read aloud, voice cracking as he spoke Mom’s words:
“My dearest Callie,
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