Laura stood alone in her apartment, taking in her reflection in the full-length mirror Sarah had unearthed from the basement. Her future mother-in-law had produced a wedding-day miracle. She’d used material cut from the back of the dress to fashion a halter that looked like it belonged there. The designer would have a heart attack if she ever saw what they’d done to her creation.

Laura turned and took a good long look at her back on full display, covered only by the filmy headpiece Sarah had fashioned from tulle she’d found in the attic. Her mother-in-law was astonishingly resourceful, which she had credited to years of making Halloween costumes for seven children.

Laura hadn’t planned to wear a headpiece, but she felt more comfortable with the tulle covering her exposed back.

A knock on the door preceded her father into the room. He stopped short at the sight of her. “Oh my goodness, love. Look at you.”

“Good?” she asked with a smile for her dad.

“Exceptional. I’ve never seen you look more beautiful. You’re positively glowing.”

“Thank you so much for marrying us, Daddy. You know I wanted you last time, but Justin’s mother pushed for the church.”

“I know, sweetheart, and I’m much more pleased to be performing this ceremony than I would’ve been about that one. I love Owen. He’s a man worthy of my beautiful daughter.”

“Yes, he is,” Laura said. “But don’t make me cry. I don’t want to be a mess at my own wedding.”

“You couldn’t possibly be a mess.” With his hands on her arms, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “Close your eyes so you won’t cry. I have something I want to tell you. Two things, actually.”

“You’re really going to do this to me, huh?”

“’Fraid so.”

Laura smiled at him and closed her eyes as directed.

“One, I love you so very much. You and your brother are the best part of my life, and I’m incredibly proud of both of you. And two, your mother would be, too. She would’ve loved Owen, and she would’ve loved the woman you grew up to be. I wanted you to know that.” The brush of his handkerchief under her eyes caught the tears that escaped despite her effort to contain them.

“Thank you for telling me that. I like to think she’d be proud of me.”

“She would be, honey. Definitely. Now, are you ready to get married?”

“I’m very ready.”

Frank extended his arm to her. “Then let’s get to it.”

Chapter 29

Chapter 29