Miss Evie smiled. “Let’s just say that I’ve had to let out a lot of waistlines and the groom knows nothing. Now, let’s talk about what your sister likes.”

“Simple, plain,” Kelly said.

“Cheap,” Adam said.

Miss Evie led the way to the back of the store to two long rows of white dresses. “Take a look to see what you like. I’ll make us some tea.”

As Kelly went through the dresses, she kept thinking, What would Vera like? Kelly passed by lace and beaded tops, strapless and scooped-out necklines.

Finally, she chose two dresses she thought might appeal to her sister. There was no silk, no satin or anything shiny. One dress had long sleeves, a ruffle at the bottom and one around the neck. It was Nebraska prairie.

“It’s a bit long for you,” Miss Evie said.

“Vera is taller than me and has less...”

“Curves?” Miss Evie said. “Then let’s try these.”

By the time Kelly got into the first dress, they were thirty minutes into their hour-long appointment. Adam was on the couch and nearly asleep. Seeing Kelly in the plain dress didn’t make him fully wake up.

“Yeah, she might like that,” he said.

There were three more like it. One was high-waisted with Renaissance sleeves. Very modest. Another had a skirt made of layers of ruffles. It swallowed Kelly.

As she took it off, she told Miss Evie, “This is harder than I thought.”

“Trying to be someone you aren’t always is. Would you do something for me and try on a dress that would fit you?”

“There’s no reason for me to do that. It’s my sister who needs—Oh.” She was looking at the dress Miss Evie was holding.

“This just came in and no one has tried it on. It’s your size.”

The short-sleeved top was lace that was as delicate as a spider’s web. Under it was a pale ivory gauze. The skirt was white silk as fine as the breath of a butterfly.

“Is that real?” Kelly asked. “I’m afraid to touch it.”

Smiling, Miss Evie gathered up the skirt to slip the gown over Kelly’s head.

It fit perfectly. Due to her job, Kelly mostly wore jeans and loose-fitting shirts. Her mother had made her some dresses that were nice, but this gown was... “I’m afraid to move,” she whispered.

Miss Evie practically shoved her out of the dressing room. “I want to see if anything will wake that young man up.”

“Adam? But he’s my brother-in-law. Or will be. Why should he even notice?”

Miss Evie didn’t reply as she led Kelly into the waiting room. Adam was dozing on the couch.

“Well?” Kelly said loudly. “What do you think of this one?”

Adam sat up, then did a double take. “That’s nice,” he said.