They were in the bride’s room at the resort. Their mom was out getting her picture taken in her beautiful gown. Dena looked fabulous in a simple sleeveless V-neck, A-line gown, although part of her glow could be her newfound happiness with Micah. Dena had announced they were seriously involved, and unbeknownst to Dena, Micah had asked their father for his permission to marry his daughter.

Reggie, on the other hand, was missing a man who wasn’t communicating with her. Nearly as uncomfortable, she was wearing a strapless dress trimmed in—wait for it—faux feathers, and except for the lining, made entirely of tulle.

“What was I thinking when I wore this?”

“You begged Mom to get you the dress. You said if she did, you would never ask for anything again.”

Reggie grimaced. “I was so wrong.”

“At least it fits.”

“It has feathers! If I’d known I was going to have to wear it, I could have taken them off, but there wasn’t time. I’m humiliated. The dogs look better than me.”

Reggie pointed at Belle and Burt. Belle had on the pretty dress Reggie had made, while Burt was in a doggy T-shirt printed to look like a tuxedo. His back was better, and the two of them had kept their odd connection.

“There are going to be pictures,” Reggie whined. “I’ll have to look at myself in this dress forever.”

“I’m trying to be sympathetic,” Dena said, patting her bare shoulder. “It’s a wedding. People dress weird.”

“They don’t usually dress in old prom dresses.” Reggie sighed. “All right. I’m done complaining. After the ceremony, I’m taking the dogs home. Mom said I could change into the cocktail dress I’d been planning to wear. So it’s only for, what? Another hour? I can survive that.”

Compared to missing Toby and worrying that it was over for them, once again, the dress was kind of no big deal. Why hadn’t the man called? Or texted? Or come by? They lived in a very small town—he could walk to her house from his office.

The complete absence of any communication had her worried that the silence was the answer. Maybe he’d heard everything she’d said and come to the decision that he wasn’t interested in her that way. Maybe he never had to even wonder about it—maybe everything that had happened had been in her head. Now, there was a depressing thought that really put her feathers into perspective.

Paisley walked into the bride’s room. “We’re about ready to start.” She paused and stared at Reggie. “Oh, my. You weren’t kidding. That’s your old prom dress. I remember because I was so jealous that you got to wear it. You were so beautiful and cool.”

Dena grinned. “Mention the feathers. She likes that.”

“Don’t, I beg you.”