“You can have them for free,” Jody said. “This is all surreal. I gave Lyle my heart, my soul, and my life for more than fourteen years. How can he just walk away like that without even telling me to my face? And what do I do now? I feel like an empty shell. We’ve got so much on our plates right now that y’all don’t need to be taking care of me. We’re moving. You’re pregnant. The world is spinning too fast.”

Mitzi tucked a strand of red hair back into her ponytail. “Look at it like this: You’re like an empty gallon-sized pickle jar. You’re cleaned out and you’re ready to be filled up with whatever you want. You can put one thing in it a day or a dozen. It’s your choice because Lyle doesn’t control your choices anymore.”

“I’ll try to steer my thoughts that way, but today I want revenge, not new beginnings,” Jody answered.

“Hey, where is everyone? We’re here.” Dixie’s and Tabby’s voices blended together as they entered the back door of the shop.

“In the sewing room,” Jody called out to them. “I’ll put their names in my jar. Their positive attitude is like sunshine after the storm.”

“Isn’t it great that the girls are comfortable in their skin?” Paula whispered.

“I wish I’d had more of that kind of confidence,” Jody said. “Then I’d still be a size sixteen instead of a four.”

Mitzi stifled a giggle. “Never heard that before. Most of us want to be petite little trophy women.”

“Look what it got me,” Jody said. “Some trophy.”

“What do you want us to do—oh, my goodness, that black lace is pretty.” Tabby entered the sewing room ahead of Dixie.

“Raise your right hand.” Just seeing Tabby’s exuberance over a bolt of black lace erased part of Jody’s horrible mood.

Both of their hands shot up.

“Now repeat after me,” she said. “I do hereby swear to never tell anyone about anything that happens or is created at The Perfect Dress.”

The girls said the words so seriously that Jody almost laughed. “Okay, you are sworn in as legitimate employees. This is Ellie Mae’s wedding dress.”

“Oh. My. Gosh!” Dixie gasped. “I didn’t know you could get married in black.”

“That’s the same lace that we used in the bouquet we made,” Tabby said.