“Yes, you did, and you nailed it. I thought I’d lose it when your mother said you weren’t right for the dress.” Claire unfastened the last button and tapped Hannah on the shoulder. “Raise your arms. I’m going to climb up and pull it right off.”
Several moments later, the deed was done and Hannah gave a sigh of relief as Claire hung the gown back on its hanger. It was time to introduce a subject that was much more important than a wedding gown. “Lisa said that Stephanie Bascomb showed up next door in a new outfit. Do you know why she bought a new outfit?”
“A new wardrobe,” Claire corrected her. “And yes, I can make an educated guess, especially since the mayor’s newest girlfriend also has several new outfits.”
“Stephanie made infidelity pay?”
“You could say that. And so did the mayor’s newest girlfriend. He stopped by with his credit card this morning and told me to give Stephanie anything she wanted. And let me tell you, she wanted a lot!”
“Has this girlfriend been in here yet?”
“Not yet. He told me to keep his credit card because someone would be stopping in later on this afternoon. I’m supposed to make sure she gets a very nice good-bye gift.”
“They broke up?”
“It sounded that way to me. Or if they didn’t break up quite yet, he was planning to cut her loose really soon. Thanks to the mayor, this is going to be a big-ticket day for me.”
“Will you tell me who it is when the mayor’s new girlfriend comes in?”
“You don’t have to wait that long. I already know who it is because he told me her name.” Claire stopped speaking and started to smile. “To paraphrase your mother, listen carefully because I never repeat gossip.”
“I’m listening.”
“It’s one of your fellow contestants, Gloria Berkeley. And her spending limit is a thousand dollars, but you didn’t hear that from me, either.” Claire paused and took a deep breath. “That’s enough about our philandering mayor. Let’s talk about something more pleasant. At least we have the Cinderella dress out of the way. Would you like to end your shopping ordeal early?”
“Of course I would! You know how I hate to try on clothing.”
“Then we’ll bring out the best I have and knock their socks off with it.”
Hannah watched as Claire placed one of the hangers on the first hook. “This is it,” Claire said. “This is the one I think you should wear. Put on the long skirt, the shell top, and the tunic jacket that matches the skirt.”
“Okay, but . . .”
“Just do it. We left them with a disappointing taste in their mouths. Now we’re going to show them what Hannah Swensen should look like on her wedding day.”
“Are you sure that we can . . . ?”
“Have I ever steered you wrong, Hannah?” Claire interrupted her.
“No, you never have. I’ll do whatever you say I should do. And I’ll send two dozen Lunchbox Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies over to you if you’re right.”
“It’s a deal. Bob loves those cookies and so does Grandma Knudson.”
The moment Claire had left the dressing room, Hannah reached for the hanger. This was the wedding dress that Claire had liked the best, a lovely cream-colored satin brocade with a raised design of lilacs in shades of green, violet, and a pink so pale, it gave new meaning to the term pastel. The barely visible colors and the sheen of the material created a palette that changed almost imperceptively with the light.
“Gorgeous!” Hannah breathed, slipping the top over her head and pulling it down. It was long, almost as long as her favorite tunic top. Then she reached out for the skirt and stared in confusion at the garments on the multiple hangers that had been nestled beneath the top she had donned.
“Hannah? Do you need help?” Claire opened the dressing room door a crack so that she could be heard clearly.
“Come in, Claire.” Hannah walked over to open the door all the way and then she turned to gesture toward the other garments on the nestled hangers. “What is all this, anyway?”
“It’s what the designer calls a wardrobe.”
“Great, but what does that mean?”
“I’ll show you.” Claire walked over to the hanger and removed the first garment. “This is the skirt. It’s floor length and it goes with that long shell top you’re wearing. The designer calls this his evening dress. Put it on, Hannah. And then slip into this jacket. It’s long enough to go over the tunic top.”
Hannah did as Claire instructed and then she glanced in the mirror. What she saw made her smile. “I really like this, Claire!”
“And so will they, especially if you thank your mother for choosing such a marvelous outfit for you.”
“Mother chose this?”
“Of course not, but she’ll never admit she didn’t. Come on, Hannah. Let’s go show them.”
Hannah’s knees were shaking slightly as they headed for the alcove where her family was waiting. Claire was absolutely right. She really wanted to wear this outfit for her wedding.
“Oh my!” Delores said, when Hannah approached. “That’s gorgeous, dear!”