Second Chance Mom by Mary Kate Holder

Author:Mary Kate Holder
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2005-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Annie was the last to get ready that afternoon. Caroline hadn’t said very much to her since she arrived and obviously wasn’t excited about the proceedings ahead. Eve had enough exuberance to keep Caroline smiling at least some of the time and to save Annie from reliving her earlier bout of nerves.

Annie watched as Eve did her granddaughter’s hair, drying and brushing it until it hung down Caroline’s back in a shiny cascade.

The dress the little girl had chosen was emerald green, a very simple style with a deep green belt at the waist and lace on the short sleeves. She was putting on her best shoes when Annie complimented her on how beautiful she looked. Her reply was a murmured “thank you.”

But if Caroline’s attitude was subdued, Eve’s was as lively as a firecracker and a keg of energy besides. When Annie opened the bedroom door to her a little later, Eve’s exclamation made Annie smile.

“Oh my!”

Annie smoothed her hand over the delicate fabric that clung to her. “I think we picked the right dress.”

Eve came into the room. “You picked the right dress.”

“I feel funny inside, not quite nerves, and not quite butterflies.”

Eve reached for Annie’s veil, which was hanging near the mirror. “Don’t even try to explain the feeling, Annie. I’ve been there and trust me, there are no words. Even now, more than thirty years later, I still couldn’t describe it if someone asked me to.”

Annie stood still as Eve set the veil in place. She had worked hard on her hair to get it just right. She was leaving it long today as Jared had asked.

Eve turned her toward the mirror when she was done. Secured in her hair by a seemingly invisible clip, the semicircle of small daisies and tiny rosebuds that Eve had worked on last night was the most beautiful thing she had seen.

Edged in fine lace, the veil ended just past her hips. Annie realized she had her wish. She looked very old-world Victorian.

In the mirror, she saw Caroline come to the doorway. “What do you think, sweetie? Isn’t Annie beautiful?”

“You look very pretty.” The words were nice but there was no warmth in her voice. Still, Annie felt hopeful.

She slipped into the white pumps she’d bought and picked up the lovely bouquet Eve had made.

A car came up the driveway. “The boys are here, both big and small.” Eve let the curtain fall back into place. “And the Peterses rolled in right behind them.”

Caroline was gone in an instant.

“Does Jared look nervous?”

“Jared never looks anything but totally in control,” Eve said. “You have to look into his eyes to see his emotions. He can’t hide it there.”

Eve looked thoughtful for a moment. “The buffet is ready, the chairs are out in the garden.” She cinched her bathrobe tighter around her. “I’m going to finish getting dressed. When everyone is ready and Reverend Kane arrives, I’ll send Mick up for you.”

Annie took a deep breath. “I’ll be here.”

Eve gave her one last hug.

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