California Waves: The Davenports, Book 2

Chapter Ten

Mila was a natural early riser, and she saw no reason to sleep in, even if it was a Sunday. The Davenport women were meeting at her parents’ house this morning to talk wedding planning. She loved her family more than anything, but before she could cope with the thought of bridesmaids’ dresses and what kind of cake they should serve and—most important of all—what Tessa was going to wear, she really needed to get out on her board. Nothing beat that first rush of the wind on her face as she started her day.

After a quick coffee and a little oatmeal and agave syrup for fuel, Mila suited up, grabbed her board, and walked the short distance to the beach. The waves weren’t huge this morning, but there were still a couple of diehards patiently waiting, and she jumped on her board to join them. She paddled out to a likely spot. While they waited, she chatted with Tina, another woman who was often out early, and Stefano, a young waiter in town who spent every minute he could out on the water. Conversation ended the second any of them saw a likely swell approaching, and after a couple of hours, she’d caught enough respectable waves that she felt ready to face the wedding-palooza. By ten a.m., she was dressed in jeans and a comfy white cotton shirt, ready to help plan a wedding.

She picked up muffins from Saint Anna’s, their favorite café in town that always stocked the best baked goods, and then drove to her parents’ place. She’d been checking her phone more than usual, waiting for confirmation of Hersch’s house deal. She was itching to ring him and share the good news. It was afternoon back East. She’d imagined she would have heard something by now. As she closed her car door and headed up the steps to her childhood home, she checked her messages and email one more time, hoping she’d have news. Nothing. She was about to walk in when she figured it was worth giving Dan a call to see if he’d heard anything. As always, he picked up on the second ring and told her he’d been trying to reach the couple selling the house, but he hadn’t been able to get through to them yet.

He could obviously sense the urgency in her voice, because he said, “Don’t worry, Mila. They’re getting on in years and probably don’t check their email the second they get out of bed like we do. As soon as I talk to them, I’ll let you know.”

She hated waiting, but Dan knew his clients. No doubt they were talking over the offer, or maybe—almost impossible to believe—he was right, and they were the sort of people who didn’t check their email on a Sunday morning.

Calling out a hello, she found she was the last to arrive. Erin, Tessa, and her mom were sitting around the kitchen table with a pot of coffee and some croissants Erin had obviously brought, along with a delicious-looking frittata that was undoubtedly one of Tessa’s homemade and nutritious recipes. Although Arch was firmly on the mend after breaking his leg during a movie stunt, she hadn’t given up on steering his diet toward healthier options.

Mila hugged everyone and took a seat at the table. Tessa looked excited and also a little overwhelmed. She wore a white cotton shirt with cherries embroidered on the hem, and the pink of the fruit matched the flush in her cheeks. In front of her was a fat file folder, which sort of surprised Mila, as she had expected Tessa would want everything simple and streamlined—especially if she was insisting on a thrifted dress.

She said to the bride, “How are you holding up so far? You still planning to marry my brother?”

Tessa glowed with happiness as she replied without a second’s pause, “I still can’t believe I got so lucky. Sometimes I just stop what I’m doing and stare at my ring, or Archer walks in and I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming or sitting in a darkened theater watching him do what he does best.”

Mila had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. She adored Tessa, but that was a bit much for a girl to hear about her brother. Archer might be a famous actor, but he was also her super annoying sibling. Several wisecracks sprang to mind, but before she could utter one of them, Betsy said, “You’re looking pleased with yourself this morning, Mila.”

For a split second, Mila was tempted to tell the truth of what was on her mind. She was crushing on a man, and hard. But even though these women were closer to her than anyone else on earth, they’d ask questions, and since nothing had happened yet, she’d just feel like a fool. For now, she would keep this crush to herself. She arranged her muffins on a plate and announced she had a feeling she was going to make a big sale this weekend.

Her mom was looking at her as though she knew full well there was more to her good mood than a house sale. Nothing got past Betsy Davenport, especially when it came to her children. After all, Mila sold houses all the time—phenomenal houses, at that—but rarely did they make her feel effervescent on the inside like she did now. But her mom also knew when to push the matter and when to stand back. As soon as Mila smiled enigmatically and then looked as if she had nothing more to add, Betsy jumped up, smoothed her chic blue shirtdress, and fetched a plate of fruit from the fridge. With that, they had the perfect blend of healthy and decadent breakfast offerings.

While Mila poured herself a mug of fresh coffee, Erin turned to Tessa and tapped the folder. “I love how organized you are. What’s in here?”

Tessa shook her head, and her dark hair fell across her forehead. “I don’t feel organized at all. I don’t know where to start when it comes to a glitzy wedding. Jay says we should announce our engagement publicly soon, so I really want to have the bare bones of my big, fancy, fake wedding already figured out. Arch suggested I read some bridal magazines, and I’ve been tearing pages out of them and jotting down ideas, but none of it really feels like me. I talked to Crystal Lopez, Damien’s friend, and he was right about her. She got Francesca to agree to cater our family wedding even though it’s less than two weeks away. Plus, she’s talking to another planner in Edinburgh who can help us there. She seemed to think there was no wedding problem she couldn’t solve, but she also encouraged me to bring some ideas to the table. So this file is half my real wedding—the family-only one—and half some pretty big ideas for the Scottish wedding. I thought I could start this morning by running some of them by you.”

“Excellent,” Mila said. “I’ve never been to Scotland, and I’m kind of looking forward to the rugged terrain and the men with gorgeous Scottish accents wearing kilts that show off their fine legs.” She paused and happily bit into a blueberry muffin. It was soft and sweet. A little mischievously, she added, “Have you talked Arch into wearing a kilt?”

Tessa laughed, and Mila was glad. She didn’t like seeing her soon-to-be sister-in-law so worried about something she didn’t even want in the first place.

Tessa said, “The first thing he made me promise when we agreed on a wedding in Scotland was that he didn’t have to wear a kilt.”

Betsy made a clucking sound and said, “Howie will be disappointed. He hasn’t been able to find a Davenport tartan, but I’m pretty sure he’s hoping to find he’s part of a clan and wear a kilt. I hope that’s okay, especially if he walks you down the aisle.”

Tessa said simply, “Howie can wear whatever he wants to my wedding. I’m just so happy he’s going to be there.”

Her response was one of the many reasons Mila loved Tessa as much as if they’d spent a lifetime as sisters.

Tessa went on, “I’m so happy all of you have welcomed me into your family the way you have. It means the world to me.” She could hardly finish the words as she choked up with tears. And then, of course, Erin and Betsy started blinking furiously. Mila had never been quick to cry, but she couldn’t help but feel overcome by Tessa’s sincerity. It was so refreshing to meet someone so openhearted.

Naturally, Betsy pulled herself together first and put her hand over Tessa’s. The two women’s diamond rings sparkled in the morning light. “I couldn’t have chosen a better bride for Archer,” she said warmly, releasing her hand after a hearty squeeze to tuck a strand of her honey-colored hair behind her ear. “You make him so happy.”

Mila could take only so much emotion at ten in the morning, so, remembering her promise to her brother, she said, “Before this turns into a full-on sobfest, what are you planning to wear?”

Tessa wiped the corners of her eyes and then sat up straight as though ready to face opposition. She looked almost guilty. “I really want to get my dress at a thrift store. I just can’t bear the thought of spending an awful lot of money on a dress I’ll only wear once.” Before anyone else could speak, she said, “I know Archer has a lot of money. It’s not really about that. It’s about who I am and the values I live by. Of course, I do understand I’m going to be a celebrity’s wife, and I’ll try never to embarrass him, but it’s my wedding too. At least with the family, I want to be myself.”

Mila had thought her brother was being a big drama queen when he’d told her she had to talk Tessa out of wearing a thrift-store dress, but Tessa was serious. Mila could totally get behind the whole notion of thrifting, but she did think Archer had a point about the media frenzy that would ensue if it got out that his bride was wearing a secondhand dress to marry him.

Erin, who was munching on a slice of cantaloupe, looked puzzled. “If it was me, I’d make him take me to Paris and get a designer bridal gown from Dior. Or London for an Alexander McQueen number. I mean, it’s your wedding. Why not have a little fun with it? You only get to do this once.”

“Hopefully,” Mila joked, not being able to help herself.

But when Tessa looked truly sad, Mila realized she and Erin had accidentally ventured into sensitive territory.

Tessa said quietly, “But it’s not my first wedding. The first time I got married, I had the big poufy dress, and I let myself be talked into something that wasn’t me. I don’t want to do that again. With Archer, I’m truly myself, and I need to start that very important first day of our marriage showing the world who I really am.”

It was hard to argue with that. Mila wouldn’t compromise herself for any man either. She glanced at her mom, and saw an expression on Betsy’s face that made her think Arch had also confided in his mother his fears about this thrift-store dress.

Betsy sliced the frittata. “I have an idea. Instead of wearing a thrift-store gown, what about a family one?”

Once again, Tessa’s blue eyes turned sad. “I’d have loved that, but my mother didn’t keep her gown. My sister’s much smaller than I am…” She trailed off and then quietly added, “Besides, I can’t imagine wearing her dress.”

In the most casual way possible, Betsy said, “I was thinking about my wedding dress. I’ve kept it all these years because it was so beautiful, and I’ve had a very happy marriage. Would you like to see it? I think you’re about the same size I was when I got married.”

Who was she kidding? Her mom was trim and worked out almost daily and was probably the exact same size she’d been in the eighties. Dad always told Mom, and anyone else who was around, that she looked as beautiful now as she had on their wedding day, and he really wasn’t exaggerating.

As she watched Tessa absorb this offer, Mila was impressed at her mother’s tact and smarts. Trust Betsy to find the perfect solution. She could also see that Tessa was quite thrilled by the idea, but she immediately looked at the two sisters.

“What about Mila and Erin? Surely one of you should wear your mother’s gown.”

They glanced at each other and shook their heads. “It’s a great dress, but I don’t want it,” Mila said.

Erin agreed. “It’s just not my style. But even though it’s from the eighties, it’s classic. It could look really good on you, Tessa.”

Mila looked at her mom. “You would never let us play dress-up in that gown, no matter how much we begged. I guess now I know why. Because it was meant to be worn again in a real wedding.”

Betsy put down the muffin she hadn’t even taken a bite of and said, “Why don’t you take a look at it, Tessa? Absolutely no obligation, of course, but it would be an alternative to thrifting. You’d be wearing a dress that’s been worn before, which suits your ethics, and if anyone asks, you can tell the truth—that it was my wedding dress, and it has sentimental value to the family. That gives it a whole different kind of cachet. At least, I think so.”

Tessa nodded, looking both scared and excited.

Betsy excused herself to fetch the gown, and Mila took the opportunity to say in a low voice, “If you don’t like it, use the word butter in a sentence, and I’ll say I don’t like it on you.” Tessa would struggle to turn down Betsy’s offer even if the dress looked terrible on her.

“Oh, good idea,” Erin agreed. “One mention of butter, and I’ll back Mila up. You don’t have to wear it if you don’t love it.”

The three of them fell quiet then and tucked into breakfast. It was pretty obvious each of them was waiting to see what Tessa would think of the dress. And if she liked it, would it fit?

A few minutes later, Betsy returned with the dress bag that Mila remembered always seeing in the back of her closet. Before Betsy even unzipped it, she said to Tessa, “No pressure. I mean it. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. It’s just one option, okay?”

Tessa nodded and gazed, almost transfixed, as Betsy unzipped the bag. Mila got up and pulled the bag away so that her mom could reveal the dress in all its glory. It really was a beautiful gown, simple and elegant. Betsy had been smart enough to stay away from the huge shoulder pads and flounces of the eighties and had chosen something that was timeless. The dress was ivory silk with tiny silk-covered buttons down the back, a drop waist, and a fairly full skirt.

As she looked at it, Tessa’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s so beautiful, Betsy. Exactly what I would have chosen. I can’t believe it.”

Betsy looked almost as pleased as Tessa, and even Mila felt a catch of emotion in the back of her throat.

“It looks to be exactly your size,” Erin said in a half whisper, almost in awe of how perfect the dress might look.

“Go into the bedroom and try it on,” Betsy encouraged her.

Tessa rose and almost reverently took the dress on its padded hanger and made her way upstairs to Betsy and Howie’s bedroom.

While she was gone, Erin said, “She really loved it. I just hope it does actually fit.”

Mila, always focused on the practical, said, “If it doesn’t, we’ll have it altered. No problem.” She turned to her mom. “Offering your dress was a stroke of genius. It could solve everybody’s problem. Archer won’t be humiliated by somebody online claiming that his bride is wearing her castoff dress, and Tessa still gets to wear a gown that has had a previous life. But the beauty of it is she knows who wore it and how happy you are with Dad. That dress must have some really good mojo.”

Glowing, Betsy nodded. “I like to think so.”

When Tessa descended the stairs and walked into the room, the three women gasped in unison. The dress was The One. No two ways about it. Tessa looked beautiful in it, and she was so thrilled. There was a pink tinge to her cheeks, and her eyes shone. By some lucky chance, she’d worn low-heeled cream pumps with her jeans, and while they didn’t exactly match the dress, they showed that even the length was perfect.

Tessa twirled slowly in a circle, then looked around at the three women. “What do you think?” she asked in a timid but hopeful tone. She lifted up her hair. “I couldn’t get all the buttons done up myself, but I’m sure it fits.”

Erin leaped up from the table and stood behind Tessa to help.

The word butter did not come up.

Somehow, they all knew Betsy had to be the first one to speak, and after a second, she finally did, in a voice full of emotion. “It looks completely different on you than it did on me. And I think you look beautiful.”

Now that she’d weighed in, both Erin and Mila spoke at the same time.

“It’s gorgeous,” Erin said.

“It’s absolutely you,” Mila agreed. She felt truly happy for Tessa and for Archer—and also for her mom, who was so happy to see her dress being worn again by someone she loved.

The three of them went with Tessa to Betsy’s bedroom, where there was a big full-length mirror. While Tessa turned this way and that, they all agreed that the dress needed no alterations. She could have pinned a veil on her head, shown up at church, and been married that very day.

As Tessa turned in front of the mirror, she said, “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn. I wish my mother were here to see it.” As she teared up, they all shared a group hug.

Mila breathed in the familiar scent of her mom’s perfume, and Erin’s apple blossom shampoo. As she pulled away, Mila looked again at the dress, and then, with a small gasp, she noticed what looked like a water stain on the hem. With some trepidation, she pointed it out, and Betsy looked horrified.

Her mom knelt and inspected the stain more closely and then looked up at Tessa. “I’m so sorry. I should have stored it better.”

Tessa followed their gazes, looking a little upset herself. “I really want to wear your dress. I can’t even imagine myself wearing anything else now. How bad is the stain? Can’t we get it out somehow? I’m sure if we looked on the internet, there must be lots of tips and hints.”

Mila couldn’t think of anything worse than trying a bunch of homemade remedies. She said, “I’ll take it to my dry cleaner. They’re really good. If anyone can lift that stain, they can.”

Tessa argued that she should do it, but Mila immediately reminded her that she was keeping the wedding a secret until they announced the big, fancy shindig in Scotland. The last thing they needed was for her to get busted taking a wedding dress to a dry cleaner.

Tessa put her hand over her mouth. “You’re right. I keep forgetting that I’m going to be noticed because I’m Archer’s fiancée.”

“You’ll get used to the media glare,” Mila assured her. She’d once been in the media’s crosshairs often. She didn’t miss it, but she’d also learned to live with the scrutiny of her private life when she’d been semifamous for pro surfing.

They left Tessa to dress and returned to the kitchen. Mila could see her mom was still agitated about the stain, so she gave her another hug and whispered in her ear, “I’m gonna bring that dress back to Tessa in better condition than when you bought it.”

Betsy drew back and gave her daughter the widest smile. “I’ve always loved your natural confidence, Mila,” she said. “No matter what life throws at you, you meet it head on. It’s a joy to see.”

Mila smiled back, her heart full. There was nothing nicer than a compliment from her mom.

Tessa returned, carefully laying the dress in its protective bag over the back of a chair, and then sat down.

“Well,” she said, looking around the table, “now that the hardest part is done, let’s talk about this fancy Scottish castle party.” With a giggle, she opened her folder and began to walk them through elaborate plans for bagpipes and vintage champagne glasses.

Suddenly, a dreadful thought occurred to Mila. “You aren’t expecting us bridesmaids to wear thrift-store gowns, are you?” She hoped she didn’t sound as horrified as she felt.

Now even mild-mannered Erin looked concerned. She obviously hadn’t considered that a bride who was willing to wear a secondhand gown might expect her attendants to do the same. But Tessa giggled again and said, “I wish you could see your faces right now. And no. I thought we might go shopping together and find dresses you both like. Can we go this week?”

Mila relaxed. That seemed reasonable. “Sure. Let’s plan a shopping trip.”

Erin agreed.

“Are you feeling nervous about the big wedding?” Mila asked. “There will be a lot of people there and probably fans lining up around the perimeter, which means a lot of security… Plus, the paparazzi and media will be flying overhead in helicopters. And don’t get me started on the drones. I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but you seem way more relaxed than I thought you’d be.”

Tessa seemed unfazed. “Now that I know I’ll have my perfect small family wedding in the world’s most gorgeous secondhand dress, I’m happy. Besides, Arch will be by my side for the splashy event, so I know I’ll be just fine.”

As the conversation turned to the smaller, family wedding, Betsy took over with some ideas about catering, as she’d lived in Carmel for so long and had thrown many parties. “Howie and I thought we might tell the caterers we’re having a party for our wedding anniversary. That way, no one will suspect a thing.”

“Oh, that’s a wonderful idea,” Tessa agreed, sounding enthusiastic.

There were a few big questions remaining, like who would conduct the ceremony, but Tessa said Archer had some ideas about that and, with a coy smile, she refused to reveal any more.

Fueled with some more coffee, they had fun looking through the file. But Mila couldn’t keep her mind focused on wedding planning. Every so often, she surreptitiously checked her phone to see if there was any news on Hersch’s house.

Nothing got past her mom. “Waiting for news on this big deal?” There was a twinkle in her eye, but Mila avoided her gaze.

“Nothing yet,” she replied, and then, seeing how much time had passed already, got to her feet. “I’ll get this dress to the dry cleaner tomorrow when they open. Once you and Arch announce your engagement, people will start snooping around.” And with that, she hugged three of her favorite people in the world good-bye and headed for her SUV.

It was four o’clock in New York. How long did it take to see a great deal when it was staring you in the face?