Chapter 3
three
Marigold
“Oh, my gosh. Come in, come in.” Clover ushers Warren and me into the viewing room of her family-run bridal shop.
Clover is the designer, while the rest of her sisters have other roles within the company.
“Take a seat. I’m so sorry, Rue was supposed to model Aspen’s dress for you today, but Austin stopped by, and now they’re in her office for who knows how long. ”
Hmm, so it’s not just Dean’s office these horny mountain men use.
“We can always come back later.” I offer not wanting to be a bother to Rue and Austin’s little afternoon delight.
“No, it’s fine, Marigold.” Clover waves her hand toward the backroom. “Honestly, with those two, it could be days before they come up for air. Actually,” Clover takes my hand and spins me around in a circle. “You and Aspen are about the same size. Why don’t you try on the dress?”
“Me?” I snap my gaze to Warren. The thought of wearing a wedding gown in front of him makes me press my thighs together, chasing the ripple of pleasure pulsing there.
“Why not?” Clover shrugs. “We just need a visual of how the fabric will hang. Aspen can do the final fitting in a few weeks.” Before I can answer, Clover pulls me with her to the dressing room.
“Here, try this on.” I strip down to my bra and panties and reach for the gown.
“Take your bra off, too. The dress is strapless, your bra will just be in the way.” Clover says, unconcerned that I’ll be standing in front of Warren only in a wedding dress and panties.
Clover laces up the back of the dress, creating an hourglass figure that makes my breasts almost spill out at the top, my waist tighten, and the skirt flare at my hips.
“You look gorgeous.” Clover spins me around, pointing me in the direction of a full-length mirror.
“Is that really me?” I place a hand on my stomach, the expensive lace soft against my touch.
“Yup.” Clover squeezes my shoulders. I knew she was a miracle worker, making gowns for plus-sized, curvy women, but this feels magical.
I’ve never felt so beautiful in my life.
“Now let’s go show that man out there how beautiful you look.
” She takes my hand and leads me back to the viewing room, where, surprisingly, Austin is sitting on the couch talking to Warren while Rue is standing on the platform in a wedding dress.
Warren stands when he sees me, his eyes taking in every detail as they roam up and down my body. “You look stunning.”
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“Why is Marigold wearing that dress?” Rue steps down from the platform, holding up the train of her wedding gown. “That’s not Aspen’s gown—mine is.”
“Shoot.” Clover looks thoroughly confused. “It must be the pregnancy brain.”
“What?” Rue screeches. “You’re pregnant? How far along are you? Does Bale know? Of course, he knows, he’s the baby daddy.” Rue answers her own question.
“Yes, I’m pregnant. I’m twelve weeks along. We were going to wait a little longer before telling anyone. Yes, Bale knows. And please stop calling him my baby daddy—we’re married, he’s my husband.”
Rue shrugs off Clover’s last comment and turns to Austin. “I want one. What do you think? Do you want to be my baby daddy?”
“Rue, we’re married. I’m your husband, not your baby daddy," Austin teases, planting a kiss on Rue’s lips.
“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes at him. “Congratulations, Clover!” Rue hugs her sister before turning back to Austin, “Let’s go make that baby a cousin.”
Austin turns to Warren, saying goodbye before saying, “Remember what I said.” He nods and then turns back to Rue. “In your office or at home?”
“In my office first, then again at home,” Rue says as they cross the room.
“Make sure to take off that dress first,” Clover yells after them.
“I don’t want anything extra on it.” Clover turns back to me.
“Sorry about those two. As you can see, it’s hard to get much work done with them around.
” I want to remind her that it’s probably the same with her and Bale, but since he’s on the fire department and works twenty-four-hour shifts, Clover has more time to herself to get her work done.
“Well, I guess our work here is done. I think Junie is waiting for you at the bakery to talk about cake flavors.”
We say our goodbyes as Clover leads us through the joint vestibule that connects her bridal shop, the bakery, the mail-order bride office, and Esme’s flower shop. It’s such a cool design, making it truly a one-stop shopping experience for the bride.