Chapter Twelve
The following day was hectic. Aylin found a few minor tweaks that needed to be fixed in each bridesmaid gown, but what required adjusting would take very little time.
The bridesmaids all stuck around waiting for Camille to arrive at the boutique so she could try on her wedding gown one final time. She’d spent the morning with Dad and Mom finalizing some of the wedding plans at both the flower shop and chapel.
“Oh, Camille,” Emilie exclaimed once Camille was all laced up. The layer of additional transparent pearly fabric used for the chapel train gave the gown an undeniable unmatched elegance.
Even Aylin was in tears when Camille spun around in her gown. The few little adjustments that Aylin needed to make were taken care of right away while Camille stood in the shoes she intended to wear tomorrow evening for the candlelight service.
“This train that you wanted to add is pretty much perfect, Aylin,” Camille said, admiring herself in the full-length mirror as Aylin carefully spread the fabric around her on the floor.
“I agree,” Rene admitted, sipping her coffee.
It was even supposed to snow tomorrow afternoon, but thankfully not too much. Supposedly, Camille had always wanted a winter Christmas wedding, which was why Dad was going to so much trouble to give Camille the wedding of her dreams. Camille and Rafe were deserving of a brand-new beginning. The two of them had been through enough trouble, having to hide the fact that they were married for several years because of their fear of Ash, who’d spent some time stalking her. And then Rafe, an Army Ranger, had finally returned home with severe PTSD after being stationed overseas.
“Okay. Go do some shopping for a few hours and then come back, and you can all try on the gowns one more time,” Aylin instructed. “Everyone except for Camille, that is.”
“After that, we’ll all have lunch. You too, Rene, since you’ll probably be closing up anyway.”
“Sure,” Rene said. “I’d love to join all of you. Aylin? Let’s finish the gowns.”
Another hour later, Aylin was inserting a few final stitches in her own bridesmaid gown when an unexpected visitor appeared, entering the front door of the shop.
“Danny,” Rene called out. “What are you doing here on Christmas Eve morning?”
“I got wind that someone who’s been working here was there for Lara yesterday when she was in need of a real friend,” she said, smiling as she approached the workroom.
Bending over, Aylin had just pulled the gown back over the dress form and was frowning, checking out the line of the skirt after adjusting the new zipper.
Glancing upward at the woman who’d just walked into the workroom, Aylin staggered in shock, nearly falling off her feet.
“I gather you recognize Danielle Reardon, aka Danielle Loughlin?” Rene asked dryly before giving Aylin a toothy smile.
“I need an autograph,” Aylin said, quickly regaining her composure as she reached for her sketchbook.
Danielle blinked. And started laughing. “Ooo…kay.”
“Danny? Meet Aylin,” Rene said.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Aylin,” Danielle answered, reaching for her sketchpad. “Wait a minute. Before I sign this, have you got a moment to talk?”
“Sure. We’re just finishing up,” Aylin said.
“I think I’ll get out of your hair.” Rene winked at Danielle. “Why don’t you lock up for me, Aylin? I’ll go find your family and we’ll meet you for lunch whenever you’re finished.”
“Alright, Rene. See you soon,” Aylin replied.
“Let’s have a seat, shall we?” Danielle suggested, motioning at the two club chairs on either side of the coffee table stacked with fashion magazines.
“Sure,” Aylin answered, dropping into the chair that was opposite from Danielle, who was seated exactly where her daughter had been the day before.
“Do you mind if I take a look?” Danielle asked, motioning at the sketchbook resting in her lap.
“No, not at all.”
As she thumbed through the sketches, her eyes went wide. “You know. My daughter Eve would look lovely in several of these designs. You’re incredibly talented.” Smiling, she studied Aylin’s face. “How old are you, Aylin?”
“Sixteen—nearly seventeen.”
Obviously startled, Danielle snorted. “Here I thought you were eighteen or nineteen. You’re very mature for your age. Plus, you dress like a young professional.”
Aylin smiled widely. “As a matter of fact, that’s the look that I’m going for. I’m hoping that my parents will allow me to go to design school rather than college.”
Ending up on a blank page, Danielle quickly autographed it, handing the sketchbook back over to Aylin.
“Anyway, I’m not only here to thank you, but I’d also appreciate some advice, as long as you don’t mind.”
Aylin blinked. “Okay. Although I’m not sure how I can help you there.”
“You were able to earn Lara’s trust. Can you tell me how?”
Considering, Aylin pursed her lips before answering, “I think she recognized me as another person who’s never quite fit in.”
Danielle nodded, appearing thoughtful. “To me, you look like you’d fit in anywhere.”
“Well, at home, I’m seen as an outsider, because of my Turkish heritage. And the fact that Dad owns one of the largest companies in the region actually seems to keep most kids away from me.”
“Really?”
Aylin nodded. “And then there’s Ash. I’m not sure if you’ve heard about him?”
“I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to talk about that,” Danielle confessed. “But my husband and your father are pretty well acquainted, so I have. He’s suspected of being involved in several plots involving domestic terrorism. Right?”
“More than just suspected now,” Aylin admitted. “He’s on the run. That’s why we all came here for a break. Plus, Dad wanted Rafe and Camille to have a proper family wedding.”
“All I know is that I’ve always had a strong belief in the power of fate, and it seemed like a miracle that you were here for my daughter,” Danielle confessed. “I’ve been scared to death about Lara, but I was afraid that if I pressed too hard, it would push us further apart.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re right about that,” Aylin admitted, nodding her agreement. “Lara reminded me so much of a girl that I knew back in high school, that I felt like I had to try and do something, so I started asking her a lot of questions. Finding out that she could sing was pretty much accidental.”
“How did you get her to agree to a makeover? I’ve been afraid to even offer to take her shopping. The last time I did, everything she picked out was black.”
Aylin grinned. “I sat here and drew a sketch of her as she was in the present, and then I drew another sketch that showed her who I thought she could be after I learned a little more about her.”
“I’d love to see those sketches,” Danielle said.
“Lara took them along with her, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s got them somewhere close to maintain her confidence. You should have seen the look on her face when I showed them to her.”
“Before I go nosing around in her room again, I’ll ask her brother, Ben. Apparently, they had a pretty good heart to heart last night.”
Aylin nodded. “She was wearing one of your gowns last night, you know.”
Danielle blinked. “That purply concoction? I was wondering where it came from. How could that be?”
Aylin gave her a toothy smile.
Danielle’s jaw dropped open. Finally, she spoke. “No wonder it looked like it was made for her. How in the world were you able to create something like that in less than a few hours? That dress was beautiful. ” Danielle shook her head in obvious disbelief. “And then when I heard her voice, I broke down in tears. How could I not know she could sing—let alone sing like that? ”
“My guess is because her voice was different, she never thought it was as good as yours or Eve’s.”
“It’s odd that I’ve never heard her practicing though.”
“I got the impression that she hasn’t been doing much of that lately. Mostly, it was before whatever incident occurred to make her want to start hiding in plain sight with the goth look. I could tell right away that she really wasn’t into it but was using it as a disguise.”
Danielle pursed her lips. “So, you think something happened to her too.”
“I do. I also think she’s probably not going to tell you what it is—at least not now—so you need to accept that and move forward.”
“My son Ben said that Lara might be willing to see a psychiatrist,” Danielle admitted.
Aylin’s eyes went wide. “He must be persuasive. If she likes the doctor, I think that would be a good thing. She doesn’t seem to have many friends. I don’t either, because of my situation.”
“Well, you have them here,” Danielle said firmly. “Now, I’m trying to figure out exactly how to move forward. Eve’s asked Lara to join her on tour this summer.”
“Would it help if I told you how I think you should talk with her? She’s so fragile, she might take any kind of suggestions the wrong way.”
“Of course, it would. Since you’ve seemed to have bonded with her, any advice is welcome,” Danielle agreed. “I couldn’t stand going back to the way things were.”
“You shouldn’t give her any reason to doubt her talent. What she really wants is your attention. I know it’s none of my business, but I read somewhere that you mentored Eve, and another musician—I think it was Zane Giordano. If you don’t take her equally seriously, you’re probably going to crush her.”
Danielle nodded firmly. “I’ll make the time. I never meant to make her feel like she’s any less important or special to me than Eve, just because she’s become an established artist. Anything else?”
“It would probably be better to insist on things rather than to ask. And make sure that any advice you give her when mentoring won’t bring back her self-doubt.”
Danielle cocked her head. “I’m not sure if I understand.”
“Performing is so new to her. Don’t give her any reason to say no when an opportunity comes up.”
“Okay. So, if I want her to perform with me at a charity event, I don’t ask her if she wants to do it. I just tell her to make sure that she’s available and ready to perform.”
“Exactly,” Aylin said, giving Danielle an impish grin. “How do you think we got her onstage last night? Desiree, Marc and I wouldn’t let her get a word in edgewise after we told her she was performing with them. She didn’t get a chance to be scared to death.”
Danielle barked out a laugh. “I had wondered. She’s always been so skittish.”
“Truthfully, Desiree and Marc were worried that she wouldn’t still be waiting after they performed their regular act. I think that seeing Joanie and all the volunteers from the dressing rooms stop what they were doing to watch her might have had something to do with Lara not chickening out.”
Danielle laughed harder, finally checking her watch.
“Well, I suppose I’d better let you go eat lunch with your family. Aylin—you’re an amazing girl,” Danielle said, standing. “I’m hoping we’ll get a chance to see more of you once all of the Broussard family issues are resolved. Celine’s become a good friend too, you know. My husband Jake was the one who helped her rediscover Alex.”
Aylin smiled as she reached for her purse, heading to the door with Danielle. “I hope I’ll get a chance to come back to Crystal Rock again someday too. I really feel comfortable here. More than I do at home, actually. I’d love to see how this place runs behind the scenes.”
“You know, Aylin. Maybe you can convince your father to send you to design school if you offer to take some business classes online while you’re doing it. Being a designer isn’t all about the designing. Maybe you can have your own line of clothing someday or even run your own shop.”
Aylin pursed her lips, locking the door behind them as they stepped into the walkway from the boutique. “That’s a great idea. Dad might actually go for something like that too. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Danielle answered, hesitating. “I hope you don’t mind if I hug you?”
“Of course not,” Aylin said as Danielle quickly tugged her into her arms, patting her lightly on the back before breaking away. “You guys seem to do a lot more of that here than we do at home.”
Danielle barked out another laugh as they headed toward the restaurant.