Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
A thin, tall man with bushy white hair wearing an alb and a stole exits from the vestry and comes over to meet us.
“This is my uncle,” Colin says. “Uncle, this is Sabella.”
The man nods. “How do you do? I need a minute to set up the wine for the Holy Communion.”
“Is that necessary?” I ask, nerves tightening my stomach.
He gives me a hard look. “This ceremony is already highly inappropriate as it is.”
“Give us a moment,” Colin says, addressing me. “Why don’t you take a minute to catch your breath? It’s been such a race.”
He shows me a cry room on the side just as my family members burst through the open doors.
“Turn around, Colin,” Celeste says, charging ahead of the group with a white gown in her arms. “You can’t see the dress.”
She got a dress? Wherever did she find one so quickly?
Colin obediently gives us his back as the group rush toward us, Ryan wheeling my suitcase.
“Where can we get ready?” Celeste asks the vicar in a no-nonsense manner.
Pinching his lips, he motions at the room Colin indicated.
Celeste grabs my arm and drags me inside. Ryan and my mom follow. Doris runs to keep up with Brad who clings to her like a monkey. My nephew’s small yellow daypack with the green turtle on the front looks ridiculous on her back.
My heart melts with a rush of tenderness when I kiss Brad’s chubby cheeks. He’s wearing his Spiderman costume again. Celeste must have a dozen of those. It’s the only outfit he wears these days.
Doris wipes sweat from her brow and deposits Brad on his feet.
“Thank you, Doris,” Celeste says, hanging the dress on a wall hook before taking the daypack. “Did you bring his snacks?”
“Everything is in there,” Doris says. “Including a coloring book and crayons.”
Celeste gives her a grateful smile. “Come on, Brad.” She wraps her hand around his small palm. “Let’s have your teatime snack while Bella gets ready.”
Ryan puts the suitcase in the middle of the floor and kisses her on the cheek. “I’ll be there in a sec.” He closes the door when she and Brad have left and turns to me. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“It’s too late to back out,” Mom says, unzipping the plastic clothes bag.
“Where on earth did Celeste find a wedding dress?” I ask, dropping my handbag on a chair.
“I have no idea.” Ryan grins. “Maybe at one of the boutiques in the mall. That woman never ceases to amaze me. She can be very resourceful when she wants to be.”
“Quickly,” Mom says as she takes out the gown. “We don’t have much time. Do you have the rings, Ryan?”
“Quickest shopping I ever did. I’ll give them to Colin. I can’t guarantee they’ll fit though.”
“While you’re at it, make sure he doesn’t come in here.” Mom shakes out the dress. “It’s bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the bride walks down the aisle.”
“Did everything go okay?” I ask, removing my sandals. “No one followed you?”
“The plan worked like a charm,” Ryan says. “Celeste parked underground and left via the mall.” He motions at the suitcase. “She packed a few things like you asked. It’s best that you change cars as soon as possible, preferably before you leave Cape Town. I left enough money in your bag to buy a new one in cash.”
My mom pulls down the zipper at the back of my dress.
“Have you decided where you’re going?” Ryan asks.
“Colin’s family has a chalet in the Drakensberg. We’ll stay there for a couple of weeks until the worst of Angelo’s wrath has blown over.”
“And then?” he asks, concern pleating his brow.
I shrug as if the confrontation will be a breeze and not the storm I fear. “Then I’ll send Angelo a message with the news.”
“Take the rings to Colin, Ryan.” Mom shoos him away. “Let your sister get ready.”
Ryan offers me one of his rare smiles before he gives us privacy.
“The dress is gorgeous,” Mom says, taking it from the hanger. “I don’t know where Celeste found it, but it looks like your size.”
I take in the classical cut and the sensual lines. “It seems a bit much. Colin doesn’t even have a wedding suit.”
Mom waves the comment away. “He’s fine. Making a little effort to look like a bride for him is the least you can do. You’ll have to take off your bra. The back is open, and it’s a halter neck.” She sighs. “What a pity you don’t have proper wedding underwear. Something new and white and lacy. And something old and blue. I should’ve taken my pearls for the something old. Or my earrings.”
“The dress is already more than we bargained on.” I slip out of my sundress, remove my bra, and step into the dress she holds for me. “A wedding gown wasn’t part of the plan.”