“Did Paula tell you my news?” Ellie Mae asked.

“About what?” Mitzi asked.

“I’m pregnant, but only Darrin and I know—and, well, Paula because we ran into each other at the ultrasound place. We’ll spring the news on my family after they get over the shock of this gorgeous dress,” Ellie Mae said.

“Congratulations.” Mitzi’s thoughts were on what her grandmother had said about Ellie Mae being the typical preacher’s daughter.

“Thank you. We’re really excited. We’d wanted to start a family right away, but imagine my surprise when I went to see my doctor and found out I was already five months pregnant,” Ellie Mae gushed. “That’s when we moved up the wedding date by three months. Didn’t want to go into labor walking down the aisle.”

“I guess not.” Mitzi finished pinning the bodice. “How does that feel?”

“Make it just a little tighter. I’ll be wearing Spanx,” Ellie Mae said. “Wait. Don’t. I might gain a few more pounds. Can you just leave a big seam allowance in case we need to adjust right at the end?”

“Of course. So do you know what you’re having?” Mitzi asked.

“A boy and we’re so happy about it. What about Paula?”

Mitzi unpinned the dress and stuck the pins back into the cushion. “She hasn’t told us yet. I’ve also got something I want you to look at after you get dressed.”

“Did you finish the hat?” Ellie Mae’s voice quivered with excitement as she slipped her shirt down over her head. “I’m going to love it as much as I do the dress.”

Mitzi carefully put the bodice on a satin hanger and hung it on a rack. Then she disappeared into the fabric room and brought back the bouquet the girls had made. Ellie Mae reached out to touch it.

“I’m so damned emotional, but this is beyond beautiful. It’s exactly what I told you I wanted. I don’t care how much it costs. Who made it? And will they do the rest of my flowers?” She held it close to her body, as if she were walking down the aisle with it.

“The Harrison girls,” Mitzi answered. “And yes, they’d love to make the rest of your flowers. Just make a list and email it to me. They could get started on your sister’s bouquet this afternoon. Got a rough idea of what you want?”

“White roses—about half this big, but do some red touch-up with whatever satin or silk she picks out for her dress. She said she could come in right after lunch today if that’s okay?”

“That would be a perfect time,” Mitzi said.

“Can I take it with me today?” Ellie Mae ran the fingers of her right hand over it as if the bouquet were made of precious metals.

“Yes, ma’am, you can. We might possibly have the rest of the flowers done next week when you come in for the skirt fitting, if you’ll send me a list of what all you need.”

“Thank you.” Ellie Mae nodded.

“I can put that in a plastic bag for you,” Mitzi offered.

Reluctantly, Ellie Mae handed it back to her. “I can tell you right now that I want a red-rose boutonniere for Darrin and a white one for the best man. And I don’t want little bitty things, either. Do them up fancy with three rosebuds in Darrin’s and some black lace like my bouquet. And the others should have two with some red in it from Darcy’s dress. I’ll send you a list this afternoon of the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and special friends that will need corsages. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to have the most beautiful wedding in the whole state.” Ellie Mae waited until her bouquet was in plastic before she wrapped Mitzi up in a tight hug.

“That’s what we’re here for,” Mitzi assured her.

Fanny Lou arrived for the party that evening with a decorated cake from the bakery. One side had blue icing; the other, pink. A big question mark had been piped in the middle.

“That is too cute,” Mitzi said.

“I came early to help. How are we going to do this since we only have four places at the table?” Fanny Lou asked.

“We’ve got a long table set up in the fitting room. Jody is setting out pink bowls and blue paper plates.” Mitzi eyed the cake.

Fanny Lou shook a long, bony finger toward Mitzi. “You touch that and I’ll ban you from getting a single bite. I heard that Ellie Mae had a fitting and took her bouquet home. Her mama loved it.”

“That’s why we do what we do,” Mitzi said. “Come on, Granny—I love buttercream frosting. No one would notice if I just got a taste from the back corner.”

“Don’t even think of it!” Fanny Lou scolded as she carried the cake out of the kitchen.

Dixie and Tabby came through the front door and stopped when they saw the cake. “What’s the question mark for?” Dixie asked.

“You’ll find out later,” Fanny Lou answered.

Mitzi heard the girls in the foyer and joined them as they followed behind Fanny Lou.

“We thought this was just a cake and ice cream get-together, maybe to talk about the bridal fair,” Dixie answered.

“There’s a surprise tonight, but we will probably talk about the bridal fair afterwards.” Mitzi had worried all day about how Graham and Alice would take the news. She’d wondered, if she had teenage girls, how she’d handle the issue they would be facing. In Amarillo or even Tulia, things would be different, but Celeste was old school with a double dose of morality. Even in modern times, folks still looked down on single mothers.