“That, my darling, I can and will do.” He stopped, took both her hands with his and stepped closer, trapping their hands together in front of their hearts. “I love you, Willow, and you’ve made me the happiest man alive by consenting to be my wife. I know I said I didn’t care about the ceremony, but I would like to have a little one. The wedding chapel on Lookout Mountain is unique in the view. It’s beautiful and we can invite family and friends. I bet Kelly would love to make you a dress for the occasion. What do you say?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I’d like that. Do you think Kelly would make something for Mindy, too?”
“Without a doubt. She’ll love it. Then she’ll probably come out with a line for little girls. K. Starr Girl or something.”
Willow gave him a quick kiss on the mouth. “Okay, let’s go see what Mindy is up to.”
Two months later, Lookout Mountain Wedding Chapel
* * *
“Willow, will you stop moving? I need to fix this hem.” Kelly Morgan, in her ruby red gown, kneeled on the floor of the changing room in the chapel.
Willow stopped and let her gaze wander to the window. The view was marvelous. The building itself was lovely, with a large room on the south end and the chapel on the north end. The basement of the south end was filled with rooms for changing or whatever was needed by the occupants of the chapel at the time.
The entire west wall of the chapel was floor-to-ceiling windows with a magnificent view of the front range of the Rocky Mountains. The grazing land for buffalo, owned by Denver Mountain Parks and Recreation, was situated between the mountains and the church, and on a good day, the herd meandered about, visible through the windows. This was a good day.
Kelly stood and shook out the skirt of the one-shouldered lavender gown. She had boned it for shape and support with a hidden zipper up the side. Lavender seed pearls covered the bodice, and a delicate bow of the same color held the single shoulder.
The waist dipped down to a -V-. She’d made the skirt of softly gathered silk that would swing when Willow danced.
Willow had satin, two-inch heels dyed to match the dress. She wanted the heels low so she could be on her feet all day and into the night.
Kelly designed Mindy’s dress to be similar in style to Willow’s. Hers was deep purple and instead of being a single shoulder, she designed puffs of fabric on the shoulder and sheer lace sleeves.
Willow bought Mindy her first pair of heels, just one-inch high, and had them dyed to match the dress.
Attending were Willow’s parents, Bill and Alice Stone. Her late husband’s parents, Matt and Donna Adams, whom Willow had stayed close to.
Also, Grace Williams and her husband, Peter, came.
Claudia, her husband, and all the men Willow met in Montana were in attendance. As were Travis’s parents, Henry and Marti Morgan. His brother, Tanner Morgan, and, of course, his sister, Kelly. Tanner was into construction and owned one of the largest companies in the country. All the Morgans were very successful.
Willow’s mother peeked in the dressing room door. “We’re ready to start. Your father is waiting.”
“We’re coming, Mom.” She held her stomach trying to keep down her coffee. She’d been too nervous and excited to eat breakfast. She’d also discovered that morning she was expecting and had been thrilled and excited and scared all at once. She looked at Kelly. “Ready?”
“Ready. I’ll go find my seat. Mindy is probably out with your dad.”
“She’s supposed to be. I’ll follow you out.”
Kelly exited and held the door open for Willow, then she hurried down the hallway to the chapel.
Willow followed her and stopped outside the door where her father and daughter waited.
“You look beautiful, daughter,” His voice was rough, and he held his arm out.
She placed her hand through the crook in his elbow. “Thanks, Dad. Shall we?”
He nodded. “Let’s.”
“Mindy, are you ready?” She looked adorable in her new gown. Kelly had outdone herself with this dress. The style was at once elegant and refined, but still perfectly suitable for a little girl.
Kelly’s hair stylist had done all of their hairstyles. For Willow’s hair she’d curled the long tresses and pulled the sides back, piling the back hair in a high bun of curls. Some of the curls spilled over leaving a shoulder length tendril hanging down.
The stylist pulled Mindy’s hair back at the sides with flowered combs and left long ringlets hanging down her back.
Kelly held the door for Mindy to enter the chapel first.