Page 37 of Finding Home at Hearts Hotel

Her nerves were frayed. She could not believe how quickly seven weeks had gone by, and now the eighth week was quickly ticking away. Her wedding was this Saturday. Her wedding. There was still so much to do, so many details left to arrange, and so little time to breathe. She stood in the center of her boutique, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of a measuring tape as she stared blankly at the rolls of white silk and lace lining the back wall.

Just then, the front door of her shop opened with a familiar chime, and she breathed a deep sigh of relief as Linda, Isabel, and Penny walked into the cool showroom.

"Oh, thank goodness you're all here," Maggie said, her voice carrying a slightly breathless, anxious pitch as she stepped around the cutting table to greet them. "I have your dresses ready. I hope you like them."

She walked over to the tall garment rack near the fitting rooms and slowly unzipped three matching covers, revealing the champagne gold dresses inside. The fabric was a heavy, luxurious satin that shimmered under the showroom lights,catching the gold reflections with every movement. She had designed them with smooth, simple, elegant lines that flowed gracefully from a tailored bodice into a soft, cascading skirt. There were no big, puffy layers, no unnecessary ruffles, and no stiff petticoats, just pure, classic elegance that would look stunning on the terrace without ever detracting from the bridal gown.

The three women gasped in unison, their eyes shining with immediate delight as they stepped closer to touch the smooth fabric.

"You designed these?" Penny breathed, her hand lightly tracing the delicate stitching along the neckline. "They are gorgeous."

"I did," Maggie said, though she did not feel the usual, soaring pride her custom designs typically gave her. She was far too nervous, her mind too full of seating charts, florist schedules, and the mountain of tasks that still needed to be completed before Saturday morning. "But we need to try them on immediately to ensure the hemlines and bodices fit you."

She glanced toward the front door, her brow furrowing slightly as she adjusted her watch. "Where are the mothers? I have their dresses here as well, and I wanted to make sure we did all the adjustments together."

Lila and Anna were going to act as shared mothers of the bride for the ceremony, a decision that felt right to Maggie's heart. Just as George and Tom, the two men who had raised her and supported her through every high and low of her life, were both going to walk her down the aisle together, she wanted both of her maternal guides standing beside her when she took her vows.

"We're here, sweetheart," Anna rushed in, her cheeks slightly flushed from the coastal air outside, with Lila running close behind her.

"That dress is gorgeous," Lila breathed, her eyes misting over with a tender wave of emotion as she stopped in front of the ivory gown hanging in the center display. "My dear girl, you are simply amazing. Your mother would've been so proud of you today."

"Thank you," Maggie murmured, her throat tightening as she stepped forward to press a lingering kiss against both of their cheeks.

She looked between the two older women, her heart swelling with an immense gratitude. Anna had been there for her when she was a young girl, providing a steady, loving hand before her aunt's long departure from the island. And in recent years, after her divorce, it had been Lila who had held her close while she cried over her failed marriage and the heartbreaking, permanent loss of her late son. They were both strong, resilient women who had earned their place as her fill-in mothers, and she knew in her heart that her real mom would be smiling down on them, fully approving of her choice.

"Now, no more tears before the fittings," Maggie commanded gently, wiping a happy tear from her own lashes as she gestured toward the fitting rooms. "We have champagne to drink and work to do."

A few minutes later, the fitting area was alive with the sound of corks popping, low laughter, and the rustle of silk. Maggie had poured five glasses of cold, bubbling champagne, handing them out as the women slipped into their dresses.

When they stepped out of the changing stalls, Linda, Isabel, and Penny looked stunning. The champagne gold fabric hugged their frames beautifully, the simple lines falling into elegant, clean sweeps that moved gracefully with every step. Anna and Lila looked equally elegant in their custom mother-of-the-bride gowns, the rich, deep tones of the fabric complementing their silver hair.

As they stood before the three-panel mirror, sipping their champagne and sharing compliments, the easy laughter in the room began to work its magic, slowly melting away the tight, suffocating knot of anxiety that had been clamping down on Maggie's chest all morning.

"You look beautiful," Maggie whispered, her eyes shining as she looked at her friends.

"We look like a team," Linda corrected with a supportive smile, clinking her glass against Maggie's.

Once they had changed back into their regular clothes, they gathered around the wide mahogany counter, and Linda immediately pulled her wedding checklist from her bag, smoothing the paper out.

"Alright, let's divide and conquer," Linda said, her tone turning practical and organized as she looked at the list. "You need to focus on your dress and resting your nerves. We are going to handle the rest of the logistics."

Over the next thirty minutes, they systematically went through the remaining tasks. Linda took charge of coordinating the catering arrivals and the final table settings with Rosa, while Lila volunteered to manage the floral delivery and ensure the rose arches were positioned correctly near the veranda steps. Annaagreed to oversee the seating arrangements in the main hall, and Isabel offered to handle the welcome baskets for the out-of-town guests staying at the suites.

With every task that was checked off and assigned to a capable set of hands, Maggie felt her shoulders dropping, a soothing calm settling over her.

"Now," Penny stated, a luxurious, bright grin spreading across her face as she leaned her elbows against the counter. "I have one more surprise for you."

Maggie's heart gave a suspicious jolt, and her brow furrowed as she looked at the woman standing in front of her. "What kind of surprise?"

"Tomorrow night, we are hosting a bachelorette party for you," Penny promised, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "We can't have it on Friday night because you need your rest before the ceremony, so it has to be tomorrow evening."

"I am far too old for those kinds of wild shenanigans," Maggie moaned, burying her face in her hands as she shook her head. "I just want a quiet evening with a book."

"Oh, this is going to be a very special party," Linda promised, her grin matching Penny's as she nudged Maggie's shoulder. "No loud clubs, no crowded bars, just some well-deserved pampering and good wine."

Maggie looked suspiciously between her friends, but she couldn't help the happy smile that tugged at her lips. "Okay. Fine. But if there are any ridiculous games involved, I am leaving."

"No promises," Penny laughed.