Chapter 18
“So, that’s where I am right now.” Leah’s stomach tensed. She sighed. “I mean nothing happened between Cole and me. Then I attempt to go out by myself and Craig shows up.” She shrugged her shoulder. “He seems sweet, but now Seth wants to hang out.” She tugged at her earlobe. Her eyes focused on Molly, the horse.
Molly neighed, and Leah patted the mare’s back. “I guess when I think about it, Cole is the one I can be myself with. Seth is… well, he’s fun and spontaneous.” Leah stepped onto the mounting block and mounted Molly. She then led her around the fenced area, the clunks of her hoofs filling the background. “It’s like, on one hand, I know what to do and then…” She raised an eyebrow. “I’m talking to a horse.”
Molly neighed once more. Leah released slow easy breaths as she and Molly trotted around.
“You two have really connected,” Will commented.
Leah pulled gently on the reins, and Molly halted. She stroked her once more. “Yes, we have.”
“You’ve come a long way in such a short time.”
“Maybe I had it in me all along.” Leah checked her watch. Directing Molly back to the mounting block, she swung her leg over Molly’s back and dismounted. “I need to get going. I used my lunch break to come here.”
Will bobbed his head. “I’ll take Molly back to the stables.”
Leah waved as she jogged to her car. The drive back to her boutique wasn’t long, but she enjoyed it. Quickly changing her clothes once inside her store’s restroom, she returned to her office, only to hear a knock on her door.
“Come in.” Leah pulled up her laptop.
Her store manager, Amber, walked inside, bouncing on her toes eagerly. “Do you have a minute? You have a visitor.”
Leah's fingers paused from the keyboard. She turned to face Amber. “Who is it?” She reached for her planner. “I don’t recall having any appointments today.”
“It’s April Cummings.”
Her eyes widened. “Show her inside.”
Amber clapped her hands, and Leah figured it was due to her being April’s best friend. Leah stood as April padded through the door. She immediately rushed over to embrace Leah.
“It’s good to see you. I hope I’m not interrupting showing up unannounced,” April said. Her coffee brown eyes gleamed and a wide grin illuminated her round face.
Leah gestured for her to sit down. “Not at all. I just got back from my lunch break. What’s going on? Everything okay? Congratulations.”
April bounced in her seat. “Thank you. I’m so excited. I mean, when Jeremy got down on one knee, I almost fainted.” She reached out her hand and flashed Leah her engagement ring.
Her eyes bugged at the solitaire diamond. “Wow… that is perfect for you. I’m thrilled for you guys.”
April touched her other hand to her heart. “Thank you. I can’t wait.” She then folded both hands in her lap. “Which is why I’m here. Holly told me you designed her wedding dress. I knew you had your boutique, but I was considering only buying a dress.” She then crossed her legs. “But after seeing Holly’s dress and how it was exclusive to her, I decided I want the same thing. So… would you consider designing my dress?”
Leah beamed. “I would love to.” Her heart drummed inside her chest. “When’s the wedding?”
“We haven’t set a date yet, but I’m thinking in the fall.”
She made a note on her notepad. Next, she opened her laptop and searched for wedding dresses. “Any style you wanted? Mermaid? Sleeved gown?”
April tilted her head to the side. “I love mermaid style.”
“Veil?”
“Definitely a veil.”
She then turned her laptop screen for April to see. “This will give me an idea of what you’re looking for. Here…” She pointed to an ivory lace dress. “This has a scoop neck compared to this one with A-line neck. V-neck is always a favorite of mine.”
April cupped her cheek in her hands as she rested it in her palm. Leaning forward, she crossed her legs. “So many options.”
“Don’t get overwhelmed. That’s why I’m here. You tell me what you want, and I’ll make it happen.” Leah gave her a smile, hoping her assurance relieved the bride-to-be.