All Is Bright Read Free Page A

what you went through last night makes me shudder.”
    One of the “benefits” of living on Hope Island was everyone’s business made it to the coconut telegraph. Delilah didn’t mind though. The good folks of Hope Island cared about each other, and she’d never had that before landing here. Before her parents died, they’d lived in a big city and life was fast paced.
    She smiled and held out her hand for the dress. “I’m fine, Elin, really. I can’t wait to see this on you. Let’s use the butler’s pantry. I’ve got some pins in there, and I can lock the door.” The weight of the dress in her hands told her it was likely encrusted with beads and sequins. That could be challenging to take in, but Elin deserved any effort.
    She led her friend to the butler’s pantry off the dining room. The large room held floor-to-ceiling cabinets stuffed with various serving pieces and cooking items that weren’t used as frequently. This was “her” spot though, the place where she planned the meals and immersed herself in food. Something about feeding people made her feel complete. She’d learned to make most of the dishes she still cooked today in her mother’s kitchen. Today the aroma of her seafood curry wafted from the kitchen.
    She’d loaded one drawer with emergency sewing supplies like pins and sticky tape, and her Pfaff sewing machine occupied a discreet corner to zip up torn tablecloth edging or napkins.
    She hung the dress on a hook attached to the side of a cabinet and unzipped it. The sun shining through the large mullioned windows gleamed on the beads and sequins, and she caught her breath. “Oh, Elin, it’s gorgeous.” Pearls encrusted the fitted bodice of the mermaid dress, and more pearls and sequins glittered down the skirt. “Let’s try this on you.”
    Elin was already shucking her jeans and sweatshirt. Delilah slipped it over her friend’s head, then zipped and buttoned up the back. “Turn around, all the way around, and let me see.” She eyed the fit as Elin spun slowly around. “The bodice fits nicely, but the waist and hips need taken in a bit. It’s going to take a few days because of all the beads and sequins, but we have time, and it will be gorgeous.”
    Elin’s worried frown eased. “Delilah, you are the best ever! Thank you so much. You’re already doing so much. Is there anything I can do to help?”
    Delilah shook her head. “It’s under control. I’ve already made the mints and frozen them, and I’ve purchased all the decorations. The tent is reserved and so are the tables. I just have to do the flower arrangements and make the cake.”
    â€œ ‘Just.’ You make it sound so easy, when it’s a boatload of work. I’m terrible at flowers and baking, so I won’t be much help there.”
    â€œYour job is to relax and not turn into a bridezilla.” Delilah unfastened the buttons and unzipped the dress, releasing Elin from it. She eased the heavy weight over Elin’s head and hung the dress back on its hanger. “How is Marc holding up?”
    â€œLike a trooper. He’s ready to get it done.”
    â€œYou can’t blame him. He was ready to get married a month after he proposed.”
    â€œAnd we’d planned to do that, but his mother had a fit and wanted us to have a proper wedding. I didn’t want to start my marriage on the outs with the in-laws, so I talked him into doing what she wanted. I think it was the right thing to do, but I’ll be so glad when the hullabaloo is over. This would have been so easy if we’d just eloped to St. Croix like we wanted.”
    Delilah’s chest compressed when she thought about how certain Elin was of Marc’s love. How wonderful it must be to know Marc would never abandon her. It was something Delilah likely would never experience. At thirty-three, the