“Of course, Mom. You can do anything you want to do,”Carolsaid.
How sad to think that she’d had to ask another person’s permission before she could do something. A spark of anger ignited in her belly. If she ever saw Trevor again, she’d kickhisass.
After Madison and her mom left, the other Grant brothers and the guests drifted out oftheroom.
“Can you watch Jimmy while I borrow Carol for a minute?” Rachelasked.
“Sure,” Brady said. “We might run down and check out Logan and Kate’snewbarn.”
“Make sure he has a sweater and a jacket on,”Rachelsaid.
“Iwill.”
“Ready to go?” Rachel askedCarol.
“Sure.”
“We have to go back to the main house,”Rachelsaid.
They bundled up in their jackets and scarves before running through the snow. Inside, they peeled off their jackets and wentupstairs.
“Brady and I are staying in his old room until we can figure something else out,” Rachel said as she pushed open a door. “Eventually, we’d like to have our ownhomestead.”
The room had the cozy atmosphere of a ranch home. An intricately carved headboard depicting bears in a river stood out amongst the otherfurniture.
“Wow, I love your bed,”Carolsaid.
“Thanks. Brady’s had it for years.” Rachel strolled to a door across the room and opened it to reveal a walk-in closet. “Now, I don’t want to be presumptuous, so if this is too much meddling, just let me know. But Hank called me and asked for a favor, which I’m more than happy togrant.”
“What favor?” Carolasked.
“He asked me to let you choose one of the wedding dresses I have hanging in thecloset.”
“What?”
“He wants to marry you tomorrow and said you needed a dress. Didn’t you know?” Rachelasked.
“I thought he waskidding.”
“The Grant brothers don’t kid when it comes to thingslikethis.”
“I can’t take your dress,”Carolsaid.
“Well, technically, none of these aremy dressyet. They’re on loan from Julia’s Bridal. We went to high school together. She’s been such a sweetheart, and is letting me keep a bunch of dresses until I can make a decision,”Rachelsaid.
“I can’t really pay for a dress right now. I need all the money I have to make the move fromNewYork.”
“Hank’s got it covered,” Rachel said with a wave of her hand. “Besides, Julia’s going to give him a killer friends and family deal. So get in here and let’s start tryingthemon.”
“What if I accidently pick the one you want?” Carolasked.
“Trust me, there are no frontrunners. I love them all. Besides, Brady’s sick of having me hog the closet, so he’s given me a deadline. I have to pick my dress by the end of the year. So I have a little over a week left. You’ll be doing me a favor by taking one out of therunning.”
“Okay.” Carol followed Rachel into thecloset.
One whole row was stuffed with white garment bags filled with everything from satin, to lace, to taffeta. The dresses ranged in shades from bright white, to eggshell, to pink. She raised a brow at the pinkdress.
“It’s in style right now,”Rachelsaid.
