Haley & Bentley (Falling for Bentley #2.5) Read online

  Bentley returned with the pad of paper and pen, along with a glass of water. “Is that for me?” I asked gesturing to the glass.

  Handing over the glass, I drank most of it then set it on the nightstand. “So where do we start?” I asked, settling into Bentley’s side.

  “We have the honeymoon picked out, so I guess we need to decide if we are leaving for our honeymoon right after we get married, or wait until spring.”

  “Like this spring coming up?” I asked excited.

  “Like this spring coming up,” he confirmed.

  “I’ve always wanted to leave for the honeymoon the night of my wedding. You know as we’re thanking everyone for coming, we’re also goodbye.”

  “I like that idea.”

  “You do? It’s such a busy time of year, though, with seeding and everything.”

  “The farm will manage without me for a week or two. You let me worry about that.”

  “I’d also like to get married in May, when the trees start to bud. It’s my favorite time of year; everything smells so fresh,” I said, linking my fingers with Bentley’s resting on my lap.

  “How does the fifteenth work?” he asked, writing it down.

  “It’s in the middle of the month, so the weather should be nice. I think the fifteenth is good.”

  “Where do you want to get married?”

  “I guess that depends on how many more guests you want.”

  Bentley shuffled the papers until he came to my guest list. “This is a pretty small list, Haley. Are you sure you don’t want any more people?”

  “I’m sure. I really don’t want a big wedding,” I shrugged.

  “What kind of wedding do you want?” Bentley asked turning to me.

  “Well, I’d like to get married on a Saturday afternoon on my grandparent’s ranch in Grams’ flower bed. Then have wine and cheese afterwards.”

  “No dinner or dance? None of that?”

  “Not really. Big showy things just aren’t me, Bentley.”

  “I know that, sweetheart, but this is your wedding. It’s different. I don’t want you looking back and regretting what you didn’t have.”

  “You asked what I wanted, and that’s what I want,” I said defensively.

  “Can I compromise with you a bit?” he asked, rubbing my knuckles.

  “Of course, it’s your wedding, too.” I leaned into to him more.

  “I’m okay with getting married on a Saturday afternoon in Grams’ flower bed, but let’s rent some tables and linens, have center pieces, and add a few wedding things around the yard.”

  “We’re having a dance, aren’t we?” I teased.

  Bentley put the papers and pen on his nightstand. “There will be music playing in the background, so what kind of husband would I be if I didn’t take my new wife for a dance or two?”

  “That sounds nice,” I said with a yawn.

  Bentley drew me to him and snuggled us into bed. “It does, doesn’t it?”

  I fell asleep with our wedding pretty much planned out.

  I AM IN the fourth wedding dress shop of the day, sitting on a stool waiting for yet another dress to arrive. I am grateful Whitney and Maggie came with me today, and Carleigh the past weekend, but I cannot find anything remotely close to what I want, and I’m now past the stage of being frustrated.

  Every time I tell them what I’m looking for, they bring me back something poufy, and way too big for the gathering we’re having. I’m beginning to feel a little over-whelmed with the whole stupid process of paying way too much for a dress I’m only going to be wearing once, and for only a few bloody hours at that.

  “Haley, I can hear you pouting from over here!” Whitney called out from the waiting area just outside my changing room.

  “No, you can’t,” I try saying in a light matter.

  “She’s right, you know,” Maggie weighed in.

  “I’m just getting tired, that’s all. Emerson was up almost every night this week, crying with a fever because he has three teeth coming in all at once.”

  “Is Bentley not helping at night?” Maggie asks.

  “No, he does when he gets in, but with harvest being in full gear, he’s usually not home until eleven or later. By that time, Emerson is finally in bed, and I’m crashed on the couch. Bentley is so tired he doesn’t hear E in the middle of the night so I have to get up.”

  “Just another week, hun, and harvest should be over,” Whitney sighed.

  I sighed with her, “I know.”

  “I’m off tomorrow. Why don’t I take Emerson for the night so you can catch up on your rest,” Whitney offered.

  “It’s okay, really. I’m hoping a hot bath will put him to bed early tonight, then I can have one and finally get a good night’s sleep.”

  “Haley, I don’t mind having my nephew over. In fact, I’m bringing him home tonight after we drop you off; I’m insisting.”

  “I’m sure when Travis comes home, dead tired like Bentley, the last thing he wants to hear is his screaming nephew.”

  “Once Travis is all showered up, E is going to crawl up on his chest and fall asleep like he does any other time.”

  I close my eyes and lean back on the wall thinking a night without a grouchy baby does sound pretty good.

  “I take it by your silence that you like the idea.”

  “Yeah,” I answered with my eyes still closed.

  “OKAY LADIES, I think I have found three dresses in the back that will fit both you, Haley, and the atmosphere of your wedding; plus met your budget needs.” The sales associate Dania announced before opening up the curtain.

  “There is no budget. Her father and I are paying for her dress,” Maggie replied in a disapproving tone.

  Taking one of the dresses from her I mouthed, “There is a budget.”

  “I heard that, Haley Wells,” Maggie growled.

  Rolling my eyes, I untied my robe so Dania could help me put on the dress.

  “This first dress is ivory with a sweetheart neckline from the Roosevelt collection. The beading starts at the top and flows down the bodice and fades out as it goes down the waist. The skirt puffs out at the waist giving it a Cinderella look, but with tons of tulle instead of satin. This one does not have a train, however.”

  I took the dress from her hands and held it up to step into it. “It’s heavy.”

  “Yes, that is one down side of this dress. The other two are not as heavy.”

  I pulled my foot back and handed the dress back. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want a heavy dress.”

  “Just try it on, Haley.”

  “Maggie, it’s heavy, and I don’t want a puffy dress,” I said defeated.

  “But you haven’t tried one on with a tulle skirt yet, you might like it and decide to change your mind,” Whitney said, poking her head in.

  “You know, when we went dress shopping for your graduation, I didn’t make you try on a hundred and one dresses.”

  “That’s because I found the perfect dress by the second store,” she smiled. “Just try this one on, and then I promise no more puffy dresses if you hate this one.”

  “Fine,” I grumbled pulling the curtain shut on her face.

  I already knew it was going to be too big for my liking, but I put it on anyways to make the two annoying, loveable people I brought with me happy.

  “This dress is a couple sizes too big for you, so I’m just going to synch the back up to give you a better idea of what it will look like.” She made me bend over, adjust my boobs then stand tall as she clipped the extra material. “There, what do you think?”

  “I feel like an oversized marshmallow ready for the campfire.”

  I stepped out of the changing room and over to the three-way mirror in front of Maggie and Whitney. When I looked in the mirror to see their faces, they were trying hard not to laugh.

  “That dress does not suit you at all,” Whitney said with a scrunched up face.

  I turned to face them and curtsied, then said in a
n exaggerated southern accent, “Why, heaven all mighty, I could never imagine why.” That is all it took to have them laughing their hearts outs. Finally, I couldn’t hold it in either, and soon we were three grown women cry-laughing in the middle of the fourth dress store of the day.

  Dania patiently waited until I went back into the changing room.

  “I agree, I don’t think this is your dress.”

  “No, definitely not my dress,” I laughed.

  Hanging it back on the hanger, I selected another dress. This dress was nowhere near as heavy as the last one. I ran my fingers down the soft lace.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it.” She smiled as she helped me in. “This is from the Lilly Lane collection out of California. This one is a strapless gown, overlaid with pink champagne lace. The skirt flares at the knees and gently flows to the floor. It’s very simple, but breath-taking at the same time.”

  As she zipped the back of the dress, I stared in the mirror and ran my hands over the lace. “It makes me think of my Grams.”

  “That’s a good start. Let’s open the curtains so we can let the ladies see what this one looks like.”

  When she opened the curtains, I held my breath waiting for their reaction. Maggie was first to respond, standing and walking over to me. “It’s beautiful.”

  For the first time since we began this process I had a real smile on my face. “It is, and it’s so soft.”

  “It fits you nicely,” Whitney smiled as I walked to the three-way mirror again.

  “It does have to come in a bit, and we also need to add the push-up pads for the bust, but I think it’s safe to say we can put this dress in the yes pile?”

  We all turned to Dania and at the same time answered, “Yes.”

  “I’ll give you ladies a few moments together with the dress, then I’ll be back and you can try on the last one I found.”

  I spun around in the mirror to see the dress from all angles. The more I moved in it, the more I liked it. “What do you think, Maggie?”

  “Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter what I think. What do you think?”

  “I think I like it, I like the feel of it. Whitney, what do you think?”

  I turned to face her. “I think it’s a bit plain.”

  I tipped my head to the side. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, Haley, the dress is beautiful, and it looks great on you. I just think it’s a bit too plain. There is nothing on it besides lace, and I’m not even sure what we could add to dress it up. If you wore a rhinestone bracelet, or something, it would look weird, like it would be too much.”

  “Okay,” I answered turning back to face the mirror.

  “Have you given any thought about a veil, jewelry, or shoes?” Whitney asked, looking at the sample shoes on the floor.

  “Not yet. I wanted to see what kind of dress I got first.”

  “Can you see yourself wearing a veil in this dress?” questioned Maggie.

  “I think it would be too much.”

  “Me, too,” she answered before running her hands down the dress. “It is a beautiful dress, though.

  “Haley, are you ready to try on the last dress?” asked Dania, coming into view of the mirror.

  “I am,” I smiled.

  “The last dress is made by Anna & Audrey, who are a local designing duo. They’ve been easing their way into the fashion world and taking it by storm. I like how they tend to design around the elements of home, more of a simple feel.”

  Dania didn’t say much more as she gathered the dress off the hanger and held it ready for me to step into. Once she helped slide it up and zipped this one into place, she took a step back and locked eyes with me in the mirror and smiled, knowing I’d found the dress.

  “This is the one,” I smiled.

  “I figured this one would be. I made you try on the others so you’d know for sure. Personally, this one is my favorite throughout the entire store, and it fit well into your budget.”

  I turned left and right taking all of the dress in. I ran my hands down the dress. “The material is softer and lighter than I thought.”

  “It’s made from charmeuse, which is extremely light weight for a wedding dress, and it wears wells and looks like satin. The lace on top is a pearl floral ivory lace, which also is lightweight. The two materials create a flowing gown without the weight.”

  She gave me another minute before she asked, “Are you ready to show it to your friends?”

  I nodded my head then turned to face the now-open curtain. I felt beautiful and calm in the dress. I wanted to take a moment and breathe it in, so I walked a bit slower to the three-way mirror. Maggie and Whitney were silent as I walked. The closer I got to the mirror, the bigger my smile was.

  After Dania fluffed my dress around the small platform I stood on, I met Maggie’s eyes in the mirror. Tears glistened in her eyes as she nodded her head. My gaze shifted to Whitney, who wore a huge grin, holding her thumb up in agreement.

  “It’s the one, Haley.”

  “As I was telling Haley, this dress is an Anna & Audrey original. The company is located here in the heart of Arkansas. The strapless charmeuse gown is lightweight and more of a fit for the type of wedding she is having. As you can see, there is a pearl floral lace that sits on top with an ivory ribbon that wraps around her waist and trails down the back, meeting up with the slight train in the back. The ribbon can be changed out with any color. The back of the dress is a little more daring with an open back, but not over the top.”

  “It’s perfect,” I said, not wanting to take it off.

  “It fits you really quiet well; there are hardly any alterations needed—just take in the top a bit and add the push-up cups.”

  “Haley, is this your dress?” asked Whitney, bouncing up and down.

  “This is the dress,” I confirmed as Whitney pulled me into a monster size hug.

  “Have you given any thought to shoes now?” asked Maggie.

  “I’m going to wear my brown cowboy boots.” I turned to look at Dania in the mirror. “How much is the dress?”

  “Six hundred, and the alternations should be around one hundred.”

  “Seven hundred total?” I asked.

  “With tax, the final total will be around seven hundred and eighty dollars.”

  Before I could okay the final price. Maggie whipped out her credit card and handed it over to Dania. Whitney and I started laughing.

  “What?” Maggie asked, looking at us. “You both know damn well if I hadn’t done that, you would have paid for it yourself.”

  “Hey!” I grumbled.

  “She’s right,” Whitney confirmed.

  Before taking the card from Maggie, Dania asked, “Are you interested in a veil, or maybe a flower to put in your hair?”

  “Not a veil, it’ll be too much with the dress, but I like the flower idea.”

  “I saw the perfect one in the showcase,” said Whitney. “I’ll go grab it.”

  I moved my hair around my head in a few messy poses, thinking about what I wanted. “I think I’ll leave my hair down with summer curls and pin one side of it up.”

  Whitney came back with an ivory flower with crystal beading in the middle.

  “This one matches the lace.” She helped me pin it in my hair, and the four of us stared into the mirror.

  “I will give you ladies all the time you need. I’m going to order the size you are wearing now and ring up the final total with the flower. When I come back, I will help you out of the dress.”

  Maggie left with Dania while Whitney and I bounced around excitedly before she helped me take off the dress.

  “The total comes to eight seventy-nine, twenty,” Dania stated to Maggie, who didn’t even bat an eye, as Whitney and I joined them at the counter.

  As she handed her card over the counter, I touched her arm. “Maggie, at least let me pay for half.”

  She pulled her arm out of my grip and preceded to hand her card, and not my father’s, to Dan
ia. “I certainly will not. You are your father’s only daughter, child for that matter, and if he ever found out I let you, he would be so hurt. Let us do this for you Haley.”

  “The flower?”

  Maggie glared at me, and I knew instantly I’d just made her mad. I took a step back and surrendered. “Fine,” I grumbled to myself then took the shopping bag with the flower.

  “Haley, your dress is officially ordered and should be here in February. I recommend you come back and try it on, then make an appointment to have it altered. Then you will need to come back and try it on once more. If it fits perfectly you can take it home, but if we still need to make a few minor adjustments we will still have time.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll call you when it arrives.”

  “Thank you, Dania.”

  Maggie and Whitney waited for me to slip on my shoes then we made our way to the parking lot. I paused at the passenger door before getting in. “Thank you for buying my dress, Maggie.”

  She brought me in for a hug. “You’re quite welcome, sweetheart, but a word to the wise, if your daddy wants to pay for something, just let him; otherwise, I hear about it all night long.”

  “Okay.” I smiled into our hug.

  “Before we head back to the farm, do you mind if we make one more stop?” Whitney asked.

  I glanced at my watch, thinking about how long Charlotte has had Emerson, and if he’s still screaming she would probably want me back so she could be released of her grandmother duties.

  “We have time,” Maggie said. “I checked in with Charlotte while Dania was ordering your dress. She said E was sleeping.”

  THE WEDDING IS four months away, and I have put everything off until now since we don’t need to do a whole lot. We only have twenty-five people invited.

  I asked Grams if she could make her pumpkin cake for the wedding cake. I know she is a little disappointed I don’t want anything fancier, but it’s my favorite cake, and I know Bentley won’t care; he loves everything Grams makes.

  Bentley and I are trying to get our schedules on the same track, but it seems to be really hard lately. The past few months we’ve really only seen each other in passing because of harvest then track and football.