The Stranger in the Mirror(12)

Blythe flexed her fingers on the steering wheel but said nothing. Hailey was right about Addison. She might not have had Darcy’s joie de vivre, but why would she, given all that she’d had to overcome? If Blythe were being honest, she had to admit that Addison possessed an inner strength, a courage even, that was admirable. It was unfair to compare her to Darcy. “Have you and Addison talked about your dress?” she asked, changing the subject.

“She just said to pick something I’d be happy to wear again. Not a froufrou bridesmaid dress, thank goodness. But I’ll wait and let her choose hers first.”

Blythe didn’t reply. Hailey was to be Addison’s only attendant. It bothered Blythe that in the two years Addison had lived in Philadelphia, she hadn’t gotten close enough to anyone else to include in the wedding. She wondered what that said about Addison’s ability to connect with people.

Blythe was able to avoid sensitive topics for the rest of the short drive, and when they walked into the salon, she was pleased to see that Addison was already there and talking to Philippa Morgan, the owner.

“Ah, here they are,” Philippa said as she and Addison turned to welcome them. “Hello, Mrs. Oliver. Addison and I were just talking about what kind of style she has in mind.”

“Please call me Blythe. This is my daughter, Hailey.” She stepped forward to give Addison a quick hug. “Hello, my dear.”

“Thank you for arranging this, Blythe,” Addison said. “I appreciate it.”

“Wonderful,” Philippa gushed. “May I get you coffee or tea? Perhaps some water?”

“Nothing for me,” Addison said.

Blythe waved her hand. “Maybe later. Why don’t we get started?”

“Perfect. Well, as I was saying, Addison and I had a few minutes to talk about the styles she’s interested in seeing, so why don’t you and Hailey have a seat while I take the bride-to-be to the dressing room?” The owner turned to Addison. “All long-sleeved, right?” She waited for Addison’s nod and then said to Blythe, “She’ll be out in a jiffy to model for you.”

After a few minutes Philippa swept back into the room with a flourish. “Here is the first dress for you to see.”

When Addison stepped up onto the dais in a Carolina Herrera silk gown with a cascading train in the back, both mother and daughter gasped. She looked stunningly beautiful in the elegant, form-fitting dress.

“Oh my,” Blythe finally said. “I’m not sure she needs to try on anything else.”

“It’s fabulous,” Hailey chimed in. “You look amazing.”

“I . . . I don’t know,” Addison said, turning around and looking at her reflection from different angles. She stepped down from the pedestal and went to Blythe. “It’s so expensive,” she said softly. “I didn’t even want to try it on, but Philippa insisted.”

“She was right. It’s perfect for you.”

“But it’s almost nine thousand dollars,” Addison said, looking stricken. “I’m not sure I’d be comfortable wearing a dress that cost so much.”

It was a struggle to contain her frustration, but Blythe did her best. “I understand,” she said, and turned to Philippa. “I think we’re interested in seeing some gowns that are more in the one-or two-thousand-dollar range.” She looked at Addison. “How does that sound?”

“I’m sorry. I hope you don’t think I’m ungrateful, because I’m not. You and Ted have been wonderful. It’s just . . .” She looked at the floor, and Blythe could tell that she was trying not to cry.

“It’s fine, Addison. We’ll find a dress you love and then have a nice lunch. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you,” Addison said, still looking upset.

After trying on eleven more gowns, Addison finally settled on a similar style at a much-reduced price. She looked lovely in it, because she would look wonderful in anything, Blythe thought, but it had none of the elegance and sophistication of the Carolina Herrera gown.

“It’s really pretty, Addy. I like it,” Hailey said, rising and stepping up on the platform to get a closer look.

“You do?”

Hailey smiled, taking both of Addison’s hands in hers and holding them out as if to get a better look at the dress. “Absolutely. It’s perfect for you.”

Blythe sat quietly and watched the two of them. They seemed to have a great deal in common, not least of which was their shared love of animals, and Hailey had recruited Addison to volunteer with her at the SPCA. It was clear that they had the kind of connection that Blythe had so far failed to achieve with her prospective daughter-in-law, and that bothered her. She adored both of her children and had always envisioned a close relationship with whoever they married, and she knew she’d have had that with Darcy, who was so warm and affectionate. Addison seemed—aloof was the wrong word—more like fearful of revealing too much, of getting too close. Blythe sighed, inwardly chastising herself for being so critical. Maybe in time things would improve.

She watched as Hailey touched the row of satin buttons on one of the dress’s sleeves. As the fabric shifted slightly, Addison jerked her hand away, but it was too late. Both Hailey and Blythe had seen the jagged scar starting at her wrist. Dear God, Blythe thought. What terrible things are hiding in this young woman’s past?