A Tailor-Made Husband. Winnie Griggs

       Chapter Six

      Hazel pushed aside her self-pitying thoughts. This was about Tensy, not her. “Who’s the lucky man?”

      Tensy’s blush deepened. “I’m afraid I can’t say. I’m being premature because he hasn’t actually asked me to marry him yet.” She wrung her hands. “But we have an understanding,” she added quickly, “and I have high hopes that the proposal will come soon. The only reason I’m confiding in you this way is because you’ll be leaving soon and I had my heart set on a special dress...”

      Hazel sincerely hoped Tensy wasn’t headed for heartbreak. But it wasn’t her place to preach caution. “Say no more,” she said, raising her hands. “I’m honored to have you share your secret with me. Now, let’s pick out a style first and then we’ll discuss fabrics. Do you have anything in particular in mind?”

      “I want a dress special enough to make me feel like a princess.”

      Hazel hid a smile at her customer’s hyperbole. “I’ll do my very best. It’s my personal belief that every bride should feel like a princess on her wedding day.” She drew out the latest copies of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue Magazine that she had on hand and the two women began poring over them.

      Tensy eagerly looked through the magazines, pointing out everything that caught her eye. These tended to be ostentatious gowns with lots of lace, ruffles and beading. Hazel mentally winced. She had nothing against embellishments, but these could be taken too far and one had to be conscious of how it would look on the individual. Tensy was much too squarely built to be able to wear such styles with grace.

      When Hazel diplomatically mentioned the cost of the materials involved in such elaborate creations, Tensy’s expression turned to one of dismay.

      “Actually,” Hazel said with a conspiratorial smile, “I prefer something less elaborate myself. There’s something so elegant about a simple, understated design, especially when it’s paired with just the right fabric. And we can certainly add a few extras to give it that regal look you want.”