A Savannah Christmas Wish

Bess tugged the tulle until it draped down the side of the arbor. Climbing down, she took a few steps back. Then glanced over at her sister. “You look fantastic.”

Dolley twirled and the skirt flared out. “You will, too, once you’re dressed.”

“Is Mamma ready?” Bess looked at her watch. Lord, she needed to check the ballroom.

“She’s getting her hair done.” Dolley waved her off. “Go.”

Bess took the Fitzgerald carriage-house steps two at a time. She tore off her shorts and T-shirt and hopped in the shower. After scrubbing, she washed her hair and shaved, slowing down so she didn’t nick her ankles.

With a towel wrapped around her hair, she slapped Abby’s lemon verbena lotion on her legs and arms. Then she blew her hair dry. She grabbed a handful of her strawberry-blonde curls. What do I do with this mop?

Instead of making a decision, she dashed on makeup. Then she pulled on a strapless bra and underwear, wishing she’d picked a dress with straps.

“Are you ready?” Dolley called out from the living room.

“Everything but my hair.”

Her sister leaned against the bathroom doorway. “You might want to put on clothes, too.”

“My shorts?” Bess joked.

“No.” Her sister moved behind her. “Let’s put your hair up.”

“Or I could leave it down.”

Dolley grabbed a brush and binder, and tugged it through Bess’s hair. “No, up. You have a nice neck and you’re almost tan.”

“You mean my freckles are blending together.” It was the best they could hope for in a family of redheads.

Dolley pinned and hummed, spraying Bess’s hair with more hair spray than she’d used in a year. Then she pulled out sections of hair and curled them.

“Is Abby ready?” Bess craned her neck to see what Dolley was doing.

“Stop moving, and yes. She’s in the kitchen, but she’s dressed.”

“I have to check how Molly’s doing in the ballroom.” Bess tapped the counter. “Are you done?”

“Almost. Jeez.” Dolley wrapped another strand of hair around the curling iron.

“I don’t have to look great. It’s Mamma’s day.”

“It won’t hurt you to dress up. There might be good-looking men at the wedding.”

Daniel would be attending. Bess swallowed. Maybe the dress would make him see what he’d tossed aside. It would be nice to have him regret what had happened between them.

Dolley stepped away and handed her a mirror. “I’m awesome.”

Bess blinked. Her hair was all gentle swirls and soft curls around her face. “It’s...amazing.”

“I’m a genius. Hang on.” Dolley pushed her back onto the vanity chair. She rummaged in Bess’s makeup bag. “Don’t you own eyeliner?”

“No.”

Dolley pulled open Abby’s perfectly organized makeup drawer. “Close your eyes.”

“Eyeliner makes me look like a raccoon.” But Bess closed her eyes.

“Sit still.” Dolley worked on her eyes, adding more eye shadow along with the liner. “There.”

Bess blinked, worried she would cry and muss Dolley’s work. “I look...” Like someone else. Her eyes were bigger, greener. “I bow to your superior hair and makeup skills.”

“You should.” Dolley hit her hair with another spritz of hair spray. “Get dressed.”

Bess pulled on a chiffon dress similar to the ones her sisters wore. Abby and Dolley had convinced her to wear the strapless design. Slipping on sparkly heels, she tugged on the short skirt. “Well?”

Dolley whistled. “You’re hot. Let’s go help Mamma.”

They headed to the Mamie Eisenhower room in the main house. Bess knocked.

Abby, wearing the same yellow dress but with straps, opened the door. “Finally. Come see how pretty Mamma looks.”

Mamma’s golden-red hair gleamed and her blue eyes sparkled. The worry from years of struggling with Fitzgerald House no longer marred her beautiful face. Her tea-length ivory dress with a full skirt made her look so young.

Bess pinned a spray of white dendrobium orchids on the side of Mamma’s hair. “You’re gorgeous.”

“I feel foolish.” Mamma twisted her hands until Bess caught one and held it. “We should have gone to the courthouse and skipped the folderol.”

“Absolutely not,” Dolley protested. “Martin better be good to you, or he’ll answer to us.”

“He’s very good to me.” Her mother blushed. “But at my age, I shouldn’t be planning such a wingding.”

“Nonsense, you have daughters in the business.” Bess kissed her cheek. “I need to check the ballroom.”

“Wait.” Abby popped the cork on a champagne bottle. “We’re celebrating before everything gets crazy.”

Bess held glasses while Abby poured. Dolley moved around the room, taking pictures of the bride.

“Is that a new camera?” Abby tried to hand Dolley a glass.

“I bought it on eBay for a steal.” She flashed the hefty camera at them.

Bess waved a hand around the group. “Set it up so we can all be in the picture.”

Dolley did, then joined the family.

“To you, Mamma.” Bess raised her glass. “Be happy.”

Mamma’s eyes filled with tears. She held up her glass. “To my girls. May you all find the happiness I’ve found.”