Rachel's doorbell rang. She looked through the peep-hole at the lovely young lady on the other side.

"Tiffany?" Rachel inquired as she opened the door.

"Yes, I'm the one who called about the dress ad."

"Come right in, I have it hanging in the living room for you." Rachel opened the door wide.

"Oh my goodness! It's just gorgeous. Isn't it, Shawn?" Tiffany gushed to the handsome, youthful man who had followed her into the house.

"It's a dress, Sis. That's all I know about wedding attire. You're on your own here," he answered with a shake of his head.

"Can I try it on?" Tiffany was nearly jumping up and down.

"Sure. My bedroom is through that door." Rachel felt her heart sinking through the floor. That dress represented all of her girlhood dreams.

Shawn shifted from foot to foot, obviously uncomfortable. Rachel saw a family resemblance between him and the giggly bride-to-be he'd apparently chauffeured. They had the same wavy red hair and bright blue eyes. Upon closer inspection, Rachel could tell he wasn't that young, just rather boyish in appearance. Nice, she thought. There was an aura of good, decent, honest man about him. It was refreshing compared to the sophisticated men she'd always been attracted to. The ones that always hid their true identities beneath an appealing veneer.

Hold it. Who said you could be attracted to this guy? Bad Rachel, bad.

Still, when their eyes connected, Rachel felt a little rush of electricity. She was surprised the light bulbs in the living room didn't glow a little brighter.

Shawn gave her a shy smile. Rachel felt herself return it. It was an automatic response, she insisted to herself.

A shriek sliced through the air. Rachel rushed to the bedroom, and tried the door. It was locked.

"Are you okay?" she called.

"I'm ... I ... I think I'm stuck!" Tiffany wailed from the other side of the door.

"Can you unlock the door?"

"I'll try," Tiffany half sobbed.

The doorknob jiggled, then turned. Rachel pulled the door open just enough to squeeze in. She quickly assessed the situation, and stifled a chortle. The girl hadn't completely unzipped the back of the dress. Now she was stuck with her bust below the waistband, and the top skirts flipped over her head. With her shoulders wedged in the middle of the garment, she was having a hard time moving her arms.

"Here, let me unzip you. We'll get you into this dress in a jiffy." Rachel was rather proud of her efforts to keep a straight face. For the most part they were successful.

It only took a few moments to get Tiffany properly dressed, and Shawn called in to do his brotherly duty of approving the white lace confection of a gown.

She looked radiant. Exactly as a bride should be. Rachel felt a tear threaten to escape, as she looked at her dress on someone else.

"You must have been a knock out bride in this," Tiffany said with a sigh.

The tear in Rachel's eye broke free. "No, I never made it to the altar. It just wasn't meant to be."

Shawn slid a look her way and cocked an eyebrow. That wild electrical jolt hit Rachel again before another drop of moisture surfaced.

"His loss," he mumbled in a voice so low, Rachel wondered if she'd heard him right.

"I think I'll take it. It's perfect," Tiffany said as she spun back and forth, seemingly oblivious to Rachel's answer to her comment.

"You'll have to change back into your clothes, Sis. At least, if we're leaving."

Tiffany let out a laugh that was more akin to the bray of a donkey and ushered him out of the room. Rachel remained to assist in removing the garment.

As Tiffany pulled her arms out of the sleeves, Rachel caught sight of a familiar glimmer. That engagement ring looked an awful lot like one she knew all too well-a solitaire with two ivy shaped decorations on either side. Rachel felt woozy. That was her ring. This girl was going to get married in her dress, wearing her ring. It just wasn't right.

"So are you doing the budget wedding? Used dress, used ring?" Rachel asked, feeling numb.

"Well, I have to buy my own dress. My parents aren't behind me on this marriage thing," she answered, then in a whisper, "I'm pregnant. It's a rush, rush wedding, but I know my man had my ring made just for me. I saw the design papers hidden in his drawer." She giggled again.

Rachel nodded, remembering the paperwork the jewelry designer had given Chris. They had the ring designed together. He must have given it to the groom when he sold her ring. Correction, the ring.

They finished the transaction, and the bride/mother-to-be carried her dress out the front door.

"It was a pleasure to meet you," Shawn said as his ocean blue eyes held Rachel's. It was almost an embrace.

"Yes, quite a pleasure," she replied, feeling like a complete ass, but not knowing what else to say.

"Come on Shawn, I'm supposed to meet Chris for lunch," Tiffany called from the lawn.

Rachel thought the world had stopped spinning and the centrifugal force slammed her into a wall. Thank goodness neither Tiffany or Shawn seemed to notice.