It was a small linen canvas, not yet framed. The painting had been done in watercolors, giving it a soft, dreamy look. It showed a woman – obviously Katelynn – in a flowing, sleeveless white gown, walking through a grove of cherry blossoms. She wore her hair pulled halfway up, the loose bun decorated with flowers.
But the most striking thing was the cloak she was wearing. It was long and gauzy, white on the top, but swirled and streaked with iridescent colors underneath, and it billowed behind her like a pair of wings.
“R-remember when we were talking about your wedding dress? You wanted to put butterfly wings on it, but I said that would be too over-the-top?” Jack gestured to the picture. “I thought this might be a good compromise.”
It was so beautiful the emotions caused the welling of tears in her eyes. She had yet to go gown shopping but the way he had painted her made her look beautiful and glad that she hadn’t. It gave her more ideas of what she wanted the dress to look like.
“You’re…this…” A harsh giggled caused her chest to deflate in happiness before she was back to hugging him, hand gripping the material of his shirt. “I-I love it!”
Another surge of relief washed through Jack. “If you really like it,” he said, “I sent some sketches to a specialty clothing designer. All I have to do is call them back, and it’ll be ready in time for the wedding."
Jack Maple 