Page 7 of Sheltering You

Not that Jasmine would complain. She had new friends in Maine. She had freedom here. She was happy here. She was allowed to be happy. Encouraged to be happy.

So different from life in Iraq.

In America, she’d seen women ignore notifications on their phones, rolling their eyes as if it were a chore to have people who loved them. For Jasmine, every ding, every vibration, every little red dot reminded her of her freedom.

But it would be rude to take out her phone. Even when it buzzed again, she ignored it.

“Do you have a similar tradition in Iraq?” Eliza asked. “Shopping for a wedding dress?”

“Perhaps some families did.” Jasmine shrugged. “Since the war, things have been very difficult. Nothing is as it was before.”

“Oh.” Eliza’s brows lowered. “I didn’t realize… The war was over a long time ago, wasn’t it?”

“For America, yes. But there was a civil war after that, and the economy was difficult, and⁠—”

“Here she comes!” The cheerful clerk hurried through the doorway, and Jasmine wasn’t sorry to be interrupted. The last thing she wanted to do was explain Iraqi politics. Everything had fallen apart—in her country and in her family. They all needed Jesus. Until her people found the One True God, they would remain lost. And angry. And filled with hate.

There was no room for such ugly thoughts in this beautiful place.

Oh. Speaking of beautiful…

Leila wore the gown Jasmine had liked for herself. Leila didn’t tell the other women that, and when they told her how gorgeous it was, she thanked them but caught Jasmine’s eye in the mirror.

Jasmine couldn’t think of a word to say. It was everything Jasmine had always wanted and would never have. It was the moon. Unspeakably lovely.

And as far from reach.

“That is beautiful,” Peggy exclaimed. “I can’t imagine you any lovelier.”

Leila broke their eye contact and turned to her future mother-in-law. “Thank you. It is, but it’s not mine.” Without further explanation, she returned to the dressing room, leaving confused murmuring behind her.

“I really liked that one,” Sophie said. “I guess she didn’t, though.”

“It wasn’t her style.” Jasmine swallowed the emotions trying to give her away. “She will find the perfect dress.”

A few minutes later, Leila emerged wearing a slim-fitting sequined gown that flared at the bottom. A mermaid-cut, a dress Leila never would have picked out.

“That’s striking,” Summer said. “There aren’t very many women who can wear that style, but it works on you. And see how it makes you seem taller?”

Peggy added, “And shows off your slim figure.”

Leila angled this way and that, checking her reflection. “I’m not sure.” When she caught Jasmine’s gaze, Jasmine saw what she really meant. She hated it.

“I’m not sure it is quite right for you.” It wasn’t like Jasmine to be the contrary one, but she would do this for Leila. “It is a little…like the lights are blinking?”

“Flashy?” By the tone of Summer’s word, she disagreed.

“Yes, that is a good word to describe, I think.” Jasmine nodded at the intimidating blonde, then turned back to her sister. “It doesn’t reflect who you are.” It did reflect everything else in the room, though. It was like wearing a disco ball.

Leila nodded, her lips tipping up at the corners. “You are right, sister. Thank you.” She stepped off the platform and back through the door, the clerk following.

Jasmine dared a peek at Summer, afraid she might be angry, but Summer only smiled. “You know her better than we do. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Yes. I am as well.” The words, such small words, could never convey the depth of feeling that lay behind them. Even in her native tongue, she didn’t have the words to express her gratitude for being there with her sister. Safe. Protected.

“They’re all going to look amazing on her,” Peggy said. “You’ll help her find the one that suits her.”

As girls, Jasmine and Leila used to dream of their future weddings. They’d both wanted Cinderella gowns then—wide skirt, fitted bodice, puffy shoulders. Recently, as they’d perused magazines, Leila had shown a preference for more modern, elegant cuts.