The Bride in Oz

Something's Missing

A little later, Sophia was with the bridesmaids when Cora came and said, "Sophia, Hugo is here to see you."

"I'm coming," Sophia said. She really couldn't wait to see her fiancé anyway, so she hurried with her big sister to see him.

"Hey, sweetie," Hugo said.

"Honey, what brings you here?" Sophia asked.

"Well, I was out with Dad today, and I saw something very special that you should wear for the wedding," Hugo said. "I just can't wait until tomorrow to give it to you."

Hugo pulled out a beautiful blue diamond that was on a black choker necklace.

"Wow, it's beautiful, Hugo," said Sophia. "Thank you."

"No problem," Hugo said. He put the necklace on his fiancée. "I'm really looking forward to the wedding," he said.

"I couldn't be more excited," Sophia agreed. The beautiful couple happily hugged tightly.

"Well, I hate to leave, honey, but Dad wants me back at the farm to keep setting up for the wedding," Hugo said.

"No worries," Sophia said. "I'll see you at the wedding."

"Okay," Hugo said.

As soon as Hugo was gone, Lucy came and said, "Sophia, your mother wants you to pick out a bouquet."

"I'll be there," Sophia said. On her way to see her mother, Sophia stopped at a mirror and looked at her reflection. She loved the beautiful necklace Hugo gave her, and she couldn't wait to see how it looks with her dress.

Sophia saw that there were many beautiful bouquets. But she couldn't pick out one that tickles her fancy—and none of them looked good with her dress. Just as Sophia got to a big bouquet of bright yellow bush lilies, she started sneezing.

"Bless you," everybody said.

"Thanks," Sophia sniffled. Then she let out a few more sneezes.

"Are you getting a cold?" asked one bridesmaid.

"No, I'm allergic to bush lilies," said Sophia. She blew her nose on a hanky.

"Maybe you should go to the community flower garden to find a good flower for the bouquet," said Cora.

"Okay," said Sophia. She put on a helmet and got on her trusty horse, Butterfly.