Page 79 of All Dressed Up

“I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe you both need some distance tonight to gain perspective.” She laughed. “Right about now, I suspect Abby’s put him in a much better mood.”

“I hope so.”She doubted Abby or anyone could help the situation. She definitely had some apologizing to do. She should have never flipped out on him like she did. It wasn’t just seeing him in Amber’s arms that led to her outburst. No, the fact that he didn’t recognize the pink snapdragons was what truly crushed her heart.

Rachel stepped into the boutique’s entranceway, turning on the lights. Right now, she had to focus on Emma. The bride needed a wedding gown, and she was about to deliver a beautiful one. “Did Will mention how we got your dress?”

“He said Mary told you it was in the trunk.”

Rachel nodded. “She did. It’s over here.” Should she admit to Emma that Mary’s message had been conveyed to her by Jesse? She crossed the room to the first dress rack and pulled it out, holding it high. “Here it is! Isn’t it simply gorgeous?”

“Wow.” Emma’s lips turned downward.

“What’s wrong?” Rachel looked from Emma to the dress. “Is there something on it?” She inspected the cream satin. It was still as beautiful as when she pulled it out of the trunk.

Emma stepped closer, touching the fabric. “Will did mention that it was different.”

“It’s not at all like the original one you pulled out?” Rachel asked. She already knew the answer from what Will had told her last week, but maybe he’d been exaggerating.

“No, but you’re right. It is beautiful.” She laughed. “Maybe Mary thought I’d look better in this one.”

“Why don’t you go try it on.” Rachel nodded in the direction of the other room. “You can change in there.”

While Emma did just that, Rachel took the time to tidy up, pausing at Will’s desk. His bright red tie that he’d worn earlier was now hanging off the back of his chair. She picked it up, wrapping the silk around her wrist. The smell of his spicy cologne tickled her nose. “I’m sorry I was such a jerk to you.”

She shouldn’t have heaved the snapdragons at him and stormed out like she did. She glanced around. Had he gotten rid of the flowers?

“I’m not sure this is going to work for me.”

Rachel turned, immediately stifling a laugh. “Oh my.” The sleek dress was gorgeous, if it was meant to fall just below the knee, which is what it did on Emma’s tall frame. “Um... It’s...”

“My thoughts exactly. I’m not sure what Mary’s going with here.” She moved over to the mirror. “I mean, it is beautiful, but I was hoping for something a bit longer. The first one was just so perfect. Are you sure Mary said it was meant for me?”

Rachel bit down on her lip, trying to remember her conversation with Jesse. “She didn’t exactly tell me.”

“I thought you said she did. Did she leave you a note in her purse?”

“No.” There really was no reason to lie. Rachel blurted out the truth. “She told your dad. I’m sorry. I should have mentioned that detail.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “My dad can talk to ghosts?”

“Yeah.” Rachel unwrapped Will’s tie from her wrist. “I didn’t believe him at first.”

“What did she tell him?”

“That there was a dress in the trunk. We were downstairs when it happened.” She set the tie down on the chair’s back where she’d found it. “It was the reason I hired Jesse. I can correspond with Mary through him.”

“Wow.” Emma straightened her shoulders in the mirror, adjusting the straps. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that he might have some sort of powers.” Her gaze met Rachel’s. “How’s he doing?”

Rachel smiled. That question she could answer. “I think he enjoys working here, and he knows his flowers. He seems to like being back in town.” She closed her mouth. How much did Emma know about her dad and the circumstances why he couldn’t return at the hands of Sheila? It was best not to go there.

Emma stopped playing with the straps. “You know, I waited for him yesterday.”

“You did? Where?”

“At the Star Lite.”

“Did you talk with him?” Rachel asked. Why hadn’t Jesse said anything earlier?

“No.” Emma shook her head. “He didn’t even know I was there.”

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