Page 80 of All Dressed Up

“He didn’t?” Rachel cocked her head. There was more to this story. “Did you want him to meet you there?”

Emma turned from the mirror. “It’s silly. I’ve been waiting for him at two p.m. every Sunday since I was a teenager. Years ago, I overheard a conversation my mom had with my Aunt Jackie where she was talking about a premonition she had that my dad would walk across the street to join me at the Star Lite one Sunday at two p.m. Completely wrong, but my heart heard what it wanted to hear.”

She continued. “For years, I’d go to the Star Lite, sit at the exact same table, and hold my breath when the clock struck two. He never came, but I never gave up. Even when my mom set me straight two years ago on what the conversation between her and Aunt Jackie all those years ago was really about, I still showed up. Still do. Every single Sunday. I’ve never given up hope.” She turned back to face the mirror, her shoulders slumping. “Pathetic I know, but it’s all I ever had.”

“Emma.” Rachel’s heart bloomed with both empathy and compassion.

“Is he working next Sunday?” Emma lifted her chin, her voice soft.

Rachel came up beside her. “As a matter of fact, I was going to see if he wouldn’t mind coming in to help me get a head start on your wedding flowers. He has an eye for arranging bouquets just beautifully.” She paused, adding, “But only if that’s okay with you.”

“I’d like that,” Emma said, adding, “Do you think you could bring him to the Star Lite for a late lunch? Maybe at two o’clock?”

Rachel smiled. “I think that can definitely be arranged.”

“Thank you.” Emma studied her reflection. “Mary, why did you change your mind about my dress?”

“Maybe Will could rush order another one,” Rachel offered, not really sure if that was possible. The last thing she wanted was Emma to wear a dress that she wasn’t in love with. Maybe Mary had gotten this one wrong. Do ghosts make mistakes?

Without warning, Emma spun around. “Can I try something for a minute?” She dashed into the other room, not waiting for Rachel’s response.

Okay. Rachel followed her in. She watched Emma walk over to the antique trunk, bend down, and lift it open.

“Just what I thought.” Emma peered down into the trunk, her smile widening.

Just what she thought, what?“Is anything in there?” Rachel asked.

Emma pulled out pristine white satin and lace—and a lot of it. “It’s my dress.” She beamed, letting the material fall to the floor. “My perfect wedding dress.”

“Your dress?” Rachel repeated. “The one you first found?”

“Yes, it’s the exact same one.” She held the dress to her chest. “What a relief. I’m so happy I’ll be wearing you. Thank you, Mary,” she called out.

Stunned, Rachel moved closer. “I don’t understand. If that’s your dress, who does the dress that I found belong to?”

Emma’s expression softened. “Rachel, I realized something only moments ago. You opened the trunk.”

“Because Mary told Jesse there was a dress in there.”

“Andyouopened the trunk.”

“Yes, I opened it.” Rachel’s eyes widened as that declaration sank in. It couldn’t be, could it? “Are you wearing my wedding gown?” she asked in barely a whisper.

Emma stood next to her. It was easy to see that the material would flow all the way to the bottom of Rachel’s much shorter frame.

“I can’t believe it.” Stunned, Rachel couldn’t take her eyes off the beautiful satin gown.

Emma grinned. “Looks like Mary knew you and Will would be making up. Let me change real quick so you can try it on.”

Rachel waited for Emma in the other room, her thoughts going a mile a minute. She didn’t need to try on the dress to know it had to be hers, but what if she never found Will’s heart? She’d never wear it. Seemed cruel of Mary to give her a wedding dress so prematurely.

“Rachel,” Emma returned, both gowns now draped over her arms. “I’m wondering: why did you need my dad to talk to Mary?”

“Um...” Would Emma think she was completely pathetic if she told the truth?

“You said earlier it was why you hired him.”

“It’s stupid.” Rachel shook her head. “Remember when I told you the last time you were here that Mary’s been leaving me notes in her lavender purse? Well, she left me one saying that I couldn’t win Will’s heart because it was missing. It’s why he and I can’t seem to fall in sync. She wanted me to hire your dad to help me find it. I know how ridiculous that sounds.”

“It’s not ridiculous at all.”

“It’s not?” Rachel asked, her voice shaky. There was a lot riding on that question.

Emma stepped closer, resting a supportive hand on Rachel’s shoulder. “It sounds like I’m not the only one that is carrying some hope that my dad will come through.” She handed over the satin cream dress. “Will’s heart might be closer than you think.”

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