Page 53 of All Dressed Up

“Well, legend has it...” Rachel started, and Will could tell she was gathering her thoughts. He loved her even more for the fib she was about to tell to save his hide. “Legend has it that if you put your wedding dress in there overnight, you will have a long and happy marriage.”

“Really?”

Will had to agree with Pauline. That was a big promise.

“Really.” Rachel nodded. “Hope chests had been used to store necessities for unmarried women for centuries, but this one was believed to be carved by an ancestor of Sheila Stevens, so we all know it has...” She lowered her voice, finishing her sentence, “...magical properties.”

“Interesting.”

“Right!” Rachel kept going with the lie. “All the women in town used it in the nineteen twenties and thirties. They’d put their wedding dresses right in there for the night and open it the next day. It was an important event for Buttermilk Falls brides. Everyone took itveryseriously.”

“Wow.” Pauline eyed the trunk. “And you put it in there last night?” Will could see that Pauline was beginning to buy Rachel’s story hook, line, and sinker.

“Yes. Sheila acquired the trunk recently and gave it to Will.” Rachel looked over at him to back her up.

“Right. Brandon and Adam brought it up here,” he offered.

Well, at least they were honest about how the trunk ultimately got here. Rachel continued, “Sheila thought it might be nice to reassure brides that nothing else will go wrong. Will put your new dress inside last night.” She patted Pauline’s shoulder. “Now, go ahead and take a peek. The bride must open it for it to work.”

“For it to work?”

“The good luck.” Rachel motioned for Pauline to go on and pull up the handle. “I think you’ll be pleased to see what is inside.”

Man, he hoped so. Will leaned down and whispered in Rachel’s ear, “Nice going.”

She smiled up at him, her blue eyes shimmering. Every emotion inside him began to stir. Rachel really did have his back, and that meant everything. He’d thank her later.

“Okay, then.” Pauline crouched down and placed her hand on the handle, lifting up. She put her hands inside the trunk.

Will’s heart began to race.Holy Mother!Therewasa dress in there.

Pauline pulled it out, her eyes widening at the white and black fabric.

Will’s heart dropped to his stomach.Oh crap.It wasn’t the dress she ordered. Not at all. Why was this happening? First Emma, now Pauline.

“It’s...” Pauline started to say but seemed speechless.

“What’s wrong?” Rachel asked.

Will stepped in to launch damage control. “It’s not her dress. I’m so sorry. It’s my fault. I completely messed up. My mistake. Yours hasn’t come in. It should be here this week, though. I’ll give you a ca—”

“How did you know?” Pauline interjected before he could finish.

“Um...” How did he know what?

“I wanted this dress so much. It was my first choice, but my mom insisted that I go with something less my type and more hers. She pitched a fit when I put this on. Remember?”

He thought back to that day. Pauline had been a trouper trying on at least a dozen dresses until settling on the one that got her mom’s stamp of approval. He had no idea the one in her hands was the one she really wanted.

Pauline brought the gown to the mirror, admiring the strapless sweetheart line. With its black lace, it certainly appeared made-to-order for the gothic mortician.

Rachel came up beside her. “This is the dress you wanted?”

Pauline nodded in the mirror. “My mom talked me into something more traditional.” She mouthed the word, “boring.”

“Well, this one is really unique, and the lace is sensational.” Rachel continued to admire the dress.

Pauline twisted around. “Who is this for?”

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