Page 93 of The Gingerbread Bakery
They all piled into Mac’s enormous SUV truck-thing and, before they were even back on the highway, Annie had to know. ‘So, what is it?’ she asked.
Estelle unwrapped the package and held up some sort of fabric or garment. Annie still wasn’t sure what she was looking at.
She turned around so she could get a better look at it. ‘But what is it?’
‘It’s a nightgown,’ the old woman replied, and Annie nearly choked on her spit.
Itwasa nightgown, a nightgown that was probably older than the country itself. The material was yellowed, and it had long sleeves and a high neck and would probably reach down to Jeanie’s ankles. It was an actual nightmare. It was what an angry ghost would wear while haunting an old Victorian manor.
‘Wow!’ was all Annie could reply. She couldn't meet Dot’s eye as she was currently very clearly trying not to laugh.
‘You want Jeanie to wear that tonight?’
‘Of course,’ Estelle said. ‘And if she does, she and Logan will have a long and happy marriage, guaranteed.’ She beamed and Annie had to turn around before she started laughing. She could see Dot’s shoulders beginning to shake. They had come all this way to retrieve an ancient nightie. Annie was pretty sure that if Jeanie did wear it, the thing would disintegrate as soon as Logan touched her. The thought had her snorting as she tried to stifle her laughter.
‘Wait a minute,’ Mac said, slowly piecing things together from his position in the driver’s seat. ‘Did we just drive to New Hampshire to pick up some magic, old-timey lingerie?’
That was when Annie and Dot completely lost it, descending into hysterical giggles. Even Estelle started to chuckle.
‘I guess I forgot how old it was,’ she said. ‘I’m not sure it’s going to hold up to another wedding night.’
The group laughed even harder at that. Annie was doubled over in the passenger seat, her sides aching.
‘Can I please be there when you give it to them?’ she asked between giggles. ‘I can’t wait to see the look on Logan's face when he sees it.’
‘Jeanie’s so sweet, she’ll probably pretend she likes it,’ Mac said, and the group broke down again.
‘My God, this is insane,’ Annie said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
‘It really did seem like a good idea at the time,’ Estelle said.
Dot patted her on her shoulder. ‘It was a lovely idea. I’m sure Logan and Jeanie will appreciate the gesture.’
‘Yeah, and silver lining: Mac almost got a girlfriend out of the deal,’ Annie said.
‘Sylvia was a very handsome woman,’ he said straight-faced. ‘Although I didn’t love the part where she wanted to tell me howlovingher dead husband used to be.’
Annie giggled. ‘Big shoes to fill,’ she said, nudging Mac’s arm where it rested on the center console.
He shook his head and smiled at her. ‘I’m not sure I could keep up with Sylvia, that’s for sure.’
It was suddenly quiet in the backseat and Annie glanced back.
Dot smiled. ‘What's going on between you two? Something's different.’
‘Nothing’s different,’ Annie snapped.
‘No.’ Dot shook her head. ‘Something’s definitely different.’ Her eyes lit up. ‘You two finally had sex, didn't you?’
‘Thank God,’ Estelle said, rolling her eyes. ‘Wait. What day is it? I might have won the pool.’
Annie's face flushed hot. She couldn’t believe she had to have this conversation while trapped in a vehicle with Mac.
‘Wedidn’thave sex. Everything is thesamebetween us.Nothingis going on, okay?’
Both women looked at her like they didn’t believe a single word she was saying.
‘Now, Annie, that’s not entirely true.’ Mac’s voice was teasing and devious.He wouldn’t.
