Page 45 of The Curse Breakers

“That you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” And she was. Her satin dress was a halter style with a short train and scattered appliqués around the waist and bodice. It was simple but elegant. So her.

“Who would have thought I’d get married first? You were always the one who wanted a husband and kids.”

My mouth twisted into a sideways grimace. “I know. Go figure.” Then I realized how awful that sounded. “But I’m so happy for you. I hope you don’t think I’m not.”

Claire grabbed my hands in hers. “Don’t worry, Ellie. You’ll find the right guy. I know it. I have a feeling he’s right around the corner.”

I nodded, but given the ins and outs of my current situation, I knew it was unlikely. “Well, this will be your big day, and you’ll be so gorgeous that it won’t matter if I wear a gunnysack standing next to you. So I retract my protests about the dress.”

Her face broke into a wide grin. “That’s the surprise.” She grabbed a dress swathed in a plastic bag from the closet and handed it to me. “Surprise!”

I took the garment bag. “Is this my dress?”

“Open it.”

I laid the bag on the bed and unzipped it, gasping when I saw the green satin fabric. “It’s not orange.”

“Nope, it’s emerald green. You look so pretty in that color. And the halter top will make your tits look amazing.”

I ignored that comment. “But you ordered orange dresses. And your sister…”

“It’s my wedding, and I can do what I want.” She smirked. “You’ve had a shitty few weeks, and if this dress makes you even the tiniest bit happy, then…” Her voice trailed off as she shrugged.

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

“Try it on.”

I went into the bathroom and put on the silky dress, which clung to my curves and flared at my calves. It was a similar style to Claire’s, only a different color and not appliquéd. And Claire was right about the V neckline showing off my cleavage. When I walked into the bedroom, she was sitting on her bed, still wearing her wedding dress.

“You’re beautiful.” She pulled back the hair from my face. “I think you should wear your hair down in the back but pulled up in the front. The auburn looks great against the green.”

“Thanks, Claire.” My eyes burned and I blinked. I knew the fit her sister would throw.

“I got a deal on it, so think nothing of it.” She hopped up off the bed. “You can take it to the bridal shop in Nags Head and see if you need alterations.” Turning around, she lifted her hair. “Unzip me. I need to take this off before Drew gets home. We need all the luck we can get with the craziness going on around here.”

I grabbed the zipper and pulled it down. “Are you still going to help me get my car?”

“What? Was the homeless guy busy?”

“Very funny.”

After we changed, we headed for the garage, and I realized I hadn’t talked to Claire all day. “You won’t believe what happened this morning.”

“You got laid?”

“Claire.” But I knew she was just trying to make me feel better. I still hadn’t told her how close I’d come to following through with Collin the night before, and I didn’t plan to. “No. Get your mind out of the gutter. One of Myra’s researcher guests is Dr. Preston from UNC.”

She sat up and turned to me. “The one we went to see? You’ve got to be kidding!”

I shook my head. “He asked about the symbols on the doors.”

Claire’s face lit up with excitement. “This is good! Did you tell him?”

“No. He said he’ll be here for two weeks, and I don’t want to do anything to scare him off. But Becky came in talking about the giant horned snake and the animal that’s been eating dogs’ hearts, and it got his attention. I’m hoping he might be ready to talk to me tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“I told Myra I’d help in the main house in the afternoons and evenings. I did a shift at Darrell’s today, so I didn’t get a chance to finish fixing up their rooms.”

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