by Fiona Roarke
Jess and Brianna looked at each other and shook their heads. They’d seen all the ready-to-wear dresses. No. This dress had to be special.
They left the boutique and walked along the chilly sidewalk. Since morning, the skies had turned overcast, and tiny flakes of snow blustered around them.
“If I were four inches taller, I’d be the right weight and fit into a size ten,” Brianna said.
“Phooey on that. You’re fine just as you are. Just ask Connor,” Jess said.
“What do you suppose grandmother meant when she told me the dress would fit perfectly?” Brianna asked.
“I have no idea. If you want, I can take off my ring and try to see it. No promises,” Jess offered.
“That’s sweet. But I want to do this straight up. No magic. No using the psychic gifts. The regular, old-fashioned normal human way.”
Brianna could only imagine what was going through her mother’s mind with the news that her daughter was getting married. In Nocturne Falls. And the conversation with her father would have been a disaster.
He might decide not to show up at all. And not a problem for Brianna. But she hoped her brother and mother would come. It was, after all, her wedding day.
The cousins stepped out of the way as a couple pushing a stroller passed.
“You remember what Nana told you the night she appeared in Solange’s solarium?” Jess asked.
The day her time traveling grandmother appeared out of nowhere from another dimension? That day? As though Brianna could ever forget.
“‘When I know something, I know it,’” Brianna said.
“She’s nothing if not a straight shooter. Hang in there. We’ll find the right dress. There’s lots of time.”
Oh, sure. Loads and loads.
The next stop was Howlers Bar where Jess had arranged to hold her reception. The owner, Bridget Merrow, had included clever menu workarounds that met Ryan’s vegetarian preferences and Jess’s penchant for anything beef.
Neither excited Brianna. She’d been raised on Pacific Northwest fish. Her mouth watered for a grilled freshwater trout. Or a melt-in-the-mouth wild salmon.
“Any chance we can add some fresh fish to the menu?” Brianna asked.
“Wow. I’d love to,” Bridget said. “But I don’t know if we can get an order in here by then. I can call around, but no promises.”
At Delaney’s Delectables, Delaney pulled out her sketchbook and went over Jess’s cake details. Delaney had taken a swatch of the beaded lace from the gown and worked it into a design. The topper would be marzipan white roses. Ryan’s groom cake would be devil’s food with mocha cream cheese frosting.
“Now, Brianna, what were you thinking?” Delaney asked.
The question of the day. What was she thinking? Jess was so organized. So detailed. So prepared.
And Brianna was so behind the curve.
“Honestly? I love hummingbird cake. But can you make the whole cake out of that? It would weigh a ton.”
“Here’s a thought. If you want layers, we make the top two hummingbird. The top is for you to freeze. The second one is yours to eat at the reception. Then the other layers can be more traditional and I think will please your guests. What embellishments were you thinking about?”
Embellishments? Brianna kept flipping pages in Delaney’s binder of past designs hoping something would jump out at her.
“I think this might be a little overwhelming, right Brianna?” Jess asked.
Totally. “How did you manage this, Jess?”
“I guess it’s the analytic side of me. I’m a list maker and decision tree thinker. Let’s start with the easy questions. Modern or vintage?” Jess said.
What a good idea. “Vintage.”
Jess led Brianna through a dozen more questions while Delaney took notes. Eventually, Delaney had a full page of ideas and quick sketches. And Brianna was beginning to feel much better.
“Now, how about the groom’s cake?” Delaney asked.
Deer in the headlights moment. Groom’s cake? Did Connor Ford have a favorite cake? Cripes. She had no idea. She’d never seen the man eat cake of any kind.
“How about I talk to Connor and get back with you?” Brianna said.
After a long afternoon, Brianna suggested they stop by the Poisoned Apple Pub for a drink. Sipping rosé, Brianna ticked off a list of what still needed to be done. For each, Jess had at least two solutions.
“We still have time to get printed invitations mailed out, but it’s going to be a close call. There’s a printer here who can get them ready in a snap. Do you have a list?” Jess asked.
“Of guests?” No. Not even on her mental list.
Jess laughed. “That was my hardest thing to do. How about I send you mine? Then you and Connor can go through it. Or, you can always send an announcement after the wedding. We only invited two hundred. I imagine only a hundred fifty or so will be there.”
A hundred fifty? People? Watching her get married? Was it the wine causing her head to swirl?
Jess pulled up a website on her phone. “You might want to set up something like this.”
Brianna scrolled through the ‘Jess and Ryan’s Special Day’ web page. Engagement photos. Wishlists. Comment section. All themed to her shower colors.
This was almost too much to take in. She waved to the bartender for another glass of wine.
“I can’t possibly get all this done in three weeks, Jess.”
“Oh, sure you can. Everyone will pitch in. My webmistress is amazing. She can whip up a site in a couple of hours. We can get some photos taken. Easy peasy.”
Easy peasy for who?
Where could they hold a double wedding? Connor, Ryan, and Jess, had graduated from Harmswood Academy. Since Solange was a big donor, reserving space there for one wedding had been a no-brainer.
Could Harmswood handle a double wedding? Jess piled this on top of her how-will-we-do-this stack of questions.
‘Oh, ye of little faith.’
Jess and Brianna sliced their gaze to each other.
‘Nana,’ Jess silently mouthed.
Brianna nodded.
‘Stop fretting on the details, precious girls. Your frenetic energy is driving me nuts. I feel it clear over here. This should be the happiest time of your lives. After all, it’s a one-time thing. Or it better be. Now both of you, slow down. Take a breath. Who cares about invitations and cakes? Marry the boys, for God sake.’
“But, Grandmother,” Jess started.
‘Nope. I’m not listening to any more of this. All for now.’
Jess’s phone pinged. A text from Brianna.
“You know her best. Is she mad?”
“Don’t worry. It won’t last long,” Jess typed.
“Can she hear text messages?”
Jess replied, “Don’t know.”
The cousins put down their phones and drank their wine in silence.
Then both phones pinged at the same time.
“Apparently, she can,” Brianna said.
An identical message followed by three little yellow smiling faces appeared on both screens.
‘Ciao, my precious girls.’
Chapter Nine
While Connor grilled chicken outside, Brianna flipped through her list. If the technique worked for Jess, maybe it would work for her. Jess was happier to flow with the moment. This organization thing felt like walking through the mud.
At least she had more ‘done’ than ‘to do.’
Two still stood out like beacons.
Wedding dress.
Groom’s cake.
It was digging into her heart that she had no idea what kind of cake Connor liked. What else didn’t she know about him?
She turned to a new page and started another list. Favorite color? Last book he’d read? Who was his best friend in Nocturne Falls? Did he have a favorite movie? What did he think about Peking Duck for Christmas Day?
“Honey, can you move that paperwork over?” Connor held the platte
r of barbeque, looking for a place to put it.
Startled, Brianna covered the Connor-list and took her notes to the sofa.
She’d put out three different salad dressings but noticed Connor ate his dry. No French. No Blue Cheese. No Thousand Island. A discovery for the list?
He peeled the skin off his chicken. She made a note to add that to the list.
“I never saw you do that before,” she asked.
“What?”
“Don’t you like the skin?”
“That’s a weird question.”
“And the dressing. Don’t you like any of those?”
“Huh?”
“Do you like duck?”
“Brianna, how much did you and Jess drink this afternoon?”
“I’m trying to learn more about you.”
Connor’s laugh filled the room. “I burned one side of the bird, so I took off the skin. I forgot to put dressing on my salad. I’m not a big duck fan. Anything else?”
“What’s your favorite cake?”
“Good God, woman.”
“No. I have to know what cake you like.”
“It’s that important?”
She nodded.
“Lemon.”
“Lemon pound cake or plain lemon cake?”
“I don’t care which kind. Are these the final qualifiers? Or is there a next round?”
“Nope. That’s all I need.”
“Speaking of need.”
In an exaggerated southern accent, Brianna cooed, “Why, Mr. Ford, whatever do you mean?”
“Well, I’m not talking about lemon cake.”
Chapter Ten
The traditional Ford Christmas began with a Christmas Eve buffet. The evening ended with opening presents at midnight, and then sleeping in until late morning.
Completely bassackward for Brianna. But when in Nocturne Falls, or make that, when in Solange’s house, it’s best to follow protocol.
Christmas morning, just after dawn, Brianna slipped downstairs to grab a few quiet moments alone by the brightly lit tree. In two days, she was going to be Mrs. Connor Ford. Or maybe she’d take the name Brianna Putnam-Ford. Or just keep it Brianna Putnam.
No matter what title she adopted, she would be a married woman. And to the most wonderful man she’d ever met. Once her mother got over the falcon-part, she’d realize what a fantastic son-in-law she had. Brianna’s brother, Samuel, would finally have a big brother. She couldn’t wait to show him the real Nocturne Falls.
Then there was her father.
The last message from her mother had confirmed their travel plans. They’d be in town tomorrow, and leave the twenty-eighth. At least they’d be here long enough for the wedding.
“Merry Christmas.” Jess joined Brianna on the couch. “Mind my company?”
“Not at all. I need somebody to pull me out of my nostalgia trip.”
“I’m right with you. I miss Nana like you wouldn’t believe,” Jess said.
“This is about the last quiet minute we’ll have together for a long time. Before things go bonkers around here, can I tell you how much your friendship means to me? I didn’t make a great impression when I hit town. You didn’t have to offer me any kindness. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t.” Brianna’s voice broke.
“Don’t get emotional or we’ll both lose it. You’ve been a wonderful addition to this family. And how Connor’s changed because of you still blows my mind.”
“He’s had the same effect on me. I was pretty much a wild child before he came into my life.”
“Merry Christmas, ladies.” Connor, dressed in sleep shorts and no shirt, joined them. “You’re still wild when the need arises.”
“Connor Ford. Please.” Heat bloomed over Brianna’s face.
“Where’s the woodman?” Connor asked.
“Sawing logs upstairs,” Jess said.
Connor muffled a laugh. “That was a good one, Jess. Wood artist. Woodman. Sawing logs. Get it?”
After a wide yawn, Connor excused himself to the kitchen. “I need coffee.”
Jess stepped to the tree and picked up wrappings they’d strewn around last night. “Here’s another present. How’d we miss that?” She read the gift tag. “It’s for you.”
“Me?” Brianna examined the box wrapped in white tissue and curly red ribbon. Just Brianna on the tag. Had Connor slid this under the tree?
“Should I open it?” Brianna asked.
Jess made a face that clued Brianna to go ahead.
The ribbon and paper slipped off like butter. The box seemed to have weathered many years. She took a deep breath, lifted the lid, then opened a layer of tissue paper.
“Jess,” Brianna whispered. “Look.”
“What is it?”
Brianna gingerly touched the edges of the garment and raised it from the box.
“It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen,” she said.
Jess gasped. “This is impossible. I thought that was lost or tossed out.”
Brianna pulled the dress all the way out and held it against her.
In pristine condition, layers of antique ecru lace draped in graceful tiers, stopping just mid-calf. The soft waistband would flatter anyone who wore it. The sleeves were a single layer of lace that flared from the elbow to the wrists. The cute V neck would frame a pearl necklace like it was meant to be there.
And it was Brianna’s size.
“I love it,” Brianna said as she hugged the dress. “Where do you supposed it came from?”
“It’s Nana’s wedding dress,” Jess said.
Jess had to be kidding. Her grandmother’s dress shows up here? Now? Then, remembering Nana’s psychic conversation in the bar, and text message from the other side, Brianna shrugged. No end to the surprises.
“I have to try it on,” Brianna said.
Connor reappeared from the kitchen with a carafe of coffee and three mugs.
“What’s all the discussion about?” He asked.
Brianna quickly re-boxed the dress. “Just girl talk.”
“Did you know Sabrina’s in the kitchen?” Connor asked.
“Thought she had the day off?” Jess said.
“I did too.” Connor handed each cousin a mug of coffee before he sat down between them. “But she’s apparently been hard at it for hours. She just took a bird out of the oven. And you’ll love this, Brianna. It’s a duck.”
After a fabulous brunch, including crispy Peking duck, Connor and Ryan loaded their cars with gifts. Brianna and Jess stayed inside to thank Solange for her hospitality, and Sabrina for culinary magic.
The brothers came back inside, their legs covered in snow. Connor, the shorter of the two, had a white dusting up to his knees.
“We need to get back to town. This snow is piling up fast,” Connor said. “Not sure how good the roads will be and the Porsche sits low.”
Snow? “That must have happened overnight,” Brianna said.
The county highways back to Nocturne Falls were in good shape from early plowing, but the snow was still coming down strong. Once back in town, Brianna couldn’t believe her eyes.
Always quaint and charming, downtown looked like something from a storybook. Twinkling lights, snow-capped roofs. It figures there was no crowd at the Hallowed Bean now, but she wasn’t in the mood for coffee.
“I don’t even know if there’s a snow shovel in the garage,” Connor said as they pulled into their driveway. “I’m not driving any farther till I see.”
Brianna pushed open the passenger door, sweeping back a pile of snow. She hiked her foot out and watched as it, her lower leg, then her knee all disappeared into the thick white blanket.
“Uh, Connor?”
He’d already reached the front porch but turned around. His eyes flashed wide open. Then he started laughing.
“Oh, sure. Laugh. You think it’s funny being short?” She tugged one foot out and stepped forward knee deep again.
“Here.” Connor came back, grabbed
her hand and together they slogged to the porch. “You go on inside. I’ll look for a shovel.”
Forty-five minutes later, Connor came inside. “I haven’t seen this much snow up here in a long time.”
Brianna had been watching a TV weather station. “They say we’ll get another foot, at least.”
“If we don’t lose power, we’ll be fine,” Connor said. “But we won’t be getting out much for the next day or so.”
“Day or so? We get married in on the ‘or so’ day.”
“Imagine that.” He pulled Brianna in for a hug. “Stop fretting. It will work out.”
“You’re all cold and wet,” she said as she wiggled away from him.
“How about a shower?”
“I think you should,” she said.
“I meant the two of us.”
“First get out of those wet clothes,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter Eleven
The weather forecast had it all wrong.
The next morning, Brianna had jumped out of bed early to look out the window. They’d predicted another foot. Missed that by a mile. There were at least two more feet of snow on top of what had already fallen on Christmas.
How would she get out today for all the last-minute details?
She checked her phone for messages and found a boatload.
Delaney. Can’t get into the bakery today. Sorry.
Corette. Snowed in. Can’t get to the store. If you needed alterations, sorry.
Florist. No fresh flower deliveries until further notice. Sorry.
Guest regrets. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.
Then the worst news. Her mother’s text. They were stuck in Atlanta. The Georgia Highway Patrol said all roads to the mountains were unsafe for travel.
She was getting married tomorrow if she had to crawl to the altar.
A new text pinged.
Jess. A roof leak in Howlers’. Won’t be ready for reception.
Fine. Simply fine. Okay. All they needed was the judge. They had their license. The wedding would happen.
Somewhere.
And her grandmother would be here to see it. Snow wouldn’t stop her.
