I knew it was a big deal, and she was trying not to be upset about it. You could see it in her eyes. I kneeled down beside her and took her hands in mine. “Baby, we’ll just get you a new dress. Whatever it takes. I know how much you loved this one, but all that means is that the new one you find will be the one. The dress you’re supposed to have.”
“I know you’re right,” she said with a smile.
“You know that I’d marry you at the courthouse in a t-shirt and jeans, right?” I asked her.
“I don’t think your mother would like that very much.” She started to giggle, which lightened my heart.
“Well, good thing I’m not marrying her. I’m marrying you. And in case I haven’t mentioned it before, your happiness is all that matters to me.” I stood up, pulling her with me into an embrace.
“Thank you, Jacob. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I replied as she squeezed me tight. “It’s going to be okay, I promise.”
“Of course it is. I’m marrying my best friend in four days. Everything is perfect.”
I kissed her softly, tasting the strawberry lip balm she always wore. Those sweet lips were home, and as the kiss deepened, I pulled her closer.
“Why don’t you come back to bed with me for a little while. Then you can go find a new dress when your aunt gets here,” I suggested.
“Why Mr. McIntyre, I do believe I will accept your offer.” She giggled, and I chased her to the bedroom.
Once Jackie left to knock a few more wedding tasks off her list, I stayed in bed, but I couldn’t sleep. It didn’t make any sense to me why someone would steal Jackie’s wedding dress. Besides the fact that people loved Jackie, she didn’t have any enemies that we knew of, so someone was just being heartless and mean. Trying to steal her joy. Between that and her poisoning, there were now two things Jackie had been the victim of and I couldn’t shake the bad feeling it brought. I was worried about her, and while that might have seemed needless, I considered it might not be a coincide
nce. In any event, I was glad her aunt was coming back into town the next day and she wouldn’t be alone. With any luck, she’d find a new dress, and the rest of the week would be uneventful.
3
Jaqueline
I could tell Jacob was angrier than I was about the dress. It was quite clear from the protruding vein in his forehead and his reddish face that he was trying to quell his anger, his protective nature taking over. Sure, I was upset, but I was more shocked than anything. And poor old Mrs. Fields had no idea what was going on. Thankfully, Aunt Lydia was arriving, and she’d know just what to do and where we could get a new dress quickly.
Lydia had left me the flower shop when she retired and it had been the greatest gift of my life. Working with flowers made me happy. The aromas, the colors, all the different shapes and sizes of flowers—there was always one that made someone happy. For me, they all made me happy, but I couldn’t wait to see hundreds of champagne roses show up the next day. But for now, it was time to pick my aunt up and to let her know about the dress.
As usual, in the mostly annual visit from Lydia, she arrived in full regalia. Looking almost like a peacock with her bright blue hat, massive sunglasses, and flowing garments—all various shades of fuschia and turquoise—she threw her arms out wide to greet me.
“My darling Jaqueline! How are you, dear?” she asked with a dramatic flair, as if there were an audience. I suppose there was, as she certainly attracted attention.
“Aunt Lydia, it’s so wonderful to see you.” I hugged her quickly in return, before grabbing her bags and tossing them in my car. “How was your flight?”
“It was dreadful. Bumpy as an old cobblestone street in Marrakesh, but what can you do? It’s just wind, they say.” She fanned herself as she got settled into the front seat and I did the same. It had gotten quite warm, and I was thankful we’d chosen an indoor venue to get married for this very reason.
“Well, I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said as we pulled away from the airport.
“Oh, enough about flights, dear. Tell me, are you all ready for the big day with Prince Charming?” She chuckled, and I noticed she’d picked up a bit of an accent in her travels, although I couldn’t place it.
“I am ready. I can’t wait, actually.” I grinned, my full bride-to-be excitement kicking in again. Then I remembered. “Oh, but there was one snafu, and we need to get a new wedding dress today.” I blurted it out as if it was the most common errand in the world to run.
Lydia gasped. “What?” She clutched her neck in shock, which was so dramatic it made me laugh.
“There was a situation, and I guess my dress is missing. So, I need a new one,” I said. “I thought we could go dress shopping now, and then grab some lunch before getting settled back at the apartment?”
“I’m sorry, dear, but I’m going to need you to explain. How does a wedding dress go missing three days before one’s wedding?”
The question was valid, and I didn’t want to tell her it had been stolen. Because that is definitely what happened. It wasn’t an accident they took my dress. But, I never lied to my aunt, and I wasn’t about to start then. “Well, it seems that someone stole it. They told my seamstress that they were sent to pick it up for me, which they were not, and they took it.” I shrugged my shoulders. I’d already accepted what happened and was ready to problem solve, not wallow.
“That is downright Machiavellian!” she exclaimed. “Why on earth would someone do that?”
“I have no idea, but at this point, I need something to wear this weekend.”