by Nancy Warren
“I think so.”
“Then, Eric here proposed to me. And, since I was always the girl in the family who got the hand-me-downs, my aunt and uncle gave me Kate’s dress.”
Meg glanced at the two couples. “Okay, maybe I’m not keeping up after all. Eric just married Tasmine. I saw it.”
“Correct. But first I was engaged to Eric.” She grinned. “And Tasmine was supposed to be my bridesmaid.”
Dylan said, “This is starting to sound like Who's on First.”
“I know. So,” here Ashley looked a little bashful and glanced at her new husband, “when I fell in love with Ben, well, I wasn't as sure of myself as Kate was and I sort of left it until the last minute to make up my mind.”
Eric said, “Oh, yeah.”
Tasmine turned to Meg. “The guests were assembled, the string quartet was playing, Eric was waiting at the altar, we bridesmaids were all ready to go and there was no bride. I ran back to check on Ashley and caught her climbing out the window.”
“It's true.” Ashley glanced at both of them. “Sorry, Eric.”
Eric shook his very handsome head. “No. It's me who’s sorry. But that's a long story.”
Tasmine continued, “Anyway, there was the bride climbing out the window with Ben waiting for her in a sports car and I helped her out of her dress and she handed me the gown and said, ‘Here, this is yours.’”
“The poor dress,” Meg said, wishing she’d been there.
“I know. No one else wanted it. Ashley's mother wanted the dress out of the house and her aunt wanted it off the property and so I ended up with it.”
“But why didn’t you get married in it? It's a stunning gown.”
“I know. It is. But Ashley was supposed to wear it. It would have felt so strange to marry Eric in a gown that was supposed to be worn by his previous fiancée.”
Meg felt extremely puzzled. “So, how many brides has this dress been through? And has anyone ever worn it down the aisle?”
Ashley and Tasmine exchanged a glance. “I guess you don't know about the curse.”
This was starting to sound like horror movie. “The curse?”
They both nodded solemnly. And neither Eric nor Bennett seemed to find the story strange or unusual. She looked at Dylan to reassure herself that someone apart from her thought this was the craziest story they'd ever heard and was pretty sure he was having the same reaction she was.
Ashley picked up the tale. “When Kate was being fitted for that dress, the designer, Evangeline, who is a complete diva and impossible to deal with, shouted at some underling. The woman had accidentally jabbed Kate with a pin because she was so nervous with Evangeline standing over her like the wrath of God, and a tiny spot of blood leaked through the fabric.
“Well, according to Kate, Evangeline completely lost it and screamed at the poor seamstress who then rose up like some creature of mythology and cursed the dress and then cursed Evangeline. Then she stormed out.”
“After she cursed the dress?”
“Yes. Of course, everybody pretended it never happened, and who believes in curses anyway, but it was kind of strange that Kate didn't end up getting married in that dress. And then I didn't end up getting married in it.”
Tasmine nodded. “And then I didn't end up wearing it.”
“So, you're saying that anyone who gets the dress doesn't end up getting married?”
“Not to the person they’re engaged to. Not so far.”
Tasmine took Eric’s hand. “It's kind of spooky, isn't it?”
“But I want to get married in that dress!” she exclaimed. “Show them the pictures again Dylan. That dress was made for me!”
Once more he passed the phone. Ashley flipped through the photos on Dylan’s phone and nodded. She passed the phone to Tasmine who gazed at the pictures and said, “I have to agree. It looks fabulous on you.”
“It looked like crap on me,” Ashley said. “And Kate never liked it. Maybe this is your dress. Maybe that’s why none of us ever wore it, because it was meant for you.”
When Bennett stared at her, she shrugged. “What? It’s okay to believe in curses but not that something’s meant to be?”
Dylan said, “Whether it’s meant to be or not, there's one problem. The dress has disappeared.”
Bennett spoke up. “In the note, the person who took it said it was their dress. Do you think Kate took it back? I suppose it was really her dress.”
Ashley shook her head. “Kate’s happily married to someone else. Why would she want a wedding gown?”
Then Ashley stared at Meg, her eyes and mouth both opening at once. “Maybe it was Evangeline.”
“Evangeline? The dress designer?”
Ashley nodded. “Kate says she's an absolute nightmare, and a total control freak. Do you know she won't even design a dress unless she thinks the bride is beautiful enough? What do you bet she saw her gown being advertised on a website and found out it was sitting in a second-hand clothing store. I bet she freaked.”
Tasmine said, “Oh, my gosh, you must be right.” She turned to Meg and Dylan looking sympathetic. “Maybe if she and the dress are both cursed, it’s better this way.”
“You think she wants that gown out of circulation?” Dylan asked.
“I don't know. But honestly, do a Google search of her name. There are nasty rumors spreading about that woman and it's pretty clear that her business is suffering. The more times the dress gets passed on, and rumors of the curse go viral, the more her business suffers. How many brides are going to flock to pay way too much money to a wedding gown designer who might be cursed.”
“People believe in that stuff?”
“I would have said I didn't believe in curses, but it's true, not one of us has got married in that gown.”
“Wow.” Meg felt deflated somehow. She said to Dylan, “I don't know what to do now.”
Tasmine said, sounding like she was about to cheer on a winning team, “I know what you should do now. You're going to come and join the party. There's tons of food and champagne and there’s going to be dancing. Maybe none of us got married in that dress but it did bring us all together. And that's a good thing.”
She glanced at Dylan and he shrugged. “Why not?”
It wasn't like they could track down the dress designer today, and even if they did, what would they say to her? No doubt, if she was behind the wedding dress theft she had the gown tucked away in a dungeon somewhere waiting for the rumors of the curse to die down.
“Thank you. We didn't mean to crash your wedding.”
“It was Evangeline who brought you here. Even though I never got married in that dress, I'm going to miss it.”
As the only one who hadn't had the chance not to get married in the famous gown, Meg felt a bit sorry for herself. But, she supposed, if she had to choose between Dylan and the dress, Dylan was going to win every time. She had just really hoped to have both.
There was no head table at this wedding and no pre-assigned seating so the six of them sat together. Tasmine said to Ben and Ashley, “Are you going to get up and talk?”
“Maybe.”
Tasmine leaned toward Meg. “We decided that instead of a lot of formal, boring speeches, we’re having an open mic.”
Dylan chuckled. “Like a roast?”
Eric nodded. “Probably turn into one.” Then he shook his head. “I don't think my parents are having a very good time.”
“They like a more formal occasion.” Tasmine kissed him. “But this is our day.”
Eric squeezed her shoulder and rose. “I’d better start things off,” he said, and walked in his slow, easy way to the mic. He stood for a moment until the noise died down. “Tasmine and I want to thank you all for coming today. As most of you know, not so long ago I was all set to marry Ashley Carnarvon.”
Meg choked on her champagne. Was he really going to talk about his last girlfriend in front of his brand new wife? She glanced at Tasmine and Ashley but they both looked
as though they were waiting for the punch line to a joke. Eric continued, “Some of you were even at the wedding. When Ben Saegar stole her from under my nose.” He pointed a finger at Bennett and said, “Dude!”
Bennett shrugged, but looked pretty pleased with himself.
There were titters of embarrassed laughter and then Eric said, “Well, as you can all see, Ashley and I are still what we were always meant to be, which is lifelong friends. And she's found the man of her dreams. Sure, he's a guy who makes stuff up for living, but he makes her happy. And if Ashley and I hadn’t been engaged, and Tasmine hadn't been one of her bridesmaids, then I never would have met the woman who turned my life around.”
He cleared his throat and Meg felt him come into his own as he said, “I did some stupid things. And Tasmine saw, through the screw-up I was, to the man she believed I could become. To have someone who genuinely believes you can be better is the most powerful thing in the world. Tasmine, you make me want to be the man you deserve and I want you to be the woman by my side for the rest of my life. Thank you for loving me.”
Tasmine beamed at him through teary eyes.
Judge Bailey got up next. He was a very formal man, old and fierce looking. As his gaze swept the room Meg found herself straightening her napkin on her lap and making sure she was sitting up properly. He said, “Mrs. Bailey and I have watched this young couple grow together and help each other mostly right here in our home. I didn’t think much of Eric at first, but when a man saves your life, you look at him differently.”
He raised his glass to Eric. “So it seemed fitting that they get married right here. I don't know how many of you know that Eric has begun his own landscaping company and when you look around at the new garden where the wedding was held you can see his most recent project.”
The older man grinned. “I'm not here to do a sales pitch, but if anyone wants to hire a creative and very hard-working young man, I'd be happy to give a reference. And Tasmine represents a line of excellent furniture. If you’re interested, you’ll find two rooms she decorated and furnished upstairs in the house. My wife and I only met these two a few months back, but we’ve grown to love them both.” He took a moment and she had the odd feeling that he was choked up, probably for one of the few times in his life, he said, “God bless you both.”
Meg stared at Eric, who was looking bashful. “You saved his life?”
He shrugged. “He pretty much saved mine, too.”
A Hispanic man got up next and said, “My name is Jose. I’ve been the head gardener here for many years. I didn’t like that young punk when he first showed up. And then he started coming up with these highfalutin ideas for the landscaping. I didn't like him or his ideas. But, he worked hard and some of his ideas are okay. Eric, mi amigo, you're all right.” Then he shook his head, “But how you got that hot bride I will never know.”
Amidst the laughter and clapping Jose sat down and gave his very pretty wife a smacking kiss.
As the speeches and toasts and roasts continued, Meg felt warmth grow within her. Even though these people were strangers to her she could almost see the whole story of Tasmine and Eric’s love affair. The disasters and the bumps and the hope and determination that had brought them together.
Even though her heart was broken about the missing dress, she couldn't help but enjoy the wedding of two people so clearly in love with each other. And she felt a kind of sisterhood with these other women who had almost worn that wedding gown she still thought of as hers.
When she and Dylan left later that afternoon, she had contact information for both Ashley and Tasmine, who was headed off on a honeymoon the next day, but wanted to hear how everything had gone when she returned in two weeks time.
As they drove away, Dylan said, “I'm sorry we didn't find the dress, but that was surprisingly fun.”
“I know. I can imagine staying friends with those couples. They seem like our kind of people.” Even as she said our kind of people she realized that she and Dylan had begun acting like a couple.
“Do you think I’ll ever see that dress again?”
He hesitated, then said, “Does it matter so much?”
How could she explain this feeling she had. Finally, she said, “It might have been bad luck for those other women, but for some reason, I think it only brings me good luck.”
“Then let’s get your lucky charm back.”
Chapter 16
As they drove back, Dylan said, “Okay with you if we stop by Joe's? Mom and Janet will be waiting to hear what happened.”
“Sure. Of course. Maybe Joe even has some ideas about how we might handle Evangeline.”
The store was closed when they drew up but Dylan let himself in with a key. The two owners were rearranging inventory. They had a series of vintage garments, all French and from the twenties, that Janet had brought back with her. Clearly these were destined to be the new window display. From somewhere, they’d even unearthed bobbed wigs so that the mannequins would have authentic hairstyles.
Joe dropped what she was doing and came rushing forward when they walked into the store. She glanced from one to the other. “Well? Did you find her? You were gone so long, I hope you got the dress?”
Janet ran up to join them, a black satin gown draped over her arm and a fan of pins sticking out of her mouth. She made a mumbling sound, which Meg assumed was her way of asking how it had gone.
She and Dylan looked at each other. Dylan spoke, “We did find Tasmine Ford. But she doesn't have the dress.”
Joe wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure? She could still be selling it online. I looked myself but no Evangeline gown seems to be listed for sale on any of the big sites.”
He shook his head. “No. In fact, we crashed Tasmine’s wedding.”
A spray of pins shot from Janet’s mouth like tiny missiles as she burst into laughter. “You crashed a wedding? I haven't done that in years. Is it still as much fun?”
She turned to Meg. “There's something so delicious about a wedding, isn't there? Especially if you don't actually know the people.”
She felt that Janet would never cease to amaze her. She said, “Yes, it was fascinating.”
“I bet Tasmine didn’t look half as good as you in that dress,” Janet said.
“I don't know. She wasn't wearing it.”
“What? She steals a wedding gown and then doesn't wear it? What is the girl, crazy?”
Dylan shook his head. “She didn’t take it back. She thinks the person we’re looking for is the designer herself.”
Joe took a step back. “Evangeline? You think Evangeline stole back her own dress?”
Dylan turned to Janet. “That woman who tried on the dress last, do you remember what she looked like? Or whether she had an accent?”
Janet narrowed her eyes as she thought back to the day the gown went missing. “I think she had dark hair. And maybe an Australian accent?”
“Could it have been British?”
“Sure. We didn’t talk much.”
She, Dylan, and Joe all nodded. “Evangeline is British.”
“But, why didn’t she say who she was and what she wanted? All she had to do was ask.”
“It was probably a completely mortifying experience for her,” Joe said. She of course would have recognized Evangeline right away from her years in the fashion and modeling world. “We worked together a few times in London and New York. She was already a diva back then. Of course, she was much more successful than I was, although if you ask me, she was more interested in using beauty and fame to snag rich men than to model clothes and makeup.”
She shook her head. “She was so beautiful: eyes that were the color of good sapphires, flawless skin, and a kind of attitude she emanated that drew them all to her. But she had a terrible reputation in the business. Demanding, difficult, always shouting at somebody.”
“Did she ever marry any of those rich men?” Meg wondered aloud.
“She was engaged once, I think. She lived with a
movie star, and then I believe a rich Russian oligarch bought her a townhouse in London. But, as far as I know, she never married any of them.”
“It’s almost sad.”
“I think, for her to come and ask for one of her gowns back from a secondhand store? It would be so beneath her she couldn't even contemplate it. Especially if she knew the store was mine.”
“So she stole the gown instead? That's not beneath her?”
“I'm not justifying her actions. I'm just trying to understand what happened.” She touched Meg’s shoulder. “If Evangeline does have the gown, I doubt you’ll ever get it now, Meg. I’m so sorry.”
She wasn’t nearly ready to give up. She was going to find a way to get to this Evangeline. There had to be something they could do.
When they went to leave Dylan said, “What's this?” He bent down and picked up an envelope that had been pushed under the door. “This wasn't here when we came in.”
He handed it to Joe. There was no writing on the front. She opened the flap and looked inside. Her eyebrows rose. Without saying a word she withdrew a slim sheaf of notes. She fanned them out. Five crisp, new, one-thousand-dollar bills.
Chapter 17
“Well, I guess we can take theft off the list,” Dylan said, looking at the five grand. “There’s no note?”
“Nothing but the money.”
“That's good,” Janet said. “We’ll still get our commission, and the brand-new bride will have a nice chunk of change to start her new married life. All’s well that ends well.”
It hadn’t ended very well for Meg. She still had no wedding dress.
She could not escape the feeling that somehow she had become caught up in a spell. From the moment she’d seen that dress hanging in the window of Joe's Past and Present, Meg had been bewitched, dazzled by a vision of herself that had become so strong she had believed she could make it true.