by Donna Doyle
Molly smiled gently and rolled her hand through the air, trying to get Dora back on track. “I know I said every detail, but I meant every pertinent detail.”
“Oh, right. Sorry, Miss Molly. Anyway, I went to Michelle’s. She didn’t answer the door, and I had to go around back to the shed. I was a little bit nervous about it, because I didn’t want to be disturbing her, but there wasn’t much of a choice. It’s a cute little building, painted light blue with white trim, and it even has a little porch. Oh, I’m doing it again, aren’t I?”
“That’s all right,” Molly told her as she sipped chamomile from her favorite mug. There was always the possibility that Dora might give a clue she didn’t recognize herself. “Go on.”
“So, Michelle was in her painting shed, and Renee really wasn’t kidding when she said she was talented! It was just a little space, but Michelle had it absolutely full of canvases. Some were painting of fruit and flowers, others were landscapes, and she had also done a few portraits. She’d even done a portrait of herself.”
“What was Michelle wearing?” Molly interrupted.
“Wearing? Oh, a nice button-down shirt and capris.”
“All right. Continue.”
“I gave her the flowers, and she thanked me profusely. She said she wanted to let you know just how sorry she was about the way she acted at Gloria’s yesterday, and that she should have been more mature about the situation. Of course, I told her it was completely fine and understandable. Michelle also said she was very grateful to you for understanding her attachment to her special dress.”
“So far, so good.” Molly stirred a little extra honey in her tea, wishing she could have gone for herself. “And the phone?”
“The flowers and all were the easy part. I thought about that the whole way there, and I did finally come up with a plan. I told Michelle I was supposed to call my sister to see if she needed me to pick up anything at the pharmacy for her, but that I’d left my phone at home. She let me use hers, and I got a chance to look through the calls. She had dialed the number you gave me.”
“Can you tell me when?” Molly leaned forward, intrigued. Part of her had been hoping Dora wouldn’t find the number on Michelle’s phone at all.
“Yes. Wednesday morning at about ten o’clock.”
“Hmmm.” There were a lot of clues to put into place, but none of them were very big ones. There were still some missing pieces, and it was too early to draw any definitive conclusions.
“Miss Molly?”
Dora brought Molly’s attention back to the current moment. “Hmmm?”
“What does all of this mean? Whose number was that in Michelle’s phone?”
Molly sighed and opened a tin of citrus curd cookies, holding it toward Dora to offer her one. “I don’t know just yet. I’m only working on hunches. But thank you for doing this for me tonight. I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m sure if I had tried to look at her phone for myself, I would have completely messed it up.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Molly.”
“Don’t start thinking too boastfully about me just yet,” she replied with a wink.
8
Waste Not Want Not
The next morning, a young man appeared on the doorstep of the Cozy Bridal Agency with a large box. Speckles of rain darkened the cardboard as he handed it to Dora. “What’s this?” she asked as she shut the door and began examining the label. “I didn’t think we were expecting any deliveries today.”
“I told Gloria to send the ruined dress over here,” Molly explained as she opened the box. The dress was just as it had been back at the shop; little more than a pile of scrap fabric.
“What for?” Dora eyed the garment dubiously as Molly whisked it out of the bag and laid it out on a large oak table.
“I like to think there’s something we can use it for. Maybe we can cut out the parts that are still intact and find a way to include them in the centerpieces or the floral arrangements. Or, if Michelle doesn’t want to have anything to do with the dress, then we might be able to use them for something else.” Molly was a thrifty woman. She had grown up cutting apart her sister’s old dresses and finding ways to make them into new ones for herself, and she didn’t like the idea of throwing away such an expensive gown without getting at least a little bit out of it. “I think strips of this tulle could make nice ribbons around the candles on the tables.”
“Interesting. I hadn’t thought about that.” Dora began picking through the remnants herself. “Do you know if Michelle went down to Gloria’s to see the new gown for herself? She didn’t say anything about it while I was there last night, but I did try to keep my visit fairly brief.”
“I don’t know, but it shouldn’t matter either way. Gloria is an absolute pro, and she had all of Michelle’s measurements from the first dress. She’ll make it work. By the time Michelle walks down that aisle tomorrow morning, she’ll never know that she doesn’t have the original one on.”
“I hope you’re right. We’ve already had to deal with the rain and a sabotaged dress. I don’t think we need anything else to stand in our way of getting this ceremony done and dusted without a hitch.” Dora raised a slim eyebrow as she sifted through the silky bits of fabric. “I don’t think we’ve had so many problems this close to the date before.”
“I’m afraid you’re right, but I don’t want to hear you say one word in that regard around anyone else. People tend to get very superstitious about weddings, and we don’t want to give anyone a reason to think things are worse than they are.”
“That’s strange…” Dora murmured.
“No, it’s not really all that strange. Anything that involves a lot of ritual tends to get people’s primitive brains going. They think everything will fall down around their ears if they don’t have the flowers just right or if a guest sits in the wrong spot.”
“No, not that. I mean, yes, that’s strange, too. But that’s not what I’m talking about.” Dora pointed at the bottom of the dress, where a satin skirt lay underneath the mountains of tulle ruffles. “There’s mud on the bottom of the gown.”
“Really? Let me see.” Molly came around the table to see what her assistant was talking about. “Looks like whoever destroyed the dress took it outside for a little while? I should contact Sheriff Barnes and ask him if he’s talked to the businesses surrounding Gloria’s. It could have happened in the middle of the night and maybe none of the other shops were open, but it’s worth checking into.”
“Do you think he’ll send Deputy Digby here?” Dora asked nervously, touching her hair with one hand.
Molly tried to hide her smile. “It’s always possible.”
The phone rang. Molly turned away to keep Dora from feeling too embarrassed and answered it. “Hi, Molly. It’s Gloria. I just wanted to let you guys know that I should have Michelle’s dress finished tonight. It’s taking a lot more alterations than the first one did, so I’ve got a pot of coffee brewing.”
“Bless you, dear! I always know I can count on you. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all this trouble, though.”
“No, it’s my fault. Somehow, I managed to leave that window unlocked. If I hadn’t, then none of this might have happened.” She already sounded tired, leaving Molly to wonder just how much extra work she had already done.
“Really, don’t blame yourself. I take it you got everything worked out with Renee?”
“Yes. She told me to just go for it and do what I needed to do. And I’ll personally bring the dress to the bed and breakfast tomorrow morning. I just hope Michelle agrees.”
“Thank you. You’re a wonder, Gloria. Don’t forget it!” When she hung up, Molly wondered if she should have mentioned something about the mud on the dress to Gloria. Then again, Gloria had enough on her plate just with getting the new dress completed. They could talk about it another time.
She turned back to find that Dora had cut some of the clean fabric into strips, knotted them together at one
and, and braided them together. She had gotten over her little disconcerting moment over the deputy and held up her work with pride. “Look! These would go perfectly around the tops of the vases for the centerpieces.”
“Great work, Dora.” Even when things were disastrous, it was nice to know that she had such wonderful people around her.
9
A Wedding Daze
Ironically, Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. If it hadn’t been raining all week and the ground hadn’t been completely soaked, it might have still been a nice day for an outdoor wedding. As it was, the sunroom along the back of the Old Rose Bed and Breakfast was shaping up into a gorgeous venue for the Harris-Jones wedding.
Molly and Dora arrived early, just before the rest of the people they had contracted for the wedding arrived. They scrambled to help the florists put up the archway near the altar and arrange the centerpieces in the dining room for the reception. The rental company arrived with a truck full of folding chairs, and Molly worked up a sweat as she helped align them in the sunroom for the guests. Henry and Harriet, who owned a small café in Calmhaven, arrived shortly afterwards and began filling the place with the delicious smells of the food for the reception. Molly held the door open wide for them as they brought in a beautiful, three-tiered cake.
“Dora, it looks like guests are starting to arrive,” Molly said when she noticed a few people milling about that were definitely not workers. “Make sure they sign the guest book and find their seats, and I’ll slip upstairs to check on Michelle and see how she’s doing.”
“Sounds good!” Dora gave her a thumbs up and went to guide an elderly couple to their seats.
Molly climbed the staircase to the second story. The Old Rose Bed and Breakfast was a beautiful American Tudor style home from the twenties, with gorgeous timber and stucco decorating the two main front gables. Bay windows protruded from each of these, and in the center resided a grand oak door with its own portico. Even the chimney pots had been decorated. The main structure of the outside was stone, and the mixture of building materials gave the place a cozy, old-world feel.
Inside the building was no different. Stone and dark wood reigned, brightened with creamy paint where it turned to drywall. Most of the ceilings were timbered, reflecting the outside of the house, and the floors were all in flagstone or wood. Molly admired it all over again as she climbed the beautiful staircase with its carved balustrade. If she had been married when she was younger, she would have been thrilled to do it in a place like this.
The second story was where most of the available rooms were, and Molly made her way down the long hall to the door at the very end. She knocked gently and heard Renee’s voice weakly call, “Come in!”
She opened the door to find Michelle in front of an oval mirror, dressed in the new gown that Gloria had brought over that morning. If Molly hadn’t already known it was a different dress, she might never have guessed. Her golden locks had been piled on the back of her head and secured in place with tiny pearl-ended pins, and the hairdresser was carefully inserting the comb of her veil in place. A photographer was lurking around the edges of the room, taking random snaps of shoes, dresses, and hairpins.
“You look absolutely gorgeous,” Molly Gertrude breathed.
The bride turned uncertain eyes to her. “I appreciate it, but I don’t think I can agree.”
“Why not?” Molly’s quick eyes scanned the girl from top to bottom and couldn’t find a single fault. There wasn’t a hair out of place, and of course Gloria had tailored the new dress to perfection.
“My shoes are uncomfortable, and this dress is just not the same as the other. It’s not as big, and it’s going to completely change the look of the wedding. Ow!” Michelle ducked her head away from the hairdresser, who had just been inserting another bobby pin into her updo.
“Sorry,” murmured the stylist. “But it’s difficult when you keep moving.”
“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” Molly said before the exchange could turn into an argument. “I just wanted to see how things were going and if you needed me for anything.”
“We’re fine,” Renee answered as she dodged around the hairdresser to place pearl dangles in Michelle’s earrings. “Is everything going smoothly downstairs? I’ve heard quite a few vehicles arrive. I have a few more things to do up here, but I can come down and direct traffic in a minute.”
“No need,” Molly assured her. “We’ve got it all under control.” There was always a lot to do on the big day, but Molly prided herself in not only scheduling well but following up with everyone she had contracted. It also helped that she knew most of the people in Calmhaven, and there was never any doubt in her mind that the florist or the caterers would arrive on time.
“I’m sure there’s something I can do. Let me come with you.” Renee gave Michelle a quick pat on the arm, told her she would be back shortly, and practically ran out of the room, dragging Molly behind her.
“I really don’t want to drag you away from what you’re doing. I’m sure Michelle needs you,” Molly said quietly, not wanting the bride to overhear through the closed door.
“I need to get out of there for a little while! Michelle’s been a nutcase all morning!” Renee leaned against the balustrade where the second story looked down into the main living area below, showcasing a gorgeous stone fireplace.
“Is there something the matter? Maybe I should go and talk to her.” Molly didn’t like the notion that one of her brides might be unhappy in the least. Yes, things had certainly changed. Neither the dress nor the weather could be helped, but she was convinced that the new venue was only for the better. The bed and breakfast not only provided a beautiful place for the ceremony that didn’t require umbrellas, but the bride now had a nice place to get ready. Michelle and Renee had spent the night at the Old Rose so they could get started right after breakfast.
“No, don’t bother.” Renee’s knuckles were white as they gripped the railing. “There’s nothing really wrong at all. The shoes that she says are uncomfortable are the same ones that she picked out simply because they were more comfortable than anything else she tried on. She’s told me numerous times that she doesn’t like her hairdo, but she’s already done two trial runs with Rachel and couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful it was. And don’t even get me started on the dress!”
“Is she still upset over it?” Molly already knew the answer. Any bride would be miffed at having to change dresses at the last minute, and especially because the original one had met such a grisly demise. But Molly truly wanted Michelle to be happy, because that was the only way to start a marriage.
“She is, but I don’t see that she has any reason to be. Yeah, it’s not the same one. But if you ask me, the only difference is the tag.” Renee puffed out her cheeks and let out a big sigh.
“Well, it’s not a surprise that this time is stressful for her. She’ll be all right, and once she comes down the aisle, she’ll forget about everything else that has happened.” Cold feet was a terrible disease that ran high among brides, but in Molly’s experience it was usually cured by just stepping out and getting it all over with.
Just then, the door at the other end of the hall opened, and Brian Jones emerged. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, but Molly thought it was a good look for just about any man. He had a pale pink rose tucked into his buttonhole, and his shoes clicked softly on the hard floor. Brian nodded as he came to join them. “Hello, ladies. Renee, you look very pretty today.”
She touched her jewelry self-consciously, her look going from one of coy surprise and then swiftly changing to anger. “Yeah, well you’d better not be talking like that after you go downstairs and put a ring on Michelle’s finger.”
Brian took a step back. “I was just trying to be nice. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Right. Well, I’m watching you. If you do anything to hurt her, I swear I’ll track you down and get revenge!” With her cheeks as bright of a shade of red as her hai
r, Renee turned and carefully picked her way down the stairs in her heels.
“What was that all about?”
Molly watched the maid of honor go with an arched eyebrow, another piece of the puzzle falling into place in her mind. “I think it’s just been a long day.” Making her excuses that she had to get back to her job as coordinator, Miss Molly went back downstairs, mulling over the mystery that was now beginning to fall into place.
The dining room had been all laid out with linens, plates, and glasses. A table near the doorway had been erected for guests to place their gifts and cards, and it was steadily being filled. Molly leaned over the guestbook stand, pleased to see that the attendees were dutifully filling in the lines. She skimmed down the column of names and noticed several that she recognized.
She found Dora in the sunroom, showing people to their seats, and pulled her aside. “It looks like all the seats are filling up quickly.”
“Oh, yes! I think everyone in Calmhaven must know either the bride or the groom. Even Sheriff Barnes and Deputy Digby are here.” Dora’s cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink.
Molly didn’t have time to worry about that at the moment.
Dora’s puzzled over who might have invited some of the guests. She didn’t recall JJ Barnes and Digby being on the original guest list. “Who invited them? The bride or the groom?” She asked Molly.
“Neither,” Molly answered with a wink.
“Can you tell me which one of these guests is Victoria Watson?” By now, the other young men that Michelle and Brian had asked to be ushers had arrived and were doing their job, so there was always a chance that Dora didn’t know.
“Oh, um, I think she’s the one over there.” Dora pointed to a woman on the bride’s side. Her dark hair had been swept back into a low ponytail, and she had a large gift bag at her feet. “I tried to take the bag from her and put it on the table, but she wouldn’t let me. She insisted it wasn’t just a regular gift. I saw the tag, and it had her name on it. I suppose it could always be a different Victoria, though.”