The Bride's Curse (10 page)

“But I’m not dressed for … ”

“You look fine to me.”

Outside, Brett held onto Kelly’s arm as if he thought she’d disappear if he let go. He strode along the sidewalk toward the pier, his long legs covering the ground quickly. Kelly had to scurry to keep up. “So what’s the big secret? Where are we going?”

“You’ll see in a moment,” came the mysterious answer.

They arrived at the small marina area reserved for private pleasure craft, and a tall dark-haired man in a seaman’s jersey and sunglasses came out of the clapboard office to meet them. “Is everything ready?” Brett asked, shaking the man’s hand.

“Oh, yes, all shipshape,” he replied with a grin.

“Kelly, this is my good friend Rob MacAvee. He’s lending us his cabin cruiser for a couple of hours.”

“How do you do, ma’am,” Rob said, smiling at Kelly before striding away.

Her face must have registered her shock. Staring at all the beautiful craft that were moored, gently bobbing, at the pier, Kelly said, “A boat ride?”

“Didn’t you say you’d been wanting to take a sail around the bay since you moved to Marina Grove? Well, that’s what we’re going to do.” He was grinning like a magician displaying a new magic trick.

Kelly swallowed and tears came to her eyes. When was the last time someone had done something this sweet for her? Something that involved listening to her dreams and making them come true?

Brett reached out to swipe away the tears from her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he said, dropping a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I’m not crying, I’m happy,” Kelly sniffed.

Muttering something about never being able to understand women, Brett led the way along the dock to where a modest cabin cruiser, painted blue and white, sparkled in the sun.

“What sort of a boat is a cabin cruiser? I mean, what are they used for?”

“It has many uses, depending on the size and style. They vary from utilitarian to luxurious. This type is designed for several people or a family to sail in comfort, with a kitchen, bathroom, and other facilities. Cabin cruisers are usually very comfortable and safe. People use them for pleasure cruising, fishing, taking tourists out … or just plain having fun.”

Kelly studied the smallish vessel, excitement swelling within her. Imagine Brett actually remembering her confiding how much she wanted to go out on the bay!

“Ma’am?” Brett said, offering his hand to help her climb the short ladder onto the deck before handing up the picnic basket and climbing on board himself.

• • •

They sailed around hugging the shoreline first. Brett enjoyed watching the variety of expressions that played on Kelly’s face as she viewed Marina Grove from an angle she had never seen it before—out in the bay.

“Look! That’s my cottage right there! I think I can even see Sullivan sitting in the kitchen window.” Her face glowed with delight.

A delight he had helped put there. Brett dragged in a deep breath at the thought. If he got so much pleasure from giving Kelly this one small delight, what would it feel like to spend a lifetime bringing her happiness?

He reached into the duffel bag he’d brought and handed her a pair of binoculars. “Here, you’ll be able to see a lot more through these.”

“I used these a lot in the military,” Kelly said, and a sober expression flashed across her face before she raised the glasses to her eyes and studied the view. Brett wondered what painful memories had slipped across her mind to create such a deep, if momentary, sadness. His heart ached to help her heal.

After the shoreline tour, Brett anchored the cruiser out in the bay and brought out the picnic Mrs. Patrowski had prepared for him. As the vessel bobbed gently, they sat on the small covered bench and ate a traditional picnic of ham and fresh bread, cheese, potato salad, hard boiled eggs, and fruit.

And they talked about anything and everything, sharing past adventures, future hopes and dreams, and laughing together. At one point Kelly took a linen napkin and wiped a smear of mayonnaise from Brett’s mouth, then she leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips. He deepened the kiss and they slid slowly down onto the deck where they lay together, entwined, looking up at the fluffy clouds scudding across the darkening sky.

He didn’t think he had ever felt so peaceful, so complete, in his life.

“I think it’s time to get back, even though I’m reluctant,” Brett said. “We have to watch the evening tide.” Even now the waves were swelling beneath the vessel as the tide began to flow. Marina Grove was starting to take on a fairyland appearance as twinkling lights appeared in the streets and buildings.

They stood together at the wheel, Brett’s arm around Kelly and his hand over hers as he taught her to stay on course toward land.

“I wish this could go on forever,” Kelly said dreamily, looking up at him as she snuggled under his arm. He tightened his hold on her, wishing the same thing.

They tied up the cruiser at its berth and stood looking at each other, the moment of parting awkward. He wanted to ask her to stay with him that night, but was afraid it was too sudden, too early, and would frighten her away.

So he settled for kissing her hard and long, putting his brand on her, before letting her go back to pick up her car at Wedding Bliss while he dropped the vessel keys off at the marina office.

• • •

Noelia had placed the closed sign on the door at Wedding Bliss and locked everything up. Kelly was relieved she wouldn’t have to answer her friend’s questions about the outing. She wanted to go home and sit quietly on her deck, savoring all the wonderful memories she and Brett had made that day. She still could hardly believe that he had taken to heart her comments about wishing she could go sailing—not only taken them in, but acted on them in such a thoughtful way.

She picked up her purse, some files, and some notes she had made for clients, and then locked the store up again. Before she did so, she glanced out of the window.

There was no Old Man on the Bench.

The day was just getting better and better.

Noelia wore her black suit to work the next day, an instant tell for Kelly that her assistant had something very serious on her mind. Once they stopped for morning coffee and cookies, Noelia cleared her throat.

Here it comes
. “Please don’t tell me you’re leaving me, Noelia.”

Noelia’s dark eyebrows shot up. “Whyever would you think that?”

“It’s the black suit, the sort of classy outfit to wear going for an interview for a serious job. I’ve always thought you were too smart to be my part-time assistant.” Kelly crunched a chocolate digestive and avoided Noelia’s gaze.

“Honey, I wouldn’t dream of leaving you! I couldn’t have the disaster you would get yourself into on my conscience.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“Actually, I’m visiting a friend later today and wanted to look smart. Anyway, we do have to talk. Now that you know there is a connection between Mary Atwell and the Cursed Bridal Gown, you have to do something about it.”

“Like what? What would you have me do? I mean, I’d love to settle this. Our profits are getting slimmer by the day.”

“My opinion? You have to be honest. First tell Brett what you’ve learned and what has happened to the women who’ve tried to wear that gown. See if he can get his aunt to take it back and hide it in her coven or whatever. Then tell Daria Welcome she must give it back—tell her you’ll get an even nicer one for her at no extra charge.”

“Actually, I’ve tried that with Daria. No dice. And I should take responsibility for all this because?” Kelly was not happy at what she was hearing.

“Because you should never have sold that dress again in the first place. Now that you know its full history you have a duty to protect other brides. Call Daria. Now!”

Kelly chewed on her bottom lip. She’d rather crawl ten miles through the desert in full combat kit than deal with either Brett or Daria about that dress. “You know how much better you are with people than I am. Why don’t you call and talk to them?”

“You know I love you and I’d walk through fire for you. But there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that I’m talking to these people about this. No. Never.”

“Not even if I promise you a new coffee maker?” Kelly was prepared to beg.

“Not even if it’s gold plated and sings ‘Come Back to Sorrento.’” Noelia folded her arms over her black clad chest, her expression stubborn. “You owe it to future brides who might want to wear that gown.”

Kelly sighed and reached for the last chocolate cookie. “Okay, you’ve guilted me into it. I’ll make those calls right now.”

“Oh, and Kelly?” Noelia swatted Kelly’s hand away and snatched up the cookie for herself. “Just don’t mention your little imaginary friend on the bench outside. Not everyone would be as understanding as I am. Some might think you’re crazy.”

Ten minutes later Kelly was hiding out in the small rear room of the store, trying to work up the courage for a private conversation with Brett and then with Daria. “Think of the other women whose lives might be ruined if they choose that dress,” she reminded herself, holding up Daria Welcome’s card from the Rolodex. “Guess Daria is one of those brides.”

She took a deep breath and dialed the number. It really didn’t go well.

Daria said she was looking at a happy ever after that included the vintage wedding gown and she made it abundantly clear to Kelly she had no plans to give that up.

“I’m sorry, I’m sure this old lady would like to have the dress back but hey, it’s not like she needs it for her wedding now, is it?” The realtor was adamant. “You said it yourself; this gown is perfect for me. It doesn’t even need alterations. Now I have this whole picture in my head of my wedding and I can see myself walking down the aisle at St. Christopher’s wearing the absolutely perfect dress, with Drake standing at the altar dazzled as he waits for me. No, there’s just no way I can return it. Tell the old dear I’m sorry.”

Daria cut the telephone connection abruptly and left Kelly listening to dead air. She sighed. She hadn’t really expected Daria to agree to give up the dress. She’d searched and found another, in her eyes equally gorgeous, vintage dress, but the bride-to-be wouldn’t even look at it.

Maybe if she hadn’t been so chicken and had gone to meet her customer face to face rather than over the telephone, she might have been able to persuade her to do an exchange. Something in Daria’s tone, however, made her think that possibility unlikely.

Feeling defeated, Kelly dialed the number on Brett’s business card. Another difficult call to make, one that should also perhaps have been made face to face. She knew it was cowardly, but she flinched from seeing the expression she was sure would appear on Brett’s handsome face when she brought up the subject of the cursed gown. After all, how do you tell a guy that his favorite aunt is a weirdo who may have cursed a wedding gown and ruined the romantic plans of several other brides? Yeah, that would go down really well.

She liked him too much to want to see him lose interest in her face to face. She dialed the number he had given her and crossed her fingers. That didn’t stop her pulse doing that funny little jump when she heard his voice.

“Gee, I was just thinking about you.” He answered with warmth that turned her knees to jelly. Would that sexy tone still be there after she told him why she was calling?

“I was thinking about you, too. I think I do have the wedding gown you’re looking for, but there’s a problem with it.”

“If you need to get it professionally cleaned or mended, then obviously I’ll pay your costs and return whatever you paid my sister for the dress.”

“This isn’t something that can be fixed by a seamstress or a dry cleaner.”

A seconds-too-long silence. Then, his voice laced with a suspicion that caused Kelly’s heart to plummet, he growled, “Look, you have me over a barrel; you know how much I care for Aunt Mary. If you’ve made a profit on the gown, just name your price. But I warn you, Kelly, I won’t be blackmailed.”

Tears pricked at her eyes at his suggestion that she wasn’t on the level, but a hot flash of anger saved her from letting them fall. “It’s nothing like that. I’m not that kind of person,” she snapped. “It’s just that the dress was purchased by a young woman who is getting married soon. She refuses to return the dress, even though I offered her an equally nice substitute. I’m afraid there’s nothing more I can do. Tell your aunt I’m sorry.”
And let’s hope she doesn’t decide to put a curse on me.

She heard Brett draw in a deep breath. “Listen, why don’t you give me the name and contact information for this woman. I am sure if I talk to her she’ll see reason … ”

“I can’t do that. I have a duty of privacy to my clients.” Kelly bit her bottom lip. Maybe if she did let Brett talk to Daria …? No, the bride-to-be had made it very clear there was no way she was giving up the gown.

“Perhaps you could arrange a meeting?”

“I’m sorry, Brett. There are other … issues at play here. Your aunt will probably forget all about her anxieties about the dress once she’s home and back in good health.”

“She’s coming home tomorrow, in good health, and she’s not letting the subject drop.” Something in his tone made Kelly sure that Brett was being given a very hard time by his aunt. Hard to imagine a big strong guy like that being harassed by an older aunt. Strangely Kelly found the idea both amusing and endearing. “Just what aren’t you telling me?”

He wasn’t going to let this drop unless she really convinced him. Kelly closed her eyes tightly and blurted out the truth, glad she hadn’t met up with him in person. “Brett, you’re going to find this hard to process, but a lot of people think that wedding gown is … cursed. Your aunt is better off staying well away from it.”
Well done, Kelly. So much for giving him a rational explanation.

This time the silence went on for so long Kelly was sure she’d lost him somewhere in the ether. He spoke just as she was about to close the connection.

“Is this your idea of a joke? Because honestly, Red, I’m not laughing.”

She pulled in a deep breath, glad he was at least giving her the opportunity to explain. And the use of that hated nickname gave her a little flicker of hope. Perhaps he wasn’t too angry with her. Maybe there was a chance to make him see reason.