The Bride's Curse (3 page)

“How would you feel if you were in a nursing home with a lot of sick old people, strangers, and no one would tell you when you could go home?”

“She just had pneumonia and I thought she would be better getting professional treatment … ”

But Brett was no longer listening. He’d just run his eye down an advertisement for an estate auction that had taken place three months previously. One item caught his attention.

“‘Lovely vintage wedding gown in perfect condition.’ Oh, Sasha, please tell me you didn’t.”

• • •

Kelly sighed, closed the laptop, and pushed back from her desk. Doing the month-end accounts had never been her favorite part of business but this was awful. She’d known business had been a bit slow, but the accounting software said it all. She rubbed her tired eyes and bit her bottom lip as she considered the figures she had just run. A comparison between last year and this showed that her business was unusually slow for the time of year.

Was it just that there were fewer brides in need of wedding planning services, or were the ugly rumors about the Unlucky Bridal Gown that had become the Cursed Bridal Gown really keeping the customers away? Certainly, Kelly had had fewer inquiries about Wedding Bliss’s services, and the few drop-in customers had all seemed to want to eyeball “that dress” without buying anything.

Kelly believed the best way to fight gossip and misconception was to face it head on. First thing the next morning, dressed in jeans and an old sweater, she found herself scrambling about in the broad window of Wedding Bliss, reorganizing all the pretty trinkets so she could put the allegedly cursed wedding dress out there for everyone to see.

Maybe if they could see the glorious antique silk and lace confection in the cold light of day all this weirdness about dark forces would come to an end. At least she hoped it would.

Those hopes were dashed as Noelia came in while she was putting the finishing touches to the scalloped hem and flowing train of the dress.

“What on earth are you doing?” The sharp question startled Kelly and she stuck a pin in her thumb. Sucking the blood from the wounded digit, she climbed out of the window display and faced Noelia with a scowl.

“Look what you’ve made me do. I’m bleeding,” she snapped, waving her hand around.

“What do you expect? Seems everything connected to that dress results in someone being hurt.”

Kelly gaped at her assistant. The usually calm and competent Noelia was ruffled and dark-eyed with fatigue. “What are you talking about? The dress didn’t prick my finger, I did after you startled me. Or maybe it was the pin that did it. Are you going to say the pin’s cursed? Are we about to experience an invasion of cursed bloodletting pins now?”

She’d intended her words to be humorous, an attempt to disperse all this talk about curses and other nonsense. Instead, they had the opposite effect. Noelia looked as if she was going to burst into tears.

“You need to get rid of that gown. I don’t care what you say, Kelly, there’s something wrong with it.” Noelia blew her nose noisily, a ruse to stop her boss and friend from seeing she was close to tears.

Mortified, Kelly hugged the other woman. “Oh, Noelia, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how seriously you were taking all this. Come on, sit down and I’ll make us a cup of coffee. Then we’ll talk this through.”

A few minutes later, they sat facing each other on the Victorian dining chairs, coffee mugs in hand and a plate of Noelia’s favorite chocolate digestive biscuits between them. “I know you think this is all too weird, Kelly, but I couldn’t sleep for thinking about it last night. In Sicily where my family comes from, people believe in curses and the evil eye. My grannie often talked about what it was like when she was a girl, before the family came to America. Yes, I know, for an All-American twenty-first century girl, it’s easy to dismiss these things, but the old people knew a lot. My grannie used to say there are more things in Heaven and Earth than this world dreams of.”

Kelly bit her lip. If only she could tell Noelia, who was her friend as well as an employee, the truth about her own personal demons. Or spirits. For a brief moment, she was tempted to confide in the older woman about the Taliban bomb blast, the noise, the flying shrapnel, the choking dust, the cries, the pain … the visions. The moment passed before she could pull together the courage to try to explain the inexplicable.

“I keep thinking, over and over again, what would happen to you if this store should go out of business? I know it means so much to you, much more than just a way to make a living.” Noelia softened her words with a smile.

Kelly smiled back, but her eyes filled with tears at her friend’s concern. “I hate to see you so upset. Tell you what … I’ll put the dress way at the back of the store where only someone really looking will find it. That way, maybe if there is a curse, it will be the dress choosing the bride it wants to be worn by, and the curse will be broken.”

Noelia nodded gratefully. “Put it way to the back, though. Hide it so it can’t be found except by someone it chooses. I know you must think I’m a silly old broad, but—”

“Not at all. You’re my friend and I hate to see you upset. Are you sure the dress was the only thing you were losing sleep over? Are your children okay?”

That brought a big smile. “Yes, they’re fine. I think Alex might announce his engagement soon. He’s been going out with this lovely girl for a year now and they’re very good together.”

Kelly smiled. “That’s wonderful, really. Just know that Wedding Bliss’s services will be there for you at a deep discount—like zero cost—when they’re ready to tie the knot.”

“That’s very sweet of you. Thank you.” Noelia snagged the last cookie, then gathered up the pretty china plate and cups to put them away in the small kitchen area in the store’s back room.

True to her word, Kelly draped the vintage gown on a padded hanger and tucked it away in a shaded corner of the store furthest from the door.

“That’s a good spot—no-one can actually see the dress unless they’re really looking. I just hope that dress is out of here before—”

The silver bells above the door jangled as a customer came in, and Noelia’s words were lost.

The customer was model slim, her dark hair perfectly styled in the just-out-of-bed fashion that takes hours to arrange, and wearing a suit Kelly guessed was Oscar de la Renta.

Oh my gosh, are those Jimmy Choos on her feet?
Kelly was so busy wondering how anyone could walk in those heels that she jumped when Noelia nudged her and whispered, “Customer alert.”

As if she read Kelly’s mind, the newcomer grinned and said, “I know what you’re thinking … it takes practice not to fall off these heels. I can’t wait to get home and put on my flip flops.”

Feeling dowdy in her dusty jeans and sweater, Kelly was grateful for the young woman’s sense of humor. “One of the joys of small town living is people actually think you’re being uppity if you dress too well.” She felt a blush climb up her cheeks as she realized her words could be misinterpreted as a criticism of the other woman’s dress.

But obviously this smart young woman was far too self-assured to take offense. She held out her hand to Kelly and then to Noelia. “I’m Daria Welcome, and my company, Welcome Home Realty of Derry, is representing a group of developers negotiating to buy the old cannery building.”

Kelly was stunned. Developers were looking at the old disused cannery? Visions of sprawling housing and commercial developments came to her mind. Such a development would change the quaint nature of the town she loved.

“They’re going to develop the cannery? Like, what kind of development?”

Daria smiled reassuringly. “You must be Kelly Andrews, the owner of that lovely little cottage I pass on the way into town? I’ve watched over the past few months as you’ve completed the renovations. It’s a jewel now.”

“Thank you. But what’s going to happen at the cannery? I know it’s an eyesore but…”

Daria raised her hand. “Don’t worry—we’re looking to gentrify the building and create some beautiful condominium apartments. It will probably increase the value of properties in the area rather than diminish it.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I think the government has owned that building since … er … ”

“Since the previous owners’ demise?” That 1000 watt smile again. “Yes, the government did take the cannery and other portions of the Peterson family estate after they were indicted for money laundering. The Feds are not the easiest of clients to negotiate with, I can tell you.” Daria rolled her eyes. “I’m spending a lot of time here in Marina Grove, searching records, reading reports, and overseeing contractors and architects. You’re not thinking of selling your cottage, are you?”

The question came out of left field and Kelly blinked before answering. “Not for a moment. I love that old house.”

“I can see why. Anyhow, that’s not why I’m here. I’m getting married at Christmas and I’m looking for the perfect gown.”

Kelly’s smile widened. “Come and take a seat and we’ll discuss what you’re looking for. We offer a range of gowns of different styles, including some beautiful vintage dresses from top designers. We are also able to arrange every aspect of your wedding, right down to party favors, mementos for the reception guests, flowers. You name it, we do it.”

“Sounds like I’ve come to the right place—I know what I want, but the details are so time consuming. I could use some help.” Daria smoothed the back of her skirt and sat down on one of the delicate antique chairs.

“Could I get you a drink while you’re chatting?” Noelia asked.

“A decaf latte would be nice.”

Noelia suppressed a grin. “I’m sorry—we have a pot of regular coffee on the brew. The boss hasn’t yet shelled out for a classier coffee maker.”

Kelly flushed and Daria laughed. “That’s okay. I probably shouldn’t have coffee among all these beautiful gowns and things—I can be a bit klutzy.” She turned to Kelly. “I’m looking for that very special dress. The one everyone is talking about … ”

Kelly heard Noelia’s sharp intake of breath. Remembering her promise to keep the dress out of easy view, she replied, “Why don’t you start by taking a spin around the store and looking at all the gowns, get some idea of what you’re really looking for.”

Daria raised one questioning eyebrow, but gracefully stood and walked around the store. She was obviously a woman who knew what she wanted as she quickly viewed and discarded several dresses. She seemed drawn to the back wall alcove where Kelly had hidden the Cursed Bridal Gown.

Noelia, frowning, quickly stepped forward to redirect her. “Are you looking for a de la Renta gown? I noticed your suit … ”

“Yes, he has beautiful designs. I’ve looked at his wedding styles, but I do really want a vintage gown. Like that one over there … ”

Daria crossed the room and stepped around Noelia as she headed for the vintage gown as if drawn there by an invisible string. “Oh, it really is beautiful.” Her brown eyes glowed as she fingered the soft silk. “This is it, isn’t it? The gown everyone is talking about?”

“You don’t want that one—it’s cursed!” Noelia blurted out. For a split second, Kelly wanted to throttle her assistant.

But Daria was unfazed. “I don’t believe in curses. Anyway, Drake and I have been together a long time. Our relationship is too grounded for some silly rumor about witchery to affect us.”

Kelly took a deep breath of relief. This sale—and any additional services Daria wanted—would put their bank account out of the danger zone. She studiously ignored Noelia’s expression of horror and suggested Daria try the dress on.

The other woman glanced at her watch. “Darn, I've got a meeting in twenty minutes. I’m staying at the Captain’s House B & B, the former Peterson place. Could you bring the dress over to me tomorrow afternoon? I’ll try it on and you can arrange to do whatever alterations are necessary then … ” She stopped speaking as she saw the expressions on the faces of the other two women.

Kelly was the first to speak. “Captain’s House?” she stammered.

“Yes, I know about the murders that took place there. Cal Peterson shot his son’s lover and the boy turned the gun on himself, and then the old man had a massive coronary. It’s a terribly sad story but the family was deeply involved in organized crime and, well, I guess violence begets violence. Anyhow, like I said, I’m not superstitious about curses and things that go bump in the night.”

Kelly swallowed. If ever a place was haunted, it was surely the Captain’s House. Long before the tragedy Daria referred to, there were all kinds of rumors about the place and the happenings there, including the suspicious death of one of the early Peterson wives. She wasn’t keen to test her status as a magnet for the restless dead, but for a sale of this size she’d gladly walk into the first ring of Hell. Kelly tried to keep her reluctance out of her voice as she agreed to meet with Daria the next afternoon at two o’clock.

“One other thing. While I don’t believe in curses, I do think that sometimes bad memories leave their mark behind. Your store gives every indication something bad may have happened here in the past. It feels so chilled—has anyone mentioned the depressing atmosphere?” Seeing Kelly’s stormy look, she hastily added, “I didn’t mean to offend you or anything, the store is lovely. I’ve worked a lot with old buildings and sometimes they get, well, a feel to them. Maybe you should have a look at the history of this place.”

And she was gone, in a whiff of Prada perfume and the clack of designer heels.

Kelly and Noelia sank down on the elegant Victorian chairs, both looking shell-shocked.

“Whoa! That woman’s like a whirlwind through your head,” Noelia declared.

Kelly just nodded. Relief mingled with apprehension.

After all, she had arranged to meet that whirlwind tomorrow in a house where very bad things had happened. Had the three victims left the impression of their rage and fear and grief in the walls of the old mansion? Or would their restless spirits recognize Kelly’s special gift and seek to communicate through her?

• • •

Kelly clambered back into the store window. It looked untidy and bare since she had given in to Noelia’s request to remove the vintage wedding gown, so she had to revamp it with another gown and some more wedding paraphernalia.