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I lifted the box out, astonished. “When did you put this in here?”
George wagged his bushy brows. “Who says I did?” He was such a tease. At least I thought so. The man truly had me believing in magic at times.
I smiled, not knowing what to believe. “Are you sure about this? It might not even fit me.”
“It will be perfect. I promise. Why don’t you try it on now? I’ll give you a moment.” He stood like a man much younger than him. I hadn’t seen him full of that much energy in a long time, maybe ever.
“Okay,” I whispered, still mesmerized by the dress, by George, and by this place.
“Take all the time you need.” George shuffled toward the door. “I’ll wait outside.”
I sat on the cold, hard floor waiting to hear the door shut while I stared at the dress, perfectly preserved in the box. It felt almost wrong to disturb it. “Are you sure about this, Daisy?” I spoke aloud, once I knew George was on the other side of the closed door. I shut my eyes to wait for the answer. It didn’t take long before I felt the rays of the sun wash over me, warming me. It was like Daisy had picked the perfect time, knowing when the sun would be in prime position to help her out. That was all the answer I needed. I opened my eyes and carefully broke the seal of the box before lifting the lid.
I took a deep breath and lifted the viewing window, revealing the dress surrounded by the muslin that had helped preserve it all these years. As delicately as I could, I brushed the satin bodice with my fingers. “Please let me look as beautiful as you did in this dress, Daisy.” I gently lifted it out of the box, removing any acid-free tissue paper as needed, until it was free. I held it up in front of me. It was perfect. Just what I had been looking for, without realizing it was exactly what I had been searching for, if that made sense.
I stood and walked over to the brass free-standing mirror, away from the windows. I held the dress in front of me so I could get a good look at it in the mirror. A nervous excitement coursed through me. I imagined how thrilled Daisy had been when she’d picked it out. Then I pictured myself in it, dancing the night away with Jameson . . . that was, until I was in someone else’s arms. Arms I longed to be in—was meant to be in. I shook thoughts of Drake out of my head while I rested the gorgeous gown on the nearby chintz chair. I shimmied out of my overalls; goose bumps followed. It was a bit chilly in the attic. When I got down to just my panties, I reverently slipped into the gown, praying it would fit. It was then I noticed it buttoned up the back. That was going to be a problem. Darn it. Well, at least I could get a rough idea how it would look and if it would fit.
Before I stepped back in front of the mirror, I closed my eyes. I was nervous it wouldn’t live up to all my expectations. You know, the one where I looked like an amazingly hot princess. Yes, I had high expectations. Probably a tad too high. With a realistic breath out, I opened my eyes. Oh. Wow. Maybe I wasn’t a hot princess, but I felt beautiful.
While holding the dress closed with one hand behind me, I scooted closer to the mirror. Uh, I think pink was my color. Who knew? With my free hand I smoothed my bare collarbone, imagining a simple string of pearls around my neck, just like Daisy had worn on her wedding day. I would trade my messy bun in for a more classic updo. Izzy was great with hair and would help me. Assuming the buttons were all intact and I could breathe once it was fastened up, I was sure I’d found my dress for the ball. From now on I would call George my fairy godmother. I sure felt like Cinderella.
Well . . . that was until my prince burst into the room. I whipped around when I heard the door fly open. I thought it was George and was a tad miffed he didn’t knock first. Surely, he knew I couldn’t button up the dress on my own. Instead, I was taken aback to find Drake standing there, a bit harried like he’d run up here. I was so shocked I almost let the dress fall. Thankfully, I caught it in the nick of time before I gave Drake a show.
“What are you doing in here? I’m indecent.” I backed up, hoping he wouldn’t get a view of my bare backside in the mirror.
