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There it was, the unnecessary remark about her weight, but Maggie let it go. “Emily was tall?”

“Yes, she was about five nine, if I remember.”

“I’m only five six, but I can hem up pants if I need to.”

“And here’s the wedding dress,” she said.

“Oh, Mother, wow. You know I don’t care about wedding dresses, but when I heard we’re getting married on their anniversary date, it meant something to me.”

They examined the dress through the cellophane window. “Let’s get the stuff inside.”

They got the garment bags out of the back of the car and took everything into the cottage.

“What’s different about the old place?” Rose asked, frowning.

“I finally had to get rid of Grandma’s furniture. I loved that old stuff so much, but the slipcovers disintegrated the last time we washed them. How do you like it?”

“It’s wonderful. I’ve never seen the place without those faded old slipcovers. They were faded when I was a child. The blue upholstery is perfect in here with my grandfather’s evil eye painting over the fireplace.” Rose pointed to the large square of painted plywood that had once been nailed to the end of the dock.

“It’s exactly what I thought when we shopped. Do you want coffee or iced tea?”

“I’m good right now, thanks. I’ll empty these bags and take them back to fill again. There is a huge walk-in closet full of things for you.”

“Mom, don’t get carried away. What if I don’t want something? I’ll get nervous if I feel like I need to keep everything you bring.”

“Okay, don’t worry about it. That’s not the point. Let’s find what you like, and the rest I’ll worry about later. What about Katrina?”

“She might want it, but she’s even less sentimental than I am.”

“Oh, don’t kid yourself,” Rose said. “When Vic and I were over there before the baby was born, she was sad that she hadn’t saved more of the stuff from her folks’ house. Plus, you have kids now to hand things down to.”

“Our kids won’t want any of our crap, Mom. Get real.”

“Ha! Look at you in this old, moldering place! You should talk.”

Maggie looked around and chuckled. “You’re right. I love this place, and bite your tongue. It’s not old and moldering.”

“Try the wedding dress on,” Rose said, pushing the box at her.

Maggie looked at it, worried. What if she didn’t like it? Everyone would be disappointed.

“Let’s take it out of the box. You can’t really tell by looking at it through the plastic.”

“Okay, if you’re sure,” Maggie said uncertainly.

“Remember, your brother-in-law can alter it if it needs it.”

“Dave? I mean, my God, where in the hell did the sheriff, who is also a hunk, learn to sew, I ask you?”

“Probably his mother. He can fit my dress anytime,” Rose said, laughing.

“That’s pretty funny, Mom. Okay, I’ll try it on.”

Rose removed the top and carefully lifted the dress out.

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Maggie said in awe. “It’s so sheer, and all the beading. I can’t believe it, but it is exactly what I would want if I had a choice.”

“I agree. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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