The Gingerbread Bakery (Dream Harbor, #5)(73)

The old dog let out a long sigh. Annie felt the same way.

‘What is this heirloom, anyway, and why is it so important?’ she asked while they waited for Mac and Sylvia to return.

‘It’s good luck,’ Estelle said. ‘It has been in my family for years and every bride that’s worn it on her wedding night has had a long and happy marriage, so it’s important. I had to come get it.’

‘I'm sure Jeanie and Logan will have a long and happy marriage, no matter what,’ Dot said.

‘Well, I’d like to have a little extra insurance.’

‘Did you wear it?’ Annie asked, still wondering what the heck they were talking about. Jeanie already had her dress and shoes and jewelry for the day. What else was there?

‘I didn't get to wear it,’ Estelle said, ‘because Sylvia claimed she lost it after her wedding. I didn't push it at the time, but Logan’s too important to me for him to not have it for his bride.’

If Annie disregarded how this whole thing had upended her day and threatened the wedding, then she could almost see how it was a loving gesture from a grandmother to the grandson she’d raised. Almost.

‘We’re back,’ Sylvia said, shuffling into the room. She had a wrapped parcel under one arm and Mac’s hand in hers.

‘I’m only giving this to you because Dot has been a lovely guest and Mac here really made my day. If it had been only you on my doorstep, I would have left you outside.’

Estelle huffed and held out her hand. ‘Just give it to me already.’

‘Estelle,’ Annie hissed. ‘Be nice.’ Maybe if she had been nice from the start this whole thing wouldn't have happened, but Annie kept that part to herself. She didn't know what history these two old women had, but she was not about to get into it right now.

Estelle rolled her eyes like a teenager. But she cleared her throat and tried again. ‘Please may we have the package so we can be on our way?’

Sylvia hesitated but then handed it over, and Annie breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Thank you for your hospitality,’ Dot said leaning down to give the woman a hug.

‘You can come back anytime,’ Sylvia said, patting her on the back. ‘And that goes for you too,’ she said, looking up at Mac. He leaned down and she gave him a little peck on the cheek.

‘Thanks, Sylvia. We really appreciate your help,’ he said, giving her hand one more squeeze.

‘Okay, gang. We’ve got a wedding to get to,’ Annie said, herding everyone out of the house. The dog finally woke up and barked as they closed the door behind them.

They all piled into Mac’s enormous SUV truck-thing and, before they were even back on the highway, Annie had to know. ‘So, what is it?’ she asked.

Estelle unwrapped the package and held up some sort of fabric or garment. Annie still wasn’t sure what she was looking at.

She turned around so she could get a better look at it. ‘But what is it?’

‘It’s a nightgown,’ the old woman replied, and Annie nearly choked on her spit.

It was a nightgown, a nightgown that was probably older than the country itself. The material was yellowed, and it had long sleeves and a high neck and would probably reach down to Jeanie’s ankles. It was an actual nightmare. It was what an angry ghost would wear while haunting an old Victorian manor.

‘Wow!’ was all Annie could reply. She couldn't meet Dot’s eye as she was currently very clearly trying not to laugh.

‘You want Jeanie to wear that tonight?’

‘Of course,’ Estelle said. ‘And if she does, she and Logan will have a long and happy marriage, guaranteed.’ She beamed and Annie had to turn around before she started laughing. She could see Dot’s shoulders beginning to shake. They had come all this way to retrieve an ancient nightie. Annie was pretty sure that if Jeanie did wear it, the thing would disintegrate as soon as Logan touched her. The thought had her snorting as she tried to stifle her laughter.

‘Wait a minute,’ Mac said, slowly piecing things together from his position in the driver’s seat. ‘Did we just drive to New Hampshire to pick up some magic, old-timey lingerie?’

That was when Annie and Dot completely lost it, descending into hysterical giggles. Even Estelle started to chuckle.

‘I guess I forgot how old it was,’ she said. ‘I’m not sure it’s going to hold up to another wedding night.’

The group laughed even harder at that. Annie was doubled over in the passenger seat, her sides aching.

‘Can I please be there when you give it to them?’ she asked between giggles. ‘I can’t wait to see the look on Logan's face when he sees it.’

‘Jeanie’s so sweet, she’ll probably pretend she likes it,’ Mac said, and the group broke down again.

‘My God, this is insane,’ Annie said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

‘It really did seem like a good idea at the time,’ Estelle said.

Dot patted her on her shoulder. ‘It was a lovely idea. I’m sure Logan and Jeanie will appreciate the gesture.’

‘Yeah, and silver lining: Mac almost got a girlfriend out of the deal,’ Annie said.

‘Sylvia was a very handsome woman,’ he said straight-faced. ‘Although I didn’t love the part where she wanted to tell me how loving her dead husband used to be.’