“I’m waiting,” Christina said.
“Let’s see… Will went over to visit his mother. She’s been going to rehab to learn to use a walker, and I wanted to put the wreath and veil in Faith’s closet so they’d be here when she arrives. And, well, it just sort of happened.”
“Putting on a wedding dress does not just happen.”
“No, and I wasn’t able to fasten all the buttons on the back by myself. That’s why most brides need help when they put on their gowns.”
“Kelsey. While putting on the dress, you called me. Why and why not just take it off?”
“I can’t explain it. All I can say is I was compelled in a way I’ve never been before. I thought maybe you’d understand. It was like…”
“Magic.”
“Yes. No. More like insanity.” The minute the urge hit her to try on the dress, she should have packed her bags and gotten out of town, away from all this wedding nonsense, away from Will. He was the real reason she looked as if she’d stepped out of a wedding album from 1910. He’d made her want to feel loved, like a bride. “I uncovered the dress and held up the veil and wreath. It looked so perfect together, I had to see what it would look like on me.”
Christina made a noise. “I take it you’re not only wearing the dress.”
“No.” Kelsey adjusted the wreath. “In my defense, can I say the gown and the headpiece look as if they were made for me. And I swear the dress was begging me to put it on.”
“A talking wedding dress?” Christina sighed. “Okay, who is this? What have you done with my cousin Kelsey?”
“I didn’t mean literally, but it was sort of magical. And I kept smelling roses.”
“You caught my bouquet. There were roses in my bouquet.”
“That was months ago.”
“Maybe there’s some leftover magic from the legend of the ring.”
Magic would be much easier for Kelsey to buy. “You think?”
“I don’t know, but it’s strange. Even your voice sounds different.”
“I feel different, too.” It wasn’t only the wedding gown and headpiece she wore, either. Her skin glowed, a radiance not even the best makeup artists could give her. Her cheeks were flushed, not from the cold, not from heat, not even embarrassment for what she’d done. Her eyes were clear and bright and sparkling. If she could bottle this up, add a catchy name, and sell it, she’d be every woman’s new best friend.
“What exactly is going on out there?” Concern filled Christina’s voice.
“I’m putting together a Valentine’s wedding.”
“You’ve planned more weddings than I can count, and you’ve never tried on a wedding dress before. Who is he? There’s got to be a man involved. Tell me his name.”
Christina knew Kelsey too well. “Will. His name is Will Addison. He’s the brother of the bride.”
“Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”
Kelsey imagined Christina plopping down on her bed and sitting cross-legged. Would that be uncomfortable in her condition? “You’re pregnant and have a lot more to deal with than—”
“Tell me now.”
And Kelsey did. She told Christina everything. “I’ve never met anyone like Will. He’s smart, funny, kind, loving, romantic.”
“You like him.”
“He’s a nice guy, but nothing more. And it’s a good thing because he’s still in love with his late wife. He even wears his wedding ring to this day. He believes his wife was perfect, and they had the perfect marriage.” The words tumbled from her lips faster than tears from a flock of bridesmaids during a wedding ceremony. But Kelsey couldn’t stop them, didn’t want to stop them. It felt so good to get it off her chest and to say the words aloud and remind herself why they were totally unsuited for each other. “Will believes in having one true love and thinks he’s already had his chance. He even told me there was someone special waiting for me. Another man, Christina. It’s a totally hopeless situation.”
“Just because it feels hopeless doesn’t mean it actually is,” Christina said gently. “Look at Richard and me. He wanted to prove the legend wrong, and I wanted nothing to do with a prince. At first, it seemed like an impossible situation, but everything worked out in the end.”
“But that’s you.” Kelsey removed the headpiece. “A ‘happily ever after’ has been waiting for you ever since you were a little girl. Remember how Grandfather Armstrong called you princess, and now you are one? Talk about fate.”
