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I headed outside to find delivery trucks driving in and out of the impressive estate. I headed back to my truck, passing a water fountain depicting a lovely mermaid. Next time I met Ziggy and Skyla, I needed to ask about the former owner of the property. Whomever he was, he clearly was tuned into the mythology of Chancellor. Like all great stories, there was truth buried behind the fairy tale.

Chapter 16: Viola

“Oh my god oh my god oh my god,” Alice said, pacing her living room apartment above her bagel shop. “This is like something from a fairy tale. How can this be happening?”

It was the morning of the Cherry Blossom Ball, and Alice, who’d woken me with panic texts, was a hot mess. “Calm your tits down, girl,” I said with a laugh as I finished polishing my toe nails. Setting the paint aside for a moment, I sipped the mimosa Alice had made for me.

“Okay, I’ll calm one tit down…but not my party tit,” she said, making us both giggle. “This never happens to me. He’s hot. He’s rich. He’s French. And he seems to legit like me. We’ve been staying up all night just talking. He gets me. And I get him. He’s staying an extra week. Says he can’t go back yet.”

“Just go with the flow. If it’s working, let it work,” I said then gazed out the window. Take your own advice, Viola.

“Speaking of,” Alice said, seeming to read my mind, “What is going on with you and Rayne?” She flopped down in a chair and grabbed her drink, polishing off half the champagne flute.

“Going on?” I asked innocently, turning my attention back to my sparkly blue toes as I touched up the paint.

Alice laughed. “At Julie’s barbeque….there was a vibe there. I mean, there’s always been a vibe between you too, but it was amped. And then there is the ball tonight.”

“Well…” I said then looked up at Alice who was looking at me expectantly.

“Well?”

I grinned. “I don’t know. I’m just seeing him differently these days. He’s all wrong for me, but I guess I just…I want him.”

“No. Way,” Alice said then jumped up. “I knew it! That boy’s eyes are as big as moons every time he looks at you. So what are you going to do?”

“Go slow. Did Luc tell you about the apprenticeship he offered me?”

Alice nodded. “Mentioned it.”

“It’s time to get my life back on track. I have so many dreams. My own perfume line. A day spa here in Chancellor. More ideas than I can manage to keep a lid on. I want to go to France this summer. Dad said it was okay. But for me and Rayne, it’s bad timing. I can’t ask him to wait around for me.”

“If he can’t wait one summer, he isn’t worth waiting for…even if he is my friend. Just tell him. It won’t be a big deal.”

I nodded, hoping she was right. “We’ll sort it out.”

“Oh man, this is going to be an awesome night. So, Horatio told me…tonight at midnight he’s going to ask Julie to marry him. Oh my god, I can’t wait. Julie’s going to be your sister.”

I lifted my champagne flute. “To finding a love like Julie’s and Horatio’s?”

“I’ll drink to that. Cheers,” Alice said, clicking her glass against mine.

Sipping the sweet drink, I thought once more about Rayne. Tonight, we’d either go for it or decide the timing wasn’t right. I hoped Rayne would be willing to wait. Hell, if Cinderella could win a prince at a ball, why couldn’t I land a hippie beekeeper?

“Miss Hunter?” Dorothea called. “It’s almost seven.”

“Shoes!” I called helplessly. “I swear to god, I’m so scattered. I never even looked,” I opened box after box of shoes, but nothing seemed quite right. My hair, which had been pulled up in a perfect loose bun, was suddenly starting to slump. If I started sweating, that would be the end of my makeup.

“Rhinestones? The ones you wore a couple of years back to the Dickens event?”

“I forgot about those. The buckle was a little loose though,” I said, scanning the boxes for the shoes she mentioned.

“I’ll go grab the pliers. We’ll squeeze them shut. Go get dressed. Your date is downstairs waiting.”

Finally eyeing the box, I pulled it from the shelf. The lid slipped off as the box jarred sideways. I managed to catch the shoes as the box tumbled to the floor. A tiny slip of paper fluttered out.

Clutching the shoes, I grabbed the paper only to discover my mother’s handwriting thereon. It startled me. While our home was full of her touches, there was something so personal about finding a note written in her hand.

“For my beautiful daughter. Spotted these at a shop downtown. Knew they were for you. Looking forward to our special time tonight.”

My mind reeled back in time, remembering how Mom and I had attended a Christmas event at the college which included a showing of A Christmas Carol. It wasn’t long after that she’d gotten sick. Before we knew it, she was gone.

I closed my eyes and clutched the shoes against my chest.

“Miss you, Mom,” I whispered. I inhaled deeply then rose. Setting the shoes aside, I slipped on the blue gown. It fit me like a glove.

“Oh, Miss Hunter!” Dorothea said, entering the room once more. “You look beautiful! How does it fit?”

“Perfect,” I said, checking the sleeve Dorothea had repaired. “You’ve done a wonderful job.”

“Just watch this seam in the back,” she said as she turned to zip me up. “I’ve never seen stitches like these before. Stubborn. Almost like the dress had a mind of its own,” she said with a laugh. “But, with a little coaxing, she cooperated. There you go,” she said then, turning me toward the mirror.

The image looking at me was an echo of my mother. The sparkles on the blue fabric glimmered like stars. The intricate silver threading in the embroidery shimmered. The fabric on the skirt was light and soft, the bodice decorated intricately.

“Rayne is downstairs,” Dorothea said then. “Shall we get these shoes on?”

I nodded. Carefully gathering the skirt, I sat on the bed while Dorothea slipped the shoes on.

“I’m back to your senior prom,” Dorothea said with a laugh.

“Don’t remind me. You remember when Conner got out of the limo, how his pant leg lifted up to reveal his white socks? I thought Dad was going to pass out.”

Dorothea laughed. “I’m not sure who was more shocked, him or Conner, especially when Mr. Hunter went inside only to come back with a pair of black socks.”

I laughed. “Yeah, that was the end of that prospect.”

“Well, the prospect downstairs is looking rather dapper tonight, if I do say so myself.”

“Does he now?”

“Honey, I’m old, not dead.”

We both laughed out loud.

“Okay, let me just squeeze the clasp,” she said, applying the pliers. “There. Now, you’re going to have a time getting them off, but they should stay put.”

“Thank you, Dorothea.”

“Anything, my dear. Wish your mama was here tonight. Mr. Hunter told me Horatio is planning to propose to Miss Dayton.”

I nodded. “Big night.”

“Well, you enjoy yourself too,” she said, holding out her hand to help me up.

Taking one last glance into the mirror, I adjusted a curl behind my ear, grabbed my clutch purse, and headed downstairs. The sparkling shoes wobbled for just a moment as I slid into them.