Treasure on Lilac Lane (Jewell Cove 2)

Abby grinned at the deliberate sarcasm and Jess chuckled. Abby was always asking for favors and Jess was happy to help. First it was to recommend a seamstress to do the alterations on Abby’s wedding dress, a lovely vintage gown that had belonged to Abby’s great-grandmother, Edith. Then it was to ask for advice about flowers and colors. And to Jess’s surprise, Abby had asked her to be her maid of honor—and sole attendant.

“You’ve been very patient,” Abby commented as she grabbed the spare chair, pul

led it up to the desk, and helped herself to the first muffin. “I know I’m probably turning into a Bridezilla.”

Jess laughed and poured the tea. “No, you’re not. You’re happy and excited. And that’s just as it should be.”

“Well, you and Sarah are the closest thing to sisters I’ve got.” Abby’s face shadowed a bit. “How is she, Jess?”

Jess frowned, added a bit of milk to Abby’s cup, and handed it over. “She’s getting there. The miscarriage really hit her hard, but she and Mark have come through lots. They’ll come through this, too.”

Jess turned her attention to the muffin, biting down with a satisfied sigh. “You are a lifesaver,” she said, washing it down with a sip of tea.

“Well, I still haven’t told you the favor.” Abby grinned at her, her blue eyes sparkling. “I wondered if you’d make me my wedding jewelry.”

“You’re sure? You could find something lovely at a store in Portland.” Jess loved making jewelry, but it was a lot of pressure creating something for someone’s wedding. It was an important day. One that would never be duplicated. A day when everything should be absolutely perfect.

Not that she’d know. Or probably ever know. She’d have to actually start dating again to ever have a chance at a proposal. Jess figured she’d be relegated to the role of Fun Aunt. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing … but it didn’t sound as thrilling as it once had.

“I looked, and I couldn’t find anything I liked. I’d like something vintage-y feeling, but not too heavy, you know?”

Jess couldn’t help it. She was already formulating a picture in her mind of something that would suit Abby’s dress. “What color?”

“What about ruby? The dark red would look fabulous with the ivory satin, don’t you think?” She reached into her handbag and took out a photo in a frame. “Since I’m wearing her dress, I wondered about replicating my great-grandmother’s necklace.”

Jess looked at the photo, examining the piece carefully. The necklace was stunning, a simple yet elegant circlet of dark red stones. “Where’s the original?”

Abby shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I have a box of a bunch of Edith’s finer jewelry, but the necklace wasn’t in it.”

That was too bad. If it belonged to Edith Foster, it had most likely been genuine gems and expensive. “Hang on a minute.” Jess went back into the workroom, pulled a drawer out of a plastic organizing box, grabbed a few more items, and returned to the desk. Once there she moved her tea and muffin aside to clear a spot and began lining up garnets and wire.

“It would need detailing, and the stones would need to be set in something special to imitate the foil backing, but I can see this with your dress. They’re not real rubies, of course, but…”

She looked up at Abby hopefully.

Abby’s eyes lit up. “I knew you’d know exactly what I’d like. How do you do that, Jess? You’ve got such a talent and a wonderful eye.”

The words sent a pang through Jess’s heart. She knew she was talented, but sometimes she let her own insecurities get the better of her. For a while her creativity, the deepest part of herself, had been stifled. More than stifled, she ruefully thought as she started packing away the beads. It’d been completely silenced by a man who had been charming on the outside and a monster in private. This life, this business, was her victory over an ugly past.

“You like it, then?”

“It’s perfect. That design would complement your dress, too. Can you make two?”

“I could make a smaller one in dark blue for me. If you want.”

Abby nodded. “That sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to see your dress when it’s back from the seamstress.”

Neither could Jess. It was the prettiest thing she’d ever put on. They’d found it in one of the chests at Abby’s along with lots of other vintage clothes. Most of the items Abby had graciously donated to the Historical Society. But some she’d held onto, including the deep blue gown that they’d guessed to be post World War One. The filmy fabric, beading, and drop waist suited Jess’s slightly bohemian style perfectly.

“Only a few more weeks now.” The wedding was scheduled for mid-October and would take place at the church with the reception at the Foster House garden, weather permitting. After a brief honeymoon—rumor had it they were going to Paris for a week—Abby and Tom would be living in the grand house together. Tom was already looking at turning the old garage into a woodworking shop and they were planning on renting out his cottage at Fiddler’s Rock.

Changes. Good ones. Sometimes Jess felt a little left behind. Which was silly because she had everything she wanted right here.

“I can’t believe I’m getting married,” Abby said quietly, a soft smile touching her lips. “It seems so impossible, and yet … not. Your cousin is pretty special, Jess.”

Jess raised an eyebrow. Tom was special. He’d supported her dream to open Treasures when others had discouraged it. He was also a pain in the butt, but as a member of the family, that was part of his job description. “I’ll never confirm that. It’ll get back to him and go straight to his head.”

Abby looked down at her mug and turned it around in her fingers. “I should probably tell you that he finally decided on a best man.”