my thoughts of worry, I tried to enjoy the feast before me.
Swallowing her last bites of food, Gram asked, “Mara, can you serve the
dessert? It’s in the fridge on the patio.”
The enclosed room was lit by small, twinkling lights. A long, lavender bag hung on the front of the refrigerator. Interested, I went closer to inspect it. When
I did, I noticed a hook with a small, white note attached to the top, that read, For Mara.
“Go on, open it,” Gram called from behind me.
“What is it?” I whipped around to see the brightest smile she’d had on her
face in a year.
“You'll see.” Gram waved her hand for me to hurry up and open it.
I removed the bag from the hook and spread it out on the table. I slowly unzipped the lilac cover, stopping when white fabric showed. I knew before I finished what she was giving me.
“Gram, you shouldn’t.” I choked back tears. “This was your dress. You wore
this when you married Gramp.”
Gram removed the garment from the bag and held it up to me. “And now, I
want you to have it. Try it on and see if you like it.”
I slipped into the gown. The top had wide shoulder straps that connected to
the ruffled bodice. Upon closer look, you could see the ruffles were actually small flowers with a pearl in their centers. The soft fabric fell from my waist to
just below my knees.
“Let me help you.” Gram tied a light gray ribbon around my waist. “Oh,
Mara, you look even more beautiful than I imagined.”
I caught my reflection in the window. I knew this was the only dress I could
wear to marry Cole. It was more than just a symbol of my grandparents' love. It
felt like it belonged to us.
“Are you sure? I know how special this is to you."
“Nothing is as special to me as you and Meg.” Gram fussed with the
shoulder of my dress, and then hugged me tightly. “I'll be proud to know you wore it to marry Cole.” Shaking off the sentiment, Gram released her hug. “Now,
let's wrap this up and bring the dessert out before Cole comes looking for us. I
swear you are going to have a full-time job feeding him."
" We will be busy. You don't think Cole Sands is going to whisk me away from you, do you?" I slipped off the gown and handed it to her.
She smiled softly and rehung the dress. Unspoken words hovered in the air.
Does she expect me to move into Cole's cottage and leave her after we getmarried?
My grandmother handed the garment bag to me.
I set it on the table and took her hand. “Gram, please, let's not rush back. I'm
scared. I know I need to focus my energy on not being afraid, but it's too much."
"You have always been your own worst enemy, Mara." Gram hugged me.
This time she stroked my hair, and prayed, “Goddess, we ask for your continued
spirit and guidance. With hearts of love, we will unite our family.” My
grandmother cupped my face between her hands. “Marina Addisyn Stone, I
promise you that we'll bring Meg home.” She ended with a kiss to my cheek.
I felt the essence of the elements encircling me. It soothed me.
