Bodice of Evidence (20 page)

“I'm so sorry to hear about your husband, Vidalia,” Felicity said as she stood in her wedding gown. It was the second fitting. The one where Felicity wore her shoes and undergarments so that they could hem the dress and finalize the alterations.

“It is terrible,” Vidalia said with her mouth full of pins as she held them in between her teeth before she placed them on the hem. “I still cannot believe it. Anton was a good man.” She shook her head. “But now, I must divorce him, of course, and start over.”

“Yes. But you'll be okay. I am certain of that,” I said from my perch on the stage beside Felicity's riser. I was in my maid of honor gown with Theresa on her knees pinning my hem as quickly as Vidalia pinned my sister's.
“What a terrible thing he did, all because he didn't want your brother, Vlad, to be part of your shop.”

“At least I am not alone. Theresa and I are both single now, right Theresa?” Vidalia said.

“Yes,” Theresa said and nodded vehemently as she pinned. “When I found out that Thad had stolen those gowns, I dumped him right away. I am so lucky that Vidalia let me keep my job after what he did.”

“Well, we are in similar situations, yes?” Vidalia said. “I could not fire you for something a man did.”

“Wow, that is so wise of you,” I said to Vidalia. “Others might not have given Theresa the same chance.”

“She knows if she sees him again she is fired,” Vidalia stated.

“Oh, I won't see him,” Theresa said. “I have learned my lesson.”

“As have I,” Vidalia agreed.

“Speaking of men in the shop, was that Vlad out in the reception area?” my mother asked from her riser where she stood wearing her mother-of-the-bride outfit.

Vidalia had picked out a beautiful silk shantung suit for my mother. The cut fit her figure and the color flattered her coloring. All together we looked pretty good, if I had to say so myself. Felicity glowed and Mom's and my outfits complemented her perfectly. Cesar was going to be able to get some great shots for this wedding, which was still three months away.

“Yes, that is my brother, Vlad,” Vidalia said as she pulled the pins from her mouth and quickly navigated the
yards of fabric on the gown and train. “I have had my lawyers work a new agreement where my brother owns half of the shop. I have vowed to rebuild both the dress shop and my family.”

“Well, this certainly is a good start,” my mother said and motioned with her hand toward Felicity and I.

“Yes, yes,” Vidalia nodded her agreement. “Thanks to the Pomeroy family for not only solving my mother's murder, but for returning to my shop. The promotion materials you have sent out at your engagement parties—”

“Perfect Proposals,” I corrected her.

“Yes, proposals,” she said. “They have filled my entire datebook. I will need Vlad to work reception and perhaps get a second girl. I have so many requests now.”

“Good,” my mother said.

“It's all in a day's work,” I said, and smiled at my own reflection. I, too, had gotten five appointments out of the last two engagements I had thrown. It seems that I had found my perfect life. Well, perfect might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I certainly was more happy, healthy, and free than I had been in years. And that made the future look very bright. Very bright
indeed.

BASED ON THE MENU FROM PAN AM'S INAUGURAL FLIGHT FROM THE UNITED STATES TO NEW ZEALAND ON SEPTEMBER 11, 1940.

First Course

OPEN WITH GIN AND VODKA MARTINIS OR MANHATTANS AND FRESH HORS D'OEUVRES MADE OF CHILLED UTAH CELERY; GREEN, RIPE STAFFORD OLIVES; ASSORTED NUTS; AND GARDEN RADISHES

Second Course

GRAPEFRUIT MARASCHINO (BAKED GRAPEFRUIT WITH MARASCHINO CHERRIES) / CONSUME MADRILENE (MADE WITH TOMATOES, BELL PEPPERS, LEEKS, EGG WHITES, AND CHICKEN STOCK)

Third Course

GRILLED FILET MIGNON AU BEURRE / SHOESTRING POTATOES / FRESH GARDEN PEAS

Fourth Course

CHEF SALAD WITH FRENCH DRESSING

Fifth Course

INDIVIDUAL ICE CREAMS—CHOCOLATE, STRAWBERRY, VANILLA / DUCHESS CAKE—CHIFFON CAKE WITH RASPBERRY FILLING AND WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING

Sixth Course

AMERICAN, SWISS, AND EDAM CHEESE / SALTINES AND RITZ WAFERS / COFFEE, TEA, AND MILK

Seventh Course

ASSORTED FRESH FRUITS

Finale

AFTER DINNER
MINTS

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