Sylvia the stalker continued to surprise me with the lengths she would go in her quest to capture her man. For the millionth time, I wondered why Brock had dated her in the first place. He must have been attracted to her outward beauty but hightailed it when he discovered the snake within. I glanced at the clock—nearly ten. It was time to call Frankie and find out whether Sylvia’s trumped-up wedding would be cancelled. I picked up the phone at the same time I heard the bells over the front door chime.
I turned around with a smile that immediately froze into place. Mrs. Bonnie Rockfort stood in the center of the shop with an imposing eyebrow arched over her fake lashes. She lifted a finely manicured finger and pointed it at me. The light glinted off the dark pink polish. “You have created great emotional turmoil in my home.”
Just what I needed. Another torture session. I looked out the window behind Mrs. Rockfort. The caterer would be here in thirty minutes. That meant I needed to get this over with and excuse the leading lady in twenty. I sucked in a breath and put on my funeral face, as Lorea called it. “Mrs. Rockfort, I’m extremely sorry for all that Sylvia has had to go through. Lorea and I have stayed up nights trying to amend this. I even dug through the trash bins looking for clues.”
Bonnie Rockfort blanched, and I continued before she could interrupt. “I just want your daughter to be happy, and it breaks my heart that someone would stoop so low as to steal her dress.” Next I would hammer home the point I had rehearsed in my mind, appealing to her diva persona. “The only thing I can think of is that someone saw Sylvia here, perhaps a rabid fan. Somehow word got out, and they stole her dress because she’s an actress who is also the daughter of one of the world’s most renowned actresses.” I stepped forward and took Bonnie’s hand. “I’ve heard of people doing crazy things like this before. Once, someone stole a gown right after the bride left on her honeymoon.”
Bonnie’s fake eyelashes fluttered. “You think someone did this because of me—because we’re famous?”
Scrunching up my eyes, I willed tears to come and felt a bit of moisture. The Rockforts weren’t the only actors in town. I nodded. “It’s terrible, isn’t it? When people hear, I’m sure they’ll be outraged.”
Bonnie studied me for a moment and straightened. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but of course you’re right. Sylvia must go on. Famous people must make sacrifices, and if she lets this setback throw her off course, then they have won.”
Rustling from the back of the shop confirmed that Lorea had likely seen our visitor. I could almost feel her cheering. She had probably been hanging on every word since Bonnie spoke her first sentence.
“I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Bonnie pressed her lips together and smiled, revealing her too-white teeth. “Have you already cancelled everything?”
I grimaced and let her stew for five, four, three, two, one. “I couldn’t reach everyone yet. But I did talk to Frankie.”
“Yes, she called me. I told her that Sylvia was suffering, but she still wants to get married. We’re thinking of postponing the wedding until August.”
“We could arrange that. We’ll just push everything back and have more time to make this the most spectacular wedding Sun Valley has ever seen.” My smile was genuine this time.
“Sylvia hopes it might be enough time for the police to track down her dress or for a replacement to be shipped from China.”
The authentic smile waned, and I struggled to replace it with another fake one. “Bonnie, it’s important that she doesn’t hang her hopes on that gown. If we find it in the same condition as the others, it would be devastating.”
“We can still hope, though.”
“You’re right. And I’m working with the dressmakers to get a replacement, but Sylvia’s was one of a kind, so it might take longer.”
Bonnie tapped her foot. “I’m going to tell Sylvia what you said, about who might be responsible for the theft. Her manager would want to know, I think.”
“Thank you for coming in, Mrs. Rockfort. Please have Sylvia call me when she finalizes the new wedding date.”
“Ta-ta, darling.” Bonnie waved as she exited. Her driver held open the door for her on the cream-colored Mercedes parked in front of my shop.
I turned around, and Lorea applauded. “I can’t believe it! You just turned the whole thing around. She took the bait.” She bounced up and down and then hugged me. “How did you come up with that?”
“I took a drama class in high school.”
Lorea high-fived me, and we both giggled. “Your shop is probably going to be on the front page of the tabloids by next week. With the Sylvia-Brock angle and the wedding dress stolen by a rabid fan.” Lorea grinned. “You’re a genius.”
At three o’clock, the alarm on my cell phone went off with a message telling me to get ready to pick up Dallas. I groaned and surveyed my office space. Three chocolate truffles and two cream cheese-stuffed strawberries were left on the silver platter Valerie had brought. I grabbed a decorative box that had once held place cards and arranged the treats inside. Then I sent a text to Dallas.
Coming early with a peace offering cuz I can’t go up to the hot springs today like we planned. I’m sorry things are so crazy right now.
I wasn’t sure how much of a sweet tooth Dallas had, but I figured the confections would do the trick to buy me some forgiveness. My phone pinged with a response.
I understand. No worries if the offering is you.
With a chuckle, I headed out
