Her words jolted me clear to my toes. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m absolutely positive.” Her voice was serious and low. “See the crescent around the sapphire?” She let go and pointed to the design of the ring. “The crescent moon is our family’s magickal crest.”
“I had no idea,” I said.
“That ring is a Bishop family heirloom,” she said. “It belongs with the Bishop family.”
“Well it’s been in my family for over fifty years,” I argued. “Taylor and Vance Sutton were the only grandparents I ever knew. If you think I’m going to hand over a gift from my Grandma Taylor you are vastly mistaken.”
“I can prove it.” Faye held up her left hand. “My father had matching rings made for both my sister and I.”
On her pinky finger was the twin of the ring I’d worn for over ten years.
“I suppose Irene must have given the ring to my Grandma Taylor.” Even as the words left my mouth I knew that was the case.
Faye stared at me hard for a good thirty seconds. Her eyes were darting back and forth almost as if she were reading a book. “Taylor knew what she was doing giving the ring to you instead of your mother…That would have been disastrous.” Her voice was flat, almost trance-like.
My mouth went dry as Faye continued to speak.
“Taylor had always worn the ring, but on your graduation day she insisted that it was important for you to have it…she took it from her own finger and put it on yours.” Faye blinked and came back to herself. “And you haven’t taken it off since the day she gave it to you.”
The woman was dead on, but I went for a casual air as if she hadn’t plucked the memories straight out of my mind. “That would be correct.” I brushed my hair back and tried to act nonchalant like nothing weird was happening.
Faye scowled and took a seat again. “Well at least you didn’t steal it.”
Insulted, I drew myself up straight. “Why, Faye…aren’t you precious?” I said, my smile just this side of polite.
Faye opened her mouth to snap, but the bride came bouncing out of the fitting room. “Ta-da!” Autumn sang. “All done!”
I felt a tightening in my stomach—a warning—and immediately shifted my attention to Autumn. Good thing too, as she promptly tripped on the carpet. “Careful, darlin’!” I grabbed her arm in the nick of time.
With my help she managed not to face-plant, but instead dropped the shoebox she was carrying. “Aw, jeez,” she said. “Ask me again why I’m wearing flats with my wedding gown.”
I smiled and bent down to pick up the shoes myself. “I think that’s very sensible, considering you’ll be in the grass.” I tucked the shoes back inside and closed the lid. They were a pretty choice. The satin flats had pointed toes and were a soft sky blue.
Autumn accepted the shoebox. “The shoes take care of the ‘something blue’ part of the day, anyway.”
I smiled at her. It was impossible not to like my cousin. Of course, we were more like third cousins…but still…
“Hey, Aunt Faye,” Autumn said, interrupting my thoughts.
The old woman stood. “Yes dear?”
“Did you talk to Maggie about bringing Willow to the bridal shower?” Autumn linked her arm with the older woman’s.
“She sure did,” I said with forced cheer. “Willow and I are both looking forward to it.”
“As are we,” Faye said smoothly.
When pigs fly, I thought to myself.
“Great!” Autumn was all enthusiasm. “We’ll see both you and Willow on Saturday.”
***
The day of the bridal shower had temperatures that rose to above freezing. The sun was shining, the snow was finally starting to melt, and forty degrees felt like heaven. I truly did not want to attend, especially after Faye’s rude behavior and accusations, but I had better manners than that.
We arrived at the Bishop’s precisely ten minutes early, and I was glad that I had, as parking was at a premium. The driveway was occupied, and the entire street was filled with cars. I drove down the block and ended up parking several houses down.
Silently, I psyched myself up and exited the car. I waited before opening Willow’s door while a woman walked her Rottweiler past. The dog was large and although he was leashed, I moved well back, instinctively not trusting the animal.
The brunette smirked rudely as she passed, and the dog didn’t spare me a glance. I watched and waited as they walked farther down the street. For some reason, I was hesitant to open Willow’s door. I wanted to make sure they were gone.
“Mama?” Willow called.
I breathed a sigh of relief when the woman and her dog were no longer in sight. I silently scolded myself over my reaction and helped Willow climb out of the car. I was plainly more wound up than I’d realized.
“You ready, honey?” I asked Willow, with a bright smile.
“Yes!” Willow said with a big smile.
“Well, let’s go.” Taking Willow’s hand in mine, I tucked the gift under my good arm and started down the sidewalk, keeping an eye out for ice or slush. Together we walked past Autumn’s craftsman style bungalow, and then farther along the street until we came to the entrance of the Bishop’s manor home.
“That’s a pretty house, Mama,” Willow said.
I tipped my head back and took in the fancy gingerbread trim and the round tower with its dramatically pointed roof. “Yes, it is.”
“I like Cousin Thomas’ house better.” Willow said loyally.
The comment made me laugh, and with a smile on my face, Willow and I marched up the front steps and knocked on the door.
The shower was an eye-opener. There were twenty guests, not counting the wedding party, and several children. Lexie was keeping everyone in order, and Ivy was everywhere at once, passing out sparkling cider to the children or champagne punch to the adults.
Holly took our coats
