Page 15 of Holiday Hook Up

“I wonder where it’s been all this time. I’ve never seen the hope chest before, either.”

“Maybe it was on the third floor,” Bethany said. Along with God knows what else. She shivered at that thought.

Caitlin shook her head. “The only thing up there was the blue shimmering mixing spoon. If Brandon had found a hope chest, I’m sure we would have heard about it.” She walked over and raised Bethany’s arm.

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for water damage.”

“Water damage,” Bethany repeated. “Oh, my God. You’re right. Mary’s dress would have been ruined if she drowned in it. This can’t possibly be hers then, right?” she asked, her voice full of hope.

“There’s one way to find out.” Caitlin reached for her silver clutch and pulled out her phone.

“What are you doing?”

“Telling Abby to get her skinny butt up here. Perhaps she knows where this hope chest came from.”

Bethany took a seat on the edge of the bed, and a few minutes later, Abby came in, waving her phone at Caitlin. “Just because you’re now my sister-in-law doesn’t mean I am at your beck and call.”

Caitlin pulled Bethany off the bed. “Abby, do you recognize this dress?”

Abby gave Bethany the same head to toe look that Josh and Caitlin had. “No.”

“Your brother did. It’s Mary Reed’s.”

“Get out! Where did you find it?” Abby came over and touched the fabric.

Bethany tried not to flinch. People could stop touching her anytime now. At this point, she wanted to peel the darn dress off, throw her burgundy one back on, and go home. She pointed to the hope chest. “In there.”

Abby spun around, her hands on her hips. “Where did that come from?”

“We were hoping you could answer that question. You’ve never seen it before?” Caitlin asked.

“No, and it definitely wasn’t in that spot when I brought up the masks and wigs you and Emma dropped off earlier. I would have seen it.” Abby walked over and bent down, opening the lid and peering in. “I’m pretty sure Brandon didn’t put this in here. He’s been at the bar all afternoon and evening.” Abby tapped a text to her husband and got an immediate reply saying he didn’t know anything about a hope chest.

The three of them stood in silence, until Caitlin finally said, “So, a hope chest only holding what we think was Mary’s wedding dress just happened to appear out of nowhere. A gown, that, let’s remember, should be ruined since Mary was believed to be wearing it when she drowned, yet it doesn’t have one water stain on it.”

Bethany gulped down her fear, but her hands were visibly shaking. “Can I take said dress off now, please?”

“Yes, of course.” Abby crossed the room. “Let us help you.”

Caitlin bent down and assisted Bethany out of the dress, while Abby handed her the outfit she’d come to the party in. Even though Bethany had loved the fearless, take-charge woman she’d become in the gown, she was more than ready to go back to being her less-mysterious, less-confident self.

She dressed quickly while Caitlin returned the vintage dress to the hope chest and pulled down the lid.

“Okay, ladies. If we’re done here, I’ve got a handsome man to shower with my affection.” Caitlin winked. “And by shower, I mean hot shower sex since the kids are with Josh’s parents tonight.”

Bethany appreciated Caitlin’s attempt to lighten the spooky mood while Abby rolled her eyes, moving toward the bed. “I’ll chat with Emma tomorrow and see if we can figure out where the dress—and this hope chest—came from.” Abby started for the door, but turned. “I forgot that we have guests checking into this room in the morning. I’m just going to tidy up.”

“Do you need any help?” Bethany asked.

“No. Go ahead,” Abby said, grabbing some masks off the bed. “I’ll shove them in the hope chest for now. Keep Mary’s dress company.”

Caitlin exited the room and Bethany followed, suddenly realizing she hadn’t taken any pictures for Jason. The last thing she wanted was to let him down. Maybe she could get in a couple of shots before the party ended. Her camera was probably still at the bar where she’d left it.

“Such a weird night,” Caitlin repeated her comment from earlier.

“I couldn’t agree wit—”

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