Page 86 of Dreams of Falling

“A surprise? For what?”

Mabry rolled her eyes. “You’re the worst at surprises, Larkin. I don’t think I ever gave you a birthday or Christmas gift without you hounding me to death until I told you what it was. Can’t you just wait until I give this to Ceecee and let her tell you?”

“Or you could just tell me now so I don’t have to hound you to death. It’s your fault—you shouldn’t have said anything.” I reached for the dress, but she twisted away from me.

“Really, Larkin? How old are you, anyway?”

“Old enough to know that I can keep badgering you, or you canjust tell me. Either way, you’re going to spill the beans before we get to Ceecee’s house.” She stopped and I smiled. “I promise to be surprised when Ceecee tells me.”

“Fine.” She held up the dress so I could see it better. “Ceecee said she thought it would be the perfect dress for you to wear to the Shag Festival.”

My eyes widened. “What? I’m not going to the Shag Festival.”

“Well, Bennett sure thinks you are. He’s already bought tickets—and Jonathan and I are going, too. You can’t back out now.”

“I said I’d go—but only because he’d bribed me into it, and then he pulled that stunt with Ellis on the boat. I can’t believe he thinks I’d want to see him again after that.”

“But I’ll be there, Larkin! You can ignore Bennett and hang with Jonathan and me. You know you love to dance—how could you even think about missing it? And Mama and Ceecee have gone to so much trouble with your dress.”

I lifted the plastic to see the dress better. I couldn’t identify the fabric, but it looked like a heavy, high-sheen cotton. It had wide straps and a square neckline, a tight bodice and a flared skirt. I lifted the bottom to look underneath. “Crinoline?”

Mabry nodded with excitement. “Isn’t it gorgeous? Considering how old it is, it’s hard to believe that it’s still such a bright sunshine yellow.”

I frowned. “How oldisit?”

“It belonged to your grandmother—Margaret. I think Ceecee said she only wore it once—but that it was the happiest night of Margaret’s life. You can ask her about it. Mama wanted you to try it on today so that she can take care of any tweaks if you need them.”

I dropped the plastic. “I’m not going. And I’m certainly not wearing that dress. It has a crinoline.”

“You are. I don’t think I could stand Bennett’s disappointment if you didn’t show up. Just come. I promise you won’t have to say a single word to him—you can just talk to Jonathan and me. And what’s wrong with a crinoline, anyway?”

“Besides its being really scratchy and old-fashioned, you mean?”

“Fine—I’ll have Mama take it out. Problem solved.”

“Mabry...” I stopped. We’d reached Ceecee’s house and started to climb the porch steps when I spotted Bitty. Her attention was focused on the dress Mabry carried. She stood, walked over to us, and pulled up the plastic.

“It’s Margaret’s, isn’t it?” she said, her fingers brushing the fabric as if it were the face of a long-lost friend.

“It sure is,” Mabry said. “And Larkin’s going to wear it to the Shag Festival tomorrow.”

“I’m not...” Ceecee’s appearance at the front door interrupted me.

“You brought the dress!” she exclaimed, taking it from Mabry before thrusting it at me. “Go try it on—I’m dying to see what it looks like. Although it was supposed to be a surprise.” She sent Mabry a disapproving glance.

I looked around at the three expectant faces and knew there would be no arguing. It would be faster to try it on and then tell them no. “Fine,” I said. “But first, I wanted to ask you both another question. About the fire.”

It seemed as if Ceecee and Bitty were studiously avoiding looking at each other.

“Was either one of you aware of the rumors and speculation at the time?”

“Rumors?” asked Ceecee, her tightly clenched fingers belying her indifference.

“Yes, rumors. About the fire maybe being intentionally set, which would make my grandmother’s death a murder. But why would anyone want to kill my grandmother?”

“Why, indeed?” Bitty said.

Ceecee’s face remained impassive. “Like you said, they were just rumors. Now, go on up and try on that dress. We can’t wait to see you in it!”