Fairy Tale Weddings Read Free Page A

what?”
    â€œHave you been thinking about the ball?”
    â€œIt’s not going to work.” It was a measure of her fascination with Thorndike Prince that she’d even given the matter a second thought. But Vanessa’s scheme was impossible from beginning to end.
    â€œIt’ll work,” Vanessa said with blind optimism.
    â€œThen where’s my fairy godmother?”
    With a saucy grin, Vanessa polished her nails against her cotton shirt. “Hey, you’re looking at her.”
    â€œAnd my coach led by two perfectly matched white horses. And how about turning mice into footmen? Have you got that trick up your sleeve as well?”
    For a moment Vanessa looked concerned, then she smiled and flexed her fingers. “I’m working on it.”
    â€œAre you working on a gown, too?”
    â€œSure…”
    â€œIf I were a fairy godmother, I’d tackle the invitation business right away.”
    For the first time Vanessa seemed daunted. “I didn’t realize this was going to be so complicated.”
    â€œAnd that’s just the beginning.” Cindy turned back to her cart, pushing it down the wide hallway, humming as she went. It was nice to dream, but that was all it would ever be—a dream.
    Cindy picked up the green metal garbage can of the assistant to the third vice president and dumped its contents into the large plastic bag on the end of her cart. As she did, a flash of gold caught her eye. Out of curiosity, she reached for it, and when she read the gilt print, her heart rushed to her throat.
    Holding the paper in both hands, she walked out of the room in a daze. “Vanessa!” she cried. “Vanessa, hurry. I don’t believe it….”
    Her partner met her in the hallway. “What is it?”
    â€œLook.” Reverently, she handed the folded piece of heavy paper to her friend.
    â€œIt’s an invitation to the ball,” Vanessa whispered, raising round, shocked eyes to meet Cindy’s. “Wow!” She waved an imaginary wand over Cindy’s head. “Did you feel the fairy dust?”
    â€œIt’s coming down like rain, my friend.” Cindy shook her head in wonder.
    â€œWhere did you find it?”
    â€œIn the garbage.”
    â€œYou’ve got to be kidding!”
    Cindy shook her head again. “They must’ve been sent out last week.”
    â€œAnd apparently Ms. Reynolds has decided not to attend, in which case you will humbly accept in her place.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œIt’s fate! Surely you’re not going to argue with me now !”
    â€œNo.” Cindy was more than willing to accept this unexpected gift. She’d attend the ball and satisfy her curiosity regarding Thorndike Prince. She’d indulge herself this once—and only this once.
    Â 
    On the evening of December 12, Cindy’s stomach was a mass of nerves. Her cousin Tony knocked on her bedroom door and called, “Vanessa’s here.”
    â€œOkay, tell her I’ll be right out.” Squaring her shoulders, Cindy forced herself to smile and walked into the living room, where her family and Vanessa were waiting.
    Her friend stood as Cindy entered the room. “Oh, Cindy, you’re…beautiful.”
    Cindy’s aunt dabbed the corner of one eye and murmured something in Italian. “She looks just like her mother.”
    Vanessa didn’t seem to hear her. “Where did you ever find such an elegant dress?” The floor-length pale blue taffeta grown had an off-the-shoulder neckline and a fitted bodice with a full ruched skirt.
    â€œDo you like it?” Slowly she whirled around, letting Vanessa view the full effect.
    â€œI’m speechless.”
    For Vanessa, that was saying something. Cindy’s gaze rested lovingly on her aunt.
    Aunt Theresa lifted her hand in mock salute. “It was nothing…an early Christmas gift.”
    â€œShe made it?” Vanessa