Treasure on Lilac Lane: A Jewell Cove Novel Read Free

formulating a picture in her mind of something that would suit Abby’s dress. “What color?”
    “What about ruby? The dark red would look fabulous with the ivory satin, don’t you think?” She reached into her handbag and took out a photo in a frame. “Since I’m wearing her dress, I wondered about replicating my great-grandmother’s necklace.”
    Jess looked at the photo, examining the piece carefully. The necklace was stunning, a simple yet elegant circlet of dark red stones. “Where’s the original?”
    Abby shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I have a box of a bunch of Edith’s finer jewelry, but the necklace wasn’t in it.”
    That was too bad. If it belonged to Edith Foster, it had most likely been genuine gems and expensive. “Hang on a minute.” Jess went back into the workroom, pulled a drawer out of a plastic organizing box, grabbed a few more items, and returned to the desk. Once there she moved her tea and muffin aside to clear a spot and began lining up garnets and wire.
    “It would need detailing, and the stones would need to be set in something special to imitate the foil backing, but I can see this with your dress. They’re not real rubies, of course, but…”
    She looked up at Abby hopefully.
    Abby’s eyes lit up. “I knew you’d know exactly what I’d like. How do you do that, Jess? You’ve got such a talent and a wonderful eye.”
    The words sent a pang through Jess’s heart. She knew she was talented, but sometimes she let her own insecurities get the better of her. For a while her creativity, the deepest part of herself, had been stifled. More than stifled, she ruefully thought as she started packing away the beads. It’d been completely silenced by a man who had been charming on the outside and a monster in private. This life, this business, was her victory over an ugly past.
    “You like it, then?”
    “It’s perfect. That design would complement your dress, too. Can you make two?”
    “I could make a smaller one in dark blue for me. If you want.”
    Abby nodded. “That sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to see your dress when it’s back from the seamstress.”
    Neither could Jess. It was the prettiest thing she’d ever put on. They’d found it in one of the chests at Abby’s along with lots of other vintage clothes. Most of the items Abby had graciously donated to the Historical Society. But some she’d held onto, including the deep blue gown that they’d guessed to be post World War One. The filmy fabric, beading, and drop waist suited Jess’s slightly bohemian style perfectly.
    “Only a few more weeks now.” The wedding was scheduled for mid-October and would take place at the church with the reception at the Foster House garden, weather permitting. After a brief honeymoon—rumor had it they were going to Paris for a week—Abby and Tom would be living in the grand house together. Tom was already looking at turning the old garage into a woodworking shop and they were planning on renting out his cottage at Fiddler’s Rock.
    Changes. Good ones. Sometimes Jess felt a little left behind. Which was silly because she had everything she wanted right here.
    “I can’t believe I’m getting married,” Abby said quietly, a soft smile touching her lips. “It seems so impossible, and yet … not. Your cousin is pretty special, Jess.”
    Jess raised an eyebrow. Tom was special. He’d supported her dream to open Treasures when others had discouraged it. He was also a pain in the butt, but as a member of the family, that was part of his job description. “I’ll never confirm that. It’ll get back to him and go straight to his head.”
    Abby looked down at her mug and turned it around in her fingers. “I should probably tell you that he finally decided on a best man.”
    Something in her tone made Jess’s heart beat out a warning. “Is it Bryce?” It made sense Tom would ask his brother to stand up with him.
    There was a moment of silence in which Jess had a