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gadget that sounded like her friends voice still lay on the bed where she’d left it.
    The darn thing kept playing that song. I would probably be able to hum the song forever. If I actually could hum.
    The door swung open, causing a shiver to race along my satin. A man I’d never seen before stepped in. He glanced around didn’t seem to notice me. Then he spotted the bags by his feet and bent to pick them up.
    He must be Gordon. I sure hope Cecie’s friend Joy picks them up and not Chandler. Then what would my bride do?
    The door didn’t have time to shut before Carla arrived. I like her. She’s fun and she talks to me as if I’m her friend.
    I thought she’d come to clean, but her intent was on me. She grabbed the plastic garment bag from the back of the chair. She laid the carrier on the bed to unzip. Then she returned for me.
    The wedding wasn’t until tomorrow. Carla wouldn’t know to send me to Heidi’s yet.
    Her hands were cool as she gently picked up my lace and satin, and reverently placed me in my bag. I listened as she softly spoke as she worked my ribbons in so they weren’t wrinkled.
    I would miss Carla.  
    “Miss Bella, it is time for you to go to the church. Since Cecie will be dressing there in the morning, Mrs. Wilson thought it best to take you tonight. It’s the rehearsal dinner.” She shook her head and gave me a stern look. “This is not a happy occasion. Miss Cecelia deserves to have someone who loves her for her and not her daddy’s money and a position at the firm.”
    I wanted to shout out in agreement, though I knew from Cecelia that the groom was in the same fix. Alas, again I chafed under the restraint of no way to communicate. Though Cecelia had noticed some of the ways I could manage to shift my folds a fraction, especially when the sunlight filtered through the curtains just at the right angle.
    Carla didn’t know I was answering her and she continued. “I’m going to miss you. I wish I could afford a dress with such beautiful personality for my daughter.”
    Oh, it is so cruel that Heidi cannot really work magic on her girls. Because I wanted to ask all kinds of questions, I hadn’t known the housekeeper had a daughter. Was she wishing for the future, or was her daughter getting married too?
    “My little Jessie works so hard to please her soon to be mama-in-law. But no matter what my girl does she’s not good enough for their son.” Carla paused and straightened, planted her hands on her hips and looked down at me.
    I could feel the warmth of her heated gaze run over my beads. I didn’t think she would continue, but she finally did.
    “Phew!” she said in disgust.
    I wasn’t exactly sure what that meant but I gathered she didn’t think the mother-in-law was good enough for her daughter.
    “Are you ready with the dress yet, Carla?” Cecelia’s mother stood in the doorway.
    I hadn’t seen her sneak up. Now there would be no more talk about the lovely Jessie. I was just about to begin to devise ways to see if Heidi had woven any telepathic powers into my lace.
    If I could meet Jessie, maybe we’d be soul mates. Wouldn’t that be something?
    “I’ll have Gordon take it down to the car. I’ll hang it up very carefully in the bride’s room.” She came to stand over me, her gaze wistful. “Carla, you’ll be able to help my Cecie dress tomorrow?”
    “Of course, I plan on it.” Carla patted the other woman on the shoulder. I could tell the two were friends, despite the fact one was the employer.
    Mrs. Wilson cleared her throat, as if embarrassed. “Joy just left with Cecelia’s bags.” Mrs. Wilson started to turn, but then turned to look at me. I shivered in my bolero.
    “Carla, my daughter will look beautiful in her designer dress. Don’t you think?” I wondered if she had a premonition because she asked as if she didn’t quite believe I would ever be worn.

Chapter Six

    Cecelia read over the papers in her hand for the third time. The document signed