Chapter 22 #2
Tiffanie headed toward the display Phineas had indicated. She admired the sparkling lights that decorated the edges of the ballroom ceiling—Essie’s signature touch. Those fairy lights never got old.
In front of her, the crowd parted as if someone physically held back the eager shoppers on each side.
For some reason, an image of Edmund and Esther Ferguson popped into her mind.
Dressed in the same clothing as they had worn for years in the portrait, the couple acted as safety guards, clearing the way for her.
Tiffanie didn’t waste the opportunity and walked forward, wrapping her arms around herself at the chill she experienced in that corridor.
Her gaze fixed on the beautiful creations in front of her.
“These are incredible,” she breathed, taking in the glittering tiaras of various sizes and shapes.
“Hi! I’m happy to run into you again. I meant to introduce myself and thank you for your efforts to bring this show together. I’m Dottie.”
Tiffanie tore her eyes from the artfully displayed pieces to greet the woman behind the table. The woman who’d helped pick up Ivan’s collection smiled at her. “Dottie. I’m glad to see you too. Is this your work? I’m stunned.”
“You’re so sweet. I’ve always wanted to create a special crowning touch for myself and others. You’re Phineas’s girl, right? Did he tell you to choose whatever you like most?”
“He didn’t tell me what was on the table. Only to come and select something. Men.” Tiffanie definitely wasn’t speaking negatively of her Daddy. This was so incredibly unique—leave it to Phineas to think of this. “He calls me Princess,” she confessed.
“Then you have to have a tiara. Let’s try a few on and see what you like best,” Dottie suggested.
Tiffanie scanned the tiaras. Her gaze kept returning to a lovely one with blue stones. “Can I see that tiara?”
“This is so a princess tiara. Come around the display to my fitting area and let me help you.”
Once she put it on, Tiffanie stared at herself in the mirror. Who was that beautiful woman? The blue hue of the jewels caught the azure color of her eyes, making them appear enormous and stunning. She’d never felt so beautiful in her life. “I love it.”
“Me, too. You can put on others if you wish to compare,” Dottie suggested.
“No way. This is the one.”
“I’m so glad you love it. That tiara looks like I made that design for you,” Dottie told her, appearing so excited—like someone finding the perfect home for a cherished baby. “Do you want to wear your new jeweled headdress like the princess you are, or should I wrap it up for you?”
“I’m never taking this off,” Tiffanie answered.
“That’s the answer I love to hear. When you have to wash your hair, you can store your treasure in this velvet-lined case. I’ll put this in a bag for you.”
“Oh, that’s lovely!” Essie appeared by her side. “I want a tiara too.”
Moments later, her friend stood behind the table wearing a gorgeous tiara with deep purple stones. Essie’s expression revealed her absolute joy. Tiffanie clasped her hands together at her heart.
“We’ll purchase that gorgeous crowning touch,” Zander announced, and he handed over his credit card.
“Really?” Essie asked, bouncing with excitement.
“A ballroom this magnificent requires the correct embellishments. Two cold gusts of air and a meowing cat wouldn’t let me ignore them,” Zander said with a smile. In a few moments, Zander held a bag that matched Tiffanie’s.
“That is stunning,” Tiffanie said. “The purple suits you so well.”
Essie linked her elbow with Tiffanie and said, “We are so going to have a private tea party wearing these.”
“How fun to have a friend who enjoys the same things you do,” Dottie said with a wistful tone.
Remembering her hunch about a stuffie named Droopy, Tiffanie glanced at Essie before addressing Dottie. “You should come join us. Do you have a card with your contact information? We’ll invite you.”
“Really? Oh, I’d love that.” She scrambled to find her purse and pulled out a card. “Here. This has my email and cell phone number.”
Tiffanie took the card and grinned at the cartoon basset hound wearing a tiara that decorated the front. “I’ll call. Promise.”
Essie reached into her pocket and grabbed one of her cards to exchange with Dottie. “Here’s mine. You should put your contact information out on your table. People are going to want to grab a card when you run out.”
“Run out?” Dottie asked.
“Oh, don’t sell them all yet!” an urgent voice behind her called over Essie and Tiffanie’s heads. When they turned, a line had formed behind Essie and Tiffanie.
“We’ll get out of the way and let you help everyone,” Tiffanie said quickly and tugged Essie to the side. The two women watched as the crowd around Dottie’s table increased by the moment.
“You suspect she’s Little,” Essie whispered into Tiffanie’s ear.
“I do. I could be wrong.”
“Esther and I do too. We can’t all be incorrect. Go rest. I’m going to prance around in my tiara and make sure Dottie walks out of here with empty bins,” Essie said.
“You are the best friend. I’m going to hide in your office.”
“Good idea. Next year, you can parade with me.”
“The town is going to demand you offer this annually—at least. What a crowd!”
“By next year, no one is going to remember that Ferguson’s Folly didn’t always hold events.”
Tiffanie hugged her friend and noticed another empty space opening up leading to the door. “Is someone helping me navigate through the crowd?” she asked Essie.
“Oh, yeah. They like you.”
Smiling, Tiffanie headed toward the office she loved spending time in. The noise from the crowd dwindled as she moved away. Perhaps she’d read a while and maybe nap.
As she entered the cozy space, Tiffanie discovered a soft throw waiting for her on the settee. A mysterious lump lifted one side of the fabric. Tiffanie touched the cover. A sleepy meow drifted through the thick material.
“Can I join you?” Tiffanie asked and received a purring response. She kicked her shoes off, settled on the cushions, and drew the cover over her lap. Marmalade stretched out next to her, sharing his heat. She closed her eyes to rest for a few moments.
“Princess? Can I drive you home?” Phineas whispered, interrupting a lovely dream.
“I don’t want to take you from the Blue Ribbon thing,” she mumbled.
“Everyone packed up and headed out. The Knowledge Fair is over for this year.”
“Really?” That motivated her to open her eyes and meet his sparkling green ones. “How did the event go?”
“I’ve already added two more staff members to tomorrow’s roster. I’m expecting to be swamped,” Phineas said.
“That’s awesome.” Tiffanie was jazzed that the fair had gone so well.
“The local news even came to cover the crowd when traffic got jammed up on the road leading to Ferguson’s Folly. Essie’s going to have to hire parking attendants next year.”
“Oh, she must be excited by that.”
“She is. And exhausted. Zander is putting her to sleep in her crib. She said the two of you would schedule the tea party tomorrow. Do you know what she’s talking about? A private celebration?” he asked.
“Yes, very exclusive. How did Ivan do?” she blurted, feeling guilty that she’d forgotten to help him pack up.
“He had nothing left and a notebook full of orders. The last time I saw him, he was helping Dottie with her empty displays.”
“Yesss!” Tiffanie celebrated. She crossed her fingers, sending every sweet vibration out into the universe. Please let my brother meet his Little. Please!