A Tale of Two Dresses

By Felicia Ferguson

Author's Note: Well, with the latest novel-in-progress now through the first round of edits and off to beta readers, the SSD muse thought it would be good to have a little playtime in the DLO. A Tale of Two Dresses occurs during From the Heart in between the church meeting and the Montaldo's dinner, lol (see canon timeline notes below). It is part of the canon established in The Days of Mail and Roses and follows its pattern of one chapter per month. So for all those asking for a continuation of DM&R, here you go!

Although this one can stand alone, I'd recommend a re-read of DM&R for recall of some of the non-SSD canon details I added in. Also, while there is a good deal of relationship pondering angst, there are no deep emotional dives like in Cast Not Love Away, so I hope you enjoy it.

As always, I own none of the characters. I merely happily play with Martha Williamson's creations in her sandbox.

Canon Timeline Notes:

I spend too much time pondering the SSD canon. But in my contemplations, I've found very few what I call "hard dates" (Valentine's Day, the October 4th date on Shane's phone lock screen in The Road Less Traveled, Shane's April 30th birthday, Liberty's July 23rd birthday, Christmas, etc.) to mark the months each movie occurs. So I've pieced together the vague statements, dress choices, and general seasonal landscapes to add to those hard dates and create what I believe is an accurate timeline for the canon. The dates are followed by the evidence that supports them.

2016

February, 13-15: From the Heart (dated by Valentine's Day and runs up until the dinner at Montaldo's)

GAP IN TIME Mid-February-March-April-beginning of May (Trust me, there is logic for my reasoning … keep reading … I promise it'll make sense.)

Mid-May, End of From the Heart & One in a Million (According to Nikki's lottery numbers, she and Graham met on 3/7/12 at 15:30 or 3:30. She said their one-year anniversary was coming up. But since they met in 2012 and OIAM is in 2016, that leads me to believe they actually started dating much later, which makes that anniversary a totally different date. Also, Curly's neighbor is watering her green grass when Kimsickle's team rolls up. Shane is wearing a light jacket and a lightweight dress, and she brings Oliver "the first rose of summer" which could bloom in May at the earliest in Denver.)

End of May: Lost Without You (the date is "next Saturday", so could be up to two weeks after OIAM retirement party depending upon your definition of "next.")

June-August: Higher Ground (begins week after LWY based on Oliver's saying Eleanor was still with them "last week", telling Joe when they were lost on that mountain "last month." Continues through the summer because there are veggies being picked in Joe's community garden. Shane was gone three months.)

Mid-September: Home Again (based on Shane saying Rita and Norman had only been engaged 4 weeks in The Road Less Traveled plus they're still settling into the new DLO)

October: The Road Less Traveled (Shane's phone display says October 4th, which helps back date the previous movies)

Note: I ignore the "12 years" and "1988" dates in Higher Ground and The Road Less Traveled because they link to the filming year, not the canon timeline.

End of November into First Week of December: To the Altar (the fire is roaring in the DLO's fireplace, all are wearing heavier winter coats, and there are specific references to it being the end of the month and the 30th in the opening scene—November ends with 30 days)

2017

June: The Vows We Have Made (Kristin said there is about a 6 month gap between To the Altar and Vows and the weather supports a summer month)

So, now that the timeline is set, I give you A Tale of Two Dresses. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Chapter One

March

Shane took in a quick fortifying breath and hoped with everything in her that this morning would be different from the last three weeks of mornings. Squaring her shoulders, she pushed through the DLO doors and offered a bright greeting. "Good morning, Oliver."

Oliver flicked a hooded glance her way then nodded and returned to the papers in his hand. She scanned the room and, finding it empty, set her purse and jacket on her chair. She watched Oliver out of the corner of her eye, but there was still no sign of thawing between them.

Her lips thinned. It had been like this ever since she'd tracked him down at his church at the end of choir practice. This chilly distance so reminiscent of the silent wall he'd erected between them in the wake of her revelation of Holly's three-year lease. Shane swallowed her resigned sigh. What she wouldn't give to have actually searched through that box of decorations instead of choosing to sulk in her singleness.

But really, if the distance was just between them, she'd could handle that. They'd worked through the previous falling-out and silent heartbreak with time and unspoken apologies once before. They could do it again.

But this time, even the team was impacted. Oliver's stiff professionalism crystalized every interaction with Rita and Norman, keeping them even further at bay from his emotions. It was as if Oliver had overplayed his hand and now wasn't quite certain what do about it.

Shane shook her head. Because Norman and Rita both knew about the valentine and her unwitting jilting of the heartfelt dinner invitation. And, now that she thought of it, Hazel knew as well. Which meant the entire Sorting floor probably did too. And for a man who was concerned about appearances, that would be … deplorable.

Shane swallowed her groan. It all made an awful sort of sense.

She settled behind her computer, her gaze straying once again to him as her heart absorbed his silence. They had to talk. Not only about the misunderstanding, but also about what on earth was going on between them. Because Rita was right, and Shane was woman enough to admit it. She and Oliver did have a thing. And yet, Shane was also right. Chemistry does not a romance make. How much longer could they go on in this relationship limbo before they went crazy?

He had trust issues. She got that. He had experience with women he loved leaving him. Totally understandable that he'd fear repeating that. But when was he going to realize she was here to stay? That, despite missteps and misunderstandings, he held her heart forever, and there was no way she could take it back?

The front DLO doors banged open, revealing Norman and Rita pushing a rolling cart of mail bags and stacked boxes. Rita pressed a quick kiss to Norman's cheek before heading to Incoming and the boxes of Easter gifts and cards that awaited her. Norman grinned, sweet uncomplicated love beaming from his gaze. They really were perfect for each other.

Oliver rose from his desk chair, curiosity furrowing his brow. "Is that from International Shipping?"

Norman nodded. "Most of it's just the usual misdirects, but there's a package you'll want to see." He stilled the cart's roll and dug in between two overstuffed bags, pulling out a cardboard box with a long rip down the center.

Shane rose from her own desk and joined Oliver and Norman. She fingered the long, gaping tear then looked to Norman. "Wow. What happened?"

Norman shook his head then fidgeted his hands as he flicked a quick look over his shoulder back to the DLO doors. "Someone mailed a set of golf clubs and one worked its way out of a hole in the box. It got stuck in the equipment sorting incoming mail. This package was right behind it and got caught in the gears. Clogged up the whole system. Thankfully, though it was the only one damaged."

Oliver took the box from Norman and studied what little remained of the front. "Interesting choice of stamps. And is that … lipstick?"

Shane leaned forward and smiled. "Definitely. Sealed with a kiss." She flashed a teasing grin at Oliver, hoping for even the briefest moment of shared amusement.

Oliver's cheeks flinched into something resembling a smile, then he walked back toward his desk without a word.

Shane's lips twisted. So much for hoping.

He set the box on his desk, his eyes flicking up to hers and then away again. He lowered himself into his chair and pulled his magnifying glass closer without a word.

Norman and Rita shared a concerned glance as he pushed the cart over by the sorting wall then joined her to sift through her stacks. Shane remained standing in the middle of the room. Oliver hadn't explicitly said this would be their next assignment. Should she assume and join him? Or was this like Ryan's letter? Something he would prefer to address on his own. She glanced over to Rita and then to Norman. Rita shrugged as Oliver continued to study the box in silence.

After a moment, he pushed the magnifying glass back and flicked open his pocket watch. "I have an inter-department meeting with Glynnis Rucker now. I believe we should wait to begin this investigation until afterward." He looked from Norman to Rita before allowing his gaze to fully settle on Shane.

Heartened that he was actually looking her in the eyes, her smile warmed with encouragement. But it dimmed a moment later as he seemed to take a step back from her and lifted his suit jacket from the coat rack. His formal tones pinged at her heart. "I will see each of you later. Please, carry on in my absence."

Shane licked her lips. Hesitation laced her words. "Of course. Enjoy your meeting, Oliver."

He bobbed his head in a brisk nod and brushed past her. She settled behind her computer, expecting to hear the back doors open and close. But the click of his shoes against the concrete slowed, then stopped. Her eyes strayed to the door, her heart always conscious of and concerned about him.

Their gazes locked for a long moment, and Shane would have sworn longing seeped into his eyes. But a heartbeat later, he schooled his expression into his customary bland politeness and pushed through the door.

Shane closed her eyes as her heart twisted. Am I too late for dinner? Once again, the question rolled around her heart like a pinball, slapping up against her emotions as it were on course for the new high score. Oliver had said no. Well, not in just that word, but in his reluctant smile, in his rueful gaze, and even the slight shake of his head. But then why not move on and set a new date? It didn't even have to be at Montaldo's.

Maybe his distance had less to do with appearances and more to do with Dale, that red-headed soprano. He'd never mentioned her before, but from everything she'd said that night, they'd known each other at least as long as Shane had known him—probably even longer. Like that police officer he'd thrown down like a snarky gauntlet outside the DLO.

Shane's brow wrinkled as her heart clenched. Was it possible Oliver O'Toole had a revolving door of women in his life? And was it possible they were all red heads? Even his first dance instructor … what was it? Francie? Francine? She was a red head, wasn't she?

Shane ran her fingers through her blond locks and huffed. Maybe that's why he hadn't rescheduled their dinner. He'd realized he had a type, and she didn't fit it. And now he wasn't certain how to back-off gracefully from this thing between them. Swallowing her frustrated growl, she shifted in her chair as her gaze unconsciously lifted to Oliver's empty desk chair.

She could take her own advice to jump start this relationship and ask him out, right? She bit her lip. No, she'd tried that already, cloaking her offer in an impromptu celebration of finding the McInerney house plans. And he'd said no—something about choir practice, which probably was true, knowing him.

Shane shook her head. No, she wouldn't ask him out. And she wouldn't force him to talk. Not about them. She'd just have to wait for him to work through whatever was bothering him and take the lead. After all, he had to be interested because, blond hair or no, he'd not only given her a porch swing and bought her family home plot, he'd asked her out twice now. Circumstances had just conspired against them. So maybe the third time would be the charm.

But until then … A resigned breath shot between her lips. Looks like distance and limbo it is.

##

The rest of the afternoon passed slowly. Oliver's meeting with Glynnis ran later than usual, and when Shane, Norman, and Rita packed up to leave at six o'clock, he'd still not returned. He could have been avoiding her. But what if he wasn't? What if something had happened?

After bidding Rita and Norman good night, Shane opted for a meandering route to the employee exit, which just happened to pass by the administrative offices. She slowed her step as she neared Glynnis's office. Flicking a quick glance around and finding no curious onlookers, she pressed against the concrete block wall and peered into the door's glass opening.

Oliver sat ramrod straight beside Mr. Garrett from Package Transfers and Otis from Operations. Glynnis, her words muffled but still loud enough to rattle the door, paced behind her desk, arms waving as she lectured about … something. Shane, however, could well guess the tirade's topic given the attendees, the accident, and the damaged package they'd received earlier.

Shane glanced at her watch. He'd been in there for almost four hours. Maybe she could create some sort of excuse to spring him from the building supervisor's outraged clutches. But then, lying on her feet wasn't exactly her forte, and a feeble attempt could well make the situation worse. Shane sighed and, hoping it wouldn't last much longer, she placed a comforting hand on the door then headed home.

##

The next morning, Shane paused at her front porch steps as her gaze, as it always seemed to do these days, scanned the leafless twig poking out of the ground. The twig that was supposed to be a transplant of Mom's yellow roses. The twig that was once Oliver's healthy cutting and sweet gift. She'd nurtured it for months and finally transferred it to the ground with hopes that, as the soil warmed, the roots would wake up and remember they had a job to do. But like her progress with Oliver, it seemed frozen in place.

A light breeze parted the stray clouds overhead and the sun beamed down, warming the air around her with promise. She closed her eyes and savored the moment and the reminder. Spring was now not only coming, it was here. So surely after all she'd done, her bare rose twig would soon grow leaves and eventually bloom. She'd held on too long. Worked with it too much for anything else to happen. Like with Oliver, she just had to wait a little longer.

Lips curved in a small smile, she headed off to work, heart filled once again with hope.

Soon.

##

Shane set her purse down on her chair and headed to the coat rack by Oliver's desk, pulling the lighter weight jacket from her shoulders. "Good morning, Oliver. How was the department meeting yesterday?" She chanced a quick look at him, then added, "It, ah, ran a little longer than usual, didn't?"

Oliver's head dipped in a brisk nod as he sniffed. His lips twitched with irritation. "Yes. It did. Glynnis Rucker was most … ah … displeased with the equipment malfunction."

Shane smashed her lips together, humor weaving together with pained empathy. "Will it be down for long?"

He shifted in his chair, starch stiffening his words. "No. Of that she was adamant. I would expect the machinery will be repaired by tomorrow, if not by the end of today."

He paused and scanned the DLO, his gaze briefly returning to Shane before his brows rose. Professional courtesy cooled the blue depths. "And on that subject, I believe we should begin the search for the sender of the damaged package since the shipping address is unreadable. Norman, Rita, would you join us?"

Norman and Rite obeyed readily, leaning against the edge of Norman's desk. But Shane sank into one of the arm chairs, heart clenching at Oliver's continued formality. What would it take for him to feel comfortable around her again?

He selected a brass letter opener then slid it along the taped edges of the box with a papery slice. The metal dinged lightly against his desktop and with a quiet whoosh, the box opened. Shane leaned forward, absorbing the black plastic that surrounded whatever the sender had shipped. Given the person had kissed the box, the contents had to be precious. Oliver slipped his hands around the plastic, locating a taped end of the bag. Another slice with the letter opener and he reached inside.

"It feels like fabric of some sort. Perhaps an item of clothing?"

Shane gasped as he tugged out a cream satin and lace dress, its length spilling across his desk and into her lap. "It's gorgeous."

"Ooh, could it be a wedding dress?" Rita asked as she hurried forward to run her fingers along the soft fabric.

Shane nodded, her eyes misting over. Someone had sent someone else a wedding dress. A mother or a grandmother possibly? The style was definitely vintage, and there was the slightest hint of mustiness clinging to the air around it.

Oliver laid down the bodice and reached back inside the bag. "There does appear to be something else enclosed." A breath later, he pulled out the most stunning veil Shane had ever seen. She swallowed hard.

How many years had she played bride as a child, dreaming of her own wedding dress and walking down the aisle, trailing a beautiful veil behind her. Alex had laughed at her dreams, but played bridesmaid often enough—if only to silence her little sister's pleas.

Even though she was a modern, independent woman, grown-up Shane still occasionally allowed herself to dream of one day being a bride. There was something about being someone's partner in life and love that had never disappeared from her romantic heart—despite the heartbreak she'd experienced.

Oliver's cultured tones broke through her ponderings. "Yes, it definitely appears to be a wedding dress. The style is rather reminiscent of the one my grandmother wore in her wedding day pictures."

Shane's gaze lifted to Oliver. He spoke so little about his family—and rarely in front of Rita and Norman. Was this the start of the thawing between them? Could he be thinking of his own desires for that lifetime love he'd once said he longed to experience? His gaze met hers and for the first time in weeks, a soft, fond light flickered in his blue eyes. Hope welled in her heart. I'm still here, Oliver. Still waiting.

"Is there a note inside?" Norman's innocent question shattered the moment, tearing Oliver's gaze from hers and recalling him to the job at hand.

Shane stifled her curse. But Norman was right to ask. This box definitely had to be delivered. What woman wouldn't want to wear the family wedding dress on the best day of her life? She savored the feel of satin and lace while Oliver peered once again into the bag and box.

After a minute's careful searching, he shook his head. "It appears it is only the dress. Perhaps the recipient was anticipating its shipment, and there was no need for a letter to explain the contents."

"Which makes it much harder to deliver," Norman said with a disappointed sigh.

Rita pushed her glasses back behind her ears as she shot a pleading look toward Norman. "Oh, but we have to try, Norman."

Norman blushed. "Oh, of course."

Shane eased the fabric off her lap and rose. "I'll start researching the dress's style. It's definitely vintage—maybe early twentieth century." She flashed a teasing smile toward Oliver.

His lips twitched for a moment into a vague hint of a smile, but it was the slight warming of his gaze that turned over her heart. Yes, maybe this dress was exactly the opening they needed to get past his hurt and back on the same page. And she would scroll through websites until her eyeballs crossed if that's what it took to get Oliver to ask her out again.

Reinvigorated, Shane clicked open a web browser and began to search.