Chapter 19

"I do hope so! I was told that the lady who runs this shop could help me with a problem I've been having."

"Ms Nightengale isn't here right now but I would be happy to try and help. But if your problem is something I can't help you with Cassie will be back tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow," she sighed. "Maybe you could help. I've really been having trouble sleeping lately and I was hoping Ms Nightengale could help me."

"That is one of the things that I can help with. Come to the counter with me." They both went to the counter and AJ stepped behind it. Picking up a small brown bottle he handed it to her and explained that all she needed to do was to put ten to twelve drops of the oil into an eight ounce spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Each night before bed she was to shake it up and spray a bit on her pillow. The oil was a mix of chamomile and lavender both of which had soothing and calming properties. AJ assured her that this would help her get a good night's sleep.

She eagerly paid for the bottle and said she would come back to let him know how it worked.

He had a few other sales during the two hours before closing but there was nothing he couldn't handle. At 5:00 he turned off the lights and carefully locked up the Bell, Book, and Candle, then he walked slowly through the town on his way back to Grayhouse.

When he walked through the front door George met him with the message that Cassie and Grace were still out shopping and would get something to eat in Blairsville and continue to shop until the stores closed.

Grace found a dress she simply fell in love with right before they were going to take their dinner break. It was a lovely shade of ice blue with a handkerchief hem, sweetheart neckline, and fluttering sleeves. The instant she saw it Grace knew that she had to have it. Begging her mother to have it even before she tried it on.

Smiling indulgently Cassie told her daughter to try on the dress to see if it fit her. Both of them were very pleased when the dress fit Grace as if it had been made for her. Cassie agreed that Grace should have the dress. After paying for it they carried it out to the car and then went to dinner.

When the finished eating Cassie suggested that they try a little shop that she knew carried vintage clothing. Maybe she would find a dress for herself there.

Cassie looked over several dresses that the sales girl showed her. Then she saw a chest tucked against the wall. Walking over to it she opened the lid to find a pile of ivory lace on top. The sales girl came over to see what Cassie had found. "We just got that trunk in this morning that's why it hadn't been opened yet."

Pulling out the lace, Cassie found that it was a dress and it took her breath away. The dress had long fitted sleeves of all lace, the same lace was on the top of the dress and covered satin from the bodice area down. It was tight to the waist, but from there down it flared out beautifully.

"Oh mom you have to try it on!" Grace insisted.

"But it's wrinkled and a bit musty from being in the trunk. We could freshen it up for you and have it ready for you tomorrow," the sales girl offered.

Cassie smiled at the girl and said, "Why don't I try it on to see if it fits, then you could freshen it up if I decide to get it?"

"If that is what you would like," she told Cassie clearly she had been trained to believe that the customer was always right.

She helped Cassie lift the dress over her head. It settled over her figure as though it were hugging her. She turned to look at herself in the store's full length mirror and almost cried.

Grace did have tears in her eyes as she told her mother how beautiful she looked in the dress.

To Be Continued…