The Werewolf Meets His Match
Not much about bridal shops, and not that much about witches. Just like vampires, she’d never met one personally, but it was cool to be in a shop owned by one. Not so cool that she was about to let Birdie get away with buying the dress. The woman would hate her when she found out the truth. “That is a sweet gesture, Birdie, but it wouldn’t be right—”
“Hush, now. It would be absolutely right. I never had a daughter so let me do this.”
Corette joined them, smiling broadly at Ivy. “You’re the perfect height for a gown like that. You look stunning.”
“Thank you.”
Birdie touched Corette’s hand. “We’re going to take this dress, but we need it for tomorrow.”
“That soon? Oh my. There’s no way I can order one with such short notice.” Corette frowned and looked at Ivy. “Are you okay with taking the floor sample? You’re the first person to try that on, so it’s not like it’s been worn by anyone else. Still, it is the sample dress.”
Ivy was about to say they weren’t taking the dress, when Birdie spoke up.
“That’s fine. I imagine there’s a little discount that will go along with that?”
“Of course. I’ll sharpen my pencil.”
“Good.” Birdie smiled like she’d won something. “Now, about alterations. Since we need it so quickly, can you…” She waved her hands. “Do your thing?”
Corette looked around. “Since we’re all alone, I don’t see why not.”
She walked up to Ivy, who stood on a small platform in front of a large bank of angled mirrors. Corette pinched the dress in a few spots, checking the fit and taking up excess fabric. She lifted the shoulders and let them drop. Next, she spanned Ivy’s rib cage with her hands front and back. Finally, she took a few steps away and squinted. “Doesn’t need much.”
She stretched out her hands and waved them through the air with a flourish.
The dress moved, fitting itself to Ivy as though it was being tailored right on her body. Ivy gasped. “What was that?”
Corette gave her a wink. “Just a little magic. But then you shifters know all about that, don’t you?”
Ivy smiled. “I guess we do.” Every supernatural had their own kind of magic.
“I’m so glad you’re taking Sheriff Merrow off the market. He needs a woman in his life. Someone to take care of him, you know?” Corette shook her head. “He works too much. But then maybe that’s because there’s no one to go home to.”
“I agree,” Birdie said. “My nephew’s been married to his job for far too long. Time he has a good woman to spend his days with. And nights.” Birdie twittered and blushed a little.
A good woman. Ivy did her best to keep a smile on her face, but inside her happiness faded at the reminder of what she wasn’t.
All because of her father.
Birdie shooed her back into the dressing room to change. After Corette folded the dress into tissue paper and boxed it up, Birdie took hold of Ivy’s arm, and they were off again. This time they went several streets until they turned down one that rang a bell for Ivy.
Black Cat Boulevard. She looked up at the sign. “Delaney’s Delectables. Hank told me about this place.” She leaned in toward Birdie and whispered, “He said the woman who owns it is a vampire.”
“She is.” Birdie nodded, eyes sparkling. “And she owes Hank a favor. C’mon.”
She took Ivy’s arm and marched them both in. “Hello, Delaney, dear. How are you?”
A cute woman with chestnut waves and a smattering of freckles who looked nothing like any vampire Ivy had ever imagined put her hands on her hips and grinned. “Hey there, Birdie. I’m just fine. How are you?”
“Oh, I’m in a panic.” Birdie shuddered and clutched at her throat like the panic was choking her. “I am desperate for your help.”
How Birdie hadn’t won an Oscar was astonishing.
Delaney’s brow puckered. “What’s the matter? I’m happy to do whatever I can.”
Birdie put her arm around Ivy. “This is Ivy Kincaid. Ivy, meet Delaney Ellingham, the owner of this very fine establishment and the baker of all these delicious things. She’s won awards.”
Delaney rolled her lips in, an effort meant to stop herself from laughing at Birdie’s hyperbole, no doubt. Ivy liked her immediately. She gave her head a little shake. “I actually haven’t won any.” She stuck her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Ivy.”
Ivy shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, too.” For a vampire, she was surprisingly warm. Maybe they all were. Ivy wasn’t exactly an expert on that particular brand of supernatural.
Delaney’s hands went back to her hips. “Now, what seems to be the trouble?”
“Hank, you know Hank, my nephew. The sheriff.”
“Of course. I owe him one.” Delaney looked at Ivy. “He helped save my life once.”
“That’s a story I’d like to hear,” Ivy answered.
Birdie cleared her throat. “If I could just bring us back to why we’re here,” she said. “Ivy and Hank are getting married.”
Delaney clapped her hands. “How wonderful! Congratulations. I didn’t even know Hank was seeing anyone.”
“He wasn’t. This is an arranged marriage. It’s a pack thing.” Ivy saw no reason not to be honest. It was a nice change of pace.