The Pink Dress

By Tabby Winslow, amateur sleuth of A Magic Candle Shop Mysteries

My family size has been shrinking for years. When I was a kid, Dad disappeared one day. Went out for eggs and never returned. Now I have a phobia about buying eggs.

Last year Mom died. She used her energetic power to its max and beyond trying to save her friend with cancer. She knew what she was doing, knew that she couldn’t stop the disease altogether. Her efforts only gave her friend a brief reprieve. But Mom pushed her limits one time too many. Then she passed.

Though she’s on the lam, my aunt is still alive. Turns out her boyfriend has dangerous family in Chicago. It’s the kind of kin that wears shoulder holsters all the time, and they are not law enforcement. Just the opposite. And they thought Frankie was dead until his picture in the paper got picked up by the AP and the jig was up.

So there’s just me, Tabby Winslow, and my twin sister Sage. We are currently learning how to fun the family business and balance our finances. We are also playing catch-up with our secret energy powers and belatedly meeting the paranormal community in Savannah, Georgia, where we live.

Here are a few facts about me. I have never been a fan of fancy occasions or girly dresses.I’ve always been introspective and creative. My fraternal twin is my best friend.

My fiancé, Dr. Quig Quigsly, keeps pressuring me to set the date for our wedding. We’ve been engaged for four months, and the mere thought of planning a wedding gives me heart palpitations. So, when Quig’s mom offered to throw us an engagement party in late June, I jumped at the chance.

Especially since my family has a formal dress closet of dresses and gowns. With this fantastic collection of black dresses, I was in high cotton. Wouldn’t even have to go shopping for the event.

Or so I thought. (Cue scary music)

Quig informed me that his mother had a pastel theme for the June party, and I was expected to dress accordingly. Rats! That was terrible news.

I’m as human as anyone, so I griped about my problem in the Book and Candle Shop. Gerard, one of our shop clerks, told me I’d look great in pink. My heart stopped, and my knees wobbled. I nearly passed out with apoplexy as I told him through clenched teeth that I would never, ever wear a PINK dress.

But I lived to eat my words.

Gerard, one of the best shoppers I know, made it his personal mission to find me the perfect dress. And he did. Much to my surprise, the soft pink color made my entire body glow. I was absolutely enchanted with the dress he found.

If you assumed that I said “Yes to the Dress,” you’d be absolutely right! Gerard said it was all about the shade of pink, and now with the wisdom of hindsight, he is absolutely right. Even better, it had a classic cut, no ruffles or girly-girl stuff. It was a dress I was proud to wear, and Quig loved it. Double score!

Is there a color you’d never wear? Why or why not? Comment and my author Valona Jones, aka Maggie Toussaint, will randomly select a winner to receive CANDLE WITH CARE, book 4 in A Magic Candle Shop Mystery series. (eBook or print; print is US mailing address only)

Would you like to know more about author Maggie Toussaint? Visit her WEBSITE.