Third Time Charm (Tipperary Carriage Company Mystery Book 18) by J A Whiting & Nell McCarthy

Author:J A Whiting & Nell McCarthy [Whiting, J A & McCarthy, Nell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J A Whiting Books and Whitemark Publishing
Published: 2023-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

12

The morning passed nicely for both Mae and Chloe. They spent most of the time browsing through the gift shops, which had many original handmade items that Mae had seen nowhere else.

There were small leather goods like wallets and purses with unusual cuts and sewing; warm knitted hats and scarves in fine wool with unique patterns and stitches; and jewelry put together from seashells, driftwood, and small polished stones.

In one shop – the one with the pristine, white-painted door – they found items made of handmade lace. Behind the counter was a smiling, grey-haired lady who also seemed to have stepped right out of a guidebook for Ireland.

"Welcome, ladies," she said to them. "We have many completed lace items for sale here, along with threads, needles, and books to use in making your own."

"Oh, I don't think I could hope to make anything like this," said Mae, looking around at the fine white pieces on display in the glass cabinets. "But I think we’ll have to consider taking home something that's finished."

"You've come to the right place," the lady told her. "Most of our inventory comes from the Lace and Design Centre in Kenmare and is of the highest quality."

"I can see that," said Mae, and glanced over at Chloe. "Kenmare is another town in County Kerry not far from here."

"For a quiet little place, this County Kerry seems to have everything," said Chloe, and finally managed a smile.

"Oh, my goodness," said Mae, as she looked through the displays. "I've heard of Irish lace, of course, but did not know it was this beautiful."

"It sure is," said Chloe. "Brides would be in heaven here. These handkerchiefs with all the lace edging are said to be specially made for them."

"Yes, they'd be perfect for a bride." Mae kept looking, not sure if this place was a shop or a museum. Maybe it was a little of both. "And these medallions? These individual pieces made to look like leaves and flowers, or birds, or – or anything at all. You could do anything with those."

"You could," said the lady shopkeeper. "We have many brides come in, of course, and they do love the medallions to place on their gowns or veils or even their bouquets. Or simply to use as hair ornaments. All of the pieces in this shop are handmade from cotton threads, and so they become lovely heirlooms after the wedding."

"Wonderful," said Mae. "I know we'll be getting a few things, if we can ever decide on which ones."

"Take your time," said the shopkeeper, and stepped back behind the counter.

Chloe stood looking at the bridal handkerchiefs.

"You could get one of those, you know," said Mae, leaning down to her. "And then put it away until – well, until you're ready for it. Young women used to do things like that. They'd keep special things for their wedding in what they called a hope chest, and when the day arrived they were ready for it. This would be a wonderful way to start your own hope chest.

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