The Red Dress

By Danielle McGaw

Ever since Sandra found the red dress in the back of her best friend's mom's closet, strange things have happened. Mostly, it has been this one guy that keeps appearing in her life when she wears the red dress. And when she wears the red dress, she appears more beautiful, feels more confident, and everything just seems better! She feels like she's in a fairy tale. Is there some kind of magic in this dress? Sandra is focused on her career and ever since her first boyfriend broke her heart she hasn't had a lot of time for men. But when she puts this red dress on - he keeps showing up in her life again! Will the red dress help Sandra find her soul mate? The sweet romance will make you believe in magic and fairy tales all over again!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danielle McGaw
• Release date: May 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370111237

Danielle McGaw

Danielle McGaw is many things - first and foremost, a writer. No matter what she is doing, what else is going on in her life, she's thinking about writing. Or writing. She writes fiction (as Dani Gibbings) and non-fiction. She drinks a lot of coffee. She's constantly cleaning up after 3 cats. She lives with her husband. She has two kids and a grandkid. She's a waitress because (believe it or not) it keeps her sane. And she's one of those weird people that actually likes waitressing. She lives in a small town in the middle of Canada. She's loves social media and hates it at the same time. She talks too much in social situations. She gets antsy when she's not doing something or going somewhere. She's passionate about mental health issues. What else do you want to know? Stop by her site (http://dani.space) and find out more than you likely really wanted to know.

Book preview

August, 1971

Sandra came back from the hallway, where she’d been talking on the phone. Her face was lit up with excitement and she could barely contain herself.  

What is the matter with you? her friend, Donna asked. You look like you’ve won the lottery or something.

Sandra peeked down the hallway to make sure that her bratty kid brother wasn’t nearby.  She hated that she still lived at home at 20 years old, but it was only for a few more months and then she would have the money to get her own place.  She closed the door and turned to Donna. She knew she shouldn’t say anything until she was sure but she felt like she would burst if she didn’t.

Did you win the lottery?

That was David...

Oh. And? He’s going back to school on Monday isn’t he?

Yes he is.  He wants to take me out to dinner on Saturday night before he goes.  He’s got a big thing with his family on Sunday so Saturday he’s taking me out.

Ok - and this is a big deal because...

He’s taking me to Harper’s!

Wow - that is pretty fancy.  But you deserve it.  You two have been going out for what, five years now?  I’m pretty sure you’re due for a dinner at Harper’s.

Yes, Sandra said, rolling her eyes. But there’s more.  He said he has something really important that he needs to talk to me about.

Donna waited for more.  When it was obvious that Sandra expected her to know why she was excited, she said, Ok - I’ll bite.  What’s this so important thing that he needs to talk to you about?

Sandra covered her mouth, breathing heavily through her hands, the way she always did when she was worked up about something.

Don’t you get it?  He’s going to propose!

Donna’s eyes opened wide. Do you think so?

Sandra nodded her head. That has to be it.  We’ve been together for five years, like you said.  What else could it be?  Why would he take me to Harper’s?  It’s the best restaurant in town and he said that he had to talk to me about something really important!  That’s got to be it.

Donna didn’t say anything for a moment.  She’d never made her dislike for David verbal but Sandra knew that she didn’t really approve of him.  She thought that David was a pompous rich kid.  He was a senior and the captain of the football team when her and Sandra were in their first year of high school and Sandra had broken all the rules by becoming head cheerleader in her first year.  It had never happened before but Sandra was really good at cheerleading and she was well liked by everyone immediately.  Donna always figured that David just did what he was supposed to do - ask the head cheerleader out and go out with her through high school.  She never could figure out why they were still together.

But she knew that Sandra loved David, so even now, she didn’t say anything bad about him.  She just got up from the bed and gave her friend a hug.

That’s great Sandra.  You’re going to say yes, I assume.

Of course.  But what am I going to wear?

You can borrow something from me.

I’ve borrowed everything nice that you own already.  He’s seen everything.

Well, my mom’s closet is still full of her things.

Really? Won’t your dad get upset if I borrow something?

He’ll never know. He’s been in a daze since she passed away last year.  He never goes in there.  And she would hate that all of her beautiful clothes were just sitting in there going to waste.  I can’t wear them.  It would just make me sad.  But she loved you, too, and I think she’d be quite happy if you wore something of hers the day you got engaged.

Ok.  Can we go over there now?

Sure. My dad won’t be home from work for a few more hours.

Ok. I’ll meet you at your car.  I’m just going to tell mom where I’m going.

Donna headed out to her car to wait for Sandra.  She really hoped that Sandra was right and not just getting her hopes up.  She’d been friends with Sandra since grade school and she knew that Sandra had a rough life.  Her dad got laid off a lot and when he was laid off he didn’t do much more than drink.  Her mom was a good lady but she could only do so much to make Sandra and her brother’s life good.  She did odd jobs, babysitting, and other stuff that she could do from home but she never felt comfortable working out side of the house.  She felt it was