Michael Ford - Jane Vows Vengeance

Brakeston, New York

What about this one?

Jane glanced at the magazine Lucy was holding up, opened to a picture of a bride standing in a field of daisies. The bride wore a sheath-style dress of ivory silk and a birdcage veil to which was affixed a huge pale yellow gardenia. Not far behind her stood a Holstein cow, gazing at the camera with a disinterested look.

Jane grimaced. I dont think I have the upper arms for that, she said.

Of course you do, scoffed Lucy. Well, with a little work you could.

Jane ignored her best friend. Why would a bride go tromping around in a field of cows? she said irritably. If theres any train at all on that dress, shes going to drag it right through a pile of

Its one cow, Lucy said wearily. And its a photo shoot for a fashion magazine, not an article in National Geographic. Get a grip.

Jane sighed, closing the magazine she was paging through and tossing it onto the pile of them covering the top of the kitchen table. Its just that theyre all starting to blur together. Cap sleeves. Bateau necklines. Basque waists. Mermaid this and sweetheart that and princess whatever. Its maddening.

Lucy picked up another magazine. Victorian Bride, she read, looking at the cover. She glanced at Jane. Really?

Jane chewed the nail on her left index finger. I grabbed everything they had, she replied. I think I have wedding sickness.

Eight months had passed since shed accepted Walter Fletchers marriage proposal. Shortly before the Christmas holidays she had moved into Walters house. It was now February, and although Walter was not pressuring her to pick a date for their wedding, another deadline hung over her head like the ominous clouds of an approaching thunderstorm.

Jane had so far avoided telling her fianc that she was a vampire. Her undead condition was, however, known to Walters mother. Miriam Ellenberg, much to Janes dismay, had turned out to be even more of a challenge than mothers-in-law generally were: Miriam was a vampire hunter. Not surprisingly, she disapproved of her sons choice of a girlfriend, and initially had vowed to dispatch Jane at the earliest convenience. However, after Jane rescued Miriam from almost certain death at the hands of a deranged vampire turned book reviewer, a truce had been declared. With one condition: Jane had a year in which to produce a grandchild. Should she fail, all bets were off and Miriam and she would once again be mortal enemies.

In addition to not having planned a wedding, Jane had not become pregnant. She still wasnt even sure she could conceive, which was in itself no small concern. To make matters worse, Miriam had decided to move from Florida to upstate New York so that she could keep an eye on her daughter-in-law-to-be. Thankfully, Walter had not suggested that his mother move into the house with them. However, he had suggested that Miriam buy Janes former home, since Jane would have no more use for it now that she and Walter were living together. As neither Jane nor Miriamdespite both thinking very hardhad been able to come up with a good reason why this course of action should not be taken, a deal had been struck, and the week after Jane moved herself, her pets, and her possessions into Walters house, a trio of anxious young men had unloaded Miriams belongings from a truck under Miriams scrutinizing supervision.

The matter of Janes barren state was becoming a greater problem with each passing week. With only four months left in which to become pregnant, she sensed Miriam becoming increasingly impatient. To her credit, Miriam had never once reminded Jane of the looming deadline. She and Jane were cordial enough to each other that Walter had often remarked on how pleased he was that they were getting on so well. Still, Jane knew that she was being watched.

She was not surprised, then, when Miriam made an appearance in the kitchen just moments later. She was dressed in a variation of the peculiar ensemble shed adopted following the first snowfall of the winter. Unused to cold, she had opted for warmth over fashion, exchanging the lightweight pantsuits that had served her well in Floridas tropical climate for sturdy corduroy trousers and heavy wool sweaters in Irish fisherman and Norwegian ski patterns. At the moment she was wearing moss-green pants and a cream Aran sweater with a rolled neck. Below the knees her pants were tucked into a pair of brown Wellingtons, and on her head was a black-and-red buffalo plaid hunters cap with earflaps and a shearling lining.

Its cold enough to freeze a bears ass, she said as she pulled the cap off and sat down. I need some coffee.

In addition to her new wardrobe, Miriam had also acquired a collection of sayings generally used only by residents of the New England states. No matter how many times Walter told her that New Yorkdespite its namewas not considered part of New England, Miriam persisted in behaving as if it were, occasionally even taking on an accent that was more Maine lobsterman than Jewish mother of a certain age.

Jane got up and poured Miriam a cup of coffee, thinking that she really needed to start locking the front door. She handed the cup to Miriam, then refilled Lucys mug. She herself was drinking hot chocolate. Although her vampire metabolism didnt require that she eat, she still enjoyed the activity, particularly if it involved sweets.

Still looking at dresses, I see, Miriam remarked, nodding at the magazines.

Yes, Jane said evenly. Still looking.

I really dont see what the problem is, Miriam said. Choosing a dress shouldnt be any more difficult than choosing a paint color. Just pick the one thats going to hide the problem areas the best. Take you, for example. Youve got a wide

I believe Ive narrowed it down, Jane said. The dress choices, she clarified as Miriam started to reply.

Miriam peered at her through the steam from the coffee cup. And have you set a date? she asked. Summers right around the corner, you know.

Jane was unsure whether Miriam was referring to the approaching anniversary of their agreement or just remarking on the fact that a summer wedding would be lovely. She chose to believe it was the latter, although Miriams tone could be interpreted either way.

Why dont you and Walter just elope? Lucy suggested.

Miriam and Jane both turned their heads to look at her.

What? said Lucy, pushing a strand of long curly black hair behind her ear. It would save a lot of fuss and bother.

I thought you were excited about being my maid of honor, Jane said.

I am, Lucy assured her. Im just saying, if this is making you so crazy, just get married at the courthouse and go to Tahiti for two weeks or something.

That would be nice, Jane mused. We could lie on the beach and have fruit drinks.

Nonsense, said Miriam. Youre going to be married right here so that Iso that all of your friends can join in the celebration.

Jane looked at Lucy, who rolled her eyes and puffed out her cheeks. It was just a suggestion, she muttered.

Walters first wedding was simply perfect, Miriam informed them. Evelyn was absolutely stunning.

And now shes dead, Jane thought, immediately mortified that such a thing would pop into her head. But it was true. Besides, it was becoming far too common an occurrence for Miriam to compare Jane to Walters deceased wife. The week before, when Jane had tried her hand at cooking a brisket because Miriam had mentioned how much she enjoyed one, Miriams response was to tell her how Evelyns brisket had been so much moister and how she had served small roasted potatoes with it and not mashed.

Miriam, what kind of dress do you think Jane should wear? Lucy asked.