Page 73 of Trouble Comes in Threes

“There’s a necklace,” I said, noticing a heart-shaped locket on top.

“And a ring,” Neely Kate said, shuffling several envelopes to the side to pick it up.

“An engagement ring,” I said in surprise as I took the solitaire diamond ring from her.

“It looks like it’s about a quarter carat,” Neely Kate said as I handed it back to her.

“What’s inside the locket?” I asked as I picked it up and pried it open. It was empty. “Nothing.”

“Let’s check the envelopes,” Neely Kate said as she picked up the greeting card-sized envelopes, handing one to me and keeping the other two. I opened mine first, and Neely Kate leaned in close so we could read it together.

It was a generic birthday card that said Happy Birthday and had an image of a cartoon cake with candles. The message inside said, I hope you have a special day! A short-handwritten note was to the left of it: You looked beautiful in your blue dress last night. I hope you’ll wear it when we go out next week.

J

“An initial,” Neely Kate said. “That’s not helpful.”

“Let’s see what’s in the other envelopes.”

Neely Kate opened the second one, noting that nothing was written on the outside. This was just a generic off-white card without any design or writing. There were only two lines written inside.

Meet me in the park at ten. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.

J

“Oh, ominous,” Neely Kate said, handing the note to me. I looked it over, not finding anything else helpful while she opened the other envelope.

It was a similar off-white notecard, but this one had a longer message inside. She read it out loud.

S,

First, you know I love you. I’d do anything for you, but we both know this will never work. Not with your father and my mother. Not if we stay here.

I’m going away, because I think it will be easier that way, for both of us. Less temptation. I’m going to work with my Uncle Eddie in Montana. He’s short a ranch hand, and I could use the physical labor. I’d ask you to come with me, but you’ve made it clear your life is here.

Mine can’t be.

I love you, and I’m sure I always will. I wanted to marry you, S. This is the ring I bought for you, and if you change your mind, put it on and come find me in Montana. My sister can tell you how to find me.

If you choose not to come, then I hope you have a happy life.

Love always,

J

“Oh my stars and garters,” Neely Kate said, dabbing the corner of her eye. “That’s so sad.”

“So it probably was one of the girls in the house next door,” I said. “I guess we wait for Randy to get back to me with a name.”

Neely Kate nodded, then let out a sigh. “It’s just so sad.”

“I know, but maybe when we give it back to S, we’ll find out that she’s with J and they got their happily-ever-after, despite losing the ring.”

“I hope so,” she said wistfully.

“Me too.”

Neely Kate put the box on the corner of her desk, and we both got back to work.

---