Page 25 of Too Far To Sea
The saleswoman smiled. “It isn’t as complicated as you think. Ireland is a magical place. Let me show you these rings.”
McKay focused on the rings at the counter. He picked up the emerald heart one and twisted it in the light. “Miss Knight, er Dana,” Although her name had been swimming through his mind, tasting it on his tongue felt intimate.
“Dana’s fine.”
“Would you try this one on? I want to see if I like it on a hand too.”
Dana modeled it for him.
“I think my mother would like this the most.”
“You said she wanted it for her chemo days. She might prefer the less expensive silver ones, so if she loses it, she won’t feel as bad.” Dana slipped the ring off and set it in front of McKay.
“Ach, I got just the thing.” The saleswoman hurried to the end of the counter.
“I’m sorry if she embarrassed you with the girlfriend thing,” he said.
Dana laughed. “It is a natural assumption. Two people about the same age shopping together for rings. Although I am not sure I should use your name or not.”
“Off the ship, you may.”
“How about I avoid using your name at all?”
The saleswoman returned with a selection of silver rings. “These are all under twenty and I’ll give ye half off with the purchase of one of these others.”
Was it his imagination or did the saleswoman’s Irish brogue become heavier as she inched toward a sale?
“Dana, which one?”
“This one is almost exactly the same size and design as the emerald one. I suggest a matched pair.” Dana pointed to the one in the middle of the selection.
McKay turned to the saleswoman. “They are both sevens in US ring sizes? Without my mother here?—”
The woman produced a long metal wand and dropped first one ring then the other on it. “Yes, they both show as sevens.”
“I’ll get them both.”
The saleswoman bustled about putting the velvet ring displays on the back counter and wrapping his chosen rings. Dana stayed by his side, looking at the other rings on display.
He leaned closer and spoke so the saleswoman wouldn’t hear. “I am curious. Which ring do you keep looking at?”
Dana tapped the glass. “The rose gold one, third one down.”
“You should try it on.”
“What is the point? I am not buying one.”
The saleswoman returned with McKay’s purchase and his taxfree card. “You should try it on, miss. You never know.”
“I’m afraid I’ll love it, and it isn’t in my price range. But thank you.” Dana smiled at the saleswoman and exited the store.
McKay followed after her. “Thanks for your help. What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Purchase a sweater. I found one I like but I want to make sure there isn’t one I like better. Then there is a hop-on bus tour with a stop at the top of the street. I figure I can ride it around and see the rest of the town. When I’m done, it stops closer to the dock.”
“Do you mind if I tag along while you shop? I need to get my sister and my niece something.”
They wandered up the street in and out of crowded shops.
