Page 12 of The Christmas Ring
“Whew.” Leigh dropped into the oversize chair near Vanessa’s Christmas tree. “I think we just might pull it off.”
Maria studied Vanessa’s tree. “Twice as many families.” She glanced over her shoulder at Vanessa. “Ambitious for sure.”
“It is.” Vanessa sat on the nearby sofa. “But we can do it. The town is behind us!”
“I need a snack.” Leigh pulled herself from the chair and walked to the kitchen. “Where do you keep the cashews?”
“Top drawer by the pantry.” Vanessa laughed under herbreath. Leigh was the cutup of the group. Maria, the more sensitive. And Vanessa, the one determined to make things happen.
Maria sat down near Vanessa. “Sadie comes home tonight?”
“She does. I can’t wait.” It was a lot for one day, but Vanessa had the timing figured out.
“Hey,” Leigh called out from the kitchen. She held up a flyer for Vanessa’s missing Christmas ring. “I haven’t seen one of these in a while. You still handing them out?”
Vanessa and Maria joined Leigh in the kitchen. The three of them looked at the flyer. “I stopped a while ago.”
Leigh studied the photo of the ring. “It sure was pretty.”
“Ispretty.” Maria gave Leigh a disappointed look. “We agreed to not give up on finding the ring.”
Leigh made a doubtful face. “It’s been a while.”
“Still.” Maria looked at Vanessa. “Whenever I think about it, I pray you’ll find it, Vanessa. I do.”
“I don’t.” Leigh raised her brow. “Can’t lie to you, Vanessa. The ring’s gone. Totally gone.”
“Wow, Leigh. Not very kind.” Maria shook her head. The two were like a sitcom when they were together. “You don’t have to tell her you’renotpraying about it. Just keep that detail to yourself.”
“Yeah, well. We have a lot more to pray about with the dance a week away.” Leigh looked at the flyer again. “What’s it worth, anyway? I never asked you.”
“Leigh!” Maria’s mouth hung open. “You don’t ask someone a question like that.”
“It’s a perfectly normal question.” Leigh turned to Vanessa. “Is it worth something?”
“No.” Vanessa laughed. “Only to me. It’s just a pretty piece of costume jewelry.”
Maria raised her brow. “That’s been in your family since World War II.”
“Exactly.” Vanessa stared at the ring. It had been so long since she’d seen it, since the piece had been on her finger. She took the flyer from Leigh and slipped it back into the drawer. “The volunteers are set.” She sighed. “Let’s figure out what we need to do to pull off this dance.”
The three sat at the table and discussed decorating and band rehearsal. Again, Vanessa looked at her watch, then at her friends. “So... I’m meeting Ben today. Right after we’re done.”
“Ben? Ben who?” Leigh’s face lit up. She was still chewing a handful of cashews. “Do we know this guy?”
Maria shot Leigh a look. “Ben Miller. Vanessa told us about him last week. The antique dealer from Marietta.”
Leigh’s eyes grew bigger. “Yes, yes, yes!” She swallowed her cashews. “The one who looks like that actor. How could I forget?” She took another two nuts. “When can we meet him?”
“Well.” Vanessa smiled. “Tomorrow, actually. He’s staying for a week.” She hadn’t told anyone this next detail. “He’s taking me to the dance.”
“What?” Leigh was on her feet. “Like a date?”
“Sit down.” Maria tugged on the sleeve of Leigh’s sweater. “Let Vanessa explain it.”
With great reluctance Leigh sat back down. “Talk, Vanessa. What’s going on with this guy, and why are we just hearing about the dance part?”
“It’s not like it sounds.” Vanessa laughed again. Leigh never changed. “Ben collects antiques for his store. He’s spending the week in Columbus looking for vintage goods.”
