Page 64 of One Golden Ring
She’s trying to tell me something without telling me.
Somehow, instead of feeling angry about that, I just let my train of thought spool out as I drive. I really would have done anything to go to that amazing school when I was a teenager.
But I guess a lot of things were different for me than they are for her. I didn’t lose my mom, and I didn’t have a relationship with my dad like the one J.B. and I have.
Is it more important for her to have what’s left of her family close than it is to be at the kind of school that stimulates her natural curiosity?
By the time I’m pulling into a parking spot in the village I know that Darcy is right. The only solution to this is to have a real heart-to-heart with J.B. and hear her out.
But how do I do that without telling her the truth about Darcy and me? I wouldn’t want her to come home from school saying it’s because of school, but really it’s because she wants more time with Darcy.
It would be awful for her to do that and then find out it’s not real.
My stomach twists with dread.
J.B. is a super smart kid, but there’s a reason we haven’t let her in on everything. She’s terrible with keeping secrets. I’ve known what’s inside every birthday, Christmas, and Father’s Day gift I’ve ever opened. If I tell her the engagement is pretend, I’ll have to tell Grandpa Michael too, and it will break his heart.
“We’re here,” J.B. yells from the back seat, bringing me back to the present.
Once we’ve all piled out and are standing on the sidewalk, I turn to my daughter and give her my best smile.
“Okay, kiddo,” I say. “This was your idea. What’s the game plan?”
“We’ll go get Darcy a present,” she tells me. “Darcy, you can go to the café or the bookshop or something and wait for us.”
“Bookshop,” Darcy says right away.
“Perfect,” J.B. tells her. “We’ll see you later.”
I turn to her to ask where we’re headed, but she watches after Darcy until she’s out of sight before spinning back to me.
“Jewelry store,” she says, her eyes dancing.
I can’t argue with that idea. I’d love nothing more than to drape Darcy in diamonds and pearls for as long as I’ve got her.
We head to the little shop and it doesn’t hit me until we’re walking in the door and the lady behind the counter lights up at the sight of me that I was in here just two days ago to buy the most expensive ring in the place.
“Well, how can I help you today?” she asks, emphasizing the wordtodayin a way that I hope doesn’t catch J.B.’s attention.
“I want to get a present for my dad’s fiancée,”J.B. says right away.
“Isn’t that lovely?” the lady says. “Are you looking for a big statement piece?”
She’s probably hoping for another big sale like the ring. At this rate, I’ll be putting this lady’s grandkids through college.
“No, no,” J.B. says right away. “She would like something small and delicate.”
The saleslady looks to me and I look out the window. We’re not getting into this right now.
“Lovely,” the saleslady says. “My name is Marion and I’m happy to help. What did you have in mind, dear? A bracelet? A ring?”
“A necklace,” J.B. says right away.
“Diamonds?” Marion asks. “Rubies? Emeralds?”
“Pearls,” J.B. says.
Marion’s face lights up again, and I have to give her credit. She knows she won’t get the big sale she got last time, but she’s more excited now than she was when we walked in.
