Page 46 of One Golden Ring
Michael tells me about some of the amazing ornaments Derek dreamed up over the years. When he pushes the box of doughnuts my way, I take one and close my eyes as the buttery-sweet treat melts in my mouth.
It’s okay to enjoy this,I tell myself.Perfect days only come along once in a while.
And it might be a long, long time before I see another one like this.
I’ll be okay when it’s over, won’t I?
Snow is falling softlyoutside the tent as I finish my second cup of coffee.
Michael has more visitors at the table, but they don’t seem to mind me daydreaming and people-watching while they gossip about all the events in town.
Up on the stage someone has busted out a guitar and they’re playing “Jingle Bells” while the littlest kids dance around in the snow.
Maddie from the lodge is there with little Dylan, and they’re twirling each other around and laughing like there’s no tomorrow, while Jake Stone sits on a bench and watches them, his lips twitching like he wants to laugh too but doesn’t quite dare.
After a moment, Maddie whispers something to Dylan, and he runs for his dad, grabbing him and dragging him to Maddie so the three of them can continue their dance.
“Hey,” J.B. calls out from across the lot.
She and Derek are heading our way, each carrying a cardboard box.
“We got brunch,” Derek tells me with a wicked smile I don’t think I’ve ever seen before.
He sets his box down on the table and I can see why—it looks like he bought something from every single booth.
J.B. puts hers down next to his and I’msureof it.
There are doughnuts, little powdered sugar-covered balls, bagels stuffed with cheese and pepperoni, miniature kielbasa sausage links, some kind of pull-apart buns, baked apples, and a whole loaf of something that must be Paula Littlewolf’s pumpkin bread.
“Amazing,”I moan.
“I thought you might like to try a little bit of everything,” Derek says, pulling up a chair next to mine.
He starts putting food on plates and I’m overjoyed when I realize that he’s fixing a plate for himself too.
We’re just getting settled when a lady with a long white braid and a tartan puffer coat comes bustling over.
“Oh, Derek,” she says. “It’s so nice to have you home. I wanted to let you know that you won your item in the silent auction.”
“Isn’t that great?” he says, nodding.
“I guess I’d better not ruin the surprise,” she says, glancing around the table. “But you can come pick it up Monday at noon.”
“Oh,” I say quickly. “I’m so sorry, but he can’t be there at noon. Can I pick it up for him? Or can he come later in the day?”
“Of course, dear,” the lady says. “Anytime after noon is fine. The library’s open until eight.”
“Thank you,” Derek tells her.
“You’re very welcome,” she says fondly before heading back toward the library at a brisk pace.
“What’s going on at noon?” Derek asks me.
I blink at him like he’s lost his mind, because I think maybe he has.
“Monday at noon,” I say. “You know. You have your weekly Priority One VIP call every Monday at noon.”
Derek’s face breaks into a smile, and Michael chuckles.
