Page 56 of Coming Home

“Shall we try the lady’s first?” Burt asked.

Ainsley held out her left hand and allowed him to slip the ring onto her finger, thinking the next time this happened, it would be her groom who did so.

She held out her hand, inspecting it, then turning it toward Rylie. “What do you think, Cuz?”

“I love it!” Rylie exclaimed. “I really like how the two rings are actually one, just like the two of you will be.”

Ainsley pulled the ring from her finger and then looked inside, seeing the date and their initials inscribed with hearts on both sides of the inscription.

She smiled at Burt. “The hearts are a lovely touch.”

“I hoped you would like them,” he said with a smile.

While Ainsley placed her joined rings back into the box, Jackson tried on his band, declaring the fit to be perfect. He removed his ring and put it back in its box, closing the lid.

“If you wouldn’t mind ringing these up separately, Burt,” Ainsley said, “I would like to pay for my fiancé’s ring.”

The jeweler chucked. “No payment is necessary. Clancy said the rings would be his gift to you both since he won’t be able to attend your ceremony.”

Her gaze turned to Jackson’s, and he shrugged. “I would argue if anyone but Clancy did this. He has always served as a mentor to me. I know this is something he would want to do for us. If it’s okay with you, that is.”

“I think it’s a beautiful gesture,” she said, tears brimming in her eyes at the old man’s generosity.

They left the store, with Jackson taking both ring boxes. Ainsley was worried she might lose his while out shopping.

He walked them to Rylie’s car and opened the passenger door for Ainsley. Before she got in, he cupped her cheeks and gave her a long kiss.

“That’s to remember me while we’re apart today,” he told her.

“We need to do something special for Clancy,” she said. “Maybe we could cook dinner for him this evening.”

“We could—but where would we seat him? Your apartment is not set up to entertain even one guest. Unless he wants to balance his plate on his knees while sitting on your sofa, which has seen better days. How about we take him to the Old Coast Pub House instead? I can call for a reservation.” He paused, a twinkle in his eyes. “And not for eight o’clock.”

She chuckled. “I like that idea. How about six?”

“I’ll tell him at our meeting this afternoon. We can also hit him up tonight about him and Myra returning for his birthday celebration. In fact, we could host it. The back yard is huge and perfect for entertaining, especially with the screened-in porch. It would be a nice way to thank him for all that he’s done for us.”

“I agree.” She tugged on his tie, bringing his lips down to hers again for a final kiss.

“I’ll see you at the apartment,” she said.

“Deal.”

Ainsley climbed into the SUV, while Jackson closed the door, turning and heading toward his own sedan.

As Rylie backed out from her parking spot, she said, “If it weren’t you, I would be totally disgusted by the excessive PDA. But having known you our entire lives, I think it’s pretty darn awesome. One suggestion, though,” her cousin continued. “Once we find your dress and shoes today, we’ll leave them at my house. In fact, I would like for you to spend Sunday night at my house and get ready for your wedding there. I’ll drive you to the courthouse so Jackson won’t see you on your wedding day until three that afternoon.”

Ainsley leaned over and hugged her cousin. “That sounds perfect. You’ve always had a way with hair. I’d love for you to style it. How do you think I should wear it?”

“That will depend upon the dress you choose. I’ve been looking online and think I’ve found the absolute perfect one.” Rylie turned right at the corner. “Trust me. You’re going to look fantastic in it.”

Two hours later, Ainsley had tried on seventeen dresses, including the one Rylie thought would look good on her. She hadn’t thought to wear white, but Rylie said a wedding was a wedding and pointed out an entire section in the bridal boutique that was labeled Courthouse Weddings. In the end, she decided on the first one she had tried on, the one Rylie had called and had the clerk put on hold for them. It was an A-line sheath, tea-length, an off-white silk with a cowl back that dipped low, adding a dramatic flair.

Trying it on again and looking into the mirror, she knew she looked good. Probably the best she ever had.

“You are positively glowing,” Rylie said. “And the skirt has a nice swing to it. Perfect for dancing.”

“I’m not much of a dancer,” she reminded her cousin.

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