“Surprised you, how?”
Merry knew that if she didn’t give her father some kind of explanation, he’d harp on her about coming home until he either drove her crazy or talked her into it.
She trudged to where she’d left her purse, saying, “I’ll be right back.”
In her old bedroom, she opened the zippered compartment and fished around. When she didn’t feel cool metal, she panicked.The ring! It’s gone!
She turned it upside down and dumped the contents on her bed. No ring fell out.How could this happen? Oh, lord. I’m losing it. I just know I am.
The hot sting of tears welled up in her eyes and a lump formed in her throat. It wasn’t just about how to tell Jason she’d lost it—if indeed she’d ever had it—maybe it was a sign. Maybe she had lost Jason. Her heart ripped in two at the mere thought.
She burst into tears and her father appeared in the doorway seconds later. “There’s something bothering you. Something terrible, and Idemandyou tell me what it is.”
“Oh daddy…” she sobbed. “Jason gave me this beautiful diamond engagement ring, and I’ve lost it!”
“Engagement…!” His posture stiffened, then relaxed. “I understand now. Where did you last see it?”
She tipped her purse toward him. “It was right in thiscompartment. Now it’s gone.” She blubbered until he came over and sat next to her on the bed.
“Maybe it’s a sign,” he said. “I still think you should come home.”
Merry cried, “No! If it’s a sign of anything, it’s a sign of how much I love Jason, and how much I don’t want to losehim!”
“Oh,” her father said, sounding disappointed. “Why weren’t you wearing the ring?”
“I—I said I had to think about it.”
“That was very wise. You’ve only been together a short time. And maybe if you come home and think about it…”
“Stop it! Stop saying that! I’m not moving home and that’s final!”I swear, I’ve never punched an old man before, but if he keeps this up…
Thank goodness the guests had gone home. If they heard her yelling at Mac like that, they’d all be crowding around her.
Her father bristled. “You donothave to be so rude about it, young lady.”
Merry doubled over and sobbed again. Her father patted her gently on the back. “Look, I know you’re upset. We’ll just forget you said that, all right?”
“Gaaaa! No! We won’t! I meant it. Look, I’m sorry if I was rude, but I’m twenty-five frickin’ years old. I need to be on my own for a while. That’s the only reason I hesitated about marrying Jason.”
Was it? Was that the only reason?Good lord, she had accepted a ghost and witches living in the same building with her—not to mention a vampire birth father—and even considered them friends. Her eyes and mind were opening, probably as a result of finally being on her own. Unsheltered. Perhaps whatever had happened with Jason was something she could try to understand and get used to.
She fished frantically all through her purse and feltsomething in the lining. “Wait. I think I may have found it.”
She pulled the lining inside out and noticed a hole about the size of a nickel in the bottom. It may have fallen through it! She tore the lining along the seam and dove into the compartment again. “Eureka!” she cried. The ring was only a little worse for wear, a piece of lint lodged in one of the prongs.
She immediately slid it onto the ring finger of her left hand and yanked out the lint.
Her father grabbed her hand and whistled. “My, my. That’s a rock you don’t want to lose! You’d have had a pretty hard time paying back what that monster cost.”
She giggled with relief. “It’s not a monster, dad. It’s a symbol of love.Biglove.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
Mac put an arm around her and kissed her temple. “Okay. I guess my little girl is happy, and I’ll just have to be happy for her.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Thanks, Dad. That’s all I want. I know it’s soon… but it’s right.”
Now if I can only apologize to Jason for freaking out, I hope he’ll understand and forgive me. He has some explaining to do, though. Why the heck did he keep this from me for so long?And what exactly is it? There’s so much to talk about.
“I’ve got to go home, Dad. I’ve finished the dishes. Will you drive me?”
