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He looked at his watch. It was already ten-thirty.
“No, curly. I’m sorry, but Rhys is waiting for me,” he said with real regret. The lie tasted terrible, but he reminded himself it was for a worthy cause.
“You okay?” she asked, concerned.
This he could answer honestly. He scanned her pretty face and pressed his forehead against hers.
“Never better.”
Her shoulders relaxed and she smiled at him.
“I love you, curly. I’ll see you tonight.”
“What time will you be home? I’m going to make us a nice dinner. Might even be romantic!” she teased.
“I’ll let you know how things are going later on today,” he answered. He knew he was going to disappoint her and that didn’t feel the greatest either. His next stop was Rhys’s work site to exchange cell phones. That done, with instructions to Rhys to text him if Willa texted, he headed to Niagara.
He easily found the jewelry store they passed the day they first talked about marriage. There were stores closer, but this one was special for that reason. The jeweler appraised him when he walked in. He didn’t look like he was terribly comfortable with what he saw. He’d never had a man like this in his store before.
Barrett worked to still himself, knowing that when his angst showed on his face he looked like a wild man.
“I need a ring for the most beautiful woman in the world,” his deep voice rumbled up out of his chest like boulders rolling down a hill.
The jeweler smiled.
This, he recognized.
Willa
“I’m going to be useless today,” I stated.
My head was filled with thoughts of babies and planning a romantic dinner to tell my Viking he was going to be a father. Junie and Minty looked at each other with alarm on their faces. I sat up straighter, alerted that something was off.
“Well, babe, you’re needed today,” Junie stated firmly.
“I am?” I processed the look that passed between Minty and Junie. “You’re right,” I agreed immediately. “I’m sorry. I’ve taken so much time off these past two months.”
Junie’s face looked stricken, and I rushed to soothe her. “It’s okay, Junie. You’re right.”
“It’s not that, Willa,” Junie answered, her eyes bouncing around the room. “It’s just that I have a deadline coming up, and I’m way behind. The situation with Lenny knocked me off my game and I let this one slip through the cracks.”
“When’s it due?” I asked.
“Friday,” Junie answered. Minty made big eyes at Junie. That was weird. Maybe she was just as surprised as I was. Junie continued, “Friday was my personal goal. It’s actually due Monday.”
Minty relaxed back into her seat but I was stunned. This was so unlike Junie.
“No problem,” I said instead. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“Thanks,” Junie replied. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll meet you at the back
table with what I’ve got so far.”
Junie and I worked through lunch until Minty came back with Spuds and forced
us to take a break. Junie was disgruntled.
“It’s okay, Junie,” I said, “we’ll get it done.”
