Because a Husband Is Forever by Marie Ferrarella Page B

stores.” There were a number of antique stores in the city and she only frequented those when her mother came to visit and to shop. “Certainly not if it requires getting behind a wheel and driving to them.” Fingering the cameo again, she felt that same sort of restlessness taking hold that she’d felt this morning. She looked at Ian. “If I was the kind who believed in fate and destiny, I’d say it was almost as if I was supposed to find this cameo.”
    He snorted. “Sounds like a good credit card commercial.”
    â€œNo, I’m serious.” For some reason his dismissive expression made her defensive. “There’s a legend that goes with this cameo.”
    A legend probably woven by some enterprising shop owner, he thought. “Oh?”
    â€œThe cameo belonged to an Amanda Deveaux during the Civil War. Her fiancé gave it to her just before he went off to fight. He told her not to take it off until he came back to marry her.”
    And she bought it, lock, stock, and barrel. He would have taken her for someone more savvy than that. “Let me guess, they buried her in it.” He took a final sip of his beer. “Not a very cheery legend. Aren’t you afraid that thing might carry a curse?”
    It was obvious by his tone that he didn’t believe in destiny, fate or curses. But then, neither did she. Normally. There’d just been something about this cameo when she’d looked at it…
    She bit her lower lip, realizing that she’d never gotten the woman in the shop to tell her if Amanda’s fiancé had ever returned. “I don’t know if they buried her in it.”
    â€œYou didn’t ask? I thought you dissected everyone you came in contact with.”
    She took no offense at the clinical description. “I asked, but then she had this old grandfather clock there and it chimed. I realized I was going to be late for the program if I didn’t get started back.” She fingered the small oval as she rolled a thought over in her head. “I’m going to have to get back up there and ask her what happened.” And have her on the show, she added silently. She looked at him. “There is more to the legend that she did tell me.”
    â€œAnd now you’re going to tell me.” Resignation echoed in his voice. “All right, what is it? If you kiss a frog while you’re wearing it, he turns into a prince?”
    She thought of saying something about trying that theory out by kissing him, but let the moment pass. She prided herself on not being the antagonistic type. “No, the wearer has true love enter her life.”
    This time, he did hoot. He hated seeing seemingly intelligent people taken. His mother had been like that. An eternal optimist who bought into every sob story that came her way. She was the softest touch in the neighborhood. His father had been the hardest.
    â€œAnd you bought that?”
    This time she did take offense. Dakota squared her shoulders. “No, I bought the necklace,” she said deliberately, “because it was pretty. The last thing I am looking for is so-called true love.”
    He heard what she wasn’t saying and studied her for a moment. Maybe things weren’t quite so perfect in her world, either. “Sounds a little bitter.”
    A swell of hurt threatened to blanket her. She packed it away before it could get the better of her. John wasn’t worth it, wasn’t worth a single tear. Now that she looked back, she realized she really didn’t love him, she loved the idea of him, the idea of love and having someone to love.
    â€œNot bitter, realistic,” she told Ian, then shrugged as she broke apart a bread stick she had no intention of eating, reducing it to minuscule crumbs. “People don’t stay together the way they did in my parents’ generation.” Her voice became a little wistful, as well as sad. “Maybe it’s