spot for their stones to catch the beams cast from the case light. A set of emerald teardrop earrings caught his eye. They’d make a perfect Christmas present for Lyndsey. Did she wear earrings?
He narrowed his eyes, trying to picture her ears. These were things a husband should know about his wife. The relationship from friend to fiancé progressed rapidly, without stopping to consider all they’d need to know. Sure, they’d discussed the major factors, but marriage and life were built on a myriad of small issues. Inhaling, he took in a calming breath. They had time to learn each other’s nuances.
All that mattered was that he and Lyndsey were committed to this.
Kenneth came back, carrying a small box. He flipped the lid and held it under a counter lamp. “What do you think?”
A grin spread. “That’s it. The simplicity of the band suits her, but the brilliance of the diamond matches her eyes when she smiles.”
“Solitaires are a timeless classic, and the princess cut is one of our most popular. Many of our latest matching sets feature wedding bands with inlaid diamonds, which makes this one rare. Its exquisiteness comes from its minimalism.”
“How much is it?” Don’t let it be too outrageously high. He’d preset a limit when he’d set out, and didn’t feel comfortable going over that number.
“They are platinum, a bit more than gold, but it’s a reasonable price and you can take advantage of our pre-Black Friday sale.”
“What’s the bottom line number?”
Kenneth tapped a few numbers into a nearby calculator and slid it toward Shep. “That’s your out-the-door number, tax included.”
Two hundred dollars less than he’d budgeted. Good thing since he knew he would have bought it regardless. He couldn’t picture any other set on Lyndsey’s finger. “I’ll take them. Add those earrings, as well,” he said and pointed to the adjacent display.
Ten minutes later, Kenneth handed him a green paper bag with the store’s logo printed on the side. “Best of wishes. Something tells me I’ll see you often in the coming years for anniversary presents.”
“Thanks for your assistance.” Shep carried the bag by the rope handles out to his truck and stowed it on the passenger seat.
He’d yet to work out the details of the proposal. Should he keep it simple—show it to her and slip it on her finger? No, that wasn’t much better than yesterday. He’d wait until tonight, once they were done unpacking for the day. That gave him another six to eight hours to think about how to propose…er…give her the ring that should have come with the proposal.
When he pulled into his driveway, Lyndsey sat on the front steps wearing a pair of jeans and a Steelers sweatshirt. As he opened the truck door, she stood. “Good morning.”
“Good morning to you, too. Sorry I’m late.” He pushed a button on the key fob to lock his truck. “I had a few errands that took longer than I thought they would.”
“I finished Josh’s room while waiting.” She adjusted her ponytail. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I feel bad kicking you out of your office.”
“You didn’t kick me out—I’m the one who suggested the switch.” Two steps and he reached her. “That room is bigger and makes a better bedroom. Even being a smaller room, the third bedroom is plenty big enough for a home office.”
“We’ll have to work together in the remaining rooms, find a way to condense two houses into one.” A glint bounced off the side of her face.
She wore earrings. A long sigh of relief emitted before he could stop. Funny, how learning a minute particle of knowledge gave him satisfaction.
“Keep whatever you want of yours. I’m not overly attached to any of my furniture except the recliner.” Hesitation took over. Should he tell her the truth? “After Miranda’s death, I got rid of all our furniture, cleared out the house. Too many memories. Most everything in there now is second hand.”
“That
He narrowed his eyes, trying to picture her ears. These were things a husband should know about his wife. The relationship from friend to fiancé progressed rapidly, without stopping to consider all they’d need to know. Sure, they’d discussed the major factors, but marriage and life were built on a myriad of small issues. Inhaling, he took in a calming breath. They had time to learn each other’s nuances.
All that mattered was that he and Lyndsey were committed to this.
Kenneth came back, carrying a small box. He flipped the lid and held it under a counter lamp. “What do you think?”
A grin spread. “That’s it. The simplicity of the band suits her, but the brilliance of the diamond matches her eyes when she smiles.”
“Solitaires are a timeless classic, and the princess cut is one of our most popular. Many of our latest matching sets feature wedding bands with inlaid diamonds, which makes this one rare. Its exquisiteness comes from its minimalism.”
“How much is it?” Don’t let it be too outrageously high. He’d preset a limit when he’d set out, and didn’t feel comfortable going over that number.
“They are platinum, a bit more than gold, but it’s a reasonable price and you can take advantage of our pre-Black Friday sale.”
“What’s the bottom line number?”
Kenneth tapped a few numbers into a nearby calculator and slid it toward Shep. “That’s your out-the-door number, tax included.”
Two hundred dollars less than he’d budgeted. Good thing since he knew he would have bought it regardless. He couldn’t picture any other set on Lyndsey’s finger. “I’ll take them. Add those earrings, as well,” he said and pointed to the adjacent display.
Ten minutes later, Kenneth handed him a green paper bag with the store’s logo printed on the side. “Best of wishes. Something tells me I’ll see you often in the coming years for anniversary presents.”
“Thanks for your assistance.” Shep carried the bag by the rope handles out to his truck and stowed it on the passenger seat.
He’d yet to work out the details of the proposal. Should he keep it simple—show it to her and slip it on her finger? No, that wasn’t much better than yesterday. He’d wait until tonight, once they were done unpacking for the day. That gave him another six to eight hours to think about how to propose…er…give her the ring that should have come with the proposal.
When he pulled into his driveway, Lyndsey sat on the front steps wearing a pair of jeans and a Steelers sweatshirt. As he opened the truck door, she stood. “Good morning.”
“Good morning to you, too. Sorry I’m late.” He pushed a button on the key fob to lock his truck. “I had a few errands that took longer than I thought they would.”
“I finished Josh’s room while waiting.” She adjusted her ponytail. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I feel bad kicking you out of your office.”
“You didn’t kick me out—I’m the one who suggested the switch.” Two steps and he reached her. “That room is bigger and makes a better bedroom. Even being a smaller room, the third bedroom is plenty big enough for a home office.”
“We’ll have to work together in the remaining rooms, find a way to condense two houses into one.” A glint bounced off the side of her face.
She wore earrings. A long sigh of relief emitted before he could stop. Funny, how learning a minute particle of knowledge gave him satisfaction.
“Keep whatever you want of yours. I’m not overly attached to any of my furniture except the recliner.” Hesitation took over. Should he tell her the truth? “After Miranda’s death, I got rid of all our furniture, cleared out the house. Too many memories. Most everything in there now is second hand.”
“That
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