Withstanding the Enemy

Eighteen

Emma…

“What's the problem, sweetie?” The jeweler asks me as his wise eyes meet mine.

I don’t respond and he nods in acknowledgement. He straightens the display on the top of the glass. “I'm willing to guess, if you are having a problem with picking the ring,” he says looking in the direction of Rick, who is waiting in the office, “it’s not about the ring but the someone. Or maybe there is someone else on your mind...”

Warmth heats my cheeks and I look down to avoid his knowing eyes. “I guess all of the above,” I say. Why did I admit that to him…? “But how did you guess?”

“I have been doing this for a long time, sweetie. I can tell if two people are in love or not.”

Oh s**t! Is he going to tell Rick? I don't even know how I feel myself. “Oh… You’re not going to tell Rick?”

“No, sweetie,” he says reassuring me.

“Okay, so what do you think about Rick and I?” I ask hoping for some of his wisdom.

“It's a given; the man is crazy in love with you. But I would bet my last dollar, he has hurt you in some way—making you hold back.” He crosses his arms over his thin chest. “Somewhere deep down you love him, you're just scared of it…” he says smiling to himself. “How did I do? Did I get it right?”

My mouth falls open.

“I'm going to say, I hit the nail on the head,” he says.

“How … How did you know?”

“Now, sweetie, I can't give away all my secrets. Sometimes for the best things in life—you have to take a chance on it…”

Chance… How can I marry Rick, if I have feelings for Chance? Because Rick didn’t give me a choice. He demands it…

The jeweler interrupts my thoughts, “I want you to pick two rings that you love. Then let him pick from them—that way he feels he still picked it for you.”

You can do this; you have no choice... “Let’s do this,” I say.

“Okay then, tell me what you like.”

“Hm … well, I like small. I do like rose or white gold. I guess I would say something vintage,” I say, my excitement bubbles. “Oh, I love sapphires. If I were to pick a shape, I would say oval.”

“Now we are getting somewhere.” He walks over to a display and starts pulling out rings. “I will be right back,” he says as he walks to the back room.

A minute later, he comes back carrying another black velvet box and sets it down in front of me.

“Are you ready…?”

My chest tightens. “Yes.”

“Close your eyes”

My nerves jump as we walk into the office were Rick is sitting with his phone in his hand. He looks up to us and slips his phone back into his pocket, smiling to greet us. “Any luck?”

“Yes, I had her pick two and she is to tell you what she thinks of each one and how they make her feel,” the jeweler states staring directly at me.

You can do this, Emma…

“Okay,” Rick says without hesitation.

The jeweler opens the first box and I look down. An exquisite, large blue sapphire set with two larger diamonds on each side. The white gold twists into elaborate curves making it look like it came from the mid-century era—it’s beautiful.

“This is crazy…” I say as my cheeks heat.

Rick picks up my hand. “Ernie has been doing this for a long time. If he is telling us to do this, then there is a reason. I won't question his reasons.”

“Okay,” I say looking back to the ring. “I like this one because it’s beautiful,” I say shyly.

“It is a beautiful ring, one of my favorites from my collection,” Rick says looking over to Ernie. “I see you were in my PERSONAL vault.”

“Yes, Sir,” Ernie says quietly.

“Continue,” Rick says to Ernie.

As Ernie opens the second black velvet box, my heart palpates hard in my chest. My eyes lock on the single oval diamond that is set in the center of a rose-gold shaped flower. The craftsmanship is breathtaking. I hold my breath wanting to put it on.

That’s when I notice for the first time Ernie’s hands shaking slightly. A thick silence hangs in the room and I look to Rick. His eyes are fixed on the ring.

Ernie shifts in his chair. “Sweetie, what about this ring?” he asks as his voice cracks.

I look back to the ring. How does it make me feel…? I feel Rick’s eyes on me.

“I love it,” I say. “This is going to sound crazy but it's like it's calling me...”

Rick stands and quickly walks to the exit of the office. “Ernie.”

I watch as they both exit. s**t, what the hell…

Alone in the room, I look back to the ring. What is it about this ring? I pull it out of the case and slide it onto my finger. It fits perfectly. My heart swells at the thought of wearing it. Can I marry Rick? I could learn to love him, right… I hold my finger out to admire it. It’s mesmerizing… The more I look at it, the more I don't want to take it off. I can fall for this NEW Rick…

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rick and he startles me. “Oh, you scared me,” I say and put my hands to my chest.

His face twists as he looks down to the ring on my finger. He picks up my hand to take a better look at the ring. “Do you love it?” he asks with a thick tone not meeting my eyes.

“Yes, I do. But I would be happy with whatever you choose.”

“It fits you perfectly,” he says bringing my hand to his lips. “It belonged to my mother and now it belongs to you, My Love.” He kisses my hand tenderly as a single tear runs a trail down his cheek.