The Rose Ring

by Lucie Ulrich

  She followed Carl up the stairs, her head pounding with every step. She prayed the pill Doc had given her would kick in soon. Once in the living room, she shed her parka and eased herself onto the couch.

  Carl removed his coat and tossed it on a chair. “Do you want tea or hot chocolate?”

  “Chocolate, please.” She leaned her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes, thankful for the safety of Carl’s warm living room. What would she have done if she’d been completely knocked out instead of momentarily stunned? Or if that policeman hadn’t spotted her on the side of the road? For the second time, a chill swept through her. Reaching behind her, she grabbed the afghan and curled under it.

  Carl brought back a mug and handed it to her. He sat on the couch cushion next to her. “Do you want to tell me why you ran off?”

  Tears welled in her eyes. Looking back, her behavior seemed so immature. “I tried to explain in the kitchen, but you were busy, so I went out for some air.”

  “In other words, you didn’t feel I was there for you.”

  She took a sip of her drink and peered at him over the top of her mug. “You’ve always been there for me, Carl. I was wrong to expect you to stop everything on my account. I’m trying to adjust and do all the right things, but seeing Morgan and hearing her suspicions totally unnerved me. I’m so sorry that I worried everyone.”

  “I know you are, honey. It’s just that you can’t go running off whenever things don’t go your way. I have a feeling the next two years are going to be filled with things that don’t go the way you expect them to.”

  After placing her mug on the table, Sky leaned against his arm. She didn’t feel at home at the ranch yet, Micah had already gotten angry with her, and now Morgan was back. “I have no doubt you’re right. I should have checked the sky before venturing out that far. Guess I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Oh, you were thinking all right. It’s what you were thinking that has me concerned. It’s only been a few days, and you’re already thinking long-term.” He pulled away from her. “What happened to the girl who was only doing this for a friend? The one who said she knew what she was getting into and wasn’t looking for anything permanent to come of it?”

  “That girl hadn’t been kissed the way she was this morning.” She lowered her eyes. “I know I’m reading a lot into one kiss, but I can’t help myself. If there’s any chance for us, I want to take it.” She stood and walked to the window. “Morgan’s return could ruin everything.”

  Carl grunted slightly while pushing himself from the couch. He came to her side. “So what are you going to do about it?”

  “What can I do?”

  “You’re his wife, Sky. Morgan isn’t.” The beginning of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, while mischief danced in his eyes.

  This was not the same man who warned her not to go through with the marriage. “What are you saying?”

  “You really do love him. Don’t you?”

  She cocked her head to the side. “I’ve only been telling you that for years.”

  Carl’s smile grew. “I know. But before, I only heard the words from your mouth. Today, I’m hearing them from your heart.”

  “And your advice would be?”

  “Be the best wife you know how to be.”

  A harsh wind rattled the window. She hugged herself. “Kind of hard to be a good wife when your husband sleeps in a different room.”

  Carl placed his hands on her shoulders. “There’s more to marriage than sharing a bed.”

  Heat prickled her ears. Carl could tackle any subject, no matter how personal, and never miss a beat. “I know.” She tried to look away, but he gripped her chin and forced her to look at him.

  “I don’t know how this is going to play out in the end, nor do I know if Morgan is here because she misses Daddy or because she wants Micah back. But the fact of the matter is that Micah married you, and if you truly love him you’re going to have to show him.”

  “How? He’s already told me he doesn’t love me that way. I’ll freak him out if—”

  Carl released her chin and pinched her lips shut. “You need to learn to listen more and talk less. I didn’t say tell him. I said show him.” He released his hold. “Come with me.” She followed and sat when he pointed to the couch. He continued into his bedroom, returning less than a minute later with a framed photograph, which he handed to her.

  The photo was one Sky had seen many times before — Carl and Peggy standing in front of the diner the day they opened the place. Peggy with her long, red hair pulled into a ponytail, and Carl, tall and proud with an arm around his wife’s waist. “You guys look so happy in this picture.”

  Carl took the picture back from her and swiped a thumb tenderly over his wife’s face. “It was always my dream to own this place, never Peggy’s.”

  “What? But she always seemed so content, baking all the desserts and helping you create new recipes.”

  He set the picture on the coffee table. “Took me by surprise, too. Peggy didn’t tell me until a few weeks before the accident. She even had a good laugh about it. My sweet wife gave up her dream to be a school teacher because the man she loved had a dream of his own.”

  Sky shook her head. “But what does any of this have to do with Micah and me? It’s not like I’m giving up anything big. I want to be where I am.”

  “You know I’m not one to preach at a person. You also know it took Peggy nearly twenty years to get me anywhere near a church. After the accident, the first thing I thought about was pulling away, but Peggy wouldn’t let me. Not by pushing or prodding, but by her actions. Even while she lay in that hospital, dying, she found so much strength in her faith that I trusted her lead. It didn’t matter that the end result wasn’t what either of us expected.”

  She’d never heard Carl ramble on this way before. “You’re losing me again.”

  He bent down and retrieved a Bible from the shelf of the coffee table. “That’s how she was all of our married life.” He fingered through a few pages until he found the place he was looking for. “Seems that’s the way marriage was intended from the beginning of time.” He pointed to the passage. “Says right here that God created Eve to be a helper comparable to Adam.”

  I know the story, Carl.”

  Carl shut the book. “Knowing it and living it aren’t the same thing. Peggy made herself invaluable to me. You’ve already taken the first step by giving up two years of your life for Micah. Don’t stop now. Learn everything you can about his way of life. Become his helper.” He set the Bible on the coffee table. “I’m going downstairs to make sure everything is shut down. I’ll fix us a late lunch when I get back.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “Can you fix potato soup?”

  “That might be arranged.” He kissed her cheek. “Your family knows you’re safe, but I’m sure they’d appreciate hearing it from you.”

  “I’ll give Micah a call.” She waited for Carl to leave. Dialing Micah’s number would be easy. Figuring out what to say would be something altogether different. She picked up the Bible, hoping for inspiration. Peggy’s name was printed in gold letters in the bottom right corner of the well-worn brown leather cover. Just holding it was a comfort.

  The front page displayed a small family tree that had been filled out in Peggy’s beautiful handwriting, all but the date of her death. The ink was a different color, as was the handwriting. Had to be Carl’s. Not until that moment did it hit her. Today was the second anniversary of Peggy’s passing. How could she have forgotten? She clutched the book to her chest, curled into a ball, and allowed the tears to fall.

  The shrill ring of Carl’s telephone brought Sky back to reality. The room was dark, save for a slice of light coming from the kitchen. She forced herself to a sitting position just as Carl stepped into the room holding the handset. “I guess you fell asleep before you called.”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  “It’s Micah.”

  She rubbed her eyes, ya
wned, and then took the phone from him. “Hi.”

  “You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice. Are you all right?”

  “I’m safe, warm, and soon-to-be fed. Other than a headache and a few strips holding my head together, I’ve never felt better.”

  “Are you sure? I… we all figured you’d call before this. Even with Carl’s earlier reassurances, we still worried.”

  Sky bit her bottom lip to stop the quivering. What was supposed to be a momentary pity-party had escalated into so much more. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I did plan to call, but with the headache and pain pills, I fell asleep.”

  “It’s okay. I just needed to hear your voice.”

  Warmth spread through her, and she tossed the blanket aside. “I guess movie night is off.”

  “I would say so. Too bad, North by Northwest is on tonight. I know how much you love Hitchcock.”

  “Well just rub salt into the wound, why don’t you?” His laughter lightened her spirits, causing her to smile. She shifted in her seat. “I actually own that one. How about I take a rain check and we watch it after I get back?”

  “I’ll do you one better. It’ll take some doing to keep the main roads cleared, not to mention creating a path in and out of the ranch, but soon as that’s taken care of, I’ll come get you and we’ll take off for the day. Who knows, I might even give you your first driving lesson.”

  The smile in his voice made their separation even harder. Sky shook her head to clear away any unfounded romantic notions. “That would be great.”

  He laughed. “Don’t get too excited. I probably won’t take you much beyond a parking lot, preferably one that’s empty, or maybe we’ll just stick to the ranch property.”

  “I don’t care. I just want to drive.”

  The line crackled. “I should go. Now that I know for myself that you’re safe. I need to make sure the phones are charged and the generator’s ready to go should we lose power.”

  “I wish there was something I could do to help.”

  “You just stay put. No more long walks, okay?”

  “I promise.”

  “Okay, then, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Micah?”

  “Yeah?”

  What was she doing? Why had she stopped him from disconnecting? What did she want to say? I love you. Of course she did, but wouldn’t. Couldn’t. Guess who I ran into today? Definitely not that. Just thinking of Morgan’s declaration of love for Micah had her stomach knotting. She gripped the phone. “Take care of Annie and Noah, okay? I know you can take care of yourself.”

  “I’ll do my best, ma’am.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Over the next forty-eight hours, Sky and Micah spoke several times. Though the storm had let up, clearing a path from the ranch to the road had taken more time than anticipated. She’d enjoyed her time with Carl but was ready to get back to life on the ranch. To be the helper Carl had spoken of.

  Her head had finally stopped throbbing, her appetite in full swing and her decision made, Sky entered the kitchen and joined Carl at his small breakfast table. She accepted the cup of tea he offered and slathered apple butter on a slice of toast. “Today is the day I tell Micah that Morgan is back.”

  Carl lowered the newspaper to his lap. “You mean you haven’t already told him?”

  Sky swallowed her guilt along with a bite of toast. The toast went down easier. “I know I probably should have, but…” She took a sip of tea. “… I just couldn’t bring myself to even say the woman’s name.”

  Carl folded the paper and set it on the chair next to him. “Honesty in a marriage is vital, Sky — especially something as important as this.” He held out a hand, stopping her feeble attempt at any further explanation. “That’s not to say I don’t understand your reluctance to mention it before, but you’ll find you sleep better at night when you’re not keeping secrets.”

  Sky blew out a breath. So much for sneaking around at night. She’d gotten up several times to fix tea or cocoa, look for another book, or simply watch the snow. “Sorry. I thought I was being quiet.”

  “You were. It’s just that ever since Peggy’s been gone, I wake at the slightest sound.” He reached across the table and patted her hand. “I’m glad you’re going to tell him. Don’t forget, she’s the one who broke it off. Micah may not even care.”

  After their last conversation at the ranch, Sky knew better. She had little doubt he’d want to see Morgan again.

  Carl looked at the clock on the wall. “Six-thirty.” He pushed away from the table and stood. “Guess I’d better get moving. It’s Waffle Wednesday, and I need to get the batter mixed.”

  Sky tilted her head to look at him. “Why is it the man who runs a diner always eats in his own kitchen?”

  “If I didn’t, I’d be eating all day long and would weigh two-eighty instead of one-eighty.” He kissed the top of her head. “Come on down later and keep me company.”

  After a quick shower, Sky did some research for her English class. When Micah called at eight, she stopped working and emailed herself the information.

  “Good morning.” His cheerful voice made her heart flutter. “I’m getting ready to leave the ranch. Do you need anything?”

  She peered out the window at the bright sunshine and clear streets. “My first driving lesson.”

  Laughter crackled through the line. “I was thinking more along the lines of fresh clothes, maybe a toothbrush or hairbrush.”

  “Thanks for thinking of me, but I got into the habit of keeping extra stuff over here years ago.” She ran a hand over her thigh. “I haven’t worn the jeans I have on now in over two years, but I’m glad they were here.”

  “Well, guess if you’re set to go, I’ll see you in about forty minutes.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  “Have you had breakfast yet?”

  “Toast and tea a couple of hours ago.”

  “Good, we’ll start the day off with a real breakfast before heading out.”

  “Didn’t Annie cook for you this morning?”

  “She did, but I only had a biscuit and some coffee. It’s Waffle Wednesday after all, and as good a cook as Annie is, she never makes waffles. I haven’t cheated on her in a while, so I think she’ll forgive me.”

  “See you soon.” Sky gathered her clothes and stuffed them into a plastic grocery bag along with the book and things she’d bought at the drugstore. She bounded down the stairs toward the kitchen. The smell of bacon, waffles, and maple syrup made her stomach grumble.

  Carl peered over his shoulder. “I thought you’d forgotten about me.”

  “Sorry, I got caught up with some schoolwork.”

  “In that case, you’re forgiven.” He poured batter in one of three waffle irons. “How’s school going anyway?”

  “It’s okay, but I’d much rather be sitting in a classroom than doing everything online. Micah said he’s going to teach me to drive, so maybe by next fall I’ll be able to enroll in actual classes.”

  Carl pointed to the machine. “Want me to make you a batch?”

  Sky inhaled deeply. “I’d love it, but I’m going to wait for Micah, then you can make some for both of us.”

  He grinned. “You mean he’s choosing my breakfast over Annie’s?”

  “Yep.” She hung her packages and jacket on hooks by the back door.

  “Always knew I liked that boy.”

  “Join the club.” She put on a pair of latex gloves, grabbed a tub, and busied herself clearing tables while waiting for Micah to arrive. When he strolled into the diner forty-five minutes later, Sky suddenly felt nervous. She wasn’t sure how to greet him. Was a kiss appropriate — or expected?

  “Is this payment for room and board?”

  She looked down at the tub filled with dirty dishes and the nasty latex gloves on her hands. She didn’t want him to see her this way, but it was too late now. She shrugged. “It’s the least I can do after all Carl’s done for me ove
r the years. Besides, working here comes naturally to me.”

  He walked over and took the heavy tub from her. “And this is the least I can do.”

  Sky followed him to the kitchen where Micah set the tub next to the dishwasher. She ripped off the gloves and tossed them into the trash. “I could have done that.”

  Carl put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t argue with the man. Thank him.”

  She glanced up at Micah and gave him her best smile. “Thank you, Micah. That was nice of you.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, I’m going to wash my hands. Consider our waffle order placed, Carl.”

  Instead of sending them back into the dining area, Carl had Sky set the break room table. “I figured you might like a little privacy.”

  Sky kissed his cheek. “I appreciate it.”

  When Micah returned, he took the seat across from her. “How’s the head?” He gently pushed her bangs aside to take a look.

  His fingers were cool against her flushed skin that heated all the more from his touch. “It’s fine. Still a little sensitive, but at least the throbbing has stopped.”

  He allowed her bangs to fall back into place. “I’m glad it wasn’t anything more serious.”

  “Same here.” She wanted to ask him to kiss her boo-boo but couldn’t get the words out.

  It wasn’t until they were halfway through breakfast that Sky realized Carl probably expected her to tell Micah about Morgan at breakfast — hence the privacy. At the moment she was enjoying herself too much to bring it up. There would be plenty of privacy in his truck.

  When Micah was through, he pushed his chair back and patted his stomach. “Carl, could you please teach this woman the secret to your great waffles?”

  Carl shook his head. “No can do. If I give my secret away, there won’t be any reason for you to bring her back from time to time.”

  Sky looked at Carl and smiled, then to Micah, and her smile broadened. She seriously loved these two men.

  Micah stood. “Well, I guess we’d better be heading out.” He pulled out his wallet.

  “Your money’s no good here, son.”