The Rose Ring

by Lucie Ulrich

  The note was imbedded in Micah’s brain:

  Sorry, little brother, but I can’t deal any more. I have to get out while I’m still sane. Sam is tough, but he won’t be around forever. Annie will take care of you in the meantime. You love the land and I hate it. Hang in there and you’ll end up with everything you ever wanted.

  I’ll keep in touch.

  “It was extremely touching, especially the part about keeping in touch. Thanks for that.”

  “But I did try.”

  “Obviously not hard enough.” Micah spun around and slammed at the swinging door. If anyone had been on the other side he would have sent them flying. Fortunately, the living room was empty. He stopped to take a few deep breaths before heading upstairs.

  He was about to knock on Sky’s door when it opened. She stood there with one hand on the doorknob and the other pressed against the frame, effectively barring him from entering. “I heard voices and thundering footsteps. Sounds like your day is going as well as mine.”

  “Which is what I deserve, right?”

  She shrugged then waited a moment before giving him a half smile. “You okay?”

  The tension left his muscles at the concern in her voice, which made him feel even worse for the way he’d treated her this morning. “I’ll live.”

  She leaned against the partially open door. “Glad to hear it.”

  “Got a minute?”

  She opened the door wider and motioned for him to come in. He sat on the chair while she climbed onto the bed and crossed her legs in front of her. A fire crackled in the hearth, adding to the warmth he already felt from Sky. The reflection of the flames danced in her eyes. She had beautiful eyes, but today they were rimmed with a hint of red. There was no escaping his guilt. “I didn’t mean to hurt you when I said what I did about contacting Morgan.”

  She held his gaze. “I know. You were just being honest.”

  “Yeah, well, sometimes honesty brings as much pain as it does relief.”

  She leaned forward, her elbows on her legs and chin in her palms. “Are we talking about my feelings now, or yours?”

  He chuckled. “You’re too smart for your own good.”

  “I doubt that.” She straightened. “You want to tell me what happened down there?”

  “Not until I clear the air up here.” He pushed himself out of the overstuffed chair and sat next to her on the bed. Sunlight glinted off the cheap wedding band he’d slipped on her finger less than a week ago. He turned the ring on her finger wishing he’d given her something nicer. “Why did you marry me?” He shifted his focus from the ring up to her eyes, which she lowered the moment he looked at her.

  “Haven’t we been down this road a time or two already?”

  He lifted her chin. “No. I mean why did you really marry me?”

  A faint blush crept across her cheeks. “You know the reason.”

  “Do I?”

  She scooted against the headboard, knees pulled up and arms wrapped around her legs. She couldn’t have made herself appear any smaller if she’d tried. “Well, yeah. It was all your idea, remember?”

  “How can I forget? For a minute there I thought you were going to throw your breakfast in my face. You can imagine my surprise when you said yes — twice.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “What’s this all about, Micah?”

  He took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Honesty.”

  “So we’re back to that, huh? You sure you can handle it?”

  It was all he could do not to laugh at the craziness of it all. Sky’s willingness to marry him, Morgan’s reappearance, and his brother’s comments combined to create a gooey mixture of love, lies, and confusion. He shook his head. “Nope.”

  “Well, I guess that’s a good start.” She released her arms, twisted out of the self-made vise, and sat next to him on the edge of the bed. “Okay, here goes.” She stared at the fire and not him while speaking. “I have to admit that your proposal came as a bit of a shock. Not because I’d never hoped it would happen, but because it actually did.” She fingered her wedding ring. “Despite your matter-of-fact, all business presentation, a part of me hoped that, given time, you might want the same thing I did.”

  He knew the answer but asked anyway. “Which would be?”

  She eyed him, her mouth twisted in a smirk. “I know you’re not that dense.”

  “You sure about that?”

  She gave him a light shove with her shoulder. “Positive. Now it’s your turn on the honesty train.”

  Yeah, his turn. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to figure out what to say. He’d never had trouble speaking his mind before — especially to Sky — but today was different. Without actually saying the words, Sky had just admitted she was in love with him. This went way deeper than her high school crush, and deeper still, because he couldn’t get their kiss out of his mind. Was there more to it than he was willing to admit, or was he simply being a guy?

  “Right.” He stood and stepped over to the fireplace. Tiny drops of perspiration trailed down his back. Warmth was the last thing he needed. “Three weeks ago I asked a good friend to do me a favor, and despite her better judgment, she did.” He turned. “And I love her for it.”

  Sky pulled her knees up again. “I’m sensing a but in there somewhere.”

  “Oh, there’s a but all right, but maybe not what you’re expecting.”

  “At this point I have no idea what to expect.”

  Neither did Micah. His head was filled with more questions than answers, but he was on the trail to honesty and had no intention of veering off track. He sat on the ottoman and crossed his arms over his thighs. “When I proposed, I had the next two years all mapped out. The perfect plan to have it all that would benefit both of us.”

  Her eyes widened. “But…”

  “But then you went ahead and kissed me.”

  “I was only doing what you asked.”

  “And you did it exceptionally well.”

  He grinned. She flushed.

  “So, what aren’t you telling me?”

  Micah stood and stepped to the window on the other side of the bedroom. How could he expect her to understand when he wasn’t sure he understood himself? “I thought Morgan was the one.” He turned and leaned against the wall. She shifted on the bed to look at him. “There wasn’t supposed to be anyone else, and I’m not sure what to do or feel right now.”

  “Other than seeing Morgan, you mean.”

  He nodded. “I have to.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she still has hold of a piece of my heart, and I won’t be free to pursue a relationship with anyone else until I’m able to claim it back.”

  “And you have to do that in person?”

  “Yes.”

  “When?”

  The pain in her voice hurt him nearly as much as his brother’s abandonment. “I’m not sure. In a day or two, maybe.”

  She ran her fingers over the green bedspread, her eyes focused on whatever pattern she was making. “I can’t stop you from seeing her, but I expect you to honor your commitment the same way I’m honoring mine.” She looked up at him. “If after two years you and Morgan want to get back together, so be it. But this town thinks our marriage is real, and if you cheat on me, our deal is over.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Sky stood by her bedroom window, surprised to see Micah’s truck drive off toward the main road. Maybe he’d changed his mind and gone to see Morgan earlier than planned. She placed her finger on the window pane and traced the truck’s path until it was out of sight. Hurt pinched her heart. She’d hoped to spend more time with him before that inevitable meeting.

  A soft rap at her door was a welcome distraction. “Coming.” She reached the door in a few steps and pulled it open. Noah stood with his coat draped over one arm and a scarf twisted around his neck.

  He greeted her with his ever-present smile. “It would appear we’re the only two around, so I thoug
ht I’d see if you’d like to go out for lunch.”

  She studied him for a moment. He looked different — just as handsome, but a little less cocky and self-assured. He wasn’t leaning on her door frame, looking like he had mischief in mind. His invitation was tempting, but probably not a wise idea.

  A sparkle lit his eyes and the smile grew into a grin. “You’re as easy to read as they come, so let me reassure you.” He placed his right hand over his heart. “I solemnly swear I will not flirt, touch, tempt, or commit any other possible affront running through that suspicious mind of yours.”

  Despite herself, Sky laughed. Noah was such a kid compared to his brother. She wanted to have lunch with him, wanted to laugh and enjoy the afternoon. And why shouldn’t she? Unlike her husband, no part of her heart belonged to another. She sucked in a breath to ward off the pain.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She reached for her purse on top of the dresser, stepped into the hallway, and shut the door behind her. “Where did you have in mind?”

  “Red told me about a little Mexican place about fifteen miles north of here. You interested?”

  “I love Mexican.” She hurried toward the staircase. “Let’s go.”

  While plucking her parka from the hook by the back door, she turned to him. “I’m surprised Annie didn’t insist on fixing tacos for you.”

  Noah stopped, one coat sleeve on, one off. “She’s not here, remember?”

  “Oh yeah, you did say we were alone.” Sky tugged her cap out of her pocket and slipped it on her head.

  Noah slid his other arm into his coat. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem a bit distracted.”

  She was not the least bit okay, but Noah didn’t have to know every detail of her personal life. Good company and good food would help her forget. “It’s nothing. So, where is Annie?”

  “Her car wouldn’t start. Micah took her into town to do some grocery shopping.”

  “Oh. I thought…”

  “Thought what?” He reached for the door.

  “Nothing. Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

  Snow crunched under their feet as they made their way to the three-car garage situated adjacent to the storage building. Noah swung the barn-style doors open and pointed to his new acquisition. “What do you think?”

  She walked from back to front and back again, admiring the SUV. “Nice.” He opened the passenger door, and she slid across the tan leather seat.

  Noah dashed around the back of the vehicle, climbed into the driver’s side, and started the motor. “It’s no sports car, but I like it.”

  “I love red cars.”

  “Not just red, salsa red, if you please.”

  “Well, la-di-da. Guess I’m not up on my designer colors.” She leaned forward and peered through the windshield. “Looks red to me.”

  “That’s what I called it too, until Bo Wilkins showed me the error of my ways.”

  “I can guarantee the only reason Bo knew to call it salsa was because it was printed on the label in the car window.”

  “Ouch, that was harsh.”

  “No it wasn’t. Bo’s color blind.”

  Noah smiled. “Ah.” He backed the SUV out of the garage and drove down the cleared path toward the main road. “So, how’s school going?”

  She leaned against the headrest. “It’s okay. I sure wish I could sit in a classroom with other people, though. I’m not crazy about online classes. As soon as I can get someone to teach me to drive, I’m going to buy a good used car. At least then I’ll have a little more independence.” She waggled her brows. “You interested in giving me my first lesson?”

  “Pffft, I don’t think so.”

  “Why not? Afraid I’ll wreck your fancy new car?”

  “Um, pretty much.”

  Her mouth fell open, but she quickly snapped it shut. Why did he assume she’d have an accident her first time behind the wheel? She was tempted to tell him to turn back and take her home. But she was hungry, and he’d already put the idea of Mexican food in her brain. If she couldn’t get to drive, she was at least going to get to eat. “Fine. Forget it.”

  “It’s not that I don’t think you can learn.” He gestured toward the snow banks on either side of the road. “It’s just that we had that huge snowfall. You know, cold, ice, snow, car I haven’t put more than a hundred miles on yet…”

  Sky chided herself for being unreasonable. “Forget I said anything. I understand.”

  Silence grew between them. Noah kept his eyes on the road, and Sky kept hers on the snow-covered trees outside her window. Neither had much to say until they pulled into the parking lot.

  Sky lowered her window and stuck her head out to get a better look at the modern stucco structure sitting in the middle of a new strip shopping center. “Tony’s Tacos, huh? Sounds real authentic.”

  “We can go someplace else.”

  She twisted to find him leaning against the steering wheel. He wasn’t smiling. She needed to get her emotions under control. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  The moment they stepped through the door, the aroma of corn tortillas and Mexican spices filled Sky’s nostrils. She breathed in deeply. “Well, if the taste is as good as the smell, I’m sold.”

  “Not to mention the place is nearly packed.” Noah gestured to the lunch crowd. “Always a good sign.”

  A pretty girl, who looked no more than sixteen, wearing a multi-colored ruffled skirt and white peasant blouse, led them to a booth by the front window that had just been vacated. She wiped the table down and urged them to sit. An elderly gentleman sporting a huge mustache and a brightly colored poncho set a bowl of chips and salsa in the middle of the table. He grinned and left without saying a word.

  The girl in the ruffled skirt handed them each a menu. “My name is Maria, and I’ll be taking care of you this afternoon. What can I bring you to drink?”

  “I’ll have a diet cola with a slice of lime, please,” Sky said.

  Noah gave the waitress a dimpled smile. “I’ll have the same. Except make mine regular, not diet, and nix the lime.”

  The waitress giggled and scurried off.

  Sky smirked. “You probably thought that was funny, didn’t you?”

  He nodded toward the waitress. “She did, and that’s what counts. Make the waitress happy and good service follows.”

  Sky leaned against the red padded bench and placed a napkin on her lap. “And you thought your little ‘I’ll have the same but different’ line made her happy? She probably rolled her eyes the moment she walked away.” She pointed to herself. “Take it from one who knows, the only thing that truly make a waitress happy is a good tip.”

  “You don’t believe that.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “No, you don’t. I’ve seen you in action.” He dipped a chip into the salsa. “Something’s got you bugged, though. Want to talk about it?”

  Having a discussion about her love life, or lack thereof, wasn’t part of today’s game plan. Today was about lunch and fun. Now, if she could only get her heart to cooperate with her brain, she’d be okay. She reached for a chip. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  “Come on.” He leaned on the table. “You haven’t been acting like yourself since we left the house. Why not let go of whatever it is?”

  “You haven’t known me long enough to know what I’m like.” The chip crumbled between her fingers, raining crumbs into the salsa.

  “You’re right. I didn’t bring you here to drill you on whatever it is my brother did to get you this upset. So let’s just forget the whole thing and order our lunch.” He held the menu in front of him so that it hid his face.

  “Are you always this infuriating?”

  Noah lowered the menu enough to reveal his eyes. “Only when the person I’m with is as crabby as you are.” Up went the menu.

  “Crabby?” She reached across the table and pushed his menu down. “You think I’m crabby?”

  “Yep.”

&n
bsp; Her throat tightened, and despite all attempts to stop them, tears pooled in her eyes. One blink and they’d be running down her face. Fortunately, the waitress arrived with their drinks. Sky pried a napkin from the overstuffed holder and dabbed away any evidence of the potential waterworks. Not that anyone cared. Maria never took her eyes off Noah. Sky could have flooded the room with her tears and the girl wouldn’t have noticed. Guess she did think he was funny.

  “Are you ready to order?” Maria asked.

  Noah smiled. “Give us a few more minutes.”

  “No problem.” She scurried off to another table.

  Noah set his menu off to the side and locked eyes with Sky. “I’m sorry.”

  She sniffed. “For what?”

  “Whatever it is that has you this upset.” He reached for his drink. “And for that crack I made about Micah. I tried to have a talk with him this morning, and it didn’t exactly go the way I’d hoped.” He stirred his soft drink with his straw. “I think maybe you had the same results.”

  Sky bit her bottom lip, determined not to cry again. She plunged her straw into her soda and drank deeply. When she looked up, Noah’s kind eyes met hers, and she found herself wanting to talk. “Morgan’s back in town.”

  His brows knitted together. “Aaaaah, things are starting to make sense now. I heard Micah mention her name, but I didn’t realize she’d come home.”

  “Making sense doesn’t make it any better.” She picked up her glass and sprinkled salt on the napkin then smiled at the questioning look on his face. “Keeps the glass from sticking to the napkin.”

  “Seriously?” He did the same.

  Her smile faded as thoughts of her final words to Micah sprang to mind. When she’d given him the ultimatum, she hadn’t considered anyone else in the family. “I need to tell you something.”

  He picked his glass up and set it down several times. “This is so cool. The salt thing works.”

  Sky shook her head. He was definitely a big kid. “Are you listening to me?”

  He set his glass down a final time, sat back, and folded his hands on the table. “You have my full attention.”

  Her throat suddenly went dry. She sucked in a large mouthful of her drink and had to swallow twice to get it down. “I’ve been in love with Micah for a long time.”