The Rose Ring

by Lucie Ulrich

  Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Daddy always said you weren’t good enough for me, but the truth is, I was never good enough for you. I blew the best thing that ever came my way.”

  “If I’ve learned anything in the last few months, it’s that everything happens for a reason. Without my grandfather’s attempt to control his family even after his death, I wouldn’t have married Sky and I wouldn’t have reconciled with my brother.” He took hold of her hand. “As far as not being good enough, you and your father are both wrong. We were both good enough. Thing is, I want more than good enough, and so should you.”

  ****

  Sky slid into the passenger seat of Carl’s older model pickup. The flutter in her stomach grew into the most intense case of butterflies she’d ever experienced. She fastened her seatbelt and worked on regulating her breathing. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Carl?”

  “What? You don’t trust me?” Carl stabbed the key into the ignition and cranked the motor. “This isn’t my first time behind the wheel.”

  The thought of Carl driving after more than two years was daunting. Would he think of Peg? Panic on the open road? Why had she let him talk her into this? Sky twisted her hands in her lap.

  Carl placed a hand over hers. “Let me put your mind to rest. When I said this isn’t my first time behind the wheel, I meant within the last month.”

  Her mouth fell open. “You’ve driven before today?”

  “At least a dozen times.” He chuckled. “My right leg is fine, but I got Doc’s approval just the same. After that I had Mike Osborne check the truck from top to bottom and get it into tip-top condition.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Carl put the truck into reverse and backed out of the garage. “I wanted it to be a surprise. That and to make sure I could pull it off.” He shifted to drive and pulled out of the alley and around to Main Street.

  “And you’re okay?”

  He nodded. “When I finally came to realize the limitations I’d put on myself, I knew I had to push past the fear. I was a wreck my first time out. If Mike hadn’t been there to encourage me, I would have left the truck on the side of the road and never looked at it again.”

  Tears stung Sky’s eyes. She had never once considered fear the reason Carl quit driving. Guilt, yes, but not fear. For him to admit this to her was huge. “Will it sound too mushy if I tell you how proud I am of you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, then I won’t say it.”

  He smiled, though his eyes never left the road. Sky felt sure he probably wouldn’t look at her unless they’d come to a full stop, and that was okay with her.

  They rode in silence for a while. The roads were clear and free of ice. Carl appeared relaxed, while Sky was anything but. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing by going to see Morgan?”

  “It’s not for me to say. As long as you feel it’s right, then it’s right.”

  Eyes shut, and head propped against the headrest, Sky prayed for the right words at the right time. She didn’t want to go in with a laundry list of demands or requests, but certain things needed to be said.

  When they arrived at the hospital, Sky asked the receptionist for Morgan’s room number. At her request, Carl remained in the lobby downstairs. Her heart beat at a rapid pace on the elevator ride to the third floor. When the door opened on the second floor, she scooted to the side in order to make way for an orderly pushing a patient in a hospital bed. The smell of disinfectant and disease nearly gagged her. It brought back memories of her mother’s final days. Breathing through her mouth, she hurried off the moment the elevator reached the third floor.

  Ducking into the nearest bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face. After a few deep breaths she opened her eyes. The ashen face looking back at her was not the one she wanted Morgan to see. A few more breaths and a pinch of her cheeks to add color and she was ready.

  The directions to room 375 were easy to follow. Sky’s heart ratcheted up a notch with each ascending room number. When Morgan’s room came into view, Sky pressed herself against the wall and took a final slow breath. It was time to face the enemy. She eased the door open and peeked through the crack. Her heart lurched. Or maybe it stopped completely. Micah was sitting on the edge of Morgan’s bed, her arms were around his neck and his lips pressed against hers.

  Her hand flew to her mouth. She turned and bolted down the hall, tears blurring her vision. Instead of the elevator, she took the stairs two at a time. By the time she reached Carl, she was full out sobbing. “Take me home.”

  Carl tossed a magazine aside and jumped to his feet. “What happened?”

  “Just take me home.”

  ****

  Micah parked across the street from the diner and sat in his truck for a long time. He needed to talk to Sky, but feared she wouldn’t want to see him. He laid his head back and whispered a silent prayer. “That’s two in one day, God. I hope that counts for something.” He waited several more minutes, climbed out of the truck, and jogged across the street.

  The familiar bell jangled when he pushed the diner door open. Liz spotted him first. She seemed torn between seating him or running for the kitchen. The kitchen won. When she reemerged, Carl was on her heels. He looked ticked. Micah stepped forward, ignoring the pounding in his chest. “I need to see Sky. Will you tell her I’m here, please?”

  “She doesn’t want to see you.” His tone, though not unfriendly, wasn’t exactly welcoming.

  He stood his ground. “She might, if you ask her.”

  “I called her the minute I saw your truck pull up. She said to tell you she can’t talk to you right now. She’s too upset.”

  “Then I’ll wait.” Micah took a seat at the booth closest to the door before quickly changing to the one behind it. He knew the Wilkinson’s would be coming for the early bird special in a while, and that was their spot. Carl might have smiled, but he wasn’t sure.

  Micah sat through the special, the regular dinner crowd, and the late arrivals. He ordered a ham and cheese sandwich but barely touched it. He glanced Carl’s way from time to time, only to see Carl shake his head or shrug.

  When the final customer left and the front door locked behind them, Carl brought two mugs of coffee to Micah’s table and sat across from him. “If nothing else, I’ve got to give you credit for persistence.”

  Micah gripped the mug between his hands. “I’m not leaving until I talk to her.” He took a sip. “Did she tell you why she won’t see me?”

  “She did.”

  “But you aren’t going to tell me.”

  “Not my place.”

  Micah sensed there was more to this than her simply being mad about the hospital visits. “A lot’s happened in the last twenty-four hours. And I mean a lot. I want to tell her everything, Carl.”

  “Come back in the morning. I’ll talk to her tonight—”

  “No. I told you I’m not leaving, and I mean it.”

  This time there was no missing Carl’s smile. “I’ll toss down a blanket and pillow for you.” He pointed to the large booth at the back. “It won’t be the most comfortable night’s sleep you’ve ever gotten, but it beats the floor.”

  “Thanks.” Carl slid across the bench and used the table to support himself as he stood. Micah gripped Carl’s sleeve. “I do love her, Carl. You have to believe that.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Sky paced the living room, her fists clenched. “What do you mean Micah’s downstairs? Seriously, you’re going to let him sleep there? Why didn’t you just tell him to leave?”

  “I did” He opened the apartment door and tossed out a blanket and pillow.

  “Really, Carl? A pillow? After everything I told you.”

  “He told me some things too.” Carl closed the door. “You’d better get used to him being here, ‘cause that young man isn’t leaving until he talks to you.”

  “Then he’s going to have a long wait.” Sky stormed from the living room and slamm
ed the bedroom door behind her. She changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed. Sleep eluded her, however. What had she expected?

  She groaned into her pillow when Carl knocked at her door — at least she prayed it was Carl. Surely he hadn’t allowed Micah into the apartment. She sat bolt upright. “Who is it?”

  “Who else would it be?”

  At the sound of Carl’s voice, Sky exhaled and pushed the covers back. She climbed out of bed and cracked the door open. “It’s late, Carl.”

  “Are you seriously going to let Micah sleep in the diner?”

  Renewed anger tightened her muscles. “I find him kissing his ex, and you want me to take pity on him? I don’t think so.”

  “I’m simply suggesting you might want to hear him out.” Carl shifted the weight from his bad leg to his good. “He doesn’t know you saw him, yet he’s here, determined to stay until he states his case. Talk to him, honey.”

  But she did see him and couldn’t get the sight of that embrace out of her head. “I’m not sure I can.”

  “Don’t let this drag on. The longer you wait, the harder it will be.” Carl limped away.

  Sky closed the door and pressed her head against it. Carl was right. Carl was always right. Better to get it over with. She pulled one of Peggy’s old cardigans from the closet, pressed it to her nose, and inhaled a faint whiff of Peggy’s favorite perfume. Carl’s advice was always good, but Peggy’s came with a mother’s touch. She slipped the sweater on, hoping some of Peggy’s wisdom would seep in along with the warmth and fragrance.

  After three calming breaths, Sky opened the apartment door. Her knees felt rubbery as she descended the narrow, dimly lit staircase. She stopped for another deep breath at the base of the stairs before stepping into the diner. Turning back was not an option.

  The street lamp cast a warm glow on the booths by the window. The remainder of the place was swallowed in darkness. She pulled the sweater tight, hugging herself in the process. “What do you want, Micah?”

  The distinctive sound of fabric against vinyl resonated in the empty diner, and a figure soon emerged from the shadows. Micah stopped a good three feet from her. “Hi.” He smiled, but barely. And his eyes looked so tired.

  It was too hard to look at him, so she focused on the floor instead. “Say what you have to say and let’s be done with it.”

  “I came to apologize—”

  Her gaze shot up to meet his. “I don’t want to hear how sorry you are, Micah. I simply want to move on with my life.”

  “That’s what I want too, for both of us.”

  He looked like an innocent little boy, but she knew better than to fall for that again. Her lungs squeezed in her chest. “I went to the hospital today.”

  “You did? Why?”

  “I figured it was time Morgan and I had a talk.”

  His smile blossomed into the crooked one she was so familiar with. “You did?”

  She took a step forward and pushed hard against his chest. “Don’t you dare smile at me after what you did.” She pushed again. “I trusted you, and you made a fool out of me.”

  He caught himself on the nearest table then gripped her arms before she could shove him again. “Take it easy.”

  “Let go of me.” She struggled to pull her arms free, but he held on tight, angering her all the more. She should have stayed in bed and let him rot down here.

  “Not until you promise you won’t shove me again, and tell me just exactly what’s got you so riled.”

  “Like you don’t already know.” Tears of anger, frustration, and loss cascaded down her cheeks. “You could have called to dump me. You didn’t have to do it in person.”

  “Dump you? What are you talking about?” He shut his eyes and released his grip. “You saw the kiss.”

  There, he’d admitted it. They would finish this conversation and end their relationship. She wiped at the tears with her sleeve, already missing the family she’d come to think of as her own. “I told you what would happen if you cheated on me.”

  His eyes flew open. “No, it wasn’t like that.” He took a step forward and she took two back. He stopped. “You have to believe me.”

  “I know what I saw.”

  “What you think you saw.”

  Blood rushed to her face, setting her cheeks on fire. “I didn’t imagine that you and Morgan were kissing. You admitted it yourself.”

  Micah pointed to his left. “Why don’t we sit and I’ll explain everything.”

  “I’m perfectly fine standing.” She pulled her sweater tight again, protecting herself against any more arm-gripping.

  “Suit yourself, but just to set the record straight, I didn’t kiss Morgan. She kissed me.”

  Sky rolled her eyes.

  “I know how that sounds, but it’s true. I’ll be honest, when I went to see Morgan, I wasn’t exactly sure what to say—”

  “So you kissed her instead?”

  Micah exhaled a frustrated breath. “If you’d let me explain, we can get past the kiss. At least I hope we can.”

  Her jaw clenched so hard, her back teeth hurt. What right did he have to be angry? But she’d come down to hear him out, so hear him out she would. “Fine.”

  “I’ve been a fool for handling things so badly. Morgan’s return threw everything out of whack, and I didn’t know what to do. I want to apologize for hurting you and ask, beg if I have to, for another chance. I’ve fallen in love with you, Sky. Won’t you let me prove it to you?”

  Tears stung the back of her eyes. Micah had finally spoken the words she longed to hear, yet her heart refused to melt.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  “I heard you.”

  “And?”

  “And what? You expect me to go all mushy inside? First you treat me like a friend. I marry you, and suddenly I’m invading your property. Before I know it you’re paying attention to me, then you abandon me for your ex. Do you seriously expect me to take you at your word, come home with you, and start playing wife?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Good, ‘cause I can promise you that’s the furthest thing from my mind at the moment.” She stepped behind the counter, turned on a light, and filled a glass with ice water. She didn’t offer him anything.

  Micah came toward her and sat on one of the stools. He ran his hands through his hair. “Great, I finally figure things out, and you don’t love me anymore. Guess it’s nothing more than I deserve.”

  The hurt in his eyes was hard to look at. “I didn’t say that.” She filled another glass and set it in front of him. “I’ve been in love with you since the ninth grade, but it took the events of the last few months for me to figure out that the man I fell in love with was one I’d created in my head. You were perfect because I made you that way.” She took a sip of her drink. “Then you went and fell off the pedestal I’d placed you on. Your imperfections became painfully real, and I don’t know how to deal with them.”

  Micah moved to the other side of the counter and wrapped her in a hug. She nestled her head under his chin, faint remains of his musky aftershave filling her nostrils. His heart beat hard and strong in her ears.

  He kissed her hair and squeezed tighter. “I’m so sorry, Sky.”

  The warmth and strength of Micah’s arms, though amazing, was a temporary respite. What would become of them when he let her go? Would he want to stay married to her? Would she be able to love the real Micah the same way she’d loved the Micah of her dreams? She slipped free from his embrace and took a couple steps back. “We have some things to figure out.”

  “I guess we do.”

  ****

  Micah pulled onto the ranch property somewhere around 4:00 a.m. He parked by the back door, came through the kitchen, and snuck up the stairs before Annie was out of bed. He didn’t even bother to undress, just tossed himself face down on the bed and drifted off to sleep.

  When he came downstairs seven hours later, he’d showered, shaved and changed into clean cloth
es.

  A large platter of sandwiches sat at the center of the kitchen table. Micah’s stomach rumbled. He took his usual spot. “I can’t remember the last time I was this hungry.”

  Annie set her crutches against the wall and pulled out a chair. “Where’s Sky?” She eased herself into the chair. “When you called to say you weren’t leaving the diner until you spoke to her, I sort of hoped she’d be with you when you came home.”

  “So did I.” He grabbed a sandwich. “But she’s not ready.”

  “Which means?”

  “Which means I haven’t handled a single thing right since the reading of the will, and it’s about time I do. Sky wants time, so that’s what I’m giving her.”

  “Well, glory be. That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard you say in months.” She grabbed his wrist. “And pray before you put that in your mouth.”

  He chuckled. Annie was the only person Micah knew who could insult him while making him feel good about himself. “Yes, ma’am.” He bowed his head and prayed. Not because his aunt ordered it, because he wanted to. When he looked up, Annie was staring at him.

  “So, what’s your plan?”

  “First thing I’m going to do is take my wife on a date.”

  Her eyes lit. “Tonight?”

  He shook his head. “I asked but she said Saturday. Next Saturday.”

  “That’s eight days away. She is making you wait. Good for her.”

  As much as Micah wanted to disagree with his aunt, he couldn’t. He counted his blessings that she was willing to see him at all.

  Noah entered through the living room a few seconds later. He gave Micah’s shoulder a firm squeeze before taking the seat next to him. “How’d it go with Sky?”

  Micah opened his mouth, but Annie spoke before he could utter a sound.

  “They’re going on a date next Saturday.” She waggled her eyebrows.

  Noah slapped Micah’s back. “Sounds like a good start. I’m sure things will work out for the two of you. For all of us. I like the thought of us being a family again.”