A Ring for Cinderella

by Judy Christenberry

  “How much do I owe you?” she asked for the third time.

  Before he could answer, there was a knock on the door. Susan swung it open, expecting to see Rosa, and she wasn’t disappointed. There was a worried frown on her friend’s face.

  “Susan, Manuel said—I mean, I’m sorry, but I can’t pay—we will pay a monthly amount until—”

  Zach stepped forward, interrupting. “Please. The clothes are a gift from me and my grandfather. There is nothing to repay.”

  “But—but they are so expensive,” Rosa protested, wide-eyed, her bottom lip trembling, “and we cannot do anything so grand for our two younger children.”

  “Rosa,” Susan said, taking her friend’s hands. “it’s okay. Just think of the clothes as an early Christmas present.”

  “But it’s August!”

  Susan smiled, letting her sense of the ridiculous take over. “Just tell the children that some Santas have to deliver early because they have so many stops to make.”

  After that, Rosa expressed her thanks numerous times before she withdrew to her own apartment.

  “Damn, I have never had such a hard time delivering a present,” Zach protested. Before she could say anything, he felt inside his jacket pocket and drew out a long, thin box. “We’d better get this over and done with, too. You have to wear this because Gramp will expect it.”

  “Wear what?” she said, staring suspiciously at the box.

  He grabbed her left hand. “Where’s your wedding ring?”

  “In—in my purse. I put it there this morning because I didn’t expect to announce... Anyway, that’s where it is.”

  “I need to get it sized, but I’ll do that tomorrow. And put this on.” He thrust the box at her.

  It seemed to Susan that if she opened the box, she would be even more deeply involved in their lie. Zach’s unwavering stare, however, made escape impossible. She took the lid off the cardboard box only to discover an elegant box inside. When she opened it, the gleaming diamonds of a tennis bracelet sparkled.

  She immediately shut the lid and thrust it back at Zach. “No, I can’t accept this.”

  “Susan, Gramp will have expected me to give you a wedding present. If I don’t, he’ll know we’re not serious about the marriage.” He handed it to her again.

  “So—so this is a prop? And when it’s over I give it back to you?”

  His gaze shifted away from her. “Sure. That’s fine. But you need to wear it to the hospital tonight”

  “Okay, you keep it until we get to the hospital. I’ll put it on then.”

  “Don’t you want to wear it to your sister’s tonight?”

  “No! They know the marriage isn’t real. It would look bad for me to be wearing diamonds that—no. I don’t want to wear the bracelet until I have to.”

  Zach went back to the hotel to shower and change for their evening, irritation filling him. He’d given women diamonds before, in particular, his wife. Every time, the women had shown a lot of enthusiasm... and gratitude...for his gift.

  They’d never been shoved back at him.

  And the commotion he’d created because he’d bought a few articles of clothing for the boys was absurd. He’d understood a little better Susan’s reaction, however, as he’d listened to Rosa. And felt a little less justified. Rosa had told him she had two other children, smaller than Manuel, who had received nothing. That bothered Zach. But he couldn’t offer money to Rosa. That would be crass.

  Susan and her family and friends were definitely new experiences for him. But it was because of her that he was in this situation.

  When he arrived back at the apartment, Paul and Susan were ready. Paul was wearing one of his new shirts, jeans and cowboy boots. Susan had changed into the powder blue knit outfit she’d worn the first day he’d met her.

  She looked beautiful, as always.

  The tennis bracelet and wedding ring would add a touch of sparkle, but, of course, she was wearing neither. Irritation filled him.

  “Can’t you at least wear your wedding ring to your sister’s?” he asked as he started the car.

  She hesitated, than opened her purse and took out the ring, putting it on her finger. “I’m afraid it might slide off.”

  Paul spoke from the back seat. “Will Ginny and James be there tonight, too, Susan?”

  “More family?” Zach demanded, irritated all over again that these people insisted on meeting him. As if the wedding were real.

  “Yes, Paul. Those are the names of Maggie and Josh’s children,” Susan added for Zach’s benefit. “Nate is Kate and Will’s little boy.”

  The short drive was silent after that exchange. Until they pulled into Kate and Will’s driveway.

  “Nice place. What does the man do for a living?”

  “He owns Hardison Enterprises. And Josh has his own security firm. They live near here.”

  Zach bit his tongue, but he wanted to know why Susan was living in such a poor section of town when her relatives were obviously loaded.

  After they’d entered the house and introductions were made all around, Susan joined the other women in the kitchen, Paul went upstairs to play with his cousins and Zach found himself sitting in the den with the two husbands.

  After generalities were exchanged, he asked the question that had been bothering him. “I hope you’ll excuse the impertinence of the question, but if you two are doing so well, why is Susan living in that apartment? Don’t you know that’s not a safe neighborhood?”

  He wasn’t sure what reaction he’d expected, though both men had seemed decent enough, but laughter wasn’t it.

  Will Hardison turned to his brother-in-law, Josh, as he chuckled. “It’s clear he doesn’t know Susan very well.”

  Josh agreed. “You’re right. If he did, he wouldn’t ask that question.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Before either of us knew the girls, Kate and Maggie tried to share what they had with Susan. She wouldn’t take anything from them.”

  “Since then,” Josh continued, “we’ve all tried to help out Susan, but she’s too stubborn and proud. We thought we would be able to pay for Megan’s room and board and had plans to tackle Susan about it this week. Now we can’t even do that.”

  “We’ve even offered her a place to live. She won’t accept.” Will shook his head. “All three of Mike O’Connor’s girls are hardheaded.”

  “Why did they just get together eighteen months ago? Susan’s tight-lipped about her past.”

  “Her mother left Mike after about six months. She was one mixed-up lady,” Josh explained. “Never told him about Susan.”

  “Then—men Mike isn’t Megan and Paul’s father?”

  “Nope. And we don’t know who their fathers were.”

  “Fathers?”

  “Megan and Paul don’t have the same father. Susan knows that for sure, but that’s about all she knows. I only found out because I was doing the investigation. Susan doesn’t volunteer much about her life. But I gather it’s been a tough one.”

  Zach frowned. He kept finding much to admire about Susan.

  “If you can find a way to get her out of that hellhole she calls home, we’ll be glad to finance it,” Will added, watching Zach.

  He squared his shoulders. “I don’t need financial help to take care of Susan. But, like you, I’ve not been offered much of a chance.”

  The other two men nodded solemnly, in complete undersrending, which soothed Zach. It was nice to know he had some fellow sufferers.

  Susan was surprised at how quickly the three men seemed to have established a friendship. The six adults dined in perfect harmony. The children were fed upstairs by the full-time nanny that Kate and Will employed.

  “Your ring is beautiful, by the way,” Kate offered during a lull in the conversation.

  Susan blushed, automatically hiding her hand in her lap. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t you like it?” Maggie asked.

  “Of course I do. It’s just that
...that since the marriage isn’t real—”

  “The ceremony was fake?” Will asked, his brows rising.

  “No!” Zach returned emphatically. “The ceremony was legal, performed by our minister.” Then he shrugged. “What’s more, Susan signed a prenuptial agreement that defined the terms of the marriage.”

  Will chuckled, and Susan and Zach stared at him.

  “Sorry. It’s just that Kate and I had an agreement, too. And look what happened to us.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean,” Josh agreed. Susan was embarrassed at the warm look he shot his wife.

  “What lawyer did you use, Susan?” Kate asked.

  “Lawyer? I didn’t use a lawyer,” she assured her sister. She didn’t understand why Kate even asked that question.

  “Oh, my, you should’ve had representation. Didn’t you know that, Zach?” Kate asked.

  He shrugged his shoulders, but Susan noticed the frown on his forehead. “There wasn’t time.”

  “Then the agreement probably is worthless,” Will assured him. “At least that’s what my lawyer said.”

  Zach stared at Susan. Then he turned back to Will. “I don’t think Susan will break our agreement.”

  “Ah. Well, it’s good that you trust each other,” Will said with a smile. Kate opened her mouth, as if to argue, but Will shook his head at her and introduced a new topic.

  After dinner, Susan and Zach went upstairs and told Paul goodbye, then rushed off to the hospital. They had special visitation privileges, but Gramp would tire if they were too late.

  “Zach,” Susan said after several minutes of silence, “I want you to know that I’ll honor the agreement. If you want me to sign another one, to make it legal, I will, of course.”

  Zach shot a quick glance at her before turning back to the road in front of him. “I doubt that will be necessary. I know you won’t do anything to hurt Crump.”

  “No, of course not. How was he doing today?”

  “Much better.”

  Susan noted another frown. “Is something wrong?”

  “No. By the way, I like your family.”

  “Yes, they’re nice, aren’t they?”

  “Why won’t you let them help you?”

  “Help me? They help me all the time.”

  “I mean, move you out of that apartment.”

  Susan bit her bottom lip. Finally, she said, “I’m responsible for Megan and Paul and myself. Not them. My mother was—was irresponsible, but I’m not.” She clenched her jaw to keep from saying any more.

  “I understand Megan and Paul had different fathers.”

  “My, you certainly learned a lot tonight. I didn’t know Will and Josh were going to spill every family secret.” And she’d have a word with them before they got within a mile of Zach again.

  “It just came out in casual conversation. After all. you haven’t been a fount of information.”

  “I never realized my personal life was part of the agreement. I agreed to be your temporary fiancée. I did not agree to your becoming my father confessor.” Her words came out much sharper than she’d intended. But she wasn’t happy with the events of the evening.

  “You’re not going to make it sound like we’re fighting when you talk to Gramp, are you? Otherwise, all our efforts will be worthless.”

  “Of course not,” she said, letting out a deep sigh. The thought of upsetting the old man wasn’t acceptable.

  Half an hour later, she kept her promise. Sitting on the side of Gramp’s bed, she showed him the tennis bracelet and threw loving looks over her shoulder at the handsome man standing behind her.

  “Not only did Zach buy me this incredible present, but he took Paul and his friend Manuel shopping. You should see Paul in his cowboy hat. He’s so proud!”

  “Good. It sounds to me like you and your brother could use a little pampering,” Pete returned, smiling as he held her hand.

  “No, Gramp, I think this is more spoiling than pampering. I’m going to have to insist that Zach not waste any more money on us.” She smiled broadly, hoping to establish some boundaries with a witness.

  Neither man responded well to that statement. Zach protested at once. “I think I should spend money on my new family whenever I feel like it.”

  “Well, of course you should, boy. That’s what a husband is for, little lady. To take care of you, provide for you.”

  In spite of her good intentions, Susan couldn’t accept such generosity. “But Paul and Megan are my responsibility, Gramp, not Zach’s.”

  Zach squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll discuss this later, honey. We don’t want to involve Gramp in our little disagreements.”

  His warning was clear. “Of course not. Though our spats are few and far between, aren’t they, sweetie?” She allowed just the slightest tinge of sarcasm in that last word.

  “When are you two going to move out to the ranch? That boy needs to be wearing his boots right now.”

  Susan almost choked. Moving to the ranch wasn’t part of their agreement, was it?

  Zach answered before she could. “We’re going to wait until you’re better. It’s easier to visit from here.”

  “But how’s the ranch doing without either of us there?”

  “Gramp, you know the guys. They’re doing their jobs. I check in by phone every day. Jesse keeps me informed.”

  Zach’s hands still rested on her shoulders, and Susan sat quietly while the two men discussed the ranch. But the skin under Zach’s hands was tingling with sensation.

  “Well, I think you should all go on back to the ranch. You’ll need to get Paul registered in school. I talked to Hester by phone, and she’s been getting a room ready for the boy. The one you used as a child, Zach.”

  “That will be perfect for Paul. Though I’m not sure how he’ll manage without his friend Manuel. They’re great pals.”

  “He can have him out for the weekends,” Pete suggested. “After all, we want Paul to be happy. You’ve done a good job raising him, Susan.”

  “Thank you, Gramp. Um, has the doctor been to see you today?”

  “Huh! Yeah, too many times. They ran a lot of new tests today. I told him I didn’t need ’em, but he ignored me.”

  “Why did they do the tests? Did you have any more pain?” Zach asked, leaning toward his grandfather. Which caused his body to press against Susan’s back.

  She swallowed, unable to concentrate at such close quarters with Zach. She was grateful Zach was questioning Pete about his treatment. Yet she found his body heat strangely comforting...and at the same time, disturbing.

  “Naw. No more pain. I’m feeling good.”

  Zach relaxed, leaning back, removing his body from Susan’s, and she breathed a little more easily despite a simultaneous sense of disappointment.

  “Good. I thought you were doing better.”

  As if he’d heard them, the door opened and the doctor appeared. “Good evening, Pete, Mr. and Mrs. Lowery. How is everyone?”

  “Fine, Doc. How’s Gramp?” Zach asked.

  “I’m pleased to tell you he’s improved greatly. In fact, he’s so much better, we now think we can operate on him and ensure several more years of good health.” The doctor beamed at all of them. “He’s improved so much that, with your permission, we’ll do surgery in the morning, and he’ll be able to go home in two days, if all goes well.”

  “Hot damn!” Pete exclaimed, a smile on his face. “Pack your bags, Susan. We’re all going home!”

  Chapter Seven

  After they left Pete Loway’s room, Zach and Susan walked hand in hand down the hallway. He could feel her fingers trembling in his. He figured it was from shock.

  Zach could understand why Susan was in shock. He’d led her to believe, hell, he’d believed, that Gramp only had a couple of days to live. Now he was doing so well the doctor could operate, clean out his arteries and talk of several more years of good health, at least.

  He opened the car door for her when they reached it Once he sl
id behind the wheel, she didn’t waste any time asking the question he expected.

  “What are we going to do?”

  He considered his words. After all, he didn’t have any right asking Susan to completely change her life. But for Gramp’s sake, he had to. “Would it be such a hardship, living on the ranch?”

  Her hands were tightly clasped in her lap. She kept her face turned away from him. “You mean it? You expect me to uproot Paul and move to your home?”

  “Hell, Susan, I know it’s a lot to ask. But what can I do? I’m not saying stay forever, but at least until he’s recovered from the operation.” He held his breath as she considered his words.

  She sighed. “What a mess.”

  “Yeah. But it could be good for you financially. If you and Paul stay until school’s out next May, that would give you at least nine months without any rent, food bills, utilities. You could save all that money.”

  “Yes, but—but how do I explain to Paul? Enjoy yourself but we’ll be leaving at the end of the school year? Be careful about making friends, because you’ll be leaving them soon?”

  “He’ll survive. Lots of kids get transferred every year.”

  “Thanks for caring,” she flung back, sarcasm heavy in her voice.

  “Paul having to leave his friends doesn’t quite rank up there with Gramp’s death.” He hated to sound brutal, but he was only speaking the truth. Besides, he would do everything he could to make it easier on Paul.

  She bowed her head, but she stopped arguing with him. As he pulled into Kate and Will’s driveway, she said, “Please don’t say anything to Paul yet. I haven’t decided.”

  He sat in the car, waiting for her to return with Paul, wondering what he would do if she didn’t agree. Gamp would be devastated. Strangely enough, he realized he, too, would be affected by parting from Susan and Paul. He hadn’t planned on that.

  Susan returned, holding a sleepy Paul’s hand. She helped him into the back seat.

  “Tired, buddy?” Zach asked as the little boy greeted him.

  “Yeah. I fell asleep.”

  “Sorry we were so late. Gramp said to give you his love.”

  “Is he feeling better?”