“We are giving it to family…you. You are family to us.” Rudy took it out of the box. He unclasped it and held it out to me. “May I put it on you?”
I blinked rapidly to hold back the tears that were forming. “Yes, Rudy. I’d be flattered to have you do that.”
I turned and held up my hair. Rudy put the necklace over my head and then around my throat and closed the clasp. I stood and went to a mirror at the end of the conference room. I’d never worn anything like this in my life. I touched the necklace and thought of their mother, Tatiana, and all she’d been through.
“Please accept,” Ivan said.
“It would mean much to us for it to go to someone we care about,” Rudy said.
I took a deep breath. “Thank you for this precious gift. I will always think of you, your mother, and the prince when I wear it.”
We hugged each other, and some tears found their way down my cheeks. Ivan gave me the box, and they left. I looked again at myself in the mirror. The diamonds seemed to wink at me as if to say, We’re the finishing touch.
The day of the ball arrived. Michael planned to pick up Gertie and Mary and then come for me. One of the veterans from the Community Center would use the company Mercedes and get Rudy, Ivan, and the Professor. Daniel had made arrangements for one of his employees at Ridley House to come over to tend to our guests and be with Allie and Tommy. The kids would look after the dogs.
I prepared an early light meal and began to get ready. My sister had sent me eye shadow she thought would go well with my gown. I did my makeup routine, then coiled up my hair onto the top of my head, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. That completed, I slipped into the dress and put on the necklace, along with simple stud diamond earrings. I wore my daily gold bracelet, which felt like a trusted friend, one I needed tonight…especially when I looked at the stranger in the mirror.
I was back into the fairy tale again, only this time I wore the gift of a prince to the woman he loved. I went to join the others in the main room.
Michael Corrigan and Bill Stanton stood next to the granite counter, talking. The two tall muscular men made a striking sight in their tuxedos. Gertie wore a silver gown with a cape covering her shoulders. Pink ruffles and lace suited Mary.
Gus sprawled on the extra bed we kept for guest canines. His long lanky frame covered it from one end to the other, and his ears dangled over the side. Princess had a coat to match Mary’s pink gown and sported a white leather collar dotted with pink rhinestones. I watched as the tan Chihuahua trotted over and claimed Fred’s bed. The basset hound, sitting next to Tommy, who was in the beanbag chair, looked perplexed.
Tommy jumped up. “I’ll go get her bed.” He dashed out of the room.
Michael came over to me. “You look fabulous, Kelly.”
He glanced at the necklace but didn’t ask anything. I’d tell him about it later.
“Thank you, Michael. You make quite the handsome sight yourself in your formal attire.”
The back door opened, and Helen entered the room. She looked stunning in a ruby red gown that accented the pink glow in her cheeks. I remembered when I first saw her looking pale and gaunt after losing her husband and moving to Redwood Cove. In the beginning, it hadn’t been the place she’d dreamed of to help Tommy cope. Times had changed. Deputy Stanton—Bill—stood next to her.
Tommy came running into the room and skidded to a stop and dropped the dog bed. His eyes widened at the sight of his mother. “M…M…Mom?”
Helen went to him and gave him a hug. “Remember to brush your teeth before you go to bed.”
She was definitely still his mom.
Allie and Daniel arrived. He provided another handsome addition to our male population. Allie picked up the little dog bed and put it next to Fred’s bed. She picked up Princess and placed her on it, and Fred immediately claimed his cushion.
We all went around complimenting each other. There were lots of oohs and ahhs. Michael said it was time to go, and we headed for the door.
Helen said, “We’ll join you as soon as Sadie from the Ridley House gets here. She texted she’s on her way.”
Off we went to the Russian formal ball. The veterans were the valets for the evening. Committee members checked us in and gave dance cards to Gertie, Mary, and me. I felt someone beside me and turned to find Scott next to me.
“You look beautiful,” he said. “But you always do, whether in jeans or a ball gown.”
He couldn’t look more striking himself.
“Thank you.”
“I want the first dance and the last dance and a few in between,” he said.
I handed him my card, and he wrote in his name. We walked into the ballroom. Enormous vases of multicolored flowers decorated tables where dancers could sit and rest during the evening. Their scent perfumed the air. The orchestra played a few notes.
The first dance had started.
Scott took me in his arms and the music began.
About the Author
Janet Finsilver and her husband live in the San Francisco Bay Area. She loves animals and has two dogs—Kylie and Ellie. Janet enjoys horseback riding, snow skiing, and cooking. She is currently working on her next Redwood Cove mystery. Readers can visit her website at www.JanetFinsilver.com.
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