Page 24 of Too Far To Sea
“Maybe. I take it you’ve seen it before.”
“I think it’s required that everybody who comes to Galway learn about the ring.”
Curiosity was killing her. Of course, he had a girlfriend, probably another crew member. Still, Dana wanted an answer to the question he’d sidestepped. “So, who is the special person who gets a ring from you?”
“My mother.”
Unexpected. He didn’t look like one of those men who spent a lot of time with his mother.
He cleared his throat. “Will you help me find the right one for her? I don’t know much about jewelry.”
Ring shopping? Weird, but it would be nice to spend some time with him. “Sure, do you know what she likes?”
“No. She wants something to replace her wedding and engagement ring while she goes through chemo.”
“Your mother has cancer?”
“Yes. That’s the reason this is my last cruise for a while. I’m taking a sabbatical to go home to be with her.”
“Have you tried many stores?”
“This is the first one.” He held the door for her again and they returned inside.
The traditional Claddagh ring with a crown on top of the heart held by two hands was an iconic symbol. Perhaps it was because she didn’t wear many rings, but she found the traditional ring style not that engaging. The crown seemed like it would snag on sleeves. “Silver or gold, what does she like?”
Officer Worth shrugged. “Do you know her size?”
“Seven.”
“Same as me.”
They looked at ring after ring, eliminating various styles. Officer Worth agreed that the versions with the larger crowns could easily catch on things.
“May I help you?” The saleswoman had a lilt to her voice.
“Yes,” answered Officer Worth. “Can we try these two rings on? And I like the ones with the emerald hearts. Do you have any in US size seven?”
The saleswoman looked to Dana for confirmation, before bringing them to a less busy area of the counter.
While the woman pulled the rings out from under the counter, Dana looked at the selection under the glass. A non-traditional rose gold ring stood out. Not for the officer’s mother, but for her.
The saleswoman set two black velvet boxes in front of Officer Worth. “Did something catch your eye, miss?”
Dana looked up. “Mine. No. We are looking for his mother.”
The saleswoman winked at Officer Worth. “You should get one for your girlfriend, too.”
“She’s not?—”
“He’s not?—”
Dana and Officer Worth’s answers tumbled over each other.
He cleared his throat. “Miss Knight is just giving me a woman’s opinion.”
The saleswoman looked from one to another. “You aren’t even on a first name basis?”
Dana inched away. Hoping that McKay would answer. “It’s complicated.”
