Page 25 of Destiny Reclaimed
Chapter Seven
Gwen grabbed her lunchtray and headed in the direction in which Cindy waited. Her best friend was the secretary in the accounting department at the hospital. As usual, she looked every bit of her role wearing a navy blazer and matching skirt.
She set her tray on the table directly across from her friend all the while attempting to display the sparkling diamond on her finger. Cindy glanced up, then back down, and forked a bite of mashed potatoes.
The giddiness bubbling out of her hadn't subsided one iota since she found Jack in her parents’ living room the day before. And, with that big engagement ring on her finger, she doubted it would diminish anytime soon. Nothing. Absolutely nothing would ruin this day, and she couldn't wait to see her fiancé after work.
Gwen sat, grabbed her milk carton from the tray, and held it up into Cindy's line of sight.
"What a morning," her friend started. Still not noticing the ring. "The CFO is on a rampage this morning, throwing a fit about the outstanding receivables. Thank God I don't have to make those collection calls. So many people are behind on their payments. But what are they supposed to do? You can't get blood from a turnip." Her gaze went blank as she drifted off to somewhere else.
Off to the land of the unknown—worry, Gwen presumed. "Yeah," she replied, recovering her friend's attention.
"Those poor ladies have more to worry about right now than paying down their balances." Her compassionate friend’s light brown eyes watered. "Like whether or not their husbands are going to make it home from this God-awful war."
Gwen’s heart bled for her friend who knew firsthand how those women she just referred to felt. Her husband was in Vietnam, too.
Gwen sighed. How could she share any good news now, not when the poor woman had so much to worry about?
With the intention of slipping her hands under the table to remove her engagement ring, Gwen slowly set her milk carton onto the tray and pulled her arm back. In that split second, Cindy's gaze landed on the diamond.
Her friend's mouth fell open, then her lips drew into a wide smile as her gaze bounced back up. "Oh my gosh, Jack's home! When? Details!"
Gwen's heart began to race at the sound of her fiancé’s name.
Cindy snatched her hand, pulled it closer to her eyes, and studied the sparkling diamond. "It's gorgeous."
"I think so, too," Gwen agreed. "Jack showed up yesterday. Out of the blue."
"Wow. He's okay. All in one piece?"
"Yes. He's perfect."
Cindy released her and placed her hand over her heart. "I'm so happy for you. So glad he made it home."
Gwen glanced at the shiny stone, widened her smile, and returned her gaze to her friend.
"Happy enough to be my Matron of Honor?"
"I'd be thrilled. Have you picked a date?"
"Not yet. But soon."
Cindy reached up, adjusted her black rimmed, cat eye eyeglasses, and tucked her long, dark hair behind her ears. "I always knew you two would marry. We should get together tonight. Start planning."
Though she was excited to begin, she'd already made plans to spend the evening with Jack. She'd gone without seeing him for two years, and now that he was back, she couldn't imagine not seeing him every day.
"I can't tonight, but maybe we could do it over our lunch hours?"
Her friend offered an understanding smile. "Of course. What was I thinking? If it were me, I'd be with my husband every waking moment."
A tinge of guilt sifted through Gwen. Her poor friend. She understood waiting every day to hear news about a loved one.
Cindy reached across the table and placed her hand on Gwen’s forearm. "It's okay for you to be excited. I'm really happy for you. So glad Jack made it home. We all need good news in times like these."
