Page 224 of Ice Darling
“Daddy, look what I found!” Gordie shrieks. She runs to Renthrow and drops a beautiful, woven wooden ring in the center of his palm.
I stare at the ring in the campfire’s glow and raise a skeptical eyebrow in Mom’s direction.
“Wow. This is beautiful,” Renthrow says. “Thanks, pumpkin.”
“We found it by the lake,” Gordie explains in a stilted voice.
“Really?” I stare straight at my mother who suddenly finds the leaves on a nearby tree a hundred times more interesting than our conversation.
“You should put it on, Daddy.”
“I don’t think it’ll fit me,” Renthrow says.
“Then Delia should try it!” Gordie exclaims.
I wave my hands and shake my head no, but I feel Renthrow staring into my face. He calmly extends his hand to me.
“Our moms are scheming again,” I whisper. “I know how you feel about marriage, Renthrow. Don’t let them push you around.”
“Cordelia,” Renthrow says in a patient voice. “Give me your hand.”
My breathing quickens, and I slowly rest my fingers in his palm. “Just put it on my pinkie or thumb.”
Renthrow bends his head, ignoring me. It feels like all of nature holds its breath as Renthrow slides the woven “twig” on my ring finger. It fits like a glove, even more evidence that neither Gordie nor our moms found this “by chance” in the woods.
It really is beautiful though.
I raise my finger to the moonlight, watching the silver beams play over the hues and textures in the woven ring.
Suddenly, gasps break out.
At first, I think everyone is gasping at my reaction to Renthrow putting a ring on the finger that’s generally reserved for couples who want to get married.
But Gordie shrieks, “Look!” She bounces on her toes and points at the sky. “It’s starting!”
I scramble to my feet, my eyes locked on the heavens. Mom and Brenda snap pictures. Renthrow swings Gordie onto his back so she can marvel from up close.
Stars streak across the sky in a quick but brilliant display. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, and my heart overflows with how vast the world is. Growing up, I’d felt so small, so alone in this huge universe. And though the size of the universe hasn’t changed, I have way more people on my side, and so, it feels a bit more cozy from where I’m standing.
After the shower passes directly overhead, Gordie squirms to be put down and pulls me to the telescope to find the meteors in the distance.
“Come see!” She directs me to press my eye to the telescope.
“I can’t see anything,” I admit.
“Let me see!” Rebel jogs over to us.
Then April, Gunner, and Chance crowd around her, wanting to take turns too. I smile at April and step to the back of the group to let others get in line when a strong arm slides over my waist.
I let out a startled gasp as I’m pulled into Renthrow’s side.
He looks down at me with heated eyes. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I smile gently.
He nuzzles his nose into my neck and whispers, “That ring looks really good on your finger.”
“Does it?” I stretch out my hand.
