Page 16 of The Christmas Ring
“Just... you know.” He motioned like he was bunching the branches together. “Be the tree. Exactly.”
They started walking again and she narrowed her eyes. “Did that really happen?”
“Okay, no. I made that one up.”
She laughed again and Ben found another funny story from the past week and then another and another.
Toward the end of the RiverWalk, Vanessa told him about Isaac Baker, the antique dealer who had called about her ring. “I doubt anything will come from it.”
“I don’t know.” Ben stopped and faced her. “He has the picture, so this time the ring might really be yours.”
She explained that the guy had a lot of tracing to do to even find the store where he’d sold the ring. If indeed it washer ring. “I’ll see what he comes up with. I’m still praying I’ll find it. Like Sadie and I would say back when I lost the ring, God knows where it is. He’ll bring it back to me in His timing. If that’s His will.”
Ben searched her face, her eyes. “Great attitude.” He sauntered beside her. “We both know that God doesn’t always answer our prayers with a yes.”
“He doesn’t.”
“But that was true for Jesus, too. His greatest prayer in the garden of Gethsemane was met with a ‘no.’”
“Wow.” Vanessa looked straight ahead for a moment. “I never thought of that.”
They kept walking. The next table of vintage objects had a large gold star at the center. Ben picked it up and held it over his head. “For the mayor?”
More laughter. When they finished at the bazaar, they left her car and drove in his truck to pick up donations for the dance. Ben loved having her in his truck, riding shotgun next to him. Like the two had known each other for years.
She told him how the dance had helped fifty families survive Christmas last year and how this year they had a hundred on the list. “I think we can do it. The news is running a piece about the fundraiser, and the community is more aware. Everyone wants to help.”
Ben glanced at her. “Now I’m impressed.” Their eyes held. “Since the day I met you.”
Her eyes were more locked in, their connection stronger. She smiled, demure. “Thank you.”
Their first stop was the candy store. Mrs. Benson wasone of the supporters of Columbus Cares, and she had offered to donate a hundred chocolate Christmas trees for the family baskets.
They walked inside the shop and Ben stopped. He’d never seen anything like the place. Candy covered every inch. All around him were shelves of it, rows and displays and boxes of it. “You know.” He leaned close and whispered to Vanessa, “I was really hoping I could find some candy in this place.”
Vanessa giggled. “Stop.”
Mrs. Benson finished up with a customer. When the patron left, she turned to Ben and Vanessa. “Well, hello there.” The shopkeeper eyed Ben. “And who may I ask is this?”
“This is my friend. Ben Miller.” Vanessa tried to keep a straight face. Her cheeks were already pink, likely from the woman’s reaction. “Ben, this is Margaret Benson. Everyone’s favorite grandmother.”
“And candy lady!” Mrs. Benson gave Ben a thumbs-up. The woman was in her late seventies, Vanessa had told him. But she had the spunk of someone half her age. Ben had to agree.
Mrs. Benson walked out from behind the counter and pointed to a large bag on the floor in front of the register. “There they are—a hundred chocolate Christmas trees.”
Vanessa took Mrs. Benson’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re amazing. Thank you.” Vanessa started for the bag, but Ben got there first.
“I’ll carry them.” He grinned at her.
“Vanessa Mayfield.” Mrs. Benson put her hands on her hips. “Don’t you tell me that handsome man is just a friend. You two better figure it out.”
Nice,Ben thought to himself. He wanted to thank the older woman for saying so, but instead he only smiled at her. “Nice meeting you.”
“Yes, thank you again, Mrs. Benson.” Vanessa gave her a smile and a slight shake of her head.
Mrs. Benson seemed to get the hint. She gave a light shrug. “Just saying, Vanessa.”
When Ben and Vanessa stepped outside, Ben chuckled. “I think I like her.”
