Page 39 of The Christmas Ring
“Well, let’s just say for that one... the story has only just begun.”
They headed to the register then and Ben bought four additional frames. He looked at Vanessa. “Old frames are like Christmas itself. They both hold the images we’ll remember for a lifetime.”
“Maybe you need your own book.” She held on to his elbow as he paid.
When they left the store, carolers were singing on Old Town Square. “Seems only right,” Ben teased her. “I mean, they might not invite us to sing, but...”
“Absolutely. We have to listen.”
A small crowd had gathered by then. Ben and Vanessa found a spot near the back, several feet from the audience. A place where it felt like just the two of them.
The stars shone bright overhead, and the voices of the carolers filled the air. Again, Ben put his arm around her. The group finished one song and started “The Christmas Song.” One of Ben’s favorites.
He lowered his face to her level and whispered, “You cold?” He stood behind her and slipped his other arm around her, too.
“Not now.” She turned in his arms so she could see him. And like that the moment was theirs alone. Ben worked his fingers into her hair. He was about to kiss her when out of nowhere, the Sidewalk Santa walked by ringing his bell again.
The sound caught them off guard and they both burst out laughing. Ben shook his head. “Busy guy.”
“Definitely.” She bit her lip. “I don’t really want to leave this, but...”
“Dinner reservations?” He laughed. “You’re right.” He put his hand alongside her cheek. “Can I take a rain check on this moment?”
“I hope so.”
They made their way inside Emilio’s, Old Town’s best Italian restaurant. Before they were seated, Vanessa’s expression changed ever so subtly. “I have to tell you something.”
“Okay.” Ben couldn’t imagine this being bad news. Not after the moment they’d just shared.
“Sadie and I worked at the Veterans’ Hall till late last night, and when we got home, she FaceTimed Hudson.” Vanessa sighed. “I’m sorry. Today she was gone with Ella and Cami before I woke up. They were headed to Fort Benning. The rest of the day was more decorating and filling baskets and—”
“And you haven’t told her.” Ben laughed. “I’m trying to imagine the look on her face when we show up at the dance tomorrow night. ‘Hello. I’m Ben Miller. Your mom and I have been talking every day for the past six months.’”
Vanessa put her hand to her face. “It’s like a comedy of errors.”
“It’ll all work out.” Ben took her hand. “Let’s enjoy tonight.”
They were seated at a beautiful booth near the back, and Vanessa wished the night would last forever. The window next to the booth overlooked Old Town Square and the tree. They could even hear the faint sound of songs fromthe carolers. “This”—Vanessa turned to him—“might be my favorite Christmas moment ever.”
“It might be mine, too.” Ben looked like he could spend the rest of the evening staring at her. As if he were memorizing her features.
They ate chicken piccata, and after dinner they ordered a piece of cheesecake to share. That’s when Ben took her hand and ran his thumb over the bare spot on her ring finger. “This is where you wore the Christmas ring?”
“It is.” Vanessa still had her wedding ring on the other hand. She was beginning to feel self-conscious about the fact. But if things with Ben kept moving in this direction, she would remove it. They had time.
Ben lifted his eyes to hers. “You haven’t told me the history of it. The Christmas ring.”
“I haven’t?” Vanessa couldn’t believe that.
“No. Just that it was a red stone with shiny diamonds. Cubic zirconia, I’m guessing.”
“Probably.” She leaned back in the booth. “It’s a great story. My great-grandfather found the ring on D-Day.”
“Wait. Actually? On D-Day?” Ben leaned forward. “How did that happen?”
Vanessa smiled. “He shared the story with me a hundred times. It was his favorite.” Vanessa could picture him. Still handsome in his seventies and eighties. She was the apple of his eye back then. “He was part of the 101st Airborne Division.”
“The Screaming Eagles. Okay.” He looked shocked by the fact. “He told you this?”
