Page 48 of The Christmas Ring
“Did you check your email?” Leigh looked serious. “Imean, come on. I can’t believe this guy. He sure had me fooled.”
Vanessa still wasn’t angry with Ben. She wasn’t even disappointed. Whatever it was that caused him to run, there was a reason. She would tell herself that even if she never knew why. “I think he just wasn’t ready. For six months he’s been nothing but kind.” She looked at her friends. “I left him a message asking what went wrong. Telling him I was here for him.”
“More than gracious.” Leigh shook her head. Something seemed to catch her attention.
Vanessa followed a rustle of commotion and there, entering the building, was Mrs. Benson. On her scooter, no less.
“Looks like she learned how to use it.” Maria chuckled. “Sweet old woman.”
A few high school kids walked beside her, carrying platters of cookies. Vanessa couldn’t hear what Mrs. Benson was saying, but no question she was still giving orders. The teens seemed to hang on every word, trying to get it right.
Vanessa slipped her arms around Leigh’s and Maria’s shoulders, the three of them watching the scene with Mrs. Benson play out. “See. That right there.” Vanessa felt her spirits lift. “That’s what Columbus Cares is all about.”
“Helping each other.” Maria smiled.
“Being family.” Leigh chuckled. “Even if your family includes that bossy Mrs. Benson.”
Vanessa heard a buzz from her phone. Maybe this was Ben. He would be texting to tell her he was sorry and thathe would give her the details as soon as he arrived in Columbus. She hurried for her cell and stared at it.
Leigh and Maria moved close, waiting.
“It’s Isaac.” Vanessa’s heart jumped. “He found my ring! He found it!” The three friends jumped around like third graders picked for the same team.
“Where is it?” Maria looked as thrilled as Vanessa felt.
“He should bring it here. That’s only right.” Leigh nodded. “If he wants the reward, tell him he has to bring it here. For the dance.”
“He lives in Colorado.” Vanessa shook her head at Leigh. “Funny girl.”
“Sadie!” Maria called out. “Come here!”
Sadie and Hudson looked up and hurried to the group. Maria did the explaining. “The guy from Colorado... He found your mom’s ring!”
“What?” Sadie scurried to Vanessa’s side. “What did he say?”
Vanessa read the antique dealer’s text. “Just that he found my ring. So I asked him where it was.” Vanessa waited and all of them hovered over the phone. Just then Isaac’s next text came through. It took less than two seconds for the good news to turn bad. “Oh no.”
“What?” Hudson stood on the other side of Sadie. “Read it.”
Vanessa held up the phone. “It’s a photo. He has the wrong ring.”
Sadie pulled Vanessa into her arms. “Mom. I’m so sorry.”
“That’s terrible.” Maria put her hand on Vanessa’s back. “That’s not the way this is supposed to go.”
“Give me your phone.” Leigh reached for Vanessa’s cell. “I’ll talk to the guy.”
“No.” Vanessa slipped her phone back into her bag. “It’s not the first time something like this hasn’t worked out.”
Leigh crossed her arms. “Talk about the Grinch who stole Christmas.”
Gradually they all got back to work. Ten minutes later they were finished, the Veterans’ Hall perfect. Before they headed to their cars, Vanessa shared a look with Sadie. Hudson was already loading empty boxes into his car, so it was just the two of them. “I guess I’ll just have to keep praying.”
“Yes.” Sadie gave Vanessa a sad smile. “About the ring? Or about Ben?”
Vanessa only returned the smile. Because of all the people in the world, Sadie knew her best. That much was still true.
Chapter 17
