Page 21 of The Christmas Ring
Leigh shook her head. “This year will be a doozy. We have about a dump truck of icing.”
“Last year, most of it wound up on the parking lot asphalt.” Maria wiped the back of her hand across her forehead at the memory. “Talk about a mess. It was everywhere. Kids had sticky tennis shoes till spring.”
Ben chuckled. “Sounds like a good time.”
“Yeah. That’s it!” Leigh nodded at Vanessa. “You should bring him by.”
“Actually...” Vanessa shook her head. “We have plans. Ben has work to do.”
Maria raised her eyebrows. “Okay, then. I guess we’ll be on our way.”
The two left and Vanessa and Ben walked toward the parking lot. Again, Ben seemed to be careful. He didn’t walk too close or let his gaze linger. As if he knew well the fact that Maria and Leigh and many of Vanessa’s friends were probably watching them.
As they reached her car, Ben was still talking about the pastor’s words. “It made me think.” He stopped and smiled at her.
The sun was bright that morning, the air still chilly. Vanessa shaded her eyes. “Me, too. The importance of not getting lost in the past.” She had felt that deeply. The words applied to them both.
“Joseph knew when to let go of all that had shaped hislife... and when to look ahead. At things seen only in visions of angels.” Ben cocked his head. “Profound.”
“Mmm.” Vanessa could feel him working his way into her heart. “Old Walt would be proud.”
“Thank you.” Ben chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Ben had to connect with his dad about work, and Vanessa needed to get home to Sadie. They agreed to meet at the Perfect Find at three. “And this time bring Sadie.” Ben grinned. “If she wants to join us.”
“I will.” Vanessa hesitated. “I’ll see.” Vanessa waved and climbed into her SUV.
Almost immediately Ben pulled out his phone. Vanessa could see him standing outside his truck, face to the sun as he made the call. He waved as she drove out of sight, and only then did Vanessa exhale. Every moment with Ben was better than the last. Friendship or whatever, she wasn’t just having a great visit with Ben.
She was falling for him.
Ben had a few reasons he needed to talk to his father that Sunday afternoon. He had planned to go home for a day before the dance, but now he didn’t want to leave. He couldn’t imagine missing out on the chance to spend the whole week in Columbus.
The store was closed on Sundays, but his dad and Gary often stopped by after church to unload boxes and play a game of chess. His dad picked up on the first ring.
“Ben, my boy, good to hear from you.” His dad’s voice was chipper. Christmas music played in the background. Something from Frank Sinatra.
“Happy Sunday, Dad. How was church?” Ben kept his face to the sun. The warmth felt good after so many cold days.
“Wonderful. Talked about the wise men.” His dad mumbled something to Gary.
In the background, Ben heard Gary complaining. “Tell your dad he can’t move his rook right out the gate. It’s bad manners!”
Ben laughed. “Hey, Dad, listen, I have a question. What would you think about me staying in Columbus until Christmas Eve? The day after Vanessa’s big dance?”
“Christmas Eve?” Ben’s father seemed surprised by the idea. “What about all the treasures you’re buying? We should get them into the storefront. Last-minute shoppers need fresh merchandise.”
Ben thought his dad might say that. “What about the boxes? Anything new there?”
“Gary and I went through them. The folks around here buy up our best stuff before we can open the next container. You know how it goes.”
Ben was careful to hide his disappointment. His dad deserved better. “Okay, then, let’s say I come back on Tuesday night. We can set out what I find here and I’ll head back on Thursday morning so we can look around some more.”
“I like that.” His father seemed to take his time. “How was your service?”
Ben smiled. “It was about Joseph.”
“Now there’s a man who loved his wife.”
