Page 49 of A Scottish Love Story
Roxie nodded. ‘Yes, I’m glad, but I shall always feel guilty for leaving your mother as I did. Let’s hope the cows all breed well for you.’
‘For us.’ Ciaran corrected her. He pulled her close for a lingering kiss. ‘I had intended taking you to Edinburgh to look for an engagement ring as soon as we got back. I can’t wait toshow the world you’re going to marry me. Mum’s accident has delayed that.’
‘The main thing now is that the operation is a success and she makes a good recovery. We know how we feel about each other, and that is what matters. Or at least it makes me happy and more relaxed.’
‘Even so, if all goes well with Mum for the next day or so, perhaps we could go into town and look around the local jewellers to see if there’s a ring you would like? I’m impatient to prove you’re going to be my wife, my loved and loving wife,’ he said with a boyish grin. `We could go for a celebration lunch before visiting time at the hospital. I’m not convinced Mum really took it in when I introduced you to Mr Whittaker as my fiancée, but when she sees a ring on your finger I know she’ll be certain and delighted. If the surgeons have been round, we might hear whether Mum will get home the following day. If she does, and I hope she will, you may be tied up for weeks. I can’t wait that long now I have found the girl I want to marry. We can tell Don and Jenny once we’ve bought the ring and shown Mum.’
‘Knowing Jenny, they have probably guessed how we feel already.’ Roxie smiled, snuggling into Ciaran’s chest.
‘It will give me the greatest pleasure to confirm their suspicions.’
* * *
The following morning, Roxie got up early to cook some of the dishes she had planned for stocking the freezers. She wanted to get them all cooked and cooling by the time Ciaran arrived to collect her for their trip into town. She had never been acquisitive, or possessed expensive jewellery, but she couldn’t help feeling excited about choosing an engagement ring, something she would cherish for the rest of her life. She wondered if she should buy Ciaran a gift in return, but shewasn’t sure what would be appropriate. She knew he didn’t want to wear a wedding ring because they had both heard of accidents if the ring got caught while they were working with heavy sacks or with animals.
‘Mmm... Something smells good,’ Ciaran said as soon as he entered the house to collect her. He drew her into his arms for a prolonged and very loving kiss. It was some time before Roxie could tell him her morning’s work was for stocking the freezer, but she had made him a special meat pie so he would have a good meal to eat at the end of the day.
There were not many shops specialising in the quality of jewellery Ciaran had in mind. He wanted only the best for his wife-to-be. The first shop they tried was one he knew Amy had patronised a few times. It was obvious they dealt in quality and they had a good selection of rings, bracelets and necklaces, though not many watches. Roxie had it in mind to buy him a gold wristwatch for a wedding present and she had hoped to gain some indication of the kind he would like. She was determined to get the best for the man she loved. She could afford it, especially now she had all of her inheritance.
The dapper middle-aged man who served them was eager to show off one of his most expensive trays of engagement rings, but he was a little disappointed when Roxie’s attention kept returning to one ring that had caught her attention from the beginning. It was still expensive with two beautifully cut diamonds set together on a twist of gold as though they were snuggling into each other, as she and Ciaran had done on their way home in the lorry.
‘See how they sparkle,’ Roxie said in delight, holding out her hand to Ciaran as she tried the ring again after several others.
The owner of the shop was clearly keen to show them more expensive rings. ‘Don’t choose too hastily, my dear. You may be disappointed later. What month is your birthday? Maybe youwould like a ring set with your birthstone. Many have diamonds, too, if diamonds are your preference.’
‘Her birthday is in August, isn’t it, Roxie. Would that emerald match her eyes?’
‘No, I’m afraid not. It is a peridot.’ Roxie shook her head. ‘We do have three beautiful emerald rings, if you prefer green?’ he hastened to add. ‘Remember, my dear, this is a ring to treasure for the rest of your life.’
‘We only get engaged once, so you may as well show us what other rings you have,’ Ciaran said. As the man disappeared through a curtain, he whispered in her ear, ‘I want you to have the ring you really desire, my darling. It doesn’t have to be from this shop, if you’re not sure.’
‘But I really do like the two diamonds together. The way they’re set reminds me of us snuggling together on the journey home when we discovered how wonderful it was to find we love each other. The diamonds are lovely anyway. I’ll bet it will be expensive, but he does not display any prices.’
‘We’re not considering that aspect today. This is once in a lifetime for the only girl I have truly loved,’ he said softly.
The man returned, bringing another tray of sparkling gems. Roxie patiently tried some of them, then she sighed.
‘I really do like the one with two diamonds best of all, but it is rather loose on my finger and I would be afraid of losing it.’
‘We can alter it to fit snugly,’ the man said quickly, afraid they might go to the other first-class jeweller in town. ‘We can do that today. If you have any shopping to do, we can have it done in a couple of hours, I think.’
‘If you’re sure that is the one you want, Roxie, we will leave it to be made smaller and come back after we have had lunch. Would it be ready then?’ Ciaran asked.
‘I guarantee it will, sir. If I could take your size, please?’ He smiled at Roxie as he brought forward a ring sizer. ‘I see you area young lady who knows what she likes and you are not easily influenced once you have made up your mind.’
Back on the main street, Ciaran chuckled.
‘I hope that applies to me as well as rings?’
`Well, I have never chosen anyone for a husband before, or even been tempted.’
‘Then I know I really am a lucky man. We’ll go and have a celebration lunch now, but we shall need to leave the champagne for another day when we aren’t driving.’
‘We will save that to drink when your mother comes home. That will be a cause for celebration.’
‘Yes, so it will. Come on, we’ll get the car. The hotel is the other side of town and we don’t want to be late.’
‘I thought we would be going to one of the restaurants in town. There seems to be plenty of choice.’
