The woman is quiet. “Well . . . there’s our personal vacation cabin. . . .”
My eyes snap open. “I’d hate to put you out, miss.”
“We don’t usually rent it out, but you sound like a nice young man. I suppose one night would be okay.”
I exhale a giant sigh and grin. “You are an angel. Thank you. I mean it. We’ll take good care of it.”
She sounds happy. “Let me make some calls and I’ll give you the lock code.”
I finish talking to the Grand Canyon angel, hoping her cabin is as beautiful as the ones posted online.
Next I scan through local jewelers on my mobile and head to the closest shop. As I browse at the counter, looking around for whisperers all the while, one thing becomes quickly apparent: I cannot buy Anna a diamond. They scream of matrimony. Every one of these sparklies would attract attention, even if she wore it on a different finger or hand. And the men’s bands are quite obvious as well.
This could take a while. I call Marna to help with some other things I won’t have time for.
“What can I do for you, darling?” she asks.
“I need clothes for tomorrow. I didn’t pack enough and I’m running low on time. Can you manage?”
“Absolutely. Anything else?”
“Food, perhaps.” I give her my sizes and get back to ring shopping.
In my search I happen upon a funky shop with artistic, handmade pieces. The prices are astronomical, but I don’t care. In fact, I’m glad to spend a lot on something to commemorate this day.
I consult the almighty Google to learn of Anna’s May birthstone, the emerald. Almost immediately my eye is drawn to a small ring with Celtic vines knotted around a circular emerald. The shop woman takes it out for me.
“What size do you need?” she asks.
Size? I haven’t the slightest clue.
“Er, small?”
“This one is five and a quarter,” she says. “It’s a rather small size. It won’t fit on my hand.” She holds her hand out for me to see, and it’s definitely larger than Anna’s. I don’t want to mess this up, but I haven’t much choice. The look of it is perfect.
She shows me the men’s rings next and I gravitate to the thick black tribal designs. I point to the most wicked-looking one, the design etched into silver just like Anna’s.
“I’ll take them both.”
I scan the clear skies as I leave the shop with our rings. Our wedding rings.
I shake my head and drive for the airport.
Blake’s plane is killer, roomier than Father’s jet, with that new leather smell.
He welcomes me aboard with a grin and a salute.
“This is brilliant, mate.”
He crosses his arms, peering around. “Yeah, being the son of Envy has its advantages.”
“Bloody right,” I say, setting down my bag.
“Well, we’re all fueled up and ready to go when everyone gets here.”
My insides dip with a fluttery, falling sensation and I grip the top of the seat I’m standing near. Blake laughs.
“You nervous, man? Don’t puke on the upholstery.”
“I won’t,” I mutter, forcing myself to straighten. I’ve no reason to be feeling strange.
Except perhaps for the fact that I’m going to be a husband. This wasn’t exactly something I envisioned for myself. It was never in my nature to commit. Anna’s shown me it’s okay to hope for something more, to want something better. The things I was taught to think of as weaknesses I now recognize as strengths. I can’t explain why I’m so jittery when everything feels so right. I just don’t want to bung it up.
“So, what’s the plan?” Blake asks. “You thought about where I should take you guys afterward?”
“Yeah.” I tell him about the Grand Canyon. He fist-bumps me again before returning to the cockpit to ready the plane.
I sit at the open space in the back where I can rest my head in my hands and think for a minute. I want this to be perfect for Anna.
I’ve sat like that a long while, trying to get rid of these ridiculous nerves, when I hear feminine giggles coming up the jet steps. The twins burst through the doors, Marna chipper and Ginger looking exhausted. Behind them is Anna, and when I see her staring around the cabin in awe, I remember who I’m dealing with here. Anna is not your picky perfectionist. My girl finds beauty in the small things. Seeing her puts me at ease. I lean back and watch her, one hand behind my head.