Cadence of Cranberries - Valerie Comer Page 0,9

love each other. I know we might seem young to some, but good grief, I’m almost a fully qualified doctor, and she’s a nurse.”

“I’m not arguing, son.”

“Others will. The doctors on staff joke about me being the rookie. Like I’m fifteen instead of twenty-five.”

“Don’t worry what they think. If you love Katri, and you guys are on the same page, don’t let their opinions affect your decision.”

Dominic drove his fingers through his hair. “I should have bought a ring already, but I can’t even afford half of what she deserves. I’m thankful you and Dad saved for my education, but I’m still living on a shoestring. Katri deserves better.”

“It’s not all about money, son. You’ll soon be earning a decent salary. If Katri loves you, she won’t care how much you spent on the ring.”

“Are there even any jewelry stores open on Thanksgiving Sunday?”

Winnie chuckled. “You know there will be. It was a busy weekend for our family, but the rest of the USA has been in a shopping frenzy, kicking off the holiday season. Britt and Gabby found time to hit the mall Friday before you and Katri arrived.”

Dominic sank his head into his hands. “I’m crazy, aren’t I? I should go back to Seattle and plan this out more carefully. Do it right.”

Winnie clenched her fingers together. Was it all about money, or was he second-guessing his decision? She looked down and rubbed the solitaire on her left hand. Then the wedding band.

She remembered the day Al had dropped to one knee on the Gonzaga campus and offered her this diamond as he asked her to marry him. She hadn’t even looked at the ring. All she’d seen was the adoration in her beloved’s eyes.

Slowly, she twisted the rings over her knuckle. Was this the right decision? Al, what do you think? But he wasn’t here. She squeezed the rings in her palm. Lord? Does this mean it’s okay to move on? I’ll never forget Al. I never want to, but maybe it’s time I stopped being just a widow and began living for the future.

“Dominic?”

He looked over at her as she stretched her hand toward him. Eyes questioning, he held his palm out, and she dropped the set into it. Her son’s eyes widened in the dim light. “Are you sure, Mom? Aren’t these...?”

Winnie nodded. “The rings your dad gave me. I’d like Katri to have them, if you think she wouldn’t mind a used set.” She managed a laugh, though it caught in her throat. “Some women love vintage.”

“I wasn’t hinting, Mom. Honest.”

But she heard the hopeful lilt in his voice. “I know.” Winnie reached for her son, and he leaned over and drew her into a tight hug.

“Thanks. This means more to me than I can say. These rings... I’ll always remember the great example you and Dad were to us kids. I only hope and pray that I’ll be as good a husband to Katri as Dad was to you.”

When her firstborn let her go and left her room, Winnie drew her knees up to her chest, and tears flooded her eyes. It was the right thing to do. Al would approve. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t hard.

“This is it, Dad.” Katri bounded out of Charlie’s red Mustang and stood on the sidewalk in front of a white bungalow surrounded by bare trees. A vibrant turquoise front door was set back in a small porch alcove beside a wreath of autumn leaves.

The Santoros’ home looked comfortable. Unpretentious. But he was still more crazy than not for accepting an invitation to a stranger’s home for a family holiday dinner.

His daughter rocked on her heels and grinned at him, her eyes gleaming in excitement as though she hadn’t already spent the morning with her boyfriend. They’d gone to Dominic’s family’s church. Charlie had attended his own across the river, wishing she’d come with him, but understanding why she hadn’t.

“Come on, Daddy.” She tucked her hand through his arm and gave him a tug. “Promise they won’t bite. You’ll love Dominic’s family. They’re great.”

He could only hope. He hadn’t pressed her for more information, since a perverse part of him couldn’t help but cling to the dream Dominic’s mom was his Winnie. In a minute, his hopes would be dashed, probably by Mr. Winnie answering the door. No, Dominic had mentioned his mom was widowed.

Charlie let Katri drag him down the sidewalk, up the three steps, and to the front door, where she gave a wiggly