laughed with her. “Well, you’ve never shied away from shopping for new dresses.”
Suddenly, she became serious. “David, that’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Shopping?” he asked.
He thinks I want to shop for myself, she thought.
“Yes, for Jonathan. He doesn’t seem to have many games and puzzles. The books he has look well worn. Does Mrs. Tucker shop for him? Or do you?”
David’s face cleared and then a sheepish look came over him.
“To tell the truth, I am the one who is supposed to. Mrs. Tucker can barely be persuaded to buy clothing for him. I’ve been so busy at work I haven’t lived up to my obligations in that regard. What with your disappearance and all the trouble surrounding it, I haven’t thought about shopping for Jonathan. Mrs. Tucker told me several weeks ago he was outgrowing his clothes.”
“Yes, I noticed how short his pants are. They grow fast at that age.”
“How do you know?”
She shot him a puzzled look. “I don’t know how I know. Do I know anyone who has a child his age?” She dropped her head, shamefaced. “Anyone besides me—us, I mean?”
“Not that I know of. Maybe one of your friends from the Roadhouse?”
“I can’t remember, David. I just can’t remember. I just know little children grow fast.”
“I’ll have to do something about it,” he said. “I’ll have to take some time and do it.”
“I’d like to do it, if you’ll let me, but I don’t know how to manage it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean do I drive? Do I have a car? Where do I go to shop? What do I use for money?”
“Oh, all that.”
“Yes, all that.”
“I hadn’t thought about it, but now that you mention it, since you came back without your wallet, you don’t have any of your usual necessities. I’ll tell you what. I’ll go tomorrow and see about getting you a new driver’s license. I’ll give you some money and a credit card. But”—he paused and looked sternly at her—“it will have a limit on it.”
“Fair enough.”
“You have a car in the garage.” He took her left hand in his. “But you are missing something far more important than your driver’s license and credit cards.”
“What? What else am I missing?”
Instead of squeezing her hand as he had before, he turned it and traced her ring finger from the tip to the base. “Where, my dear, is your wedding ring and the three carat so-called engagement ring you insisted I buy you after we eloped?”
Chapter 23
Marnie rubbed the spot on her left ring finger. How could I have overlooked a missing wedding ring? I guess I forgot about it the same way I forgot about my marriage, my son, and my entire life, she thought. An engagement ring that size must be worth a lot of money. Did I sell it? Give it to my lover?
She sighed. She was so tired of being confronted with yet another situation that revealed what an appalling person she was. Yet David had not accused her of anything, only asked if she remembered what had happened to the rings
Marnie clung to the hope that when she did recall what had happened to her there would be a legitimate reason she had acted the way she did—a reason that made sense to her. Until then, she was going to have to do the best she could to regain her life and make amends to her son and husband.
She tossed and turned during the night, unable to fall asleep because of all the things swirling around in her head. As a result, she slept late, and Jonathan and Mrs. Tucker had already eaten breakfast and returned to the nursery when Marnie stopped in. When she entered the room, Jonathan was busy telling Mrs. Tucker the sounds the various letters made and sounding out words.
Jonathan surprised her by rushing to hug her around the knees as he had done to his father the day before. It was the first time her son had hugged her or shown any affection toward her, and as she bent to put her arms around him, tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
After hearing him read several words and praising his progress, Marnie excused herself.
“I’d better go eat some breakfast myself. I’ll see you later in the day,” she said. “You can finish your lessons while I’m gone.”
When she entered the kitchen, she found Mrs. Grady sitting at the granite island looking through a notebook. “Good mornin’, luv,” she said. “You