Winter nodded. “All right, Michael.” Truthfully, she didn’t mind spending a little more time with him. All too soon, it would come to an end. She smiled. It was as good a way as any to spend a Saturday morning, and she had time before going to the hospital. At the thought of what was going to happen, she had to fight down her elation. That same afternoon, she was going to be taking her daughter home.
She had assumed that Michael wanted to go to the mall, but he surprised her. He drove downtown instead and parked in front of a discrete jewelry shop. Michael came round the front of the Porsche 911 to open the passenger door and extend a hand to help her out. She glanced at him quickly, but she didn’t dare ask him what they were doing at a jewelry store. She felt an inkling of apprehension.
The understated store front only hinted at what was inside. A bell above the door tinkled as they entered the shop. She saw at once that it was a high-end establishment. Crystal chandeliers, dark wainscoting and plush carpets were the perfect elegant foil for the gleaming showcases.
A well-dressed clerk approached. “May I be of assistance?” he asked quietly.
Her inner agitation increased. Michael can’t be thinking of a ring.
“Yes, we’d like to look at your necklaces.”
Winter went almost limp with relief, but at the same time, a sharp disappointment cut through her. She was astonished at her incomprehensible reaction.
The clerk inclined his head. “This way.” He ushered them forward with a polite gesture, leading them farther into the interior of the exclusive shop. As the clerk slid behind a locked showcase, Michael stopped to look down at its contents. Within a very few minutes, he had pointed out a selection, which the attentive clerk carefully drew out of the case for inspection.
Michael looked at her with a smile curving his lips. “What do you think, Winter?”
She stared at the fabulous piece that the clerk was holding across his open palms. She was dazzled by it. Shaped like a sickle moon, it was a wide hammered silver band, set with diamonds, edged with gold, and hung from a thick silver chain. It was utterly beautiful. There was, of course, no price tag in evidence. She knew that the piece must be exorbitantly expensive. She puckered her brows in bewilderment. And Michael wanted to spend that kind of money on her! What was he thinking? It was crazy!
“Don’t you like it?”
Winter looked up at him quickly. His expression had faded into a faint frown. He looked as though he was displeased by her lack of response. She hurried to reassure him. “Michael, it’s beautiful, truly beautiful! It’s probably the most beautiful piece I’ve ever seen.”
There was a gleam in his eyes, and a smile slanted over his face. “I hear a ‘but’ in there.”
She shook her head, helplessly. “It-it’s too much. I wouldn’t be comfortable.” As she looked down again at the necklace, Winter suppressed her natural desire and reminded herself how many of the bills the cost of it might cover. It was criminal to think of wearing something like that when she was in such dire need. The price of such a beautiful piece might even stretch to cover the salary of a home nurse for Chloe, she thought wistfully. If she had in cash only a part of what Michael was willing to spend for the necklace…
A wild notion sprang into her mind. She swallowed. If she dared ask, would he go for it? There was only one way to find out. “Michael, would you mind terribly giving me an American Express Gift Card instead?” There, she had done it. She willed herself to hold his astonished gaze. Her pulse beat heavy in her throat while she held her breath.
He regarded her for a long, agonizing moment. There was an unreadable expression in his ice-blue eyes. “Is that really what you would prefer?”
“I think so, yes.” She tried to keep her tone casual, but she couldn’t help nervously fingering the strap of her purse.