“Where did ...how did I not feel?”
“What?”he asked in confusion.
“The ring.I don’t remember you putting it on my finger.”
Jared raised her left hand to his mouth and kissed her ring finger.
“I know it went pretty fast,” he said and grinned.“You looked pretty bewildered the whole time.”
Sky held it out in front of her.“Jared, it’s beautiful.”It was a simple white-gold band with diamonds all around it.Her gaze went to his hand and found a thick white-gold ring on his finger.“Where did you get these so quickly?”
“I bought them the last time I was in Dallas.”
Sky looked at him in amazement.“But mine fits perfectly.”
Jared kissed her on her temple.“Because we were meant to be, Baby.”
Sky turned to him and gave him the first real smile, making his heart seize.
“I’d like us to stay in town and get some shopping done.”
Sky finished signing and handed Martin the pen.“That would be fun.”She turned toward Abby.“Did you give him the list?”
Abby and Jared looked at her.
“For what, Sweetheart?”Abby asked.
“For groceries.Jared said we’re going shopping.”
Jared pulled her to his side.“It’s not that kind of shopping.”
Sky looked at him, confused.“What kind are you talking about?”
“Clothes for you.”He regretted saying it in front of everyone when she became visibly embarrassed.“And I need your help with picking out a few shirts for me.”
Sky relaxed a bit and nodded.Everyone started saying their goodbyes before walking out.They waved as Abby and Terry drove away.Sky grew increasingly uncomfortable as the seconds passed.
Jared waited for Sky to settle a bit before walking down the street, but she only seemed to get more agitated.
“Babe, let’s go down the street and look in some of the stores.I bet we can find some things you like, and we can always look online, too.”
Sky clutched his hand and concentrated on keeping pace with his much longer legs.
They went through three stores before Jared sat her down on an outside bench so he could see her face.
“What’s wrong?I know there have been some things you showed interest in.Why didn’t we get those?”
Sky clutched her hands on her lap.
“Jared, I should have told you, but I’ve never shopped before, except a few times in the grocery store with my father.I’ve lived a very secluded life.My father let me go to public school when I could, the library, and the store a few times, but most of my life was spent at home.”
“Did you ever have any friends?”
Sky twisted her wedding band around her finger.
“In my senior year in high school, I had a boyfriend.My father found out after we had been together for two months.”
“How were you able to see each other if your father was so strict?”
