Mia stood. “I will. Good luck. I’d love to know what you find out.”
“I’m sure Jasmine’s gran would also like to speak to you about her granddaughter. I think she’s lonely,” Angie said with a smile. “You should visit her.”
“I ... I think I will. That’s a great idea.”
As Angie turned to go, Mia said, “That’s a beautiful solitaire around your neck.”
Angie’s hand flew up to the ring she’d exposed by unzipping her jacket. “Oh, I, uh, thanks.”
“Why not wear it on your finger?”
“Needs to be resized.”
“Engagement ring?” Mia said, coming forward to examine the diamond.
Angie nodded, her cheeks heating.
“Congratulations.”
Angie stepped back abruptly and made for the door, suddenly feeling claustrophobic. Mia hurried ahead and opened the door for her.
“You know, there’s a jeweler one block up who can resize that for you in a few hours. I highly recommend him. His name is Dominique. Accent Jewelers. Tell him Mia sent you. Wait—” She scurried over to her desk and picked up a card from the neat display. “Here you go. And do mention my name. He’ll give you a good deal.”
Angie took the card. Her gaze drifted to the dresses displayed in the alcoves set into the wall. One gown in particular caught her eye. The design was sleek, simple. No fuss or frills. It reminded Angie of something Celtic or medieval in design. Angie had always liked that look. Made her think of Robin Hood’s Maid Marian in deep, dark Sherwood Forest, or Guinevere. Of knights and dragons. Mia’s gaze followed Angie’s.
“When’s the big day?” Mia said.
Angie shook herself. “I, uh, we haven’t settled on a date yet.”
“And a dress?”
Tension balled in Angie’s stomach. “Not yet.”
“That would look absolutely stunning on you. Especially if you wore your long hair straight and loose. I can just see it. With maybe a small circlet headpiece with a dropped pearl at the brow.”
An image formed in Angie’s imagination. She shook it off. “Thanks.” She pocketed the card and stepped out into the cool air, delighted to have the door of Candescence close firmly behind her.
She zipped up her jacket and hastened up the street, aiming for Mayang Photo Place. Her Mini Cooper was already packed for her drive to Port Ferris.
Angie stopped at a crosswalk to wait for a red light, and she glanced down the street to her right. There it was—Accent Jewelers.
Maddocks’s words filtered into her mind.
Just know one thing, Angie—I love you. If you want to stay engaged, if you want what I want, to get married—I’m here. I’m yours. But it’s your call ...
She checked her watch. She had some time to kill before meeting with Daniel. She didn’treallyhave to start driving up island until noon or 1:00 p.m. at the latest. What the hell—if she wanted to do something concrete to show Maddocks that she was serious,thiswas a first step. Fit his ring.
A warmth crushed through her chest at the thought of wearing his diamond on her hand. She turned and headed quickly down the street, making for the jewelry store before she could change her mind.
CHAPTER 23
“I’m sorry, Ange,” Daniel said. “I got nothing else for you apart from one additional file. The rest is damaged goods. There had to have been a water event, some kind of flooding, maybe a burst hot water cylinder in that crawl space where these tapes were stored. They all got soaked at some point. I suspect they never really dried out properly.”
“But the first ones you converted were fine.”
“Different box. That one must have stayed high and dry.”
“Are yousure?”
