Black Hills

that’s why.”
    “Relax, Farley, it’s all good.”
    “Right.”
    “Just take a quick scan, pick the one that pops out to you first.”
    “Ah . . . That one? It’s got that pretty round diamond in it.”
    “It’s beautiful, but the trouble with that one is how it sticks up from the band.” Lil held her thumb and index finger a little apart to show him what she meant. “Tansy works with her hands a lot, with the animals. That’s going to catch.”
    “That makes sense. So she’ll want something that doesn’t stick up so high.” He shoved up his hat to scratch his head. “There’s not so many with this color, but still a lot to figure from. That one’s nice, with the working on the band, but the diamond’s kind of puny. I don’t want to go on the cheap.”
    As Lil leaned forward for a better look, the clerk bounced up.
    “Hey! Do you two have something to tell me?”
    “We can’t keep our great love for each other a secret any longer,” Lil said and made Farley blush. “How are you, Ella?”
    “Just fine. So you’ve dragged Farley in here for your cover? If you see what you want, I’ll be glad to steer Coop to it when he comes in.”
    “What? No. No, no.”
    “Everybody’s just waiting for the two of you to make an announcement.”
    “There is no announcement. Everybody’s just . . . off.” Flustered, she felt her own color rise. “I’m just here as consultant. Farley’s in the market.”
    “Really?” Ella all but squealed it. “It’s always the quiet types who run deep. Who’s the lucky lady?”
    “I haven’t asked her yet, so . . .”
    “It wouldn’t be a certain exotic beauty I’ve seen you dancing with a time or two? The one who lives a couple blocks down, where your truck’s been parked pretty regularly these past weeks?”
    “Ah . . .” This time he shifted his feet.
    “Oh, my God, it is ! This is huge. Wait until I tell—”
    “You can’t. You can’t tell anybody, Ella. I haven’t asked her yet.”
    Ella laid a hand on her heart, held the other up to swear. “Not a word. We’re experts at keeping secrets here. Though I may just pee my pants with this one if you don’t ask her quick. Let’s get down to business. Tell me what you have in mind.”
    “Lil thinks this rose gold.”
    “Oh, lovely choice for her.” Ella unlocked the case, and began to set a small selection on a velvet pad.
    They discussed, debated, with Lil helpfully trying on each contender. After considerable time and worry, he gave Lil a pained look. “You have to tell me if I’m wrong. I like this one here. I like how the band’s wide—looks substantial, you know? And how the little diamond things ride up against the round one in the middle. She’ll know she’s got it on. She’ll know I put it there.”
    Lil rose on her toes and kissed his cheek, as Ella stood behind the counter and sighed. “I was hoping you’d pick that one. She’ll love it, Farley. It’s just exactly right.”
    “Thank the Lord, ’cause I was starting to sweat.”
    “It’s beautiful, Farley. Unusual, contemporary, and still romantic.” Ella replaced the other rings. “What size does she wear?”
    “Oh, well, hell.”
    “Around a six,” Lil told her. “I’m a five, and we’ve traded rings before. Hers are a little bigger than mine. I wear hers on my middle finger. I think . . .” She picked up the ring and slid it on her middle finger. “This is about right.”
    “Must be fate. If it needs to be sized, you just bring her in with it, and we’ll take care of it. Or she can exchange it if she sees something she likes better. I’m going to get the paperwork on it, Farley, and we’ll do the deal.”
    Ella crooked her finger so he’d lean down. “And because I once let you kiss me behind the bleachers, I’m giving you fifteen percent off. You make sure you come back to me for the wedding bands.”
    “I wouldn’t go anywhere else.” He looked over at Lil, his eyes dazed. “I’m buying Tansy a ring. Don’t do that,” he said when Lil’s eyes filled. “I’m afraid I’m going to water up myself.”
    She put her arms around him, laid her head on his chest while he patted her back. Choices, she thought, and chances. Some made the right choices, and made the best of their chances.

23
    Farley followed her to the farm, so Lil experienced the sweetness of watching him show off the ring to her parents. There was backslap ping, a few tears, and the promise to bring Tansy over for a family