Free Forgotten Boxes by Becki Willis Page A

cost me almost a thousand dollars, but every penny was worth
ten times its weight in gold. I even managed to talk her into showing me what sort
of engagement ring she would want for herself. It was small and perfect, just like
her. Totally unpretentious. I even had her try it on. And then, two hours before
my big fateful date with Marissa was scheduled to begin, I heard myself proposing
to a woman I had known for only two hours.”
    “You didn’t!”
    “I did. Of course, I pretended it was in jest. She pretended
to be joking when she said yes. But when I left that jewelry store an hour later,
I knew I would be back to buy that ring.”
    “You were in there three hours?”
    He confirmed her quick calculations with a nod. “Long enough
to know what I had to do. I went on my date with Marissa, found out she was no more
eager to get married than I was, came back home, and called Lucy. One week later,
I went back to the jewelry store, took her on a picnic in the park, and put that
little ring on her finger. It’s been there ever since.”
    Charity clasped her hands together in delight. Her eyes shone
with emotion. “What a beautiful love story!”
    “Lucy and I have been married for thirty-one years. We have three
children — all with green eyes, by the way — four delightful grandchildren, and
I have everything and more that any man could ever hope for. Lucy encouraged me
to break away from the family mold and pursue my love of writing, so now I have
a wonderful career and a wonderful family. Eight years ago, I was in a car accident
and lost the use of my legs. If I had been a chiropractor as planned, my career
would have been over. As a writer, it makes no difference what chair I sit in. I
know without a doubt that, had I been married to Marissa, she would not have been
able to cope with my disability. But Lucy has been not only my private nurse but
my personal coach, my own little five-foot warrior who refuses to offer me any slack
just because my legs don’t work.” A warm laugh accompanied his words. “With that
woman by my side, it’s impossible for me to feel sorry for myself. I am the luckiest
man in the world.”
    Carl looked back down at the package in his hands. “So you see,
that missed delivery was the best thing that ever happened to me. I can’t even imagine
what my life would have been like if that ring had arrived and I had given it to
Marissa. I can’t fathom a life without Lucy and my children. They are my entire
world.” He shook the box only enough to hear the telltale rattle inside.
    Pursing his lips decisively, he handed the package back to Charity.
“You take it. I don’t need this anymore.”
    Charity gasped. “You-You can’t be serious! There’s a diamond
ring inside that box!”
    “I can buy a hundred more diamond rings. I can never buy another
Lucy.”
    “B-B-But…”
    “Believe me, Miss Gannon; this forgotten box is best left forgotten.”

CHAPTER NINE
     
     
    Still basking in the love story of Carl
and Lucy Upjohn, Charity hummed as she drove along the scenic highway. Between the
chance meeting with Tarn, that magical kiss in the parking lot, and now the tender
and inspirational story from Carl Upjohn, her day was turning out to be spectacular.
Add to that the warm Vermont sunshine and the first hint of color among the trees,
and Charity decided the day was borderline perfect.
    The next address on her list was further west, near the charming
mountain village of Stowe. Having visited the Green Mountain area before, Charity
knew the exact inn where she wanted to stay. For once, luck was on her side and
they had a vacancy. By late afternoon, she checked in at the historic inn in one
of their deluxe suites. For little more than the price of the cramped kitchenette,
she had a plush, over-sized room with a four-poster bed, fireplace, Jacuzzi soaking
tub, and a comfortable armchair. She treated herself to an early dinner in the inn’s
dining room, then came back to the room and