Chapter 8
8
Without crutches, the cobblestone streets and walkways of Galway were fairly simple to navigate. Dana stopped at the first shop she came to. Alone for the day, she intended to find an Irish wool sweater for herself and one for her father, if she could. She was in no rush. Cheyanne, Chandler, and the rest of the party had hurried to see the Claddagh rings before taking an all-day tour of the Cliffs of Moher, which included a two-mile hike. While she was more than glad to ditch the crutches, a hike was more than she should take on, since the goal was to stand at her sister’s wedding in heels.
She wandered in and out of the shops in the tourist trap district. One shop boasted the softest sweaters in town. Dana browsed each shelf until she’d seen every sweater. A traditional Aran sweater caught her eye. Knowing she would come back the same way to return to the dock, Dana left without making a purchase. What were the chances that the first store would have the perfect sweater? Better off checking the other stores before settling on this one.
Two streets later, a jewelry shop tempted her inside with its promise of sitting for a twenty-minute presentation on Claddagh rings. It was time for a rest.
After watching a video presentation on the history of the Claddagh ring and its symbols of the heart, hands, and crown. She politely looked at the less expensive rings in the shop before exiting. Since the ring’s history was so tied to romance, she decided not to get one. She didn’t need the reminder of the thing that eluded her year after year. The idea of wearing the ring with the heart pointed out to show she was available wasn’t her vibe. No point in advertising to the world she didn’t have a boyfriend.
She waited for a couple to enter before exiting. A man held the outer door for her.
“Miss Knight?”
Dana registered the voice before she recognized Officer Worth out of uniform. Still handsome. “I didn’t recognize you in clothes.” Heat rushed to her face. “I mean…”
His laugh echoed in the narrow street. “I’m undercover as an American tourist. Did you find a ring?”
“Not really looking for one. I took advantage of the video to sit for a while.”
“Hey, you don’t have crutches today.”
“No. I’ve been super conservative about using them. At home, I would have ditched them days ago.”
He glanced up the street. “Where is the rest of your group?”
“On an excursion.”
“They left you behind again?”
“No, this one was my choice not to go. I decided that hiking along the cliffs wasn’t for me at the moment.”
“Understandable. So what are you doing?”
“Window shopping mostly.”
“Instead of hiking, you’re walking all around Galway? You’ll put on almost as many miles as you would on the cliffs.”
“Yes, but I can go slowly and stop at every café. What are you doing off ship?” If he could ask about her, it was only fair she asked a few questions back.
“I need to purchase a Claddagh ring.”
“Girlfriend in every port?”
“I see the video indoctrinated you.”
“Maybe. I take it you’ve seen it before.”
“I think it’s required that everybody who comes to Galway learn about the ring.”
Curiosity was killing her. Of course, he had a girlfriend, probably another crew member. Still, Dana wanted an answer to the question he’d sidestepped. “So, who is the special person who gets a ring from you?”
“My mother.”
Unexpected. He didn’t look like one of those men who spent a lot of time with his mother.
He cleared his throat. “Will you help me find the right one for her? I don’t know much about jewelry.”
Ring shopping? Weird, but it would be nice to spend some time with him. “Sure, do you know what she likes?”
“No. She wants something to replace her wedding and engagement ring while she goes through chemo.”
“Your mother has cancer?”
“Yes. That’s the reason this is my last cruise for a while. I’m taking a sabbatical to go home to be with her.”
“Have you tried many stores?”
“This is the first one.” He held the door for her again and they returned inside.
The traditional Claddagh ring with a crown on top of the heart held by two hands was an iconic symbol. Perhaps it was because she didn’t wear many rings, but she found the traditional ring style not that engaging. The crown seemed like it would snag on sleeves. “Silver or gold, what does she like?”
Officer Worth shrugged. “Do you know her size?”
“Seven.”
“Same as me.”
They looked at ring after ring, eliminating various styles. Officer Worth agreed that the versions with the larger crowns could easily catch on things.
“May I help you?” The saleswoman had a lilt to her voice.
“Yes,” answered Officer Worth. “Can we try these two rings on? And I like the ones with the emerald hearts. Do you have any in US size seven?”
The saleswoman looked to Dana for confirmation, before bringing them to a less busy area of the counter.
While the woman pulled the rings out from under the counter, Dana looked at the selection under the glass. A non-traditional rose gold ring stood out. Not for the officer’s mother, but for her.
The saleswoman set two black velvet boxes in front of Officer Worth. “Did something catch your eye, miss?”
Dana looked up. “Mine. No. We are looking for his mother.”
The saleswoman winked at Officer Worth. “You should get one for your girlfriend, too.”
“She’s not?—”
“He’s not?—”
Dana and Officer Worth’s answers tumbled over each other.
He cleared his throat. “Miss Knight is just giving me a woman’s opinion.”
The saleswoman looked from one to another. “You aren’t even on a first name basis?”
Dana inched away. Hoping that McKay would answer. “It’s complicated.”
The saleswoman smiled. “It isn’t as complicated as you think. Ireland is a magical place. Let me show you these rings.”
McKay focused on the rings at the counter. He picked up the emerald heart one and twisted it in the light. “Miss Knight, er Dana,” Although her name had been swimming through his mind, tasting it on his tongue felt intimate.
“Dana’s fine.”
“Would you try this one on? I want to see if I like it on a hand too.”
Dana modeled it for him.
“I think my mother would like this the most.”
“You said she wanted it for her chemo days. She might prefer the less expensive silver ones, so if she loses it, she won’t feel as bad.” Dana slipped the ring off and set it in front of McKay.
“Ach, I got just the thing.” The saleswoman hurried to the end of the counter.
“I’m sorry if she embarrassed you with the girlfriend thing,” he said.
Dana laughed. “It is a natural assumption. Two people about the same age shopping together for rings. Although I am not sure I should use your name or not.”
“Off the ship, you may.”
“How about I avoid using your name at all?”
The saleswoman returned with a selection of silver rings. “These are all under twenty and I’ll give ye half off with the purchase of one of these others.”
Was it his imagination or did the saleswoman’s Irish brogue become heavier as she inched toward a sale?
“Dana, which one?”
“This one is almost exactly the same size and design as the emerald one. I suggest a matched pair.” Dana pointed to the one in the middle of the selection.
McKay turned to the saleswoman. “They are both sevens in US ring sizes? Without my mother here?—”
The woman produced a long metal wand and dropped first one ring then the other on it. “Yes, they both show as sevens.”
“I’ll get them both.”
The saleswoman bustled about putting the velvet ring displays on the back counter and wrapping his chosen rings. Dana stayed by his side, looking at the other rings on display.
He leaned closer and spoke so the saleswoman wouldn’t hear. “I am curious. Which ring do you keep looking at?”
Dana tapped the glass. “The rose gold one, third one down.”
“You should try it on.”
“What is the point? I am not buying one.”
The saleswoman returned with McKay’s purchase and his taxfree card. “You should try it on, miss. You never know.”
“I’m afraid I’ll love it, and it isn’t in my price range. But thank you.” Dana smiled at the saleswoman and exited the store.
McKay followed after her. “Thanks for your help. What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Purchase a sweater. I found one I like but I want to make sure there isn’t one I like better. Then there is a hop-on bus tour with a stop at the top of the street. I figure I can ride it around and see the rest of the town. When I’m done, it stops closer to the dock.”
“Do you mind if I tag along while you shop? I need to get my sister and my niece something.”
They wandered up the street in and out of crowded shops.
“McKay,” Dana called to get his attention. “Look at this sheep. Would your niece like him? He is the cutest of the ones I’ve seen today.”
McKay picked up the stuffed animal, surprised to see it was made in Ireland with real Irish wool and not halfway across the globe. “I think Gracie will love it.”
Dana picked up three smaller versions of the sheep. “Definitely a kid pleaser.”
“Who are those for? Nieces and nephews?”
Dana laughed. “Cheyanne is my only sibling, not an aunt yet. These are work related.”
“So, you can’t tell me, or you have to?—?”
“Never speak with you again, among other things.” Dana paid for her purchases and waited for him.
He waved to the top of the street. “Only a couple of stores left. Have you found a sweater better than the first one you saw?”
“No.”
“You should go back and get it, then. You don’t want it to be the one that got away.”
“You’re right.”
They backtracked to a side street and entered the shop. Dana went straight to the sweater she liked, a traditional pattern in blue. A lavender one in a similar style sat next to it.
“Wow, I think you found my sister’s sweater, too.” McKay looked at the tag. “I’m never sure if I should get a medium or a large.”
“What size does she say she wears?”
“Sometimes both.”
“Then err on the side of too large for a sweater like this. She can always wear it over another shirt.”
He stood behind her in line. “I’m glad I ran into you today. I don’t think I would have found the right gifts without some help.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t find a crew member to help you shop.”
McKay smiled and didn’t reply. Explaining his dating availability status was not a subject to share with an acquaintance, especially one he would date if he could. He gestured to the cafe across the street. “Would you like ice cream? My treat for keeping you standing so long.”
Dana bit her lip. “Is that allowed? I wouldn’t want you in trouble for involvement with a passenger.”
“It is an outdoor table. When we finish, you can walk up to the bus kiosk, and I’ll go back to the ship. A simple thank you. Very public. Nothing illicit.” If that wasn’t a justification, he wasn’t sure what was. He’d tell Alvaro as soon as he returned. Better to selfreport that nothing happened than have another crew member see them and make assumptions.
“Only because I need to sit.” Dana sat at the closest empty table and looked at the line, waiting to make a purchase. “I should have gotten my ice cream first.”
“What flavor do you want? I’ll get it while you watch the bags. If that isn’t a problem.”
“I can watch bags. They are hardly likely to do anything requiring my expertise.”
He chuckled. “I forgot, personal security, watching bags should be easy. I’m more worried about anyone who tries to take them now.”
“They won’t get that far. Chocolate based anything.”
The answer to his flavor question brought him back from picturing her taking out would be thieves. “Cone or cup?”
“Cone, of course.”
All too soon, they finished their cones, and Dana waved goodbye as she crossed the street to the bus kiosk.
McKay rose and walked the other direction. If only he could keep this encounter to himself. However, the best course was to report it. If he didn’t, it was unlikely that he would be reprimanded, since it was his last week and there had been no physical contact. As tempting as it was to skirt the rules, he wouldn’t, he couldn’t. He neared the jewelry store where he’d run into Dana. Through the window, he watched the saleswoman sell rings to another customer. If only her mistake had been right, and Dana was his girlfriend—he’d have done something impulsive.