Chapter 27 #2
Honestly, sometimes she wondered what went on in her mother's head. "No, but he forgot the rings. Can't have a wedding without wedding rings. Too bad. So sad." She took a big bite out of a weird sugary pastry that seemed to be laced with chili. She kind of liked it.
Her mother let out a relieved laugh. "Of course you can have the wedding without rings. It'll be fine."
"Nope." Violet shook her head. "It's bad luck, and I don't want to start married life with bad luck hanging over my head."
"Who told you it was bad luck?" Jasmine demanded. "Because I've never heard of such a thing."
"Really?" Violet reached for another pastry.
"It must be an island thing, and seeing as I'm getting married on an island, we should probably pay attention to the local beliefs.
" She sat back in her chair, pretty darned pleased with herself.
"I can send Max to St. Patrice to get some today, but I think it's best to postpone the ceremony until tomorrow.
I'm sure the hotel will understand." She didn't care whether they did or not as long as they didn't pester her about postponing it.
Then, hopefully, by tomorrow there would be no need for a ceremony after all.
"You can't buy cheap rings on St. Patrice," her mother wailed. "They'll turn your fingers green and then you'll be sorry."
Again, Violet shook her head to clear it.
"They won't be cheap. I'm sure they have a jewelry store over there.
After all, they're right beside Wedding Island.
Don't worry, we'll sort all this out for tomorrow.
" She looked over at Katrina who was staring at her with pity and amusement.
"Kat, could you call the wedding planner and tell her it's off for today? "
"Not so fast." Her grandmother placed a hand on Violet's arm. "I have a solution to this problem."
As everyone watched, she dug into the neckline of her top and came out with a chain. Attached to the chain was a ring.
"Mum," Rosey whispered. It was heavy with understanding.
Violet, on the other hand, was very confused. Her gran took the ring from the chain and placed it on the table in front of Violet. Then, she reached over and removed her wedding ring from her own finger.
"No." Violet was shaking her head. "Put it back on."
"You don't get to tell me what to do," Lian said with a haughty air. She touched the larger ring. "This was your grandfather's." Then the smaller one. "And, as you saw, this is mine." Back straight and expression determined, she faced Violet. "They now belong to you and Max."
"No," Violet whispered.
Her grandmother looked at her daughter and smiled. "Rosey dear, I need a moment alone with Violet. Would you mind giving us some privacy?"
"Of course." And with that, her treacherous mother herded Jasmine and Katrina out onto the patio, closing the door behind them.
"Gran," Violet said as soon as they were gone. "I'm not taking your rings." She slid them across the table to her grandmother.
Her heart was racing and her palms felt damp. This wasn't happening. Lian had called her bluff in the most upsetting way possible—by offering up precious symbols of her own happy marriage.
"Yes, you will." Lian slid them back.
Violet was done with their game. "The wedding isn't real," she confessed in a whisper.
"Max hired us to keep him safe while he came to the island to get information on the owner.
Damien Poole is a very bad man who needs to be brought to justice.
The only way Max could get close enough to do that was to pretend he was getting married. I didn't even know Max a week ago."
Lian didn't look triumphant. "I thought it might be something like that." She leaned forward, placing her hand over Violet's. "But it's so much more now, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" Violet asked as her stomach lurched.
"This morning, we walked in here to find a rumpled bed and a man who looked at my granddaughter as though she hung the moon."
Violet was shaking her head. "Gran, it's all pretend—"
"Even the love making?"
Violet felt her face burn. "Please," she whispered. "It's a job."
For the longest time, her grandmother sat studying Violet. All she could do was hold her breath and hope the woman didn't see too much.
At last, she nodded. "Then, you'll use these to help with the investigation," she decreed. "And once the marriage is over, you may return them."
"I can't—" Violet started.
"You will." Her grandmother stood. "And Violet.
If it turns out that this pretense of a relationship is far more than either you or Max anticipated, you may keep the rings.
" She placed a hand on Violet's shoulder.
"I've had my time with them, and the memories of your grandfather are a blessing no one can take from me.
" She smiled, a soft secretive smile that made Violet's heart ache.
"I would be happy knowing these rings are worn by my warrior granddaughter and the man she loves as much as I loved your grandfather.
" She paused, her face filled with understanding.
"We're too much alike, you and I. When we love, we do it fiercely.
" She straightened her shoulders and turned toward the patio.
"I will be interested to see what happens to my rings," she said.
Violet couldn't help but think that her grandmother might already see the future.
Slowly, Violet reached out and curled her hand over the rings, pulling them into the safety of her fist. The weight of history and promise burned into her skin. And hope, like an arrow, pierced her heart.