“You have so many beautiful things. Oh, look at this.” Almost reverently, she picked up a Limoges ring box. It was perhaps six inches high and fashioned in the shape of a young girl in a blue bonnet and blue checkered dress. There was a look of smug pleasure on her glossy face. “This is charming.”
“I always try to keep in a few Limoges pieces. Whether they’re antique or new.”
“I have a small collection myself. It’s difficult to travel with fragile things, but they always make hotel suites more like home.”
“I’d like you to have it.”
“I couldn’t.”
“Please,” Loretta said before Vanessa could set it down again. “I’ve missed a number of birthdays. It would give me a great deal of pleasure if you’d accept it.”
Vanessa looked up. They had to turn at least the first corner, she told herself. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
“I’ll get a box for it. Oh, there’s the door. I get a lot of browsers on weekday mornings. You can take a look upstairs if you like.”
Vanessa kept the little box cupped in her hands. “No, I’ll wait for you.” Loretta gave her a pleased look before she walked away to greet her customer. When she heard Dr. Tucker’s voice join her mother’s, Vanessa hesitated, then went in to meet him.
“Well, Van, getting a look at your mother at work?”
“Yes.”
He had his arm around her mother’s shoulders. Loretta’s color had risen. He’s just kissed her, Vanessa realized, trying to analyze her feelings. “It’s a wonderful place.”
“Keeps her off the streets. Of course, I’m going to be doing that myself from now on.”
“Ham!”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t told the child yet.” He gave her a quick, impatient squeeze. “Good grief, Loretta, you’ve had all morning.”
“Tell me what?”
With these two, Ham thought, a man had to take the bull by the horns. “It’s taken me two years to wear her down, but she finally gave me a yes.”
“A yes?” Vanessa repeated.
“Don’t tell me you’re as thickheaded as your mother?” He kissed the top of Loretta’s head and grinned like a boy. “We’re getting married.”
“Oh.” Vanessa stared blankly. “Oh.”
“Is that the best you can do?” he demanded. “Why don’t you say congratulations and give me a kiss?”
“Congratulations,” she said mechanically, and walked over to peck his cheek.
“I said a kiss.” He swung his free arm around her and squeezed. Vanessa found herself hugging him back.
“I hope you’ll be happy,” she managed, and discovered she meant it.
“Of course I will. I’m getting two beauties for the price of one.”
“Quite a bargain,” Vanessa said with a smile. “When’s the big day?”
“As soon as I can pin her down.” It hadn’t escaped him that Vanessa and Loretta hadn’t exchanged a word or an embrace. “Joanie’s fixing dinner for all of us tonight,” he decided on the spot. “To celebrate.”
“I’ll be there.”
When she stepped back, he grinned wickedly. “After the piano lesson.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “News travels fast.”
“Piano lesson?” Loretta repeated.
“Annie Crampton, Violet Driscoll’s grandniece.” He gave a hearty laugh as Vanessa wrinkled her nose. “Violet snagged Vanessa this morning.”
Loretta smiled. “What time’s the lesson?”
“Four. She made me feel like I was the second-grade milk monitor again.”
“I can speak to Annie’s mother if you’d like,” Loretta said.
“No, it’s all right. It’s only an hour a week while I’m here. But I’d better get back.” This was not the time for questions and demands. “I have to put some kind of program together. Thank you again for the box.”
“But I haven’t wrapped it.”
“It’s all right. I’ll see you at Joanie’s, Dr. Tucker.”
“Maybe you could call me Ham now. We’re family.”
“Yes. Yes, I guess we are.” It was less effort than she had expected to kiss her mother’s cheek. “You’re a very lucky woman.”
“I know.” Loretta’s fingers dug into Ham’s.
When the bells jingled behind Vanessa, Ham took out a handkerchief.
“I’m sorry,” Loretta said as she sniffled into it.
“You’re entitled to shed a few. I told you she’d come around.”