The saleswoman came out of the back, sensing a shift in the tension. She brought him the rings and shook them out on a velvet-lined tray. He checked them both over and nodded. Then he pulled out the piece of sea glass. “Do you have someone on site that does settings for necklaces?”
“But of course, sir.” She looked at the piece of glass in his hand and frowned. “I’ll have him come right out.”
An older gentleman with magnifying glasses came out of the back room.
Ethan handed him the glass. “I’d like this made into a necklace, just some wire wrapped around it securely. Silver, I think. Can you do it?”
The man peered at the glass, then at Ethan. “This isn’t very expensive. You can get this done cheaper at one of the craft places down the block.”
“I’m not worried about cheap. I want it to be special.”
“But it’s just glass.” The woman burst out from next to him. “It’s not even a jewel.”
He smiled. “It has sentimental value.”
The older man smiled, an understanding glint in his eyes. “I can do it. When do you want it by?”
Ethan looked outside at the darkening sky. “Would tomorrow be too soon?”
“No, it’ll be done.”
Ethan filled out the slip and paid for the necklace, then sauntered out of the shop. Step one done. Now to find Delaney and convince her to go to the vineyard with him. He glanced down the street. She had said something about going to a gift shop for candles or something.
He spied the candle shop and headed down the street. Inside, Delaney was talking with the saleswoman, and the staff was stacking trays of candles in front of her. He brought the car to the back of the store and they carried the trays to the car and locked them in the trunk. He leaned on the car roof and Delaney caught his eyes, resting a hand on the roof, not getting in the car.
“I need to check the vines before we head back. You can stay here and do some shopping or come with me.” He held his breath. The old Delaney would have jumped at the chance to shop, even in Galveston. But this new woman was different. Just how different was she?
Her tentative smile spread. “You want me to see your place? I’d love to.”