She repliedwith a laughing face emoji, the one with tears bursting from its eyes, and followed it with a text. Apparently, she was adept at reading between the lines.
Julia:Yes! It’s okay to pack my…stuff.
Miguel could almost hearJulia and Brielle laughing at him. “Hey, I’m just trying to be a gentleman,” he muttered.
He went into the adjoining bedroom and began to place Julia’s folded clothes into her duffel bag. He wasn’t so much of a gentleman, however, that he didn’t peek at Julia’s size. For future reference as her husband, of course.
After checking to make sure he wasn’t leaving anything behind, Miguel grabbed the keys to Justice’s SUV that Brielle said he could borrow and left the house, locking the door behind him. He pressed the key fob to open the back and tossed the duffel bags inside. Miguel slid behind the wheel and started the engine.
Doubt paralyzed him.
What am I doing? This is right, isn’t it? Marriage is supposed to be sacred. What if Julia and I are making a huge mistake? What if we’re ruining our only chance to have a future together?
Another voice spoke to him. One he’d known intimately and loved.
What if General Escobar kills one or both of you? Carpe diem, Miguel. Seize your chance at some happiness before it’s too late. You love Julia. And it’s okay. She’s the perfect woman for you.
Startled by the unearthly reality of that voice, Miguel glanced around, half-expecting to see Ashley grinning at him. He was alone.
Shaking off that unsettling thought and the creepy-crawlies it caused, Miguel backed out of the driveway and headed toward his destination—Marvin’s Custom Jewelry. He’d known Marvin and his wife Cissy for years. When Miguel first became a cop, he’d responded to their silent call for help as they were being robbed and prevented them from losing a fortune in gold, diamonds, and other precious gems. They’d never forgotten him and often invited him to dinner. While on patrol, he checked on them, sometimes more than once a day.
A bell above the door tinkled, announcing his arrival. Marvin Goldberg, a spry man in his sixties, appeared from behind a black velvet curtain that led to his workshop. In his hand he carried a loupe. When he saw Miguel, a broad smile crossed his face, and he pushed the magnifying glasses he wore to the top of his head.
“Officer Rivera! How kind of you to visit. But what are you doing in Laguna Beach?”
It wasn’t a secret in Laguna Beach that he, Justice, Owen, Hutch, Luca, and Tawny had been recruited by MadamSecretary Washburn to be her security detail while she campaigned for President.
“Taking a detour to get married, Marvin.”
Marvin came around the long glass counter to shake Miguel’s hand. “Congratulations! Cissy will be thrilled when I tell her the good news. She’s in Montana touring its last surviving sapphire mine. We’re hoping to make a deal with Kirkland and Sons who owns it. So, who’s the lucky lady?”
Miguel grinned. “Julia Washburn.”
Marvin raised his bushy gray eyebrows. “Well, good heavens! That was quick.”
“Extenuating circumstances, Marvin. Will you help me choose the perfect set of wedding rings?”
“It’ll be my pleasure. Step this way.”
They moved toward a showcase that featured wedding bands and engagement rings, each set handcrafted by Marvin. He placed a black velvet cloth on the glass-topped counter and unlocked the case. Marvin reached inside and withdrew three different engagement rings. The spectacular diamonds sparkled beneath the overhead lights.
“These are primary cuts, Officer Rivera. Teardrop or pear shaped, princess-cut, and the typical round cut. Each offers maximum brilliance to reflect light. It just depends on which one you think your lady would prefer. If you like the cut but not the setting, I can design something special for you.”
“How long would that take? As soon as we get our marriage license on Monday, we’ll be getting married, probably by the end of the week.”
“For you, I could have the setting finished in a couple of days.”
The teardrop or pear shaped diamond reminded Miguel of the first time he’d met Julia. The night she’d cried tears of heartbreak in his arms. He pointed at it.
“I like that cut.”
“Perfect choice. I will cut the diamond myself and polish it until its brilliance can no longer be hidden. Whatever setting I design for you, I will also use on your wedding bands. Do you know Ms. Washburn’s ring size, perchance?”
Fortunately, Julia had left her emerald ring on the dresser, and Miguel had slipped it into his pocket. He fished for it and laid it on the black velvet. “I think it’s a size five.”
Marvin measured it. “You’re right. This emerald is lovely. Is it her birthstone?”
“No. She was born in February.”
