Chapter 14
After lunch Cassie told him she needed to go into town to open her store for a few hours. AJ asked if she would mind if he went with her. Smiling Cassie told him she would like that.
Cassie unlocked the store and turned the lights on but before turning the sign on the door to the 'open' side she brought AJ over to a counter where she had jewelry on display. "I know we haven't talked about rings yet but I do have some here that might be suitable, if you would like to look them over.
"Wouldn't you rather have a traditional diamond from a jewelry store?" he asked with a lopsided grin.
"Do I really seem like a traditional diamond from a jewelry store type AJ?"
"No you don't my love. Why don't we take a look at what you have here?"
She showed him a tray of lovely antique rings. A few were too gaudy to serve as an engagement ring, there were some that were too large to be put with a wedding band. He reached out to pick up a ring that reminded him of a flower it had an empress cut emerald surrounded by small round diamonds. "What do you think of this one?" he asked her.
"It has always been one of my favorites. I got it and the pearl one from an estate sale several years ago and have never been able to bring myself to sell either one."
"Would you rather have the pearl one instead?" he questioned.
"Not at all! I like them both and you chose this one. Why don't you put it on me and see what you think," Cassie offered.
He was happy to do so and found that the ring looked lovely against her slightly darker skintone. "It's a perfect fit."
"Then we are offically engaged," she said with a grin.
He pulled out his wallet to pay for the ring when she walked over to the door and turned the sign to 'open'.
The shop stayed busy all afternoon and every attempt he mad to pay for the ring was interupted by another customer.
AJ enjoyed his time in the store with Cassie. Watching her help each customer that came through the door in the special way of hers. She always seemed to know and have on hand just the right thing for each of them. The store remained steadily busy and everyone wanted Cassie's help with something. AJ watched as she helped one person after another always with a smile on her face and just a touch of advise along with whatever item the person was looking for. He was strangely proud of how she handled things
Even Mac and Harm wandered in that afternoon saying they just wanted to look around. But Mac was able to pull Cassie aside for a short private conversation.
"Cassie I've been told that you seem to be able to make so many wonderful things possible I was just wondering if there might be something you could do to help me?"
"I would certainly be willing to try Mac. What is it that you need help with?"
"Harm and I have been married for five years now and we have been trying to have a baby this entire time but it just isn't happening for us," Mac sighed. "Maybe I'm just too old to keep trying now."
"Mac you are healthy and strong and woman of our age still have children. I'm sure you have been stressing this for some time if you have been 'trying' all this time. What you need is to remove the stress from the situation so you can cocieve in peace. That is why so many women get pregnant right after they adopt. They have 'given up' and adopted a child. So the pressure is off and if by magic they concieve."
"How do we relieve the stress without adopting?"
"Well this vacation is a good start. Let me suggest that you forget 'sex for a baby' and instead concentrate on relaxing persuits. Long walks, picnics, reading, anything that you like to do…"
"No sex?" Mac interupted.
To Be Continued…