Lined With Silver by Roseanne Evans Wilkins Read Free Book Online

you.
You’ve already gone above and beyond what you need to do. I don’t
want a ring.”
    “My dad would notice. You need to have one.”
He wasn’t going to budge.
    Sondra took a deep breath. “Fine. But please
make it cubic zirconia. I don’t need a diamond, and your dad would
never know the difference.”
    “Your job is to pick the design you like.
I’ll take care of the rest.” His no-nonsense tone had her
tightening her eyes. She had a feeling Zack would do exactly as he
pleased, but at least she’d made an effort to keep the costs
down.
    As they sat down to look over the ring sets,
her eyes widened. She’d never been ring shopping, and seeing so
many diamonds sparkling at her lightened her mood. How could she
feel down when there was beauty like this in the world?
    There was one particular setting which called
to her, and when she tried it on, it felt exactly right. She held
her hand out to admire the flashing stones. “This is perfect.”
    He smiled and told the hovering salesman,
“We’ll take it.”
    “And get him a matching ring.” She caught
Zack’s eyes. “A plain gold band?” He nodded. If they were going to
pull this off, he needed a ring as much as she did. She pulled the
rings off and handed them back to the man. She’d asked Zack for the
cubic zirconia. She liked the setting, but she assumed Zack would
honor her wishes.
    She watched as they walked to the back of the
room to talk. The salesman disappeared into the back of the store,
then reappeared a few minutes later. After ringing up the sale, he
handed Zack two ring boxes.
    Zack tucked the white box into his suit
pocket, stepped to Sondra, opened the black velvet box and
wordlessly indicated a desire for her hand. She extended her
fingers. “Thanks for agreeing to be my wife,” he whispered as he
slid the rings on. To her surprise, he kissed her fingers before he
released them. She blinked, wondering how this fit into their
plans.
    Since her recent response to worry was tears,
she clamped her thoughts tight and refused to think about it.
    As they walked out to the car, he slid his
own ring on. She was grateful he’d performed the act himself. Any
more ceremonies reminding her of what she desperately wished was an
eternal reality would have been more than she could handle.
    * * *
    Nearly half an hour later, they turned into a
neighborhood of elegant homes. Tucked inside a large yard, the
one-story red brick building was surrounded by naked trees and
snow-covered shrubs.
    The front walk had been shoveled. A cheery
wreath hung at the door. The oak double door opened into a large
room, where the polished wood floor glowed warmly. Colored lights
twinkled on a tree next to a gas fireplace. Upholstered chairs were
positioned around the fireplace. A gray-haired gentleman snoozed in
one, the footrest holding his feet a comfortable distance from the
gas flame.
    An open dining area housed a long oak table.
Its sides were lined with carefully carved wooden chairs, sentinels
ready for the next meal. Beyond the table was a long hallway dotted
with doors—some open and some closed. As they stepped down the
hall, Sondra read a name plate posted on each door. Sadness echoed
down the hall. Each name was a person. Someone waiting to die.
    Some of the open doors revealed a room with
wood floors. Walls were decorated with personal items.
    Mitchell Wright Carlson’s door was closed.
Zack reached down and touched the doorknob. He hesitated long
enough for Sondra to sense his dread.
    The opening door revealed a wall hung with
hand-drawn pictures from Zack’s nieces and nephews expressing their
desire to have their grandpa home soon. Sondra steeled herself
against another onslaught of tears. It was obvious the man with the
gray skin undertone wasn’t going back to any earthly home.
    “Dad.” Zack’s voice was loud in the quiet
room.
    The man in the bed started awake. Despite his
visible illness, his eyes showed a clear understanding of