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Chapter Thirty-one

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Lily still had a hard time believing Benjamin proposed. But the gorgeous fiery orange opal flashed a hint of teal blue and neon green, reminding her of its passionate existence. Eight diamonds surrounded the gem, creating a clustered flower appearance. She loved the ring and the man who supported her.

They’d just finished their meeting with Father Toeller and Benjamin had pulled around the block, parking in front of her parents’ house. On the one hand, she couldn’t wait to give her family their wonderful news. And on the other, the announcement would force her into addressing Mother’s dishonesty.

Benjamin turned, facing Lily in the passenger seat. “I know you’re disappointed we can’t get married in the church.” He picked up her hand. “However, I will try to make our wedding the most special day you’ll ever have.”

“You’re right. It was a letdown, but I understand the church's laws since you’re not Catholic. Our marriage is about you and me. Not the location we say our vows. I’m sure a priest’s house will be a pleasant setting.” She smiled. “Besides, I’m grateful Father Toeller agreed to meet with you so quickly for the necessary faith sessions.”

“I hope these next thirty days go by faster than the last.” He rubbed his thumb across her skin. “If you didn’t already know, I’d marry you tomorrow if I could.”

“August thirtieth will be here before we know it.” She patted his hand. “Especially with all the preparations we need to get done.”

“Tell me what’s on the list and I’ll make it all happen.” He took both of her hands, placing a kiss on each and one on the ring. “You know, I don’t think I mentioned the story behind my grandmother’s ring.”

“No, you haven’t.”

Benjamin let their hands fall into Lily’s lap. “After Grandpa died, my mother sent me over to handle all the handyman chores. Whenever I finished a job, Grandma would always have something prepared for me. We’d eat and talk for hours. Some days I’d come over and there wouldn’t be any work. But still, she’d always have a story or two to tell.”

“I’ll bet she just wanted your company.”

He nodded. “She said I reminded her of Grandpa. That’s probably why most of the stories were about him. I heard about how they met, their courtship, how he had proposed, and interesting anecdotes throughout their entire marriage.”

“Was their proposal as romantic as how you asked me?”

“Not even close.” He chuckled. “But Grandma did say there wasn’t a day that went by she didn’t feel the love Grandpa had for her. She hoped someday I would be as lucky.”

“I wish I could have met her. She sounds like an amazing lady.”

“I know she would have loved you.” He winked. “After one of our visits, Grandma told me how she enjoyed our time getting to know each other and how it meant the world to her. That’s when she mentioned leaving her most precious gift to me. And when the time came, I’d know what to do with the ring.”

“I’m so glad you saved this ring for me.” Lily blinked away the tears forming in her eyes. But had she been the only one he’d ever given the ring to? She had to ask. “You mentioned you had it hidden at home. Did you ever consider giving it to anyone else?”

“No, I didn’t. Although, I made the mistake of letting Vivian see it once. After I told her the story, all she wanted to know was what it was worth. I wished I hadn’t because she never stopped dropping hints about how good all those diamonds would look on her finger. I knew her reasons weren’t sentimental ones.” He scowled. “When I proposed to Vivian, somehow it just didn’t feel right giving her my grandmother’s ring. Instead, I purchased one from the jewelry store. My grandmother was right, I did know when the right woman would come along.”

Lily smiled. “I’m honored you chose me to wear your grandmother's ring.”

“It’s yours now.” He squeezed her hands. “Let’s go show off your ring.”

A few minutes later, they walked through the front door and into the foyer. The voices hushed from inside the sitting room. She peeked around the corner. “Surprise!”

Ruby ran toward her. “Sissy!” And dove into her legs.

Lily knelt and embraced Ruby, kissing the top of her head. Directly behind, Frankie stood like a statue. She wiggled her fingers, motioning him toward her until he came close enough and drew her brother into a hug.

Frankie put his arm around her neck. “I missed you.”

“I missed this sweet little face too.” Lily pinched his cheeks.

Ruby gazed at Lily. “Mommy didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“I wasn’t sure until yesterday. Celia took over my shift at Childs so I could come back with Benjamin.” She stood and peered into the room. Mother and Oma were seated in the matching chairs with identical perplexed expressions. “I’ve missed both of you too.” She figured the statement wouldn’t smooth out any of the lines creased between their brows. “Is Father here?”

“I’m right here,” Father called out from the hallway. “This is a pleasant surprise seeing both of you.”

Lily slipped her hand into Benjamin’s. “Now that we’re all together, we have an announcement.” Her voice excitedly rose. “Benjamin proposed.” She bounced on her toes. “And I said yes.”

Ruby squealed and grabbed Frankie’s hands, jumping around Lily. And just as quickly, Ruby stopped. “What’s proposed?”

Lily laughed. “It means we’re getting married.”

“Like Mommy and Daddy?”

“Yes.”

Father leaned in and kissed her. “Congratulations, sweetie.” He turned toward Benjamin, offering his hand. “Take good care of my little girl.”

“Thank you, sir. I will.”

“Ruby, Frankie. Go to your rooms.” Mother pointed toward the staircase.

“Aw, come on!” Frankie fisted the air.

Ruby stomped her foot. “Sissy just got here.”

“Now!” Mother leaned forward as if she were getting up.

The children ran up the stairs.

Mother stiffened her posture. “Lily, Benjamin. We need to talk.”

Father crossed the room to stand beside Mother’s chair, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Lily had warned Benjamin their news would undoubtedly cause concern with her mother. She squeezed his hand and took a deep breath. “I want to speak with you too. Before coming here, Benjamin and I met with Father Toeller.”

Mother’s brow abruptly curved. “Oh?”

“Yes. And I was surprised to find out we can marry even though Benjamin is Presbyterian. I’m almost certain you told me the church forbids marriage with someone who isn’t Catholic.” Lily held her mother’s gaze. “I’m just trying to figure out why you don’t want me to marry Benjamin.”

“I...” Mother glanced at Oma. “I didn’t know.” She rubbed her forehead. “I truly believed no one in our faith could have a legitimate marriage unless they were both Catholic. At least, that’s what was repeatedly drummed into me.” Mother cast an accusing glance at Oma. “Why is that, Mother?”

“You know very well, Ruth, that man wasn’t for you.” Oma pursed her lips. “And if I hadn’t intervened you wouldn’t have this family now. You should be grateful.”

“I am thankful for my family.” Mother glanced across the room at Lily, then up at Father. She grasped the hand he’d laid on her shoulder before returning a sharp gaze to Oma. “But you took my choice away. How could you do that?”

“Marriage is hard enough the way it is.” Oma wrapped yarn around her left finger. “Why would you want to add more complications?”

Lily couldn’t remain upset with her mother in light of the recent information and her eyes narrowed on her grandmother. “Oma, I respect your opinion.” She walked a few steps closer and Benjamin followed her. “But you’ve always asked us for truthfulness. If your beliefs aren’t coming from church laws, where are they coming from?”

Oma pulled the last loop from her finger and sighed. “When we arrived here, your Opa and I longed for a good life just like anybody else. But those who were not of our faith made it...difficult. Many of...many of our Catholic parishioners were refused jobs, or decent apartments, or loans, and newspapers blamed us for the rise in crime.” Her voice choked with tears. “Others said Catholics were committed more to the pope in Rome than we were to America.” She laid the knitwork on her lap and dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “Americans who were already here thought our religion was wrong and we felt the same way about theirs. For fifty years we’ve had these fears and insecurities to overcome, and look how little we’ve managed.”

Lily lowered herself onto the footstool in front of Oma. “I’m sorry you had such an unpleasant experience.” Her grandmother was right about the last half-century, not much had changed. People had viewed her religion or lack of wealth as inferior. She patted Oma’s knee. “And I understand why you feel the way you do.”

Oma touched her chest. “I’ve held onto this hurt for so long. After telling the story I can see how unfair I’ve been.” Her face sagged, making all the lines of her age more pronounced than ever. She glanced at Mother. “I’m sorry, Ruth. Please forgive me.”

Mother drew in a long breath while Father rubbed his hand over Mother’s back. “Your heart may have been in the right place, but...” She closed her eyes briefly. “I think we should talk about this later.” She focused her gaze on Lily. “I’m more concerned right now what the two of you will do when your religious beliefs contradict each other.”

Lily lifted her chin. “Mother, you know our relationship hasn’t been without its difficulties and we’re still here together. I’m not naïve in thinking from now on our lives will be any easier. However, I do believe we are meant for each other. We have similar values and strong faith in God.” A hand rested on her shoulder. She reached up and touched Benjamin. “We will continue going through life step by step, discussion by discussion, and decision by decision.”

Benjamin squeezed Lily’s shoulder.

Lily sensed Benjamin’s warm supportive touch. “Mother?” She rose from the stool, stood next to Benjamin and laced her fingers through his. “I came here to ask for your blessing before we get married. Father gave us his. Are you able to do the same?”

“Well...sweetie, I...um...wish I could say yes as easily. This whole situation has been a lot to take in.” Mother closed her eyes and rubbed the middle of her forehead. “Let me pray about it.”

Lily and Mother’s situations were identical, didn’t her mother see that? Her stomach churned with nausea. No matter, she’d said what she’d come to say. She and Benjamin approached her mother. “I’m leaving in a few hours on the train. We’ve set our wedding date for the thirtieth of August. I would like your blessing, but the next time I see you we will be married. I do hope your prayers are answered by then. Goodbye, Mother.” She leaned over and kissed her cheek.

***

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“EVERYTHING IS SET HERE.” Anna peered out from under Benjamin’s walnut desk. “How does it look from out there?”

Lily paced backward until she reached the doorway. “Benjamin will have to stand right in front of the desk opening or Vivian will be able to see you.” She motioned with her hand. “Come out and help position the chair to cover the gap.”

“I can’t wait until we catch Vivian in her lies.” Anna crawled out. “Let that vindictive woman try and deny she was at Livingston’s. Winifred has proof with her dress order and the charges made on the DuCate’s account.” She slid the chair over. “How’s this?”

“I appreciate you asking the women on the floor for me. I thought if she was there someone might have remembered seeing her. A little more to the right. No.” Lily pointed. “My right, your left.” She laughed. “That’s good.” She peered out of the doorway and down the hall. Benjamin stood at the side door, awaiting Vivian’s arrival. “That woman is going to be furious when she finds out why Benjamin called her here.”

“Have you figured out how you’re going to get her to confess?”

“Well, Vivian likes to talk about herself, especially if she thinks she’s the one in control. I’m hoping if I let her ramble on, she’ll delight in how she’s humiliated me.” Lily glanced in Benjamin’s direction again. He hadn’t moved. “Do you have any suggestions?”

“Mother would always use silence to her advantage. She’d ask a question, let us answer, nod in agreement, and then wait. Sometimes she would even nod during the quiet time. Usually, her actions would prompt another response and that’s when you’d slip up. I can’t remember how many times I fell for it.” Anna brushed her palms together. “The tactic is rather clever. I think you should try it.”

Benjamin hollered, “She’s here!” He came rushing toward Lily. “Get ready.”

Anna scooted under the desk.

“Quick, Benjamin, go stand in front of the desk.” Lily backed up against the office wall, next to the open door. Her fingers gripped the paneled walls.

Benjamin left the chair in place and leaned against the desk edge. “Is this a good spot?”

Bang! The outside door must have swung shut.

Lily nodded, giving him a thumbs up. Heels clicked upon the hall floor and her heart raced faster. Vivian would soon understand she’d tangled with the wrong person. All of that woman’s nastiness, along with those grade school bullies, and everyone else who’d ever made her feel inadequate roiled a fiery ball within. No one would ever define who she was again. Her nails bit into her palms.

The clicking stopped inside the doorway.

“You’re looking as handsome as ever, Benjamin.” Vivian took a few more steps into the office. “I’ve always liked that bold-striped suit.”

Lily rolled her eyes. This woman thought she had Benjamin right where she wanted. Vivian had even dared to wear the evidence of the fitted blue day dress from Livingston’s.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice.” Benjamin tugged at his tie. “I thought today would be more private since we’re closed.” He wriggled the knot loose.

Vivian swayed her hips as she made several more paces inside. “Don’t you have a compliment for me?” She ran her hand across the curves of her snug waist.

Lily shoved the door shut. As the wood slapped against the frame, a wallop rattled the glass. The whiff of sweet lavender mixed with vanilla didn’t match Vivian’s true essence one bit.

Vivian spun on her heels and met Lily’s eyes. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you run out of town with your tail between your legs?”

“I’m here because the little stunt you pulled didn’t scare me for long.” Lily moved away from the wall, taking strides toward Vivian.

“What are you accusing me of?” Vivian presented a playful grin.

Lily stepped closer. “I can understand why you tried to push me out of Benjamin’s life. I am the other woman after all.” She half-shrugged.

Vivian tossed her head back, laughing boomingly. “That’s right. You never had a chance.”

“I see now, you were only protecting your relationship with him.” Lily gave an easy nod.

“From you? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“But you do know that the real thief got away with another crime now, don’t you?” Lily moved directly in front of Vivian. “There’s been more money missing.”

“I’m not following your story.” Vivian propped her one hand against her hip and swung the other in a widely dismissive fashion. “What in the world does this have to do with me and...?” She pivoted toward the desk. “...Benjamin. Why don’t you tell her to leave? We have important things to discuss.”

Benjamin crossed his arms over his chest. “Lily isn’t going anywhere. We know you have some information and I suggest you cooperate.”

Lily took a few wide steps, standing on the left of Vivian. Having Benjamin’s support helped relax the tension in her neck muscles. “What is your side of the story then?” She held her hands behind her back while taking a few easy breaths. “Do you remember where you were the day after Independence Day?”

“Well, of course. What kind of question is that?” Vivian tapped her shoe against the floor. “Do you remember what you were doing that day?” The tone of her arrogant voice stung like a cornered venomous snake.

Lily could spit equally poisonous words if this was how Vivian wanted the conversation to proceed. “Amazingly, both of us occupied the same second level of Livingston’s.” She raised her chin. “I didn’t know you were there though, until recently.”

“Who said I was there?” Vivian bit her lower lip.

“Oliver.”

Vivian’s high-pitched laughter went on and on until abruptly stopping. “He’s wrong.” She slid her other hand onto her hip. “That little man has a very untrusting character, mine is impeccable.”

“Impeccable?” Benjamin choked out a mirthless laugh. “There is no way you can stand there and say you are blameless in this situation.”

Lily’s heart pounded with the rush of excitement in her veins. If this conceited witchy woman needed more proof of being caught in lies, Lily would happily oblige. She glanced up and down Vivian’s frame. “The dress you’re wearing is awfully familiar. Didn’t you buy that from Livingston’s recently?”

“Yes.” Vivian slid her hands down her sides. “And it fits my flawless figure like a glove.”

“With some help.” Lily pushed her shoulders back, standing tall.

Vivian’s eyes narrowed and her upper lip tensed.

“Winifred keeps very good records of all her clients and the store does as well for account charges.” Lily glared directly into Vivian’s eyes. “If you continue insisting it was me and the thief gets caught, which we all know is likely, then it’s going to appear you knowingly hid the crime.” She nodded. “Couldn’t you possibly have been mistaken on who you saw take the money?” She had laid everything out and Vivian had to realize, whether she admitted her guilt or not, these games were over.

Vivian’s cheeks transformed from pale pink to blood red. “And if I say there might be a possibility the thief wasn’t you, what then?” She turned her head toward Benjamin as if she were making an emotional plea for help.

“Possibility?” Benjamin scoffed. “Stop being evasive and concede your involvement.”

Lily breathed deeply and savored this moment. Whether Vivian admitted her guilt or not, she’d stood her ground and was proud of herself. “Honestly, for me, it doesn’t matter. I know I didn’t take the money. But, for you, it’s only a matter of time until everything unravels and the real truth comes out. With your reputation, a blow like this could become quite a scandalous tale if people thought you did it out of spite. Is that how you want this to turn out?” This time she would remain quiet like Anna suggested and keep nodding.

“Frankly, I don’t care one way or the other.” Vivian held her palm up and out. “I’m tired of this conversation. If it will get you to shut up so you can leave, there was someone behind the counter who had similar features as you. Maybe I did mistake that woman for you. But that doesn’t change anything with me and Benjamin.” She waved her hand. “Now go away!”

Lily laid her left hand over her heart as her chest lightened with relief. “I appreciate you saying that. I’d like to put all this animosity behind us.”

Vivian’s lip curled. “What is that?” She snatched Lily’s hand. “This is Benjamin’s grandma’s ring. Why do you have it?”

“We’re engaged.”

“I take back everything I said.” Vivian pushed away Lily’s hand. “You did steal the money and I’ll swear to it.” Her face reddened.

Benjamin moved to the end of the desk. “It’s too late.”

Vivian bared her teeth. “What ludicrous drivel are you talking about?”

“Anna, did you get all that?”

Vivian swung around in the direction Lily pointed.

A hand appeared out from under the desk, holding a cylinder. “Every incriminating word!”

Lily poked Vivian’s shoulder with a pointed finger. “That little roll has our whole conversation recorded. If you go back on your word, I’ll be forced to play it for everyone.”

Vivian’s mouth fell open. “You’re bluffing.”

“And just so you know...” Benjamin mischievously grinned. “...your father’s debt will be paid in full.”

“I’m not standing around listening to any more of this.” Vivian whirled around and stomped toward the door.

“You’re right about that.” Lily rushed past Vivian and blocked the exit. “We are all going to Livingston’s. Oliver is waiting for us.”