Uncle Roland helped Raylyn into the truck. Today was the two-year anniversary of her move to Sapphire Shoals.
Maples, pines, and chestnut trees passed by, and Raylyn remembered her life before. She had been a busy nurse at a thriving military hospital. The therapist and the head nurse on the severely wounded ward had berated her for becoming too attached to her patients. If they had only known how attached Raylyn had really become.
After Jack had been moved to a rehab facility, Raylyn had struggled. The therapist had made her promise to stop seeing him until after his recovery was complete and Raylyn had reluctantly agreed. She’d thought about visiting one time just to make her excuses, but that night in the hospital when he’d said he loved another, and then Tabitha had shown up, had left a bitter taste in her mouth and she’d decided against it. If she didn’t visit, he would take the hint and realize she was no longer interested.
Uncle Roland had told her of a clinic job opening in Sapphire Shoals, and Raylyn had jumped at the chance. Uncle Roland and Aunt Renee had offered to let her live with them until she could find her own place, and she had readily accepted. She had packed her possessions, absolved the lease on her apartment, and prepared to start her new life.
Today, they were headed into the town of Sapphire Shoals. She sighed under her breath. Uncle Roland and Aunt Renee were carrying on in front of her like a couple of high school sweethearts.
Uncle Roland said over his shoulder, “I’m glad you agreed to come out with us.”
Raylyn spent most of her time off at the cabin. The clinic job required long hard hours, and she took every available opportunity to rest and relax in the secluded cabin nestled in the woods.
As they traveled the short distance to town, she remembered her last visit to the severely wounded ward…
“Thank heavens you’re back. I’ve been lost without you. Here are the charts for your patients. You can see I’ve decreased your workload. I figured you would need time to…”
Nancy rambled on and on. She must have finally noticed Raylyn’s silence because she said, “You’re not here to work, are you?”
Raylyn shook her head.
“Oh.” She studied the charts and laid them in a stack on the counter. “Sorry about that. It is just when Gerty said you were moving on, I couldn’t curb my excitement. When do you think you’ll be able to come back to work?”
“I’ve taken another job.”
Tears welled in the lady’s eyes as she helped Raylyn gather her belongings from her locker…
The truck dipped into a rut, bringing Raylyn back to the present.
Several times Raylyn had thought of apologizing to Nancy for leaving without a longer notice, but couldn’t bring herself to face her mentor after making her cry.
“How’s that job working out? Do you like working for Cynthia?” asked Uncle Roland.
Raylyn focused on the question and answered, “I like it. But I’ll admit Mrs. Torrent does take a bit of getting used to.”
“More like Mrs. Tyrant,” injected Aunt Renee.
Uncle Roland and Raylyn shared a laugh. He said, “Now, we shouldn’t be judging people we don’t even know.”
Aunt Renee faced her. “Am I telling the truth? I’ve always wondered if the lady is as bad as they say.”
Raylyn struggled to find the right words. “She does run a tight ship.”
The rest of the trip the two argued about who was right. Raylyn didn’t bother to express her own opinion and enjoyed the loving banter of the couple.
The truck shuddered to a halt in a shaded lot. Uncle Roland jumped from the cab and approached Aunt Renee’s door.
Raylyn frowned at the full parking lot.
“Oh dear, Roland. Have we come during the Gem Festival?”
Uncle Roland lifted his ball cap and scratched his forehead. “Looks like it.”
“What is the Gem Festival?” asked Raylyn, her apprehension growing.
“Only the biggest shindig in Sapphire Shoals. All the jewelers in town showcase their wares. Over thirty years ago, I purchased Renee’s ring at this very festival.”
Aunt Renee patted his cheek. “And I’ve loved him ever since.”
He gasped. “You mean you didn’t love me before that?”
Aunt Renee sashayed away, and Uncle Roland trotted along after her. Raylyn snickered under her breath, shook her head, and hurried to catch up.
All the towns in the surrounding area had names containing gemstones. There was Pearl Valley, Peridot Point, Sapphire Shoals, and the list went on and on.
As she followed Uncle Roland and Aunt Renee through the festivities, she forced her heartbeat into a regular rhythm by studying street signs. Ruby Road, Amethyst Alley, Opal Obsession Drive…
They turned onto Emerald Street, and Raylyn gasped. Tents lined both sides of the street. Gems of various shapes and sizes were encased in settings and hanging from the tents’ frames or lying on black velvet cloth. A booth for kids consisted of panning for gems.
“Uncle Roland, why does everything here center around gems?”
“Topaz Mountain borders Sapphire Shoals, and it’s full of various gemstones. Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Of course the gems are pretty much worthless until they are cut, polished, and placed in a setting.”
“So it’s a racket. You think you’re getting something valuable only to find out you have to pay the jeweler to make it worth something.”
Uncle Roland tweaked her nose. “Maybe, but the crowds enjoy it nonetheless.”
Raylyn laughed and approached a booth. A sapphire necklace dangled and swayed in the afternoon breeze. The light hit the stone, and she stared at the object, transfixed.
****
Rory and Jack stepped onto the busy street.
“I thought you said the town had jewelry stores not tents.”
Rory scratched his head and pointed at a sign announcing the Summer Gem Festival.
They walked through a side street. “I bet this is a security nightmare,” muttered Jack.
Rory nodded. “I bet they employ more security than the summer Olympics.”
Jack mentally agreed with the exaggeration.
White canvas tents covered tables. Jewelers hawked their wares. Gems sparkled in the bright afternoon sunshine. Jack stopped at a booth and studied a group of beautiful stones.
A jeweler behind the table said, “That emerald came from our very own Topaz Mountain. A local doctor designed the setting.”
“It’s very beautiful.”
“They say the doctor intended it for his future bride, but the lady he’d chosen wasn’t exactly willing.”
“It happens,” said Jack, letting the ring slip from his grasp.
Rory studied at another booth, and Jack took his time catching up. He read the street signs and rolled his eyes. He’d seen corny before, but this place took the cake. Whose idea was it to name everything around gems? Must have been a woman. Only a woman would be so obsessed with shiny rocks. A smile tinged his lips, and he sauntered over to find Rory holding a ruby necklace encased in a silver setting. Tiny diamonds surrounded the main stone.
“How much?” Rory asked.
The jeweler mentioned a figure, and Jack widened his eyes and whistled. Rory pulled out his wallet and handed the man a wad of cash. Jack expected drool to drip from the man’s open mouth as he took the money and wrapped the gift.
They left the booth, and Jack said, “That was an expensive trinket.”
Rory shrugged. “I have it, and Hannah deserves it.”
Jack didn’t comment further as they perused the rest of the stalls. At the end of the aisle, Rory suggested they find a place to have lunch.
“I know of a great little diner in Pearl Valley. Maybe Trevor would like to meet us there.”
“Sure,” said Jack.
They headed toward the parked truck. Jack gulped, his heart skipping a beat. He moved people aside as fast as he could.
Could it be?
He reached the booth and spun in a complete circle. “The lady that was just here, where did she go?”
The jeweler stared at him and shrugged.
He studied the crowd and whispered, “Raylyn.”