SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
Luc DeForges took the ring from Ian McKenna’s trembling hand and raised it to the sunlight that danced through the trees of New Orleans’ Garden District. “It’s exquisite.”
The old man’s tight expression relaxed, replaced by pride. “A full carat of diamonds, cushion-cut center set in solid platinum by my grandfather before he left Ireland. You see that workmanship? How he made the center stone appear so much larger than it is by the cuts of the smaller stones? He was a master.”
Mr. McKenna’s finger shook as he pointed to the ring’s bezel. “A gentleman like yourself is sure to recognize quality. You can’t buy this kind of craftsmanship anymore.” His voice held an edge of desperation.
“I agree with you,” Luc said, as he pushed the ring back toward its owner.
Mr. McKenna shook his head. He seemed to be waiting for something more.
Luc tried again. “It appears so much larger, but it’s dainty, like Katie. It belongs on a woman like her. The stones are a lighter color than I think of when I picture an emerald.”
“Aye.” Mr. McKenna’s voice sank. “That’s because they were hand selected to match my grandmother’s eyes. The gems were renowned in Ireland as not merely being green but transparent like worn sea glass. He would have spent the money for darker emeralds if that’s what the piece called for.”
Luc nodded as the image of Katie’s sea-green eyes and red hair flashed through his mind. “I’m certain he would have.”
“Notice the detail work in the platinum with the cut emeralds?” Mr. McKenna’s eyes watered as he stared hard into Luc’s own. “Platinum in an intricate design like this was extremely difficult, usually reserved for royals. He wanted my grandmother to feel cherished above all other brides.”
Luc studied the way the metal crossed and intersected in a complicated form of lacy architecture, like a jeweled web. “Any woman in Ireland would have felt that way.”
“My mam used to twist the ring around her finger and whisper to Katie that one day, when she found the right man, the ring would belong to her.”
“I’ll guard it with my life, Mr. McKenna.”
Again the older gentleman looked Luc in the eyes. “I know you will. And I can trust you to make sure Katie gets it on her wedding day?”
Luc held his fist to his heart. “On my honor.”
“And you won’t tell anyone you have this, you understand?”
“You have my word. Unless you ask for it back, I’ll keep it under lock and key.”
Mr. McKenna turned toward the sidewalk. “I won’t be asking for it back.”
Now, all these years later, Luc could still picture the slope of Mr. McKenna’s bent back, the way he stepped, broken and wilted, a shadow of the lively man he remembered from his youth. If only he’d known then that he’d be the last person to see Ian McKenna alive, there were so many things he would have done differently.
So many things.