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I picked it up and turned it beneath the lamp. It was stunning. My throat tightened, imagining Luci’s face when I showed it to her.

Jack came closer, bending over to see better.

“Yep, that’s the one,” he said quietly.

I nodded. “She’ll love it.”

Vera pulled a document from the recipe box and unfolded it.

“Eighteen-karat gold. Old European-cut diamond. The appraisal’s here, with the measurements and condition.” She smoothed the paper on the bench. “It’s been checked by a jeweler. The setting’s sound.”

“How old is it?” Jack asked.

“A hundred and twenty-six years,” Vera said. “You want a box for it?”

“Yes, sure,” I said.

Vera opened a drawer directly in front of her and took out a small velvet ring box.

I fitted the ring inside and held it open.

Soren rested a hand briefly on my shoulder. “That’s a special one. And from what Vera here says, sounds like the right legacy for Luci.”

“Luci runs a clinic for underprivileged kids,” I said, proudly. “Kind of like Iris.”

Vera shrugged, clearly unimpressed. “Goody for her.”

While she wrote out the receipt, we talked about sizing. I knew Luci’s size, and Vera checked the ring against a metal measuring tool. It was close, but she recommended having a jeweler confirm the fit after I gave it to her.

I took out my wallet.

Behind me, Jack wandered toward a glass cabinet. “Vera, can I ask you about something over here?”

“Hold your horses, young man. I only got two hands.”

Vera handed me the paperwork, then went to help Jack.

I stared at the ring some more. “I’ve never been more sure of a purchase in my life,” I said to Soren.

“Good. She’s going to wear it for a long time.”

“I hope so,” I said.

“Iris did,” Soren said. “So I think it’s a good omen.”

“You two go out to your vehicle,” Vera called from the back. “Jack has a purchase he wants to keep to himself.”

Soren and I looked at each other and started to laugh. “God only knows,” Soren said, grabbing his jacket. “Come on, we can wait in the van. I’ll turn on the heat.”

We called out our farewells to Vera and headed out to the van.

Soren turned on the engine and soon the heater had warmed the interior, but not to the same extent as Vera’s basement.

A few minutes later, Jack showed up carrying a small paper bag folded at the top, with Vera following closely behind, holding the ceramic goose.

Soren opened the minivan door to let Jack inside.

“We have to take the goose,” Jack said, eyes sparkling with amusement. “To Vera’s sister.”