Chapter 23: The Answer

The velvet box was open in Dawson's hands.

Inside was a thin gold band with no stone, plain and small.

"It isn't the old ring," he said. "I'm asking for a church, a morning, and every day of my life to earn it."

The last guests stood frozen in the doorway.

My mother's fingers tightened on mine.

I looked at Dawson's face, at the grey under his eyes and the hope he was trying not to let me see.

"No," I said.

He didn't move.

"I don't mean not yet," I said. "I don't want to be married to you, Dawson, tomorrow or in a year."

"Kerry."

"I watched you laugh at that lectern. I know what your face looked like."

His throat moved.

"You were my fiancé, and you asked Margo about me every time instead of asking me. I won't spend my life waiting for you to do it again."

"I wouldn't."

"I believe you. It doesn't change my answer."

He closed the box.

He stayed on his knee a moment longer, and then he got up slowly.

"Thank you for telling me plainly," he said.

"You're welcome."

I opened my hand and held out the diamond.

"Sell this," I said. "Give the money to the roof of St. Brendan's."

He took it from my palm.

Our fingers did not touch.

The county clerk had come up beside us with a single page and a pen.

"Mr. Thornbury, this is the affidavit for the attorney general.

It states that you never agreed to the marriage and ask that the license be marked void."

Dawson looked at the page.

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