Holly took it all in. It looked so different from San Francisco and the West Coast. Almost as if cut out from a picture book. To her surprise, she liked it. It gave her a feeling of home, of warmth and belonging. She shook off the thought. Obviously, dealing with Sabrina’s wedding was making her soft when she was the toughest cookie out there. Sentimentality wasn’t her game. She was direct and practical. Not girly and emotional, despite what her blonde model looks might suggest.

“This way,” Raffaela instructed and walked along the sidewalk.

Holly joined her, walking alongside her until they reached a small jewelry store. Raffaela entered amidst a soothing chime sounding overhead. As Holly entered the small store behind her, she glanced around. The room they stood in was tiny, and the display cases were filled with what looked like antique jewelry. Heirlooms from estate sales, she assumed. It appeared that the store specialized in old pieces.

Holly cast Raffaela a curious glance. She’d expected Sabrina’s future mother-in-law to go to a fancy jewelry store and buy her something pretty but ordinary. But by the looks of it, Raffaela had put more thought into it than Holly had expected.

While the man behind the counter was talking to a customer, he quickly nodded to them, apparently recognizing Raffaela.

“This is an unusual place,” Holly whispered to Raffaela, not wanting to speak too loudly, because somehow she felt as if she were intruding in somebody’s living room, so welcoming and inviting was the store.

Raffaela smiled. “It’s been here forever.”

Then she dug into the bottom of her purse and pulled out a tiny, black velvet bag. She opened it and took out a sparkling green emerald, holding it up to show it to Holly. Holly had always thought of emeralds being rather murky, but this one sparkled brighter than she’d ever seen an emerald sparkle.

“It belonged to Daniel’s grandmother. It was the stone in her wedding band. She loved Daniel. In her will she passed it on to me for safekeeping until I could pass it on to Daniel’s wife. How do you think we should have it set?”

Holly stared at the precious gem. “It’s so beautiful. Just like Sabrina’s eyes,” she whispered with awe. “I think a necklace would do it most justice.”

“You don’t think it’s too impersonal?”

“No, not at all. Once you tell Sabrina the story behind it, it will bring her to tears. I guarantee it.”

“A necklace it is.”

They had to wait for another few minutes until the store’s owner was available to serve them.

“Good morning, Mr. Anderson.”

The man nodded and smiled broadly at the two of them. “Mrs. Sinclair. So nice to see you again.” He inclined his head toward Holly. “Ma’am. How may I help you two pretty ladies?”

Raffaela chuckled. “You charmer!” She placed the gemstone onto the velvet cushion on the counter in front of Mr. Anderson. “I’d like to have this stone set into a necklace for my future daughter-in-law. Do you think that’s possible?”

“Anything is possible.” He lifted the stone and inspected it closely. “Beautiful. An exceptional clarity. I would suggest white gold with it. Or platinum.” He looked up. “I could make you a beautiful design with this.”

“I’m afraid we don’t have time to have something designed. The wedding is in ten days.”

“Oh.” He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “In that case, let’s have a look through the collection and see what necklace would benefit from a stone like this.” He waved them both to another display case along the wall.

In it, antique necklaces rubbed shoulders with sets of earrings and brooches. Holly stared at the jewelry. Every single piece was beautifully crafted and unique.

“This one!” Raffaela pointed to a necklace with delicate gold swirls, in the center of which small sparkling diamonds sat. The center of the piece housed a ruby.

“Good choice, Mrs. Sinclair.” Mr. Anderson lifted the lid and took out the necklace. “I think all I’ll need to do is replace the center with a slightly larger setting to accommodate the emerald. I can have it ready in four days, five maximum.”

Raffaela turned to Holly. “What do you think?”

Holly smiled back at her. “She’ll love it.”

When they stepped out of the shop a short while later, Holly turned to Raffaela. “I can’t possibly top your present for Sabrina, but I figured I’d get her something for the honeymoon. I was thinking lingerie.”

Raffaela chuckled. “You mean a present for Daniel?”