Katie woke to the sound of a squeal from downstairs.
“Wake up! Christmas is finally here and you won’t believe what’s outside,” Zoe yelled.
The sound of Zoe’s feet pounding on the stairs made Katie burrow under her blankets in a vain attempt to hide. If she could just have a few more minutes—
The blankets whipped off her. “I’m glad I don’t sleep naked,” Katie said, curling into a shivering ball. “That could have been embarrassing.”
“Please,” Zoe said, waving her off. “I knew you wouldn’t be. You’re not the type.”
Book 2: "It's better to have loved and lost, they said. They were wrong."Ruby balanced her phone between her shoulder and ear as she wound her bike chain around a tree. “Have you decided what you want on your cake? I just arrived at the bakery.”“I told you, it doesn’t really matter to me. The cake is going to be delicious either way,” Katie said.It mattered to Ruby. An ache settled in her chest and she paused outside the bakery door. “What about pink baby booties in the middle with the writing surrounding the
Parker watched Ruby hurry out the door. Her long dark hair bounced slightly with each step, and it seemed to glow as she walked into the sunlight. After all these years he still couldn’t help but watch her every move.“Parker, did you want me to bag these up for you?” Rebecca asked. From the way she looked at him, it seemed like maybe it wasn’t the first time she had asked.“Yes, please. Thank you.” As Rebecca rung up the cake and figurines, a flash of light on the counter caught Parker’s eye. He walked over and saw that it was a blue wallet. Tiny jewels sewn into the surface reflected the light that streamed through the window. Parker opened it and saw Ruby’s face staring back at him on her driver’s license. Except the license had e
Ruby finished setting the table, then glanced at the place cards she held in her hand. She placed one next to each plate, then when she felt she had the order right, she sat down on the couch to anxiously await the arrival of her dinner guests.After what seemed like hours, Ruby glanced at her phone. It had only been twenty minutes, but she saw she had a text from Sam that she had somehow missed.Sorry, we’re running late.Of course they were. They had probably burned dinner and now had to pick up something on their way over. At least Zoe would be there as a buffer between her and Parker. And if all went well, it would be Zoe that Parker would ask to take home, and Ruby would be off the hook. At least, t
Ruby tried not to stare, but…wow. Parker’s chest wasn’t hairy like a lot of men, and she couldn’t help but wish the table didn’t cover up the abs she caught a glimpse of as he sat down.“You okay?” Parker asked, not bothering to hide his smile as he ate.“Of course,” Ruby mumbled and she forced a bite of enchilada into her mouth. “The view is much better now, thank you.” She paused, realizing what she had just said. “I meant the smell. The smell is much better now—you don’t stink anymore.”Parker’s eyes danced and he took a drink before leaning back in his chair, his hands behind his head, and a sati
Ruby turned on the ‘closed’ sign and pulled the daycare door shut. She sighed as she turned her key in the lock. Another day over. Another night in an empty house. She’d thought she’d be used to it by now. She had lived alone for a long time before she had gotten married. It had been bearable, but never felt right. And then Clark had shown up and it had been like a light switched on. Clark illuminated everything, making even the drabbest corners of Ruby’s life bright again. She had never laughed as much as when she had Clark.Now?Ruby unlocked her bike chain and stuck it in the basket. She flicked the bell on the handlebars a few times, just to hear a bit of its happiness before she started for home. It was the same bell Ruby had had since she was a kid. T
Parker couldn’t believe that out of all the places he could have chosen to eat—and admittedly, his choices were limited—Ruby had to be there. He had been looking forward to a quiet evening out, but it didn’t look like there’d be much chance of that now. Parker loved being back in Amor and visiting his family, but his parents’ thirty-year anniversary celebration was over and it was hard being cooped up with all his brothers and sisters, plus spouses and several nieces and nephews. He loved them and they had a lot of fun together, but he couldn’t handle the chaos and noise anymore. He needed a breather.And he got Ruby Freedman instead.Taking off his shirt and t
Ruby stared at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the reflection that stared back. It wasn’t just that she was older. Life had thrown a lot at her, and she didn’t wear it well. The bags under her eyes were evidence of all the sleepless nights Ruby still had. After marrying Clark, it hadn’t taken long to get used to sleeping with another person. But after his death, she’d never gotten used to sleeping without him by her side. Her laughter lines had also faded over the years.Ruby grabbed her phone and called Zoe. It rang several times before Zoe picked up. “I can’t do it,” Ruby said.“Yes, you can. It’s not like you’re going out with a stranger. Parker’s already been over to your house for dinner, and you’ve s
Parker stood on Ruby’s front porch. His hands had suddenly gone clammy, and he wiped them on his pants. What was wrong with him? This was almost as bad as when he had waited at the movie theater, except he shouldn’t be this nervous to help someone prepare for a baby shower. Especially because it wasn’t even his baby!Parker raised a hand to knock, but the door swung open before he had the chance. Ruby stood in the doorway, her dark hair flowing over her shoulders. She wore an oversized T-shirt and leggings that accentuated her figure.“Beautiful,” he murmured.Ruby gave him a crooked smile. “Sorry?”Parker cle