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“How can I Help?”

“Have you heard about Buck’s injury?”

“I have, and that you had to cancel your plans. Sorry, you’ll miss seeing your daughter.”

She sounds so sincere I feel like a raging idiot for blowing her off instead of facing her. I need to put on my big boy britches and have a conversation with her. I hand the sandwich to Trixie.

“Let me take you to breakfast and I’ll explain everything. I owe you a conversation, anyway.”

She nods. “I know just the place. Follow me?”

I nod my head. “Lead the way.”

Ruby tells Trixie goodbye before heading outside into her new SUV. She traded in her BMW XM Label for a Suburban High Country trim in bright red. She’ll be easy to spot next time she speeds. I escort her to her SUV before returning to my truck.

I follow her outside of town to the Stagecoach Grill. I park and hurry out of the truck to open the door for her. We walk side by side to the door. I opened it for her before following her inside.

We’re seated and left with menus. Our server, Sally, comes over with water and coffee. She fills our cups and leaves to give us time to look at the menu.

“I’m sorry Ruby. I didn’t intend to ghost you. When I woke up. I panicked. I feel like I betrayed Evie. She’s the only woman I’ve ever been with. The only woman I’ve ever kissed until you. I know that it’s not you, it’s me. It's a cliche, but it’s true in this case and I’m sorry, from the bottom of my heart. I hope we can be friends.”

Lorey came back to take our orders. I choose steak and eggs with buckwheat pancakes. Ruby orders biscuits and gravy with hash browns.

Ruby

I wait until Lorey takes our order to respond to Effrem’s apology. I’ve imagined this moment a hundred different ways the last couple weeks.

“I can’t say your disappearance didn’t hurt. My soon to be ex is the only man I’d been with prior to our night. I’m not thrilled with a forced one-night stand, but I do understand that you suffered a significant loss. One that affects every aspect of your life.

“I’ll try to be friends, but I like you more than a friend. Also, friends don’t ghost each other.”

“Fair enough.”

“Now, how can I help you?”

“My housekeeper is gone for the holidays. I sent her and her husband, my foreman, on vacation. I can cook, but not enough to take care of my family. My daughter arranged for her boyfriend, his parents, and her brothers to all come to the ranch with her.

“They’re staying for twelve days. I’ll need help cooking and keeping the house. The kids will want some of their favorite dishes. Dee keeps her recipe box in the kitchen. I’ll pay you to shop, cook, and help keep the house. There’s a local maid service I’m calling to do the heavy lifting on the cleaning.”

Our food arrived, giving me time to collect my thoughts. I’m still aiming to open the bakery on January first. Thanks to Roger’s latest move, I need the money.

“I’ll do it, but I still plan on opening the bakery first of the year.”

“What’s left to be done?”

“The walls need a second coat, and the bathroom needs new tile. Other than that. all the seating needs to be put in place and the cases need a final cleaning.”

“I’ll hire someone to do all that.”

“I have a lot of test baking to do and opening day falls on day eleven.”

“I’ll help you as much as I can. You can test bake at the ranch. It’s not Cece’s kitchen, but it’s got professional grade appliances and two double ovens. Dee asked if she could remodel it a few years ago. Anything to make her job easier. I said yes.”

“When can I see the kitchen?”

“Why don’t you pack? I’ll meet you at your apartment after I check in with the office. You can check the recipes and decide what you want to make. Everyone's coming in tomorrow morning. We’ll stop by Molly’s for gingerbread pancakes.”

“I’ll plan to cook from lunch on then. Do you have any holiday traditions with the kids?”