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Effrem led me to the garage that boasted a walk-in freezer and a walk-in fridge. A walk-in fridge. Unfortunately. it’s currently empty as the household was expected to be empty for the next two weeks.

I have a feeling I’ll be taking a long drive to a bigger city as soon as we’ve finished the tour. The freezer is well stocked. I’ll comeback later and take inventory before I head out shopping. He leads me back through the second foyer. This one is behind the pantry. This foyer has access to the kitchen at two points, the garage door, a laundry room, a craft room, and the end of it is a set of French doors that leads to an outdoor living area.

It’s a large space that leads to a pool and hot tub area. There’s an outdoor kitchen. Another area with an outdoor gas fireplace and beyond that, a set of outdoor table and chairs that leads out of the dining area.

The other end contains the Master Suite, including a to die for walk-in closet and a smaller bedroom with an ensuite bathroom.

“This is the bedroom you’ll be using. The rest of the bedrooms are upstairs. You can see them now or when you're done shopping. I’m sorry I can’t go with you. I have to get back to the office.”

“Effrem. We should exchange numbers in case I need to get a hold of you.”

He nods his head. “May I have your phone?”

I hand him my phone. He puts in his number, then sends a text to his phone. He then pulls out a card and hands it to me.

“That’s attached to the ranch. No spending limit. Get whatever you need to make this a wonderful holiday.”

“We need a tree.”

He shakes his head. “The kids and I will get it tomorrow after lunch. It’s usually a family thing. We hook up the horses and take the wagon or sleigh if there’s snow.”

“I’ll make hot drinks and snacks for the trip.”

“Good call.”

“Thanks.”

I watch him walk away. Leaving me in the hall outside our rooms. I enjoy every second of the view. He has one fine jean clad ass. I’ve had my hands on that fine specimen, naked. I letout a sigh. Too bad I’ll never lay hands on it again, but I respect his wishes.

First thing I do is take out my own notebook and look over everything. Nothing too complicated and I have plenty of ideas on family events, thanks to Dee’s notes. She was with the family from the start.

I jot down several ideas before heading to the freezer and taking inventory.

Chapter 21

Ruby

I’m jamming down the road to a local country station. When it goes out, I’ll switch to a satellite station. I have a ninety-minute drive to a market I found on-line a few weeks ago. It’s part of a community that grows aquaponic crops all year round. They have their own butcher and cheese makers as well.

I put in a call to Dutch earlier for cherries and honey. He’s going to drop it off at the sheriff’s office this afternoon when he makes his weekly trip into town. Tomorrow’s menu is easy. I’m making chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, corn bread, fried okra, black-eyed peas, cream gravy, and pecan pie.

I have steaks defrosting for Effrem and I tonight. I plan on getting a ton of baking supplies while I’m here. I have the second and third row seats folded flat for maximum storage capacity.

Jelly Roll’sSave Mecomes on. I crank it up and sing along. While I never faced drug addiction, I do know what it's like to feel you're at the end of your rope. Roger is somehow forging my signature on papers that never existed. I don’t have the money to hire a private investigator or hire another attorney. Mine is okay, but Roger has an entire team. I could use an attorney from a top-notch law firm.

I refuse to let him take anymore of my life. I let fear take the last sixteen years. I should’ve left long ago. I remind myself that I can’t change the past. I can only learn from it and move on. I find the market easy enough and even snag a close parking spot.

??

It’s dark by the time I pull in front of the ranch house. A few ranch hands surprise me, running out to unload the Suburban. I shew them away when they ask to help put everything up. If I do it, then I’ll know where it is when it’s time to use it.

Effrem sent me a text earlier, letting me know he’d be late. Which, it turns out, is perfect timing. By the time I get everything put away, I have time to throw together a salad, bake potatoes in the convection oven and pull the steaks from the fridge to rest. I’ll throw them on the grill when Effrem gets home.

With the salad finished and ready to toss, I make a quick vinaigrette using some ponzu fruit I found earlier today. Once that’s done, I head to my room for the next two weeks and take a quick shower.

I’m planning on crashing after dinner, so I dress in yoga pants, an oversized tee, and slip on tennis shoes. I leave my hair loose and decide on a bralet versus a bra. I’m well-endowed and only go without a bra to bathe and sleep. Even my swimsuit has a built-in bra.

I’m headed back to the kitchen when I hear Effrem calling my name.