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Ruby pulls back, starts to speak, then spots Willems body and pukes. I hold her hair while she empties the contents of her stomach all over the pavement. I rub her back while I hold her hair.

The sirens from the ambulance are growing closer.

“It’s all over sweet girl. You’re safe.”

Gillian came over to us. She looked a little pale but no worse for the wear. She put her arms around Ruby too. I let her go long enough to speak with the EMTs and my deputies.

I wrap up things with the EMTs and my deputies and take Ruby home.

After getting her some hot tea and painkillers I tuck her into bed while I make dinner. Gillian is staying the night at the ranch with us. She plans on helping Ruby at the bakery tomorrow.

Once I get everyone situated for the night, I pour three fingers of my best scotch and head outside. I take a seat and watch the moon rise in the sky. Things have surely changed in the last few weeks. I found a new love of my life and I’ve come close to losing her tonight.

My life is no longer in a holding pattern. I think I was biding time until I could be with Evie.

Chapter 46

Ruby

January 20th

I wake up gasping for air, shaking and crying, for the second day in a row. I dreamed Wilhelm was trying to strangle me. Strong arms wrap around me.

“Ruby, you’re okay baby. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

I relax into his arms and let the tears flow. Last night I was terrified.

“Talk to me, spitfire, tell me about yesterday.”

“I knew Wilhelm would try to kill me. He’d been full of vitriol the entire time we waited. He belittled me for everything he could think of that happened over the last twenty years. He even blames me for Roger’s sterility.”

“He’ll never blame you for anything again, spitfire. Roger’s never going to see the light of day again. I’ll make sure there are enough charges. He’ll never even see a parole board.”

I turn and sob into his chest. “Is it really, truly over?”

“It’s over baby. Roger can’t hurt you again. Your divorce was final at midnight. You’re a free woman.”

“I’m officially Ms. Ruby Cline. Hallelujah.”

“How about I make you breakfast?”

“Do we have time? It’s festival day?

He pretends to look offended. “Of course, we have time to feed you and my baby.” He adds the last, putting his hand on my belly. It’s a habit of his since he found out. I think it’s adorable.

After a breakfast of French toast and link sausage, we head to the bakery. Gillian follows us. Cece arrives before I’m even out of the truck. She opens my door before Effrem gets around the front.

“There she is. Our star baker. Are you ready for the grand-opening?”

“You’re way too chipper for three-thirty in the morning.”

“That’s because I’ve had a pot of coffee. Let’s go inside so I can brew more.”

I laugh and open the bakery. My friends and boyfriend pour inside all of them, heading to their pre-assigned task. We worked like a well oil machine for the next hour and a half. Five minutes until opening, I’m completing today’s selections on the chalkboard. I stand back when the last morsel is written and take a picture of the board. I’m going to get it framed.

Sweet Serenade

Cherry pies with honey