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I’ll also have to put in a call to Iris. So far, I’ve not told my boss that I’m in Ohio. She might understand why. Maybe. Cian will always be Iris’s first priority. She’ll also expect him to bemine. But now that he is more settled, and his future is at least partially mapped out with Scarlett and their foundation, surely Iris will ease up on how much of my constant attention Cian needs.
Still, she won’t like that I just took off to come to Ruby’s aid. That was reckless and very unlike me.
The only times I’m truly impulsive are when I’m following Cian on one of his adventures, and hell, that’s my job.
Ruby is just my…obsession.
Okay, Iris probably won’t understand, or like, this.
I follow Ruby into the living room. I take in the scattered toys, and a half-filled popcorn bowl. But April and Elliot are nowhere to be seen.
“What is all of this?” Ruby asks.
The plastic and cardboard that had encased the toys are lying on the floor in a neat pile in front of the stone fireplace.
“I had some things sent over.”
She turns to face me. “Things? You sent toys over?”
“Toys. A few books. Some bedding. I also had dinner delivered. And a few things for April.”
Ruby stares at me as if she’s never seen me before. “What kind of things for April?”
She almost looks jealous. Interesting. “Just some self-care things. Bath salts, lotion. A bottle of wine. Though I’m not sure what she drinks. I went with a sweet white. Some new pajamas.”
Ruby’s mouth falls open now. “Pajamas? You’re a stranger to her. Why would you do all of that?”
“I’m assuming she assumes it’s all from you,” I say.
“But…” Ruby frowns. “Why? You don’t think she has pajamas?”
“I have no idea what her frame of mind was when she left home. In any case, I wanted her and Elliot to feel comforted and welcome here on a scary night that is probably full of second-guessing and stress. At least, as if it was a fun stay away from home. But it’s a subliminal message that this is a fresh start that is going to be easy and full of good things.” I lift a brow at her continued look of puzzlement. “I’ve been around women and kids, Ruby. And I knew you were busy. So I just had some things sent over. It’s not a big deal.”
She crosses her arms. “Have you dated a single mom?” She looks like she’s just now considering the women in my past. And as if she doesn’t like it at all.
“Ilived witha single mom and her daughter,” I remind her.
Her frown pulls tighter. “Youdid?”
I can’t fight the small smile that tugs my lips up. I like her jealous. I won’t deny it. “Fiona and Saoirse,” I say.
She knows that I lived with Cian and his sister and her daughter. And Fiona’s bodyguard. And their brother Torin and his bodyguard, long before Torin was crown prince of Cara.
Understanding dawns on Ruby’s face and she nods. “Oh, right. Of course.”
She breathes out, and I wonder if she’s relieved.
Then she frowns again. “Only them?”
We haven’t discussed our past relationships. We haven’t actually spent a lot of time together one-on-one. And when we have been alone, a lot of our conversations have been focused on present day situations. Her sister and niece. Cian and Cara. My job. Her living in Emerald and being estranged from her father who is the pastor at the megachurch just outside of town. That’s a whole can of worms that took up plenty of time.
And then there was the time we spent togethernottalking.
“Fiona is the only single mom I’ve ever lived with,” I confirm.
Ruby props a hand on her hip.
“I haven’t dated a single mom either,” I add. That would have been far too complicated. I’ve had enough extra family to consider with the O’Gradys. “But I have dated women who likedto be pampered,” I say with a shrug. “And I know kids like new toys and pizza.”