Page 10 of A Tempting Seduction (Protectors of Jasper Creek #5)
Ruby's cheeks flushed pink at the compliment. “Jordan's attitude has been getting worse since I was promoted. I think he resents taking direction from someone who’s worked here less time than he has.”
“That's his problem, not yours. You didn't create his bad attitude.”
“The customer was surprisingly understanding once I explained the situation and made her drink personally. I gave her a gift card for the trouble.”
“Good call.” I winced as Suzy pulled on my hair even harder.
Suzy reached for Ruby with both arms, making little grabbing motions until Ruby came close enough to take her. The transition was smooth, natural, like they'd done it dozens of times before.
“Did you miss me, sweetheart?” Ruby settled Suzy on her hip, and the little girl immediately started playing with Ruby's necklace. A simple silver chain with a small pendant that caught the light.
“Pwetty,” Suzy announced solemnly.
“Great. She can say pretty, but not Uncle Ford,” I griped.
Ruby chuckled. “I’m sure it will come soon.”
I watched the easy way Ruby interacted with my niece, the gentle patience in her voice and movements. The woman was a natural with kids.
JR looked up from his Legos again. “Uncle Ford, why doesn't Miss Ruby have any kids?”
Heat flooded my face. “JR, that's not a polite question to ask.”
“Why isn't it polite?”
I wiped my hand down my face, then looked up at Ruby who was laughing. “Because it's personal. Some questions are private.” I told JR.
“Why are some questions private?”
Ruby laughed, a sound that sent warmth spreading through my chest. “It's okay, Ford. Kids are curious about everything.” She looked down at JR with a smile. “Some grown-ups have kids, and some don't. Both ways are perfectly fine.”
“Why don't you have kids?”
“Because I haven't found the right person to have kids with yet.” Did I hear a bit of longing in her voice, or was I projecting?
“Why haven't you found the right person?” my precocious nephew asked.
I jumped in before JR could continue his interrogation. “Buddy, why don't you tell me more about your robot truck?”
“Do you have to find a person, too, Uncle Ford?”
Ruby stopped laughing, and I started. “That’s a very good question, JR. I do have to find the right person to have kids. Sometimes it is harder than you think. But I believe in persistence. Especially when I see something worth fighting for.”
Ruby stared at me like she had never seen me before. Like a doe in the middle of a meadow who was deciding whether to run or not. I don’t know how long she would have stayed there, staring at me, if JR hadn’t spoken up.
“Okay.” He nodded his head as if I had finally answered all of his questions.
The buzzer at the back door rang and Ruby immediately perked up. She was still holding Suzy in her arms as she went to answer it.
Ruby disappeared through the office door, and I could hear the soft murmur of voices in the hallway. JR abandoned his Legos.
“Is that Mommy?” he whispered.
“Sounds like it.”
A moment later, the door opened, and Fiona walked holding Suzy with Ruby close behind. My sister's face glowed with happiness, her smile so wide it could have powered the entire coffee shop. She looked like a woman who'd just conquered the world.
“I don't know what makes me happier,” Fiona said, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Seeing you two spending time together, or me getting the job.”
JR launched himself at his mother with a whoop of joy. “Mommy! We had an adventure with Uncle Ford and Miss Ruby!”
“You got it?” I stood up, pride swelling in my chest.
Fiona frowned. “How’d you know about the job?”
I tilted my head toward JR. “I heard you had a view and you’d get money. I put two-and-two together.”
Fiona laughed. “Yes, I got it! I start Monday morning. Three-month trial period, but if everything goes well, they'll make it permanent. Plus, there’s an on-site daycare.”
“That's incredible, Fi. I'm so proud of you.”
“I couldn't have done it without Ruby.” Fiona turned to beam at the woman who'd made this moment possible. “She helped me find the job, helped me with a resume, and we even practiced doing an interview together.” She turned to Ruby and flung her free arm around her neck. Suzy squealed with delight.
“Now that you’re here, I have something for you,” Ruby said as she untangled herself from the hug. She sidestepped JR and slipped past me. I watched as she pulled out a fancy gift bag from behind some boxes, then handed it to Fiona.
“What’s this?” Fiona asked.
“You have to open it, Mommy.” JR looked at his mother like she was not all that bright and all the adults in the room laughed.
I took Suzy from Fiona’s arms and watched as my sister pulled out a pink rose that was encased in a glass dome.
“It’s called a Forever Rose,” Ruby said. “I wanted you to have something that would remind you that you are always and forever perfect, just like this rose.”
I watched Fiona’s eyes well up, and she threw her arms around Ruby’s shoulders. My sister’s look went far beyond gratitude. “I love you.”
“I love you to, honey. But remember, you did this all by yourself.”
Yeah, Ruby was definitely someone worth fighting for.