Page 35

Chapter 35

Tobias

My hand hesitated on Ruth's doorbell. Joey stirred in my arms, making a small whimpering sound. He knew exactly where we were and who he was going to see. I pressed the bell.

"Joey," I said, holding him just a touch tighter to discourage any of his wiggling.

Footsteps approached, and the door swung open to reveal Ruth's aunt Irene. Her expression shifted from neutral to frosty when she recognized me, then to surprise when she spotted Joey. She stepped outside, closing the door behind her.

I blew out a breath seeing how this was going to go.

"Joey!" she exclaimed, reaching for the dog.

I instinctively pulled back slightly. "I'm sorry but I would like to give him to Ruth myself."

Irene's eyes narrowed. She stepped back a step herself. "You've got some nerve showing up here."

"I know."

"Do you? I highly doubt that. Do you have any idea what you've done to her? You know, the physical blows will heal, but what you did, that's worse." Her voice was low but intense, she stepped toward me pointing her finger at me. "I've watched her cry over you. Question herself because of you. And the worst part she thought less of herself because of what you said. So, Sheriff Trenton, tell me why I should allow you in the house?"

Each word hit like a physical blow, but I didn't flinch. I deserved it all.

"You're right," I said simply. "Completely right."

That seemed to catch her off guard. "I, what?"

"You're right about all of it. I hurt Ruth in ways I can't excuse. I pushed her away because I was afraid. Afraid of what people would think, afraid of our ages. Afraid of my own feelings and of losing her. I told myself I was protecting her, but really, I was protecting myself." I looked down at Joey, who was watching me with those expressive eyes. "I was wrong, and I'm more than sorry. Even if she tells me to never speak to her again, I need to tell her the truth. And she needs to hear it from me, so she can see I'm sincere."

Irene studied me, arms crossed, skepticism plain on her face. "Pretty speech, Sheriff. Did you rehearse it on the way over?"

"No, ma'am. It's just the honest truth."

She sighed heavily. "Fine. You can come in, but only because you're right, she deserves to hear an apology directly from you, and because you brought Joey home. She's been worried sick about him."

"I brought Joey to her the first time., seemed right to bring him this time." I handed her Joey's medicine bag and told her his instructions, as she led me into the house.

"She's in her bedroom. First door on the left," Irene directed, then added with unmistakable warning, "I'll be right out here."

I nodded and approached the door she'd indicated. It was partially open. I knocked softly.

"Come in, Aunt Irene," Ruth whispered. Her voice sounded tired, strained. "Could you help me with my pillow?"

Taking a deep breath, I slowly pushed the door open. Ruth was propped up in bed, surrounded by pillows, a book open on her lap. She looked up, expecting her aunt, and froze when she saw me.

"What are you doing here?" The bruising on her face looked even worse in the daylight—deep purples and blues spread across her cheekbone, her right eye swollen, her split lip stitched and puffy. Then her gaze dropped to the bundle in my arms, and her expression transformed.

"Joey!" she gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth. Then raising both hands to take him.

"Careful, he can't get excited. He's got a cracked rib, he has to be in low mode for a couple of weeks."

Hearing the cracked rib part Ruth began to cry. I crossed to the bed and gently placed Joey beside her. The little dog whimpered with happiness, his tail wagging despite his bandaged rib, as he carefully nuzzled against Ruth's hand.

"Oh, my baby," she whispered, tears spilling from her eyes as she gently stroked his head. "I was so worried about you."

"He's going to be fine," I told her softly. "The vet said he needs to stay calm for a week." I repeated. "Irene has his medication."

Ruth looked up at me, her one good eye filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Tobias."

I shifted awkwardly, shoving my hands in my pockets. "I should have been there to protect you both. I'm sorry, Ruth."

"You couldn't have known."

"No," I interrupted. "I don't mean just about the break-in. I mean for everything. For pushing you away. For hurting you. For being too scared to admit how I really feel."

Ruth went still, her hand continuing to stroke Joey but her gaze fixed on me. "And how do you really feel?"

The moment of truth. No more running. No more excuses. I crossed to the other side of the bed.

"Do you need your pillow fixed?" I asked remembering what she said when I opened the door.

"Yes, the one right behind me needs to be higher please." She sat forward allowing me to pull the pillow up. "Thank you, that's much better." She looked up at me with her one eye. "Now, how do you feel?"

I sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand. "I love you, Ruth. I have since that night at the Chamber event. I love your honesty, your courage, your passion. I love how you've built this business on your own. I love that you never let anyone make you feel small, including me. I had no right to talk to you the way I did. I know it's just an excuse but I was afraid. Afraid of what people would think about us. Afraid of losing you the way I lost Joan. Afraid I wasn't enough for someone like you. So, I pushed you away, told myself I was protecting you by keeping my distance. I let you believe my lies of how sexy you are. I hurt you Roo and I couldn't be more sorry about that. I know I don't deserve it but please forgive me."

Ruth's eyes were wide, tears slipping down her cheek. She brushed them away. "You could have told me all this before. What were you worried people would say?"

I shook my head. "I was worried people would say you were too young for me. Say I'd robbed the cradle. Things like that. You know how the town loves to talk. I told myself they wouldn't re-elect a sheriff like that. I know I was a coward. And when you confronted me at the grocery store, I panicked. But seeing you in that hospital bed..."

"I don't remember you being at the hospital."

"I was, I spent the first night with you. I had to know you were alright." My voice cracked. "I realized what really matters. You matter. How I feel about you matters. Nothing else does. Even if it costs me my job. I don't care. I want you. I love you."

She was quiet for a moment, and I prepared myself for rejection. I deserve nothing less.

"I love you too," she finally said, her voice thick with emotion.

Hope flared in my chest. "You do?" I locked eyes with her.

"Of course I do. Tobias, why do you think I was so hurt? Why do you think I lashed out? You made me feel like there was something wrong with me, with my body."

"I know and I was wrong," I said fiercely. "You're perfect. God, the things you do to me, Ruth. Please believe me, you're amazing and I was the problem."

Ruth gave a watery laugh, then winced as the movement pulled at her injuries. "We need to work on your timing. Confessions like this should end in kisses but my lips are sore."

Gently, I leaned forward and pressed the softest kiss to her forehead, avoiding her injuries.

"More kisses give you a goal to get better for," I murmured against her skin.

She laughed again, softer this time. "That's presumptuous, Sheriff Trenton."

"Just hopeful, Ms. Manchester."

Joey, sensing the shift in mood, gave a small approving yip from his spot beside Ruth, causing us both to smile.

"Rest," I told her, standing reluctantly. "Focus on getting better. I'll be here."

Ruth caught my hand as I turned to go. "Tobias, the men, I heard one of them say that he heard on the scanner that the cops were on the way. They're listening to you all."

I brought her hand to my lips, kissing her knuckles gently. "I know, I read the report. I want so much to tell you how proud I am of you fighting back. But, Ruth, we talked about you working late."

"I know Tobias, I even thought about what you said." She looked at our hands. "But I ignored your warnings because I was frustrated with you."

I put my finger under her chin and raised her eyes to mine. "Do you remember what I said I would do if I found you working late again?" I laughed at the redness that rose up her face as she remembered.

"Promises, promises," she smiled a small cringing smile.

I bent and kissed her lightly on the lips then whispered into her ear, "Roo, you know I'm a man of my word."

She whispered into my ear, "now that's a goal to look forward to."

From the doorway came a theatrical sigh. We both looked up to see Irene standing there, arms crossed but expression softened.

"I should bend you both over my knee,” she said.

“Irene!” Ruth turned red. I stood not sure what to say.

“Well, I should, you’ve both been a couple of jack asses. Anyway, it's time for Joey and your medications."

"I need to go to work," I said, kissing Ruth again. "Text me later, I have the late shift tonight."

As I left Ruth's room to give her time to rest, I felt lighter than I had in months. The road ahead wouldn't be easy. Michael was still out there, the danger still real. But being honest about our feelings at last, I didn't feel alone. I felt like I personally had a stake in the battle. I had something worth fighting for. And that's one hell of a motivator.