Rubies And Boots (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots) Read online

  Curtis turned off the engine. “Take all the time you need. We’ve got plenty.”

  Jonah gave him a grim nod as he took a deep breath. Inwardly, he cringed at the conversation that needed to take place and the pain he was going to cause Ruby. He desperately wished there was some way he could change the events of the evening and make his father well. But instead of his wistful dream, there was a forlorn reality that he was leaving her, even if it wasn’t his choice.

  Twenty-Two

  Ruby heard the truck pull into the drive, and before Jonah knocked, she opened the door to find him standing before her, his face tense and his eyes desperate.

  “What is it?” she asked, her own apprehension rising.

  Without a word, Jonah pulled her into a long embrace, and Ruby drank in his warm passion. But something was different.

  Bringing him inside, she closed the door. The house was still, and Ruby was dressed in a white cotton tank and shorts. She felt Jonah’s gaze but did not turn away.

  “I’m the only one awake,” she said. “I didn’t tell anyone you were coming. Jonah, your text was such a surprise. What’s going on?” As soon as the question left her lips, Ruby was filled with a brand-new light of clarity that chased away the fog of confusion. “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

  Jonah reached for her. She backed out of his grasp.

  “This isn’t what you think,” he began. “My father had a heart attack. It sounds bad.”

  Ruby blinked as tender empathy mixed with her own rising fear. “Oh, Jonah,” she breathed out. “I’m so sorry. Is he—?” She could not bear to say the words.

  “He’s still alive. He’s in the ER. I think they need to do some sort of procedure, but I’m not sure. Mom wasn’t very clear.”

  Ruby held still, hoping that all of this was nothing more than a terrible nightmare and the tide of loss that crept over her would disappear before she drowned in it.

  “Tell me how you’re feeling,” Jonah begged.

  Looking into Jonah’s eyes, she saw his terror and fear. She could not add to his burden by having him leave with worry over her. If she truly loved him, she would release him now and let him go home without a care that would split his loyalty. This gift was in her power to give, if she could just breathe and say what he needed to hear. Ruby took in breath, and the words caught in her throat as every corner of her soul went against her offering. She swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry about your dad. This sounds really serious, Jonah, and your parents need you. They must be terrified. You have to go home. I understand.”

  “Honestly?” Jonah asked.

  “Yes.” A comfortable numbness settled in Ruby’s chest.

  “Ruby, I promise I’ll come back. We’ll be in touch every day, and I’ll be home as soon as I can get my parents settled. This is only a setback. It’s nothing permanent. My father is young. He’ll recover,” Jonah said.

  Ruby loved Jonah for his sincerity, but there were no guarantees of his promise. Even if Jonah’s father did recover, Jonah would see his responsibilities differently, and he would never be able to escape the reality of his family and the obligations that came with being part of Stiles Oil. It would fetter him to a life of compromise.

  His family’s needs would change too, and Jonah would sacrifice what he wanted and loved to preserve them. He would accept his mother’s offering of a weekend ranch outside Dallas, giving him a taste of what he desired while keeping him in Texas. With his pressing duty, Jonah’s dream of Sunrise Creek would dim with each passing day, giving him the space he needed to surrender his love for her in the tidal wave of grief and guilt over not being there when his family needed him.

  An aching hurt poked through the numbness, and Ruby pushed it down. It wouldn’t help for Jonah to see her cry. He could not help what happened.

  “I wish you could come with me,” Jonah whispered.

  Ruby appreciated the sentiment, even as defeat already ebbed through her. “We both know that’s a bad idea.”

  Jonah was thoughtful. “Yes, it is, but I’ll carry you with me through all of this. You are here.” He placed his fist on his chest. “Nothing can change that.”

  Ruby stepped close and took his hand, placing it on her own chest. “And you are here,” she whispered. She would not make this harder for Jonah. She would send him away knowing that her love was freely given.

  Reaching up, she drew him to her and placed her lips on his. The sweet taste of him awakened her, and she spread her fingers through his thick dark hair in order to feel every part of him and store it in her memory.

  Jonah responded to her kiss and pulled her close in his familiar embrace, with one hand on her back and the other resting at her neck. “I love you,” he whispered.

  “And I love you,” she whispered before she stepped away and led him to the door, where she opened it into the night. Standing at the threshold, she turned to him and waited for him to step across. With one final caress of her cheek and a tender kiss on her mouth, he turned and was swallowed up in the night.

  Curtis flicked on the headlights, illuminating Jonah as he walked away from her. He climbed into the passenger seat, his face highlighted by the brightness of the cab light in the dark night. As the truck pulled out of the drive and the sound of the engine dimmed, Ruby was left with the quiet symphony of crickets.

  Sleep had long fled, and Ruby threw on a jacket and slipped her feet into her flip-flops before heading down the street to stand in front of Cooper’s house. Moonlight spilled across the empty shell and fell into the windows, highlighting its hollow and barren space. Once again, it mirrored her own heart.

  She remembered the days when she had driven out to Cooper’s ranch to scream at the sky. There was no crying left in her now. There was nothing except a staggering and empty defeat.

  Looking up at the sharp angles of the roof that pierced the sky, Ruby pulled her jacket close as a shiver ran through her body. “You win,” she whispered to the empty spaces both within and without. “You win for good.”

  Twenty-Three

  Jonah sat next to his father’s bed, watching the rise and fall of his chest and listening to the steady conversation of bells and whistles that came from the medical equipment. It mingled with the buzz of conversation sifting into the room from the hallway. His mother sat across the room, dozing; a magazine lay open on her lap.

  Jonah had arrived at the hospital around two in the afternoon to learn that his father had already been through the procedure. The intervention cardiologist had successfully placed a stent inside one of his coronary arteries during an angioplasty. He would be ready to go home the following morning.

  His father awakened briefly to greet his son; a smile of relief, gratitude, and love came into his deep blue eyes, so much like Jonah’s. He reached for Jonah’s hand and squeezed. “I’m glad you’re here, son.”

  Jonah’s voice choked. “Me too.”

  His father fell back asleep, and his mother awoke.

  “Let’s grab a quick bite to eat,” his mother suggested.

  Jonah agreed and they hurried to the cafeteria to eat. Jonah hadn’t eaten since early the night before, and he was starving.

  Sitting with his meal in front of him, he studied his mother, who was absently looking out the large picture windows. The light showed the translucency of her skin and fine lines around her eyes that Jonah had never before seen. Exhaustion was etched into her face.

  “You can go home for a while, Mom,” Jonah offered. “Maybe take a nap and come back this evening.”

  Jonah’s mother smiled at him. “I might do that. I’ve been here since last night, and I haven’t slept a wink.”

  “I’ll look after Dad.”

  Jonah’s mother picked up her purse. “I want you to call me if there’s any change.”

  “I will, but it sounds like he just needs a couple of days of rest, and he’ll be as good as new.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Jonah’s mother replied. “The doctor told us that it may
take him four to six weeks to fully recover. Because his surgery came on the heels of a heart attack, he’ll be fatigued for a longer period of time. I’m going to try to talk him into taking at least a month from work. I’d appreciate your support in those conversations.”

  “Of course,” Jonah agreed.

  With a quick kiss on the cheek, Jonah’s mother picked up her belongings and hurried out of the cafeteria.

  Jonah pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Ruby. Dad had a stent placed. He’s recovering and should be home tomorrow morning. I’ll call later. Missed you the minute I left.

  The reply was instantaneous. Glad to hear the good news about your dad. I hope he continues to recover well. Miss you, too. Will look forward to your call.

  Finishing his meal, he hurried to his dad’s bedside. Trevor Stiles was sitting up in bed.

  “Hey, Dad! You’re looking so much better.”

  “I’m feeling better,” his father replied. “All I needed was a nap and some fluids. I can’t believe they’re keeping me one more night. I need to get home. There’s so much work that needs to be done.”

  “Dad, you’re not going to be working for a few weeks. Tell me who I need to call, and I’ll arrange your time out of the office. Who’s your second-in-command?”

  His dad hesitated, and a wave of failure washed over Jonah. He should be the man who could step into his father’s position under these conditions.

  “You need to talk to Ryan Michaels. Well, maybe you should start by calling my administrative assistant, Stephanie. She’ll need to reschedule several trips I had planned, and she and Ryan can discuss what needs to happen around my absence.” His father laid his head on his pillow. “You know, you might be right. It doesn’t take much to sap my energy. I may need a week or so off.”

  Jonah tried to force away the stubborn guilt, but the harder he pushed, the deeper it rooted itself. Even though his parents never seemed old, and they were both fit with their tennis club and well-manicured image, he could see the weariness and age creeping behind the facade.

  He took his father’s hand in his own. “Do you have the numbers for me?”

  “You have the office number in your phone, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’ll put you on Stephanie’s desk. Start there.”

  Jonah stood. “I’ll only be a minute.” He hurried out of the room. At the door, he turned to look at his father, whose face slackened as he leaned against his pillow and closed his eyes.

  The earlier guilt followed Jonah from the room like a snake lurking along the dark and cool corners of his mind. Why hadn’t he seen this coming? His father had always worked hard, and he only took vacations at his mother’s insistence. Even then, he had his laptop and cell phone with him. Jonah could’ve saved him from this. Wasn’t it his responsibility to share the load?

  He made the necessary calls. Stephanie and Ryan were properly aghast, sympathetic, and helpful, telling Jonah to leave everything to them and that their boss was not to hurry back. If someone could check in with them after a week, they would know how to proceed.

  Jonah promised that he would be in touch as his father’s recovery progressed before he hung up the phone.

  Staring at the screen, his thoughts traveled the thousand-plus of miles from Dallas to Sunrise Creek. What was Ruby doing right now? The Jumpin’ Bean was closed. Was she working on the HOA?

  How was Curtis? Were they having success in weaning the calves? He was sorry to leave them at such a critical time, but he saved most of his concern for Ruby. Was it just last night he’d stood on the threshold of her home, giving her one last kiss before the long and silent drive to Missoula and the lengthy wait and flight to Dallas?

  Jonah yearned to be back in the bright sunshine and early September of Montana. He longed for the smell of his horse, the creaking of the leather saddle, and the lowing of cattle. Even when the din of bawling calves and cows was at its worst and the smell of manure and the rising dust surrounded him, he was right where he wanted to be. But above all, he wanted to close his eyes and open them to find himself in Ruby’s company.

  He was thirsty for the touch of her skin. If he thought hard, he could remember the brush of her lips on his and the way her body fit whenever she cradled next to him. Even though he was never cold, her warmth made it apparent he was missing something that only she could give. In this sterile hospital, he craved it. He craved her.

  Pushing the screen of his phone, he waited for Ruby to pick up.

  “Jonah?”

  “Ruby. Gosh, I miss you.”

  “Oh, Jonah. How are things going? How’s your dad?” The words came out in a heated rush of concern and sympathy.

  A contraction of remorse squeezed Jonah’s chest as an emerging conflict arose that he couldn’t quite place. “He had a stent placed, so his heart is doing better, but they want to keep him one more night.” He hesitated. “He’s—he’s so tired, Ruby. And Mom isn’t doing well either.”

  A beat of silence came over the line before Ruby inquired, her voice soft, “What do you mean, Jonah?”

  “I never realized how they’re aging,” he said. “Both of them are looking tired and… worn. They look worn.”

  “I think I understand,” Ruby said. “I see it in my parents sometimes. It’s hard.”

  “Yes! I’m so glad you get it.” He changed the subject. “How are things with you? How was work?”

  “Oh, typical. Not much new. I’m working on the HOA letter to the neighbors, so that will probably go out tomorrow. My neighbor, Joanie, has come for the early autumn. She lives right next door to the monstrosity that’s being built. We’re working together, so it’s nice to have someone to help out and share.”

  Even though the phone connection was clear, Jonah felt the distance between them. Ruby wasn’t just physically miles away. Her heart was distanced. A shot of panic pierced Jonah. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. Yes, of course. Just tired, I guess.”

  “I’m coming back, you know.”

  Another beat of silence. “Do you know how long you need to stay in Dallas?” Ruby’s words were careful, but he heard the uncertainty underneath.

  “No. Not yet. The doctor wants Dad to take a month off, even though Dad’s thinking he’ll be back to work in a week. Mom will want him to take the whole month and maybe more. She’ll be campaigning for an early retirement.” A new idea struck him. “Maybe you can come to Dallas?”

  “We talked about that, remember?”

  “Yes, but if I’m going to be here for a while, we’ll have time to work out the details. Let’s think about it.”

  “Sure,” Ruby replied. “We can talk about it later.”

  Jonah had been hoping for greater enthusiasm. Didn’t she want to meet his parents and see where he grew up? Maybe she didn’t miss him as much as he missed her. Perhaps now that he was gone, she was rethinking their relationship. “Well, look. I need to go. I stepped out of Dad’s room to make this call, and Mom is home. I shouldn’t be away for too long. I’ll call later, when I’m at home.”

  “Good. I’ll look forward to it.”

  “I miss you, Ruby.”

  “And I miss you too, Jonah. More than I can say.”

  Finally, her voice sounded heartfelt and normal. Relief flooded through Jonah. “I know. We’ll be together again, soon.”

  After a quick goodbye, Jonah hung up, letting out a long sigh. This separation was hard on both of them. Their love was so new and needed to be filled with starry nights, sun-filled days, plenty of kissing, and warm embraces. Instead, he was stuck in a hospital that smelled of antiseptic while Ruby was holding her own against the looming ghosts of a past love.

  The sooner he could return to Sunrise Creek, the better. He hurried back to his father’s room, where he studied him sleeping in the hospital bed. His father had always been so virile and strong. He was a big man with bigger ideas. Now, in the hospital bed, he looked small somehow—as if this heart attack h
ad taken all the stuffing from him, leaving him a wan, wrinkled shell of the man Jonah remembered from his youth.

  Tears filled Jonah’s eyes, and he hurriedly brushed them away as his father awoke. He didn’t want his dad to see his distress.

  His father gave Jonah a sleepy grin. “I’ll give you five thousand dollars if you find a way to get me out of here.”

  Jonah laughed. At least his dad’s humor was still intact. “You’re leaving tomorrow morning, Dad. I promise.”

  His father joined in his laughter. “Where’s your mother?”

  “I sent her home,” Jonah said.

  “Lucky her,” his father answered.

  “She’ll be back. She won’t want to leave you for long.”

  “Did you talk to Stephanie and Ryan?”

  “Yes. They’ve got everything handled, and your schedule is cleared for the next two weeks,” Jonah lied. He would check in with Stephanie and Ryan in a week, as they had requested, and let them know his father needed more time. He even considered going into the office himself. He shook that thought away. His presence would only be a distraction and hindrance.

  The snake of guilt returned, circling him and filling him with remorse. If he had come home, like his parents had wanted, this wouldn’t be happening. Indeed, if he had gone into the family business as they’d requested, he could’ve spared his father from this very thing by sharing his load.

  “Will you help me up, Jonah?” his father asked. “I’m tired of sitting, and I’d like to take a lap around the hallway.”

  “Are you sure you’re supposed to be up and moving around?” Jonah asked.

  “Oh, yeah. I can walk and do everyday activities. I can even climb stairs, although I think I’ll wait until tomorrow for that.”

  Jonah grabbed his father’s arms and aided him in his effort to stand before helping him with his sweatpants.