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

  “Yeah. I ran into him and his friend Jonah a couple of days ago at the feed store,” Willow answered. “It was a shock, but we knew this day was coming, so I was prepared.”

  Ruby wasn’t sure what to talk about first. She was curious over Willow’s opinion about Jonah, and a smattering of surprise hit her that he hadn’t stopped by the Jumpin’ Bean when in town the second time. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed. She also wanted to check in with Willow to see how she was feeling about seeing her ex-boyfriend.

  “How was it seeing Curtis? Was Mick with you?” she asked.

  “No. Thank goodness,” Willow replied. “I think that would’ve been really awkward. Everything was cordial but a little strained. I’m wearing Mick’s ring now, and Curtis checked that out. I don’t know if his folks told him about our engagement.”

  “Yeah. That would’ve been super weird. Maybe now that your first visit is over, it’ll get better.”

  “I think so,” Willow said. “We both relaxed after a few minutes. It was nice to have his friend Jonah there. His presence gave us something else to talk about as Curtis made introductions.”

  Ruby heard the confidence in her friend’s voice, and it eased her own worries about her hope that Curtis and Emmie might start to date. Her thoughts turned toward Jonah, and her pulse ticked up a beat as she considered her next question. “What did you think of Jonah?”

  “Oh, I liked him,” Willow replied. “It was only a few minutes, but he’s really easy to be around. When Curtis introduced us, he didn’t act like I was some pariah who ruined Curtis. In fact, he acted like he wasn’t even aware of the story. I know he and Curtis are best friends, so he’s got to know something.”

  Ruby warmed to Willow’s experience around Jonah. Maybe he was an honest, hardworking man who was looking to settle in Sunrise Creek and become a part of the culture, instead of trying to change the town to fit his idea of what Montana should look like.

  Willow asked, “Have you met him?”

  A flood of desire to girl talk about Jonah opened within Ruby. “Yeah. He’s been by work a couple of times. He’s very helpful, and …” Ruby stopped.

  “And what?” Willow teased. “It sounds as if you like him.”

  Ruby dialed down her enthusiasm. “I’d like him a lot better if he didn’t have such an appetite for bone-dry cappuccinos.”

  Willow laughed. “City folks. I don’t even know what that is.”

  “Never mind,” Ruby muttered. A strange but familiar unease filtered through Ruby. Talking about Jonah disquieted her, even though she couldn’t pin why. She changed the subject. “Do you know about Curtis’s party?” she asked gently.

  “Yeah,” Willow replied. “Curtis invited me, Mick, and Dad. I was so shocked, but in a good way. It made me realize that he’s moved on, and we’re going to be okay.”

  Ruby wasn’t aware she was holding her breath until she exhaled. “That’s great!” Willow’s news opened up an even greater possibility for something to develop between Emmie and Curtis.

  “I don’t know how long we’re going to stay,” Willow said. “The whole thing might be awkward for Mick.”

  “Yeah. I can understand that. Still, it’s good that you’re going. It will help folks in town to see there isn’t any bad blood between the two families.”

  Willow agreed before changing the subject. “Ruby …” she hesitated.

  “What’s the matter?” Ruby asked.

  “Can you tell me what’s going on between Josh and Lexie? I saw them together down by the feed store. Were they waiting for your mom?”

  Ruby sucked in her breath as apprehension filled her. “I seriously doubt they’re waiting for Mom. Lexie had a couple of fights with Mom and Dad about Josh, and the whole family is concerned. Mom’s begging her to go to college, but Lexie doesn’t want to leave Joshua.”

  “Have you told her how he and Andrew tried to steal our cows?” Willow asked.

  Ruby noticed hardness creeping into Willow’s voice. It strengthened her own resolve to make her sister listen. “Not yet,” Ruby said. “I’m sure she knows. The whole town has heard about that.”

  “If I can help, let me know.”

  Ruby’s breath caught in her throat as unease for her sister traveled up from somewhere deep within her belly, cutting off her breath. “Thanks, Willow,” Ruby choked out.

  Hanging up the phone, Ruby walked out onto the deck that faced the lake. A warm summer breeze rustled across the water, creating a hushed voice of wavelets. The shifting wind moved through boughs of fir and pine, and Ruby was grateful their quiet whispers weren’t interrupted by hammers, saws, and loud radios.

  A small chill ran through Ruby as she considered her younger sister and remembered the scene of Josh bending over to kiss Lexie. Although Lexie was now twenty, Ruby viewed her sister as a silly sixteen: old enough to make her own decisions, but not mature enough to make good choices—and that included her judgment to date Joshua McPherson.

  If the kiss Ruby had witnessed from the kitchen window was an indication, her younger sister was truly besotted with Josh. Ruby doubted Josh’s feelings ran as deep.

  Ruby moved to the railing of the deck and studied the water as it danced with the benevolent summer sun. She took a deep breath and then another, trying to calm her nerves and come up with a plan that would separate her sister from Joshua McPherson.

  Was there a risk? Would Lexie hate them forever if they meddled in her love for Joshua? She shuddered at the idea of long-term resentment between Lexie and the rest of her family.

  Ruby sucked on her bottom lip. Now that she was considering all angles, making life difficult for Joshua may not work. There had to be another way.

  Ruby took in a deep breath as she came to her decision with only the sun-warmed sky and water as her witnesses. Yes. Maybe it was time to plan some sort of soft-pedaled intervention, and the sooner, the better.

  Seven

  Jonah hung back in the guest room of the Markham home as low voices came through the door and walls. He couldn’t make out the words, but he had a good idea that Curtis and his father, Jim Markham, were discussing the possibility of joining a cattle alliance. It had been pressing on Curtis’s mind since their last semester of school, and already there had been a couple of conversations since Curtis had arrived home.

  Opening the bedroom door, Jonah didn’t want to eavesdrop. He hoped to hurry to the deck to catch the afternoon breeze and have a few minutes to enjoy the quiet of the house before the party.

  As soon as he opened the door, the garbled words became clear.

  “It’s simple, really,” Jim said. “I watch the market, and when the prices are high, I sell the cows. I’ve been doing this for thirty years, son. I think I have a grasp on this business.”

  Jonah’s discouragement was mirrored in the helpless discontent in Curtis’s voice. “If we became part of an alliance that requires certain standards, your profits would increase. Buyers would be willing to pay more for your cows, because they know the quality.”

  Jonah could almost feel the static coming from the room as he tried to hurry past on his way outside. But Curtis’s father’s words floated down the hall, following him.

  “If the Triangle 4 doesn’t have a reputation of providing quality cows after this many generations, joining an alliance isn’t going to make a difference. Now, that’s the end of the conversation. I’m not discussing this with you again.”

  Jonah made a hasty retreat onto the back deck, where he took a deep breath of pine-and-mountain-scented summer air that settled deep in his lungs. In the distant pasture, he watched cows with their calves, swishing their tails at unseen winged bugs.

  He did love the beauty of this country, but he hated the tension between Curtis and his parents. Their resistance to the changes Curtis wanted to make was palpable. It reminded him of the stiff pressure he felt while spending time at home, only the cause of strain was different.

  Hearing a commotion in the ho
use, Jonah turned to see Ruby walking through the front door, carrying a dispenser filled with what looked to be iced tea and lemon slices. Was it time for the party already?

  Leaving the deck, he hurried to Ruby, reaching out to take the dispenser of iced tea. The smell of lemons wafted up between them.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. Ruby’s gaze was direct and warm.

  “Where would you like this?” he asked.

  Ruby pointed to an empty space on the counter. “I think I’ll set up the drinks there.” Her eyes gazed into his briefly, before she stepped away and led him to the kitchen peninsula.

  He put down the dispenser. “Are there more?”

  “Yeah. I’ve got two more and a bunch of refills.”

  “Let me help.”

  Ruby offered him a sincere smile, and Jonah’s heart skipped a beat. Never before had he seen such a sweet expression with such radiance and joy. He wondered how he had missed it in their earlier meetings.

  “Follow me,” she said.

  Jonah fell into step, and as she leaned over the back seat of her car, he noticed the suppleness and strength of her arms and shoulders and the way her skirt brushed against her brown skin. Other than a few minutes on the morning of his second visit, he had never seen her outside of the coffee shack, and he finally could appreciate the whole picture of Ruby.

  But it was her lively brown eyes that held his attention.

  “Can you take two at once?” she asked, looking him in the face.

  “Huh?” Jonah pulled himself away from his admiration. “Oh, yeah. I mean, yes. If you can load me up, I can take two.”

  She offered him another smile, and her hands gently grazed his chest and arms as she placed one dispenser in each arm so he could cradle them close. “I’ll follow with the refills,” Ruby replied.

  Jonah watched as she pulled out a box of plastic and lidded pitchers before kicking the door shut with her foot. The two hurried up the front porch. Once in the kitchen, Jonah placed the other two dispensers next to each other. With his job done, he really didn’t have any reason to hang around Ruby, but he didn’t want to leave her side.

  “Is there anything else I can do?” He hoped for some task to keep him near.

  “Not really. I appreciate your help, though.” She looked up at him again, her brown eyes crinkled in the corners.

  Linda came from the living room and smiled. “I’m so glad the two of you have met.” She turned to Ruby. “Jonah has only been here three weeks, and already he’s been a godsend. One of our cows got tangled up in the back fence, and her calf was bawling like crazy in the heat. We could’ve lost both of them if Jonah hadn’t been out riding the fences.”

  Jonah blushed. “A simple fix once we got mom and baby straightened out,” he murmured. He was proud of what he’d accomplished, but embarrassed for the word to be spread.

  Linda put her arm through Ruby’s. “Would you mind helping me get these sandwiches plated?”

  “Not at all,” Ruby replied as Linda moved off with her.

  Jonah stood in the middle of the kitchen floor, hoping Ruby would throw him one glance over her shoulder. And when her bright brown eyes and sweet smile found his gaze, his hope soared along with his heart.

  A commotion outside grabbed Jonah’s attention, and instinctively, he knew this was Willow and her new fiancé, Mick. With purposeful strides, he hurried to Curtis’s side to offer support.

  Curtis made introductions. “Willow, you’ve met Jonah.”

  Jonah turned and smiled easily at Willow, who looked tense. “It’s good to see you again,” Jonah said. He turned to the man standing beside her. “And you must be Mick.”

  Mick nodded, saying nothing as he held out his hand, the muscles in his face strained and stiff. “Yes. I’m happy to meet you both.”

  Jonah shook his hand first and then stood by Curtis as he did the same. Jonah felt the edgy agitation and offered an easy smile to help dispel the thick air. “I hear your best friends with Ruby.” He directed his comment toward Willow.

  The cool reserve between the foursome eased enough for everyone to breathe, and Willow’s smile became more genuine. “Yes! We’ve been best friends since birth.” She laughed.

  “That girl makes a mean cup of coffee.”

  “Yes, she does. And I hope you get to try her iced tea and lemonade tonight. You won’t be sorry.” She laughed again.

  Jonah returned her smile. “It looks delicious, so I’m determined to give it a try.” He motioned toward the house. “She’s inside,” he said as a way of suggestion for everyone to move on.

  “Oh, great. Thanks.”

  Jonah heard the relief surge through Willow’s voice as she and Mick moved off.

  Curtis clapped Jonah on the back. “Thanks. Those first few minutes were uneasy, but it gets a little easier each time. It should be better now.”

  Jonah winced. “Are you okay?”

  “You know, it hasn’t been as bad as I thought. It was a little weird at first, but I can genuinely see that she and Mick are comfortable together in a way she and I never were. Willow and I …” Curtis searched for the right words. “Are more like childhood playmates, I guess. I wish her and Mick every happiness, and I believe I’m ready to find some of my own.”

  Jonah grinned, relieved for his friend. “Well, I’m glad to hear it, because there are plenty of girls down in Texas who would love to see you again.”

  “I may not make it down that far,” Curtis said as he nodded in the direction of a young woman who was climbing out of an older model Ford Explorer.

  “Who’s that?” Jonah asked.

  Curtis grinned at his friend. “That is Emmie Johannsen.”

  Jonah studied the young woman. “Don’t tell me she’s Ruby’s sister. She doesn’t look anything like her.”

  “She’s Ruby’s older sister. I haven’t seen her since high school. She’s a year older than me.”

  Jonah took in her honey-blonde hair and lithe figure dressed in a white T-shirt and an aqua skirt that breezed around her calves. Her tan legs looked warm against the hem. She certainly was pretty, even if her beauty didn’t match Ruby’s with her snappy black eyes, thick auburn hair, and high cheekbones. “Well, why don’t you introduce me?” Jonah said.

  Curtis gave him a knowing grin. “What a good idea.”

  The two men walked toward the pretty blonde. Her cheeks took on the glow of a peach in the sun, and her smile was shy.

  “Emmie,” Curtis murmured as he reached for her hand and kissed it. “I’m happy to see you.”

  “And I you.” Her expression was warm and happy

  “I’d like to introduce you to my best friend, Jonah. He’s from Texas and here for the summer.”

  Emmie looked directly at Jonah and smiled as she reached out her hand. Jonah took her fingers and gave them a quick squeeze before Emmie’s blush deepened and she ducked her head. Her dark lashes lay softly against her blushing cheeks.

  It didn’t take Jonah long to notice differences between Ruby and her sister. Ruby was strong and direct, while Emmie was delicate and reticent.

  “Where are your folks? Will they be here tonight?” Curtis asked.

  Jonah was also curious about Ruby’s parents.

  “No,” Emmie replied softly. “The Jeep broke down, and Mom and Dad are trying to get it up and running before tomorrow. They’re very sorry they had to miss your homecoming.”

  “I understand. I’m glad you and Ruby could make it, though,” Curtis said. “Should we move inside?” He offered Emmie his arm, and she looked as if the sun had risen in her private east as she reached for Curtis, placed her arm through his, and moved toward the house.

  * * *

  Within the hour, Jonah was overwhelmed with the warmth and laughter that surrounded him as the late summer afternoon slowly turned to evening. Curtis’s uncle Bert and aunt Patty arrived with a hearty welcome and shake of the hand. Everyone here was so kind and accepting of Jonah. This was so different from what
happened at home, where his parents’ friends were more concerned with their diamonds and pearls and whether or not their clothes were the right brand or the proper flowers were in bloom.

  Jonah loved the cultivated beauty of his hometown, but he was drawn to the raw artistry of Sunrise Creek. It wasn’t just in the surrounding mountains and valley. His attraction toward this place also rested with the community and the refreshing friendliness he received, and in spite of his best efforts, that included his budding captivation for Ruby.

  Throughout the evening, Jonah tried not to stare at Ruby as she moved around the kitchen with a natural grace and a practiced step. Willow and Mick were with her, and the three of them kept the food and drink on the table, giving Linda the chance to mingle with her guests.

  Bert sidled up to him when the party was in full swing. “I’ve known Ruby since she was born,” he said.

  Jonah sucked in air. Could Bert read his mind?

  Bert continued, “Her heart’s been broken, though.” He shook his head. “Stupid kid. Ran out of here like his tail was on fire right after high school graduation. Promised he’d come back for her. He never did. He made an appearance about two years ago with a wife that looked pure LA. He didn’t treat Ruby very well on that return trip, and he hasn’t been back. Not that any of us miss him.”

  Any reply Jonah could make disappeared as he studied Ruby, helplessness rising within him. He’d never been the recipient of that kind of heartache, and he wasn’t sure what it would mean for Ruby.

  “You should go talk to her,” Bert encouraged.

  Jonah’s phone beeped, and he pulled it out of his pocket to find a text from his mother, wanting to know when he was coming home so she could set a date for his party. She had a couple of young women she wanted him to meet. Jonah pushed his lips into a thin line as irritation coursed through him.

  Placing his phone into his back pocket, Jonah looked up to see that Bert had disappeared and Ruby was gone. The food plates and drink dispensers were full, so she wasn’t hanging around the table. A momentary panic filled Jonah. Where did she go?