Page 91 of Falling

“The good.”

I smile and put my hand on her cheek. “How did I know that would be your answer? Okay, the good news is…Bill called and said he’s expecting the part for your RV to show up this morning. But…besides shipments not being dependable, the bad news is he won’t be able to work on it until this afternoon or tomorrow morning.”

“Oh.” She sags against me. “That’s actually better than I expected.”

My fingers slide under her shirt accidentally, but I stay there, caressing her side.

“Plan B, which to me sounds like a better plan…is that George can fly you out at one this afternoon. The flight is around an hour. I have a feeling you’re anxious to see about your emus sooner than tomorrow.”

She nods, leaning her forehead on my chest. “I’m so relieved. Thank you. ”

“I’m still trying to figure out the ranch stuff…Hilary and Abby had to run to see Abby’s mother unexpectedly and won’t be back until this afternoon. Theo is on call, so he could check on things, but it wouldn’t be great.”

“You don’t need to come, Callum. I can handle Junior. It was fun, the thought of us taking the RV together, but you can’t leave your responsibilities behind either. I’d feel worse about everything if I knew you were doing that.”

She kisses my chest and lifts her head up to look at me. Her sadness is killing me.

“I can bring your RV as soon as it’s ready if that’s where you want to stay while you’re there. I want to help.” I lean my forehead against hers. “I’d just be behind you a few hours.” I groan, glaring at the ceiling. “It’s not good enough. I’ll call Bill again, and if the part does come in, maybe he can either get here sooner or walk me through the repair on the phone. And if the part doesn’t show, depending on Hilary’s timing, maybe I could even fly with you.”

“This is crazy,” she says. “My brain hurts.”

“You didn’t sleep well. I’m glad you don’t have to drive today. Best case scenario, I’ll bring you the RV and arrive there within an hour of you…” I try to inject some lightness in my tone. Sad Ruby might be the death of me. “Do you want me to bring Dolly? She’s fine here, of course, but if it makes you feel better to have her.”

“Really, Callum. You shouldn’t do all this.”

I lift her chin between my fingers, until her eyes meet mine. “Say what you need, Sunshine. Let me worry about you. You’re my wife. Remember, I vowed to take care of you in the good times and the bad.” I kiss her forehead. “We take care of each other.”

There’s a flicker of a smile, but it’s gone so fast I might’ve imagined it.

“It would be best to have her there, just in case I have to stay a while,” she finally says.

I try not to flinch with those words. Fear crawls into my bloodstream and spreads. I nod, determined to not add to her pain with my insecurities.

“Okay, I’ll make sure the trailer’s good to go once the RV is ready.”

“And George can get you back here whenever you need?”

I nod again, feeling hollowed out.

“Okay, if you’re sure. I’d appreciate the backup,” she says.

“Happy to help.” I lean in to kiss her and it’s just as heated as all our kisses have been, but she lets go before I’m ready.

“What did I do to deserve you?” she asks.

“You deserve the whole world, Ruby. Don’t forget that.”

She packs and goes out to the barn to spend time with Dolly. Delphine meets her halfway and I hear her say, “I’m gonna miss you almost as much as Dolly. You are the world’s cutest goat. And I don’t believe what everyone says about your naughty behavior. You’ve been an angel since I got here,” she croons.

Irene comes over and moos loudly until Ruby scratches her too.

It puts my mind at ease a little. She’s invested here too. She’ll be back.

“Take care of my girl while I’m gone, okay?” she says to Irene before reaching Dolly.

Bill calls while I’m standing there.

“Got the part,” he says.

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