Page 33 of Be Courageous

Two hours later, they sat at the kitchen table under the glow of a pendant lamp, while daylight faded over the tiny, enclosed garden in the backyard, where Anna grew her vegetables. Tony’s mother stood near the sink, stuffing a twelve-pound turkey in preparation for tomorrow’s feast. Corinna was describing the musical production at her university, in which she’d secured a leading role, while only just a freshman.

As she listened, Ruby plotted how to finagle time to herself the following morning. At least Tony would be busy fixing his mother’s washer, as they’d discussed on their drive up, as well as questioning his mother about her health.

A decade earlier, Anna had required a valve replacement and, lately, she’d been complaining of fatigue. Tony wanted her to consult her cardiac surgeon, while also persuading her to let him pay her medical bills. Neither suggestion would be an easy sell.

All Ruby needed was a two-hour window in which to get downtown, conduct her scheduled interview with Lieutenant Governor Katz, then get back to the house. Considering the famed Philadelphia Thanksgiving parade would clog the roadways, it might take even longer. That thought prompted an idea.

She waited for Corinna to stop talking, then suggested, “Hey, let’s go see the Thanksgiving parade tomorrow.” The only drawback was having to involve Corinna in her plans. “You know it’s the oldest ongoing parade in the country, right? I’ve never seen it.”

Tony predictably frowned. “You know I don’t like you bein’ in a crowd, especially without me around. Why don’t you just go to a movie or something?”

“On Thanksgiving morning? The theaters aren’t even open. Besides, a parade will get us into the holiday spirit. I can’t wait!”

Her expectant grin had the desired effect. Tony sighed and relented. “Fine. Just don’t stand by any trash cans or planters.”

“We won’t.” Remorse pinched her for misleading him. But, as much as she hated keeping secrets from her husband, what Tony didn’t know couldn’t hurt him. Besides, he was too protective, too prone to imagine bad things happening to her. This way, she could conduct her interview, and he’d never have to worry.

Later, when she managed to expose Lennard Katz for the liar that he was, Tony would realize what she’d done and when she’d done it, only it would be too late to scold her.

Better to ask forgiveness than permission.That’d been Ruby’s MO all her life, and she didn’t see any reason to switch things up at this juncture.

* * *

Tony stretched out on the length of his childhood bed, his toes touching the footboard. The double bed felt tiny compared to the king-sized monstrosity they had at home, but contentment filled him as Ruby joined him for the first time in his mama’s house, snuggling close to keep from falling off the edge.

“Finally, I get to have you in my own bed. This is so nice.” He smoothed a hand up her trim tummy, his palm gliding over her silken nightgown when she stiffened against him.What was that about?“You doin’ okay, Bella?”

“Yeah, sure.” Her tone was overly bright.

Suspicion lanced him. Tony pushed himself up on one elbow while turning her face in his direction. Her jewel-like eyes were lit by the glow of both the city and the streetlamp pushing through his worn blue curtains. “Did my mother say somethin’ to hurt your feelings again?”

“Not at all. I’m just thinking about the parade tomorrow, looking forward to it.”

“Yeah?” He couldn’t imagine what was so exciting about floats and bands and crowds but whatever. “Ready to gorge yourself afterward and put some meat on those skinny hips?”

The sound she made in her throat told him that his joke fell short.

Besides, her hips weren’t skinny. They were smooth and shapely. Every curve of her body fit perfectly in his hands, which he set about proving to her as he went back to caressing her hourglass figure, petting her until she arched toward his touch, her breath coming in faster.

She needed warming up was all. Tony was up for that challenge. Making her skin blaze with heat thrilled him more than jumping out of airplanes. Ruby’s passion was just one of the many things he loved about her. In fact, she never ceased to amaze him.

Sure, she could be a handful. Sure, she got herself regularly into trouble by butting heads with people in positions of authority and upending the status quo. But, with Ruby, there was never a dull moment.

Pulling her closer, he reveled in the bliss of becoming one with her. Ruby was his home. He belonged with her. God willing, he would get to come home to her again and again for the rest of his life.

She reached up, furrowing her fingers through his hair. “I love you so much, Tony.”

She’d been saying that a lot lately. While he could never hear it enough, the words were starting to take on a portentous quality. Was something bad going to happen? Nah, it was just his paranoid mind playing tricks on him.

“I love you, too, Bella.” God meant for them to be together forever. He was sure of that.

CHAPTER2

Ruby rubbed her hands together briskly, wishing she’d thought to bring gloves. The beat of a bass drum filled her ears, overlaid by the cacophony of trumpets as one marching band moved on and another tramped closer. Ruby winced as the minor key of “What Child Is This”clashed with the major key of“We wish You a Merry Christmas.”

She and Corinna had arrived with the parade already in full swing. Still, they’d managed to find standing room among the crowd viewing the spectacle from the long run of steps made famous by the firstRockymovie and leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, right where the parade ended. As float after float reached the finish line, each one more colorful than the last, Ruby began anticipating the Christmas season. Holiday motifs abounded, lifting her spirits.

I’ll tell Tony about the baby at Christmas.Won’t that make a nice present!

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