Page 56 of Freeing Ruby

“I could take her to my apartment. Our building is secured.” Shane owns the building I live in. Quite a number of McIntyre Security employees live here, including many of my friends.

“Better yet,” Shane says, “how about I lend you two the use of a three-bedroom apartment in my building, free of charge? You’ll have plenty of space, and she’ll have room to paint.”

“Thanks. That sounds perfect. I’ll talk to Ruby about it. She’s going to be upset that she was taken from her apartment. I don’t know how she’ll take to the idea of moving to another apartment.”

A middle-aged African-American woman dressed in a nurse’s uniform walks into the waiting room and addresses me. “Are you Miguel Rodriguez?”

I shoot to my feet. “Yes. How’s Ruby?”

“She’s doing well. She’s asking for you. She’s about to be moved to a private room. Her doctor wants her to stay just overnight for observation.”

“Can I see her?”

“As soon as she’s moved, I’ll let you know the room number.”

The nurse leaves, and I blow out a heavy breath. Finally, some news. Now that she’s awake, Foster won’t be able to prevent me from seeing her. I resume pacing, too antsy to sit still.

It’s almost an hour later before the nurse returns to hand me a slip of paper with Ruby’s new room number.

“She’s eager to see you,” she says, winking at me. “I can see why.” She smiles before turning away.

Shane stands. “When you see her, talk to her about moving to my building. Once she agrees, let me know and I’ll arrange for her belongings to be moved to the new apartment. I’ll make sure it’s ready by the time she’s released.”

“I can’t thank you enough, Shane.”

“You don’t need to thank me.” He lays a hand on my shoulder. “I had a feeling you were the right man for the job.”

By the time I get to Ruby’s new room, I find Allen Foster standing outside her door, talking on his phone. When he spots me coming, he ends his call and pockets his phone. “What are you doing here?” he asks.

“What do you think I’m doing? I’m here to see Ruby.” I gesture to her door.

Foster shakes his head. “You’re wasting your time. Ruby doesn’t want to see you.”

I’ve reached the end of my patience with this guy. I don’t care that he’s Ruby’s father. “Let her tell me to my face.”

As I start toward her door, Foster moves in front of me, physically blocking me. His face tightens into a grimace. “I’m not telling you again.” He practically growls the words. “If you don’t leave right now, I’m calling security and having you forcibly removed.”

“I’d like to see you try. I’m not leaving until I see Ruby.”

“Miguel!” Ruby’s muffled cry comes from inside the room. “Miguel, is that you?”

“I’m here, Ruby! I’m coming.” I glare at Foster. “Let me pass.”

Chapter 20

Miguel

Suddenly, Ruby’s door opens, and a nurse steps out. The young blonde woman singles me out. “Are you Miguel?” she asks, holding the door open.

I nod. “I am.”

“Ruby’s been asking for you. You can go on in.”

I walk past Foster and enter Ruby’s hospital room. At first I don’t see her because the privacy curtain is drawn around the bed. I sweep past it, and there she is, sitting up in bed, leaning on a stack of pillows propped against the headboard. She smiles the instant she sees me.

I walk over to her and, unable to help myself, I cup her face in my hands and look her over. She’s paler than usual, and there are faint shadows under her eyes, but otherwise she looks good. She looks amazing. “Ruby.” I need a second to rein in my emotions. “Are you okay?”

She nods. “I’m fine. I’m tired, but otherwise I’m okay.” She reaches up and covers my hands with hers, gripping them hard. Not pushing them away. Not pushing me away. Her gaze searches mine almost frantically.

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