Page 71 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

Colton listened intently as she told him about Ruby maybe talking to the Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham about selling some of their farmland since it was next to her mom’s. She told him about the medical bills, how Ruby mentioned leaving Maven Media once she had paid more of them down and had more clients. And she told him how excited Ruby was for the Valentine’s Day Festival, even if she was sad about not having a Valentine — because this year, she thought she’d have her favorite one.

Katie looked at him when Olive was done, a wide grin on her face.

“I think we know what to do. Thanks, Olive.”

“Don’t you dare hurt her again, Colton. I’m only helping you this one time because I think you guys belong together, now. It’s your time.”

“I know it. Don’t worry, Olive. She’s my girl.”

He left, Katie close on his heels, knowing exactly how to make Ruby Delacey his Valentine forever.

59

Ruby placed her massive IKEA order and carefully shut her laptop, breathing a huge sigh of relief at finishing one of the final pieces to her bus. All that was left was to install the kitchen cabinets and appliances, build the furniture, and move in. She was excited to do it herself, even if there was a piece of her that itched to call Colton, ask him to help.

He’d come back.

After only a week away, he’d come back.

And if the way he looked at her or said her name was any indication of how he felt, she knew a piece of him came back for her. But he needed to work a bit harder to show her, and she had yet to hear or see anything from him.

She carefully packed her mom’s knitting into her bag, watching as the nurse unhooked her from the IV. Ruby helped her stand, handing Beryl her cane as they left the facility and walked to the car. Ruby had a lot to do, with the Festival in two days and a steady stream of businesses wanting to hire her. She was sure in large part because of the changes Olive had made to For Goodness Cakes, with the photo wall taking off faster than they thought and the social media videos steadily gaining steam. Being the small town that it was, Oak Valley businesses almost all followed one another on every platform they were on. Word spread fast, something Ruby used to find annoying.

Ruby started helping her mom into the car. She might be able to leave Maven Media by the end of the year, if not sooner, depending on the medical bills. She remembered her mom’s manifesting books, how she’d managed to pull the bus together, and remembered that exact numbers were important.

“Hang on, Mom. I’ll be right back.” Ruby turned the car on and shut the door, running back to the receptionist.

“Excuse me, would you please tell me the balance on my mom’s bills? Last name, D-E-L-A-C-E-Y, first name B-E-R-Y-L. Date of birth, December 28, 1969.” She waited as the stoic woman scanned the computer screen.

“There is no balance, ma’am.”

What?

“No balance?”

The woman’s eyes scanned again, and she shook her head. “No balance. It looks like… An anonymous donor paid off the balance yesterday, and left an account number to run anytime a charge comes in.” The woman looked at Ruby, betraying no emotion.

Ruby stared back, unsure of who it could be. Her mom was relatively beloved in the town — she worked at the library, organized events for kids, attended as many of the town festivals and showcases that she could. She always had a smile, always asked how people were and genuinely wanted the answer.

She knew the bills weren’t as astronomical as some people — about $20,000 a month, and they were in month three, and that was including what had stacked up over the years for check-ups and tests — but for people like them, that was a lot of money to pay off. But if the town got together…

Or if one person with far too much money sitting in an account was trying to win her back.

Ruby sucked in a breath. “Are you sure it was one anonymous donor?”

“I don’t know about one. There’s just a note of an anonymous donation, paid in full yesterday, and an account number for future charges. I’m sorry, ma’am, that’s all the information I have. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, this seems to be a tremendous good deed.”

“Th—Thanks, you… you too.” Ruby backed away slowly, walking in a stupor back to the car. When she climbed in, she could only stare at the steering wheel.

“What is it, honey?” Worry etched her mom’s face, new wrinkles besides old friends grown deeper and ones from exhaustion.

“Mom…” Ruby turned to Beryl, still not sure how to tell her.

“Honey, you’re scaring me."

“Someone paid off the bills.”

“What?” Her brow furrowed.

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