Page 59 of Ruby

“Ruby, are you okay?” Charlotte asks. “Abigail said some men were chasing you. They didn’t hurt you, did they?” Charlotte looks Ruby over from head to toe before she pulls her into a tight embrace.

“I’m okay, Charlotte,” Ruby answers. She hugs Charlotte back, and the other women take their turns hugging her, too. Tank has always known the women are welcoming and loving. He’s so thankful Ruby has them on her side. They will help her get her feet under her once more. She’s been on her own for too long with no one but herself to depend on, but that stops now. Tank, his brothers, and their women will forever more be Ruby’s family. He knows if God should call him home tomorrow, Ruby will always have these people to love her and keep her safe. It helps to settle the unease he’s felt for her since the day they first met and soothes his irritation at not having her to himself this afternoon.

“Okay, okay, ladies,” Tank begins to shoo them away. “Let me at least get her in the house before you start flooding her with questions.” Tank does his best to force himself between Ruby and Charlotte putting his hand to Ruby’s lower back to guide her toward the house. Charlotte rolls her eyes before she waves her hand at him in an effort to dismiss him and his words. Daisy and Emma laugh when he growls at Charlotte while Elise just smiles and shakes her head at the antics.

“Did you seriously just growl at my woman?” Hawk’s voice comes from behind them. Tank turns to see the rest of the team has decided to stop by as well. Hawk strolls up taking Charlotte into his arms bending her backward and kissing her deeply. Tank shakes his head and again attempts to move the crowd toward the front porch, but it’s like trying to herd a litter of puppies. A squeal draws his attention as the kids come running out the front door.

“Ruby!” Ellie shouts as she jumps off the top step. Straw lunges forward to catch her in fear she’ll break a leg.

“Whoa munchkin,” Straw says as he catches her. The child’s face is alight with happiness. “You’re going to hurt herself jumping off the porch like that,” Straw admonishes, but it doesn’t seem to make much impact on her. Ellie’s eyes are locked on Ruby.

“Hey, there Ellie.” Ruby takes the child who is reaching for her. “You should listen to Straw. You could’ve broken a leg.” Ellie looks contrite when she answers, Ruby.

“Okay, Ruby I’ll not do that anymore.” Ruby smiles at Ellie, which only makes Ellie smile bigger. She wraps her little arms around Ruby’s neck and squeezes tightly. “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you, too,” Ruby tells the child hugging her back. “Have you beaten the boys at war anymore?” Ruby has asked the right question. Ellie begins to chatter away about her latest exploits playing with the other children. Jessie and Josh are hanging around and join in on the conversation. The children argue a little over who’s the best.

“Please people, can we get inside?” Tank calls out of the din of chatter going on around them. “Good lord, the neighbors are going to call in a noise complaint,” he grumps, but no one seems to be listening to him. Straw slaps him on the back.

“If you recall this is the greeting we received when I brought Abi home from the hospital,” Straw reminds him. Tank recalls that day. He can remember Straw being pretty grumpy, too, when everyone was crowding him while he attempted to carry Abigail into the house.

“I remember,” Tank replies. “So I would think you’d help a fellow out.” Straw nods before clapping his hands together loudly then whistling at a high pitch.

“Clear a damn path!” Straw calls out. “Y’all can gab all day once we’re out of the front yard.” The crowd begins to move toward the porch. Ruby is still carrying Ellie even though the child is too old to be carried around like a toddler, but Ruby doesn’t seem to mind. She’s listening intently to the children sharing their adventures with her.

Once they finally make it inside, the kids head up to Ellie’s room to play. The women head off to the kitchen to put out the food they’ve either brought with them or made in the kitchen after they arrived. Hawk and the other men head into the living room. Tank catches Ruby before she’s dragged off to the kitchen.

“Are you okay with this, beautiful?” Tank scans her face for any signs of distress. “The women mean well, but they can be a lot to deal with. Don’t let them overwhelm you.”

“It’s fine, Tucker.” Ruby smiles shyly. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had girl friends to hang out with. It’s kind of nice, you know?” Tank nods and smiles.

“Good, but if they get to be too much, come get me. I’ll just be in the living room with the guys,” Tank informs her. “It appears we are going to eat lunch before heading off to base for the meeting.”

“Okay, Tucker,” Ruby replies. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, but if not, I’ll come find you.” With that, she follows the rest of the women to the kitchen. Tank heads into the living area where Hawk and the others, minus Hack, are in deep conversation.

48

RUBY

Ruby enters the kitchen with all the other women. She’s enjoying all the chatter around her. It’s been ages since she’s spent time with anyone. She’s kept to herself over the last six years, or she had until she met Tucker and his group of friends. He has made it his mission to spend as much time with her as possible. She has gotten so used to being alone she hadn’t realized just how lonely she’s truly been, until now.

“So, Ruby are you really, okay?” Emma asks when they all begin to settle down. Charlotte and Elise are getting dishes out of the refrigerator, placing casseroles into the oven and other dishes in the microwave. The kitchen is filling with delicious smells and warmth. “I know we can be a bit much sometimes, but we really do want to make sure you aren’t hurt or need anything.”

“Thanks, Emma, but I really am okay, at least physically,” Ruby answers honestly. “I’m still frightened not knowing what the future holds. I’m worried for Tucker and the other guys on the team, but I know I have to trust he knows what he’s doing and just pray for their protection. I’m hoping God wouldn’t send Tucker into my life just to take him away. At least, I have to believe it.”

“I know what you mean,” Emma says sympathetically. “These guys have a dangerous job, and while we can never know the future, I too chose to believe God wouldn’t have put Curtis in my life only to rip him away before we can get married and begin our lives together.”

“Speaking of getting married,” Daisy begins. “When is the big day? Have you found a venue yet?”

“Yeah, we found a beautiful place in Chattanooga, Tennessee,” Emma informs them. “There’s this beautiful mountain top venue at a hotel. We’ve booked a whole floor of rooms. You should be getting your “save the date” cards in the mail this week. Susie Beth insisted on making them up and mailing them out. She’s also sending all of you an invitation to a party at her house to plan” –Emma makes quotation marks at the word plan– “the bachelorette party. The girl has gone crazy.” Emma giggles.

“Oh Ruby,” Charlotte says. “You’ve got to meet Susie Beth. She’s Emma’s best friend and is hilarious. She’s a lot of fun to be around but be forewarned if she takes you shopping be sure to wear good shoes. She will literally shop until you drop, but she can sniff out bargains like no other. She always saves me a ton of money.”

Ruby enjoys listening to the women converse about every day topics. She begins to realize now that she’s agreed to stay with Tucker, this will be her new life. No longer hiding in parks or shelters. No showering at the YMCA or sleeping in a large room with a bunch of strangers. Tears begin to silently leak down her face, yet she’s smiling so big her face hurts. The women chatter on a few minutes no one seems to notice Ruby’s mini breakdown, at least not for a bit.

“Ruby?” Elise’s soft voice says beside her. She has come up to Ruby’s side. Ruby quickly swipes her tears away.

“Yeah?” Ruby turns to look over at the dark-haired woman. Ruby notes she’s very beautiful and looks about Ruby’s age.

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