I think I hear your father coming. Oh, Jerry, its you.
Selma, there you are. Pas cane tapped on the hardwood, and although he winced in pain with every step, he transformed when he saw his wife. I see you are keeping our boy company. You did great work today, Renzo.
I did my best.
Cant ask for anything more than that. Youre doing a fine job. Better than your old man can do. His fathers chest puffed out, full of pride, as he slowly limped across the room. Im obsolete.
Never you, Pa. I cant wait to hand you back the reins. Even as he said the words, they all knew they were only a wish. Gerard Davis had been injured far too badly to ever return to the rigors of ranching work. In deference to his fathers hopes, he shrugged lightly. I miss being bossed around by you.
I miss doing the bossing. But I get my fill on a daily basis. Whats this I overheard about your escorting a young gal to our ball? Selma, I thought we agreed you wouldnt push the boy.
I wasnt pushing, merely suggesting. His mother sounded confused as she held out her arms and wrapped them around her husband. The pair cuddled, glad to see each other after being separated for much of the day. I want to see Lorenzo settled.
Yes, dear, but he has enough new responsibility to manage. This ranch is the largest in the county. Renzo ought to be concentrating on learning all there is to know about our land, crops and animals.
Hes doing a fine job. Goodness. Mas gentle amusement rang in her chuckle as she gave her husband one final hug. She swept backward, love lighting her eyes. Gerard, I dont see why Lorenzo needs to hold off. You managed to run a ranch and court me at the same time.
Yes, but I wasnt barely twenty years old. Renzos mature for his age, but I dont want him distracted. I know how distracting a pretty lady can be. Pa winked, always the charmer, and Ma blushed prettily.
Ruby was definitely distracting. She was all he could seesnowflakes sifting over her to catch in her hair, big, blueberry eyes shyly looking away, the blush on her heart-shaped face when hed taken her hand in his to help her from the sleigh.
This wasnt the right time in his life, and his parents wouldnt like it, but his heart was set. Nothing could stop it.
Renzo? Where did you take off to this morning? Pa leaned heavily on his cane, tapping closer. Was there a problem I didnt know about?
My trip wasnt ranch related. His pulse skipped a beat. What else had his father seen?
He drove past the window and picked up one of the applicants. He must have taken her home. Pas tone gentled. She looked like a dear. That Ballard girl, I think. I know her father from church. Hes a good man.
The poor girl. Ma settled onto the sofa, compassionate as always. My heart aches for her. Being both daughter and woman of the house. They must be as poor as church mice. Ive seen her getting clothes out of the churchs donation barrel. It was all I could do not to rush up and give her a big hug when she was here.
Please, he thought. Please give her a chance. A job would mean she could stay in town. That he would have a hope of winning her.
Selma, I know that look. Pa chuckled as he eased painfully onto the cushion beside his wife. Son, something tells me your mother has just made up her mind about the new maid.
Those friends of yours are sure nice girls. Pa knocked snow off his boots on the doorstep. You all seemed to have a good time.
We did. She doused the last tin cup in the rinse water, glad to see her father back safely from town. Since Solomons shoe was fixed, there had been errands needing to be done. We always have great fun together, and I got a lot of help with my crocheting.
Thats nice, Ruby-bug. He shouldered the door closed against the whirling flakes, and the cold followed him in as he unloaded the groceries hed bought on the far end of the table. It wasnt mucha bag of beans, a package of tea, small sacks of cornmeal and oatmealbut she was grateful for it. When Pa swept off his hat, he looked more tired than usual. Im glad you made friends here.
Me, too. She rubbed the dishtowel over the mug, drying it carefully. With each swipe, she felt her stomach fall a notch. Had her father stopped by the post office? Was there a letter from Rupert? Her brother had been hoping to send news of a job.
Sorrow crept into Pas eyes, and he sat down heavily on a kitchen chair. I didnt want to say anything to you earlier, but I had chance for work in town, unloading cargo at the depot. It went to someone else. A younger man.
Oh, Papa. She set down the towel and the cup and circled around to his side. He was a proud man, a strong man, but hardship wore on him. He fought so hard to provide for them, and had struggled for so long. Just when it looked as if life was going to get easier, the storm had hit. Without a crop, there had been no income, and they were back to desperation again.
How little of their meager savings remained? She placed a hand on his brawny shoulder. He was such a good man, and love for him filled her up. They did not have much, but they had what they needed. They had what mattered most.
I got a letter from Rupert. Her father rubbed his face, where worry dug deep lines. He sent money.
That explained the groceries. She hated seeing Pa like this. Hed always been invincible, always a fighter, even when hed been injured. Every memory she had of him was one of strength and determination. Hed always been a rock, the foundation of their family, who never wavered.
Not tonight. He looked heart-worn and hopeless. Like a man who was too weary to fight. The shadows crept visibly over him as the daylight dimmed. Sunset came early this time of year, and she needed to light a candle, to save on precious kerosene, but she could not leave her fathers side, not when he bowed his head, looking beaten.
Was their situation far worse than hed told her? She bit her bottom lip, knotted up with worry. Pa did have a habit of protecting her. If only she could have gotten the job. She winced at the dismal interview shed had, the squeaky shoes, the rattling teacup, her lack of experience and polish. I will scour the town tomorrow, Pa. There has to be something I can do. Sweep floors, do laundry at the hotel, muck stalls at Fosters Dairy.
She would beg if she had to. Her father and brother had been carrying too much burden for way too long. She ached for them, struggling so hard against odds that turned out to be impossible. The dream of owning their own land and being farmers again was fading. At this point in Pas life, it would likely be gone forever. She knelt before him and laid her hand on his. I can be persuasive. I will talk someone into hiring me. Please dont worry so much.
Oh, my Ruby. Pa cupped her face with both of his big, callused hands, making her feel safe. You are a good girl. Im afraid the news in Roops letter wasnt good.
He found you a job, and we have to leave after all. She squeezed her eyes shut for just one brief moment to hide the stab of pain ripping through her. It was selfish to want to stay when it was a burden for her family, so she firmed her chin. This will be better for you. A job. Think what this will mean.
No, honey, there isnt a job. Roop lost his. The mill closed down. Its gone out of business. Hes coming home without his last two paychecks. The company promised but in the end couldnt pay him. Pa looked far too old for his years as he squared his shoulders, fighting to find enough internal strength to keep going. Its a blow, but I dont want you worrying, Ruby. You must stay in school.
I wont do it. She brushed a kiss on her fathers stubbled cheek. You know me. When I set my mind to something, nothing but God can stop me.
And even He would give pause before trying, Pa quipped, the love in his eyes unmistakable. We have to trust Him to see us through this. Hes watching over us.
I know, Pa. She whirled away to light a candle or two, thankful for the bountiful summer garden shed been able to grow. Selling extra vegetables to the stores in town had given her enough pocket money to make plenty of candles and soap to see them through the winter. It was a small thing to have contributed, but shed been proud to do it. The warmth of her friends laughter lingered in the home, making it less bleak as she struck a match.
Encouraged, she watched the wick flare, and the light chased back the shadows. She shook out the match, shivering as the wind blew cold through the walls. Faith was like a candle dispelling the darkness, and she lit another, determined to believe they could make their upcoming mortgage payment, that they would not be homeless by Christmas.
Chapter Four
The snow whirled on a bitter nights wind as Lorenzo guided his horse and sleigh down the drift-covered driveway. Lanterns mounted on the dashboard of the sleigh cast just enough light to see the dark yard and front step of the shanty. Poncho drew to a stop before the doorway. Rubys doorway.
Her adorable presence stayed with him like a melody, and a smile stretched the corners of his mouth as he climbed from beneath the robes. His boots crunched in the snow, icy flakes stung his face, but he kept going, untouched, seeing Ruby through a crack between the curtains.
She sat in a wooden chair, holding a crochet needle and thread up to a single candles light to make a slow, careful stitch. Her platinum hair gleamed golden-silver. Her heart-shaped face, flushed from the heat of the fire and caressed by the candlelight could have belonged to a princess in a fairy tale. Wholesome and good, she was the most beautiful woman hed ever seen. Captivated, he knocked snow off his hat as it continued to fall.
The muffled tap of footsteps tore his attention away from Ruby. Jon Ballard ambled into sight inside the house, reminding Lorenzo of his mission. He had a message for Ruby, one that would make her life easier. He took the few snowy steps to the front door and knocked. His pulse rattled against his rib cage. He was suddenly nervous, anxious with the anticipation of seeing her again.
The door swung open, and her father stood inside the threshold, surprise marking his lined face, proof of how hard the last few months had been for the family. Young Mr. Davis, is that you again? What are you doing out on these roads this time of evening?
Im on another errand. My father wanted to send one of the hired men, but I volunteered. His gaze arrowed straight to her. Her crochet work had fallen to her lap. She stared at him with worry crinkling her forehead. Worry. He hated it. He squared his shoulders, glad he could fix that. He pulled the folded parchment from his pocket. I have a letter for Ruby. From my mother.
For me? She set aside her needle and thread, rose to her feet, and every movement she made was endearingthe pad of her stockinged feet on the floor, the rustle of her skirt, the twist of her bottom lip as she swept closer. The place she had opened within him opened more, widening his heart.
Vaguely, he was aware of Jon stepping back, disappearing from sight. Ruby remained at the center of his senses. Ruby, wringing her slender hands. Ruby, in a very old, calico work dress, the color faded from so many washings. The careful patches sewed with tiny, even stitches were too numerous to count. As she stepped into the puddle of nearby candlelight, her beauty and goodness outshone everything.
It was nice of you to come so far in this cold. Shy, she lowered her gaze from his. Just to tell me I didnt get the job.
Why would you say that?
Because the interview was a disaster. The missing button, my wet shoes, I dripped all over the floor, I was completely wrong for the position. Pink flushed her cheeks and her nose, making her twice as sweet. Im sorry you had to drive so far in this weather. Your mother could have posted the letter.
I suppose. This was why hed come so far in frigid temperatures. So he could see the happiness chase away the worry from her big, beautiful eyes. Ma wants you to start working for her first thing Monday morning. Will that be a problem?
What? Her jaw dropped. Disbelief pinched adorably across her sweetheart face. I couldnt have gotten the job. I have no experience.
My mother liked you, so shes hired you. He held out the envelope. Here are the specifics.
Really? Oh, Pa, did you hear? She took the parchment. Delight chased away the worry lines, put blue sparkles into her irises and drew a beautiful smile. I got the job. I got it.
Im mighty proud of you, Ruby-bug. Jon Ballards love shone in his voice, love for his precious daughter.
Lorenzo thought she was precious, too.
Oh, thank your mother for me. I mean, I will thank her on Monday, too, when I see her. But, oh, just thank you. She clutched the letter tight until it crinkled.
I will tell her. Your interview went better than you thought.
But how? Its a complete and total mystery.
No mystery. His reassurance held notes of humor and kindness. You deserve this, Ruby. My mother wants you to start at six oclock sharp.
Ill be there early, just like I promised. This was too good to be true. Shed been so sure she had failed, that it was impossible, and yet here she was, an employee. She had her first job, she would be earning a wage. A real wage. Joy bubbled through her, impossible to contain. She had a job! I hope I dont break anything. Or spill something. I dont know anything about serving.
Good going, Ruby. Point out to your employers son exactly how much of a mistake his mother had made. She laughed. Im so happy and anxious and everything.
I understand. The deep shine of his dark blue gaze met hers, sincere and powerful enough to knock the beat out of her heart. Her happiness dimmed, her soul stilled as he tipped his hat, and she could not look away. She could see the shadow of days growth on his strong, square jaw. His masculine strength shrank the shanty and made every bit of air vanish. No man on earth could be as amazing as Lorenzo
Candlelight flickered over him, caressing the powerful angles of his face and gleaming darkly on the thick, dark fall of his hair. She lost the ability to breathe as he took a step backward into the darkness. Snow sifted over him like spun sugar.
Dont start wishing, Ruby.
I shouldnt leave my horse standing in this cold. Good night, Ruby. I will see you on Monday.
On Monday. The words stuttered over her tongue, her legs went weak, and she grasped the door frame before she tumbled face-first onto the snowy step. Monday. A different kind of panic clutched her, cinching tight around her middle.
She would see Lorenzo every day. She would be in his house, be in proximity with his family and washing his dishes. The warm place in her heart remembered his touch, his gallantry, his kindness. It made a girl want to dream.
Focus, Ruby. She no longer had time for schoolgirl wishes. Pas tired gait drummed on the floorboards behind her, coming closer. In the dying storm, Lorenzo was a shadow, then a hint of a shadow and finally nothing more. The beat of Ponchos hooves faded until there was only the whispering hush of falling snow and the winters cold.