A warm body rested against her side as Ruby swallowed her mouthful of pepper, and Mel’s arm slid around her. “This okay?” Mel whispered.
“Yeah. It’s okay.” Ruby sighed, the warm sun on her cheeks, the children chasing each other round the garden, and the parents relaxing on blankets, in lawn chairs, and picnic benches. It really is okay.
She watched Jasmine stuffing crisps into her mouth and Chloe rolling her eyes at her, drinking from a water bottle and eating very little. James kicked a football he had brought around the far side of the garden with some of the children, and his girlfriend even joined in, her laughter ringing through the summer air as he picked her up by the waist and prevented her from tackling the ball from him.
Mrs Denzie had not been invited to the party.
His sandy hair shining gold in the sunshine, Mr Stephens approached them and gave them both a thumbs up. “Great work, you two.”
“Thank you, sir.” Ruby tilted her head graciously.
“Sir? You must be kidding. It’s Jeffery. Did you see my wife?” He pointed into the crowd. “She’s currently keeping young Chelsea amused.”
Ruby and Mel both looked over a few heads, and Ruby caught sight of a pretty woman with grey hair and a friendly posture listening intently to Chelsea as she gestured emphatically.
“We’re just glad they all had a great time.” Mel’s hand stroked Ruby’s waist gently.
“They did. That they did.” Jeffery smiled at them both. “Michael told me in class last week that you guys were together.”
Ruby looked at Mel and then nodded.
“Good for you. Not the gay thing; that’s a non-issue with me. But being open about it. I know it can be hard.”
“Sometimes.” Mel’s tickling hand started up again. “But not when you’re being open to a bunch of fine young people. And these guys really are.” She chewed her lip, and she looked out over the class.
Ruby followed her gaze. She rested her cheek against Mel’s shoulder and felt Mel’s arm around her tighten.
“I’d like to apologise.” Jeffery continued. “Not on behalf of the school. They’ve… Well, they’ve dealt with it.” The look he gave them told Ruby he didn’t think this was quite good enough but that he had no control over the situation. “On behalf of humanity. Off the record, I’ve never liked her.”
As he walked briskly away, back to his wife, Ruby laughed and shook her head.
Mel continued to stroke her waist with gentle fingers.
A lot of people bought the vibrant flowers the kids had cut from the garden. Ruby had to insist they leave at least some for the bees and the butterflies, reminding them all that the flowers would provide essential food for them. The sunflowers remained too, and Ruby was eager to see the birds begin to harvest the bulging seeds once they appeared in autumn. The band, having finished what they had come to play, started to pack up. The clanking and banging of their equipment carried over the kids’ good-byes to one another.
As the last parent left, pulled along by a skipping child with an arm full of flowers, Mel kissed Ruby’s cheek and guided her into a gentle hug.
Her professional facade dropping finally, Ruby pressed her nose into the warm cotton covering Mel’s shoulder and looped her arms around her neck.
They ignored the whooping from James behind them and the groan from Chloe.
“Get an actual room,” Jasmine said, her embarrassment outweighing her urge to impress Mel.
“Bugger off if you can’t handle it,” Ruby said, cuddling her close as Mel’s chuckles vibrated through her.
They still had a whole lot of mess to clear up: napkins and paper plates and half-eaten sandwiches littered the tables. But for now, Ruby was snug and safe in Mel’s arms, and nothing else really mattered apart from that.
About Jenn
Jenn Matthews lives in England’s South West with her wife, dog, and cat. When not working full-time as a health-care assistant at a mental health rehab unit, she can be found avidly gardening, crocheting, writing, or visiting National Trust properties.
Inspired by life’s lessons and experiences, Jenn is a passionate advocate of people on the fringe of society. She hopes to explore and represent other “invisible people” with her upcoming novels.
CONNECT WITH JENN
Website: www.jennmatthews.com
E-Mail: [email protected]
Other Books from Ylva Publishing
www.ylva-publishing.com
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ISBN: 978-3-96324-134-5 (mobi), 978-3-96324-135-2 (epub)
Length: 98,000 words (281 pages)
Anna has it all – great kids, boyfriend, good teaching job. Except she’s so bored. Perhaps a new hobby’s in order? Something…crafty?
Divorced mother and veteran Ollie has been through the wars. To relax, she runs a quirky crochet class in her English craft shop. Enter one attractive, feisty new student. A shame she’s straight.
A quirky lesbian romance about love never being quite where you expect.
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ISBN: 978-3-96324-146-8 (mobi), 978-3-96324-147-5 (epub)
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While they’re circling each other warily at St. Sophia’s hospital, Cassie becomes entangled in some shady financial dealings.
Their shared search for the truth draws them closer together, sparking heated moments as they try to see justice done. But in exposing a scandal, can they also find some common ground? How will they both deal with being attracted to a woman they don’t even like?
A lesbian romance about cutting to the heart of matters.
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Length: 139,000 words (350 pages)
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Filled with self-doubt, Anna feels as if she’s making a mess of the entire thing, especially when she collides with a long-legged stranger. Anna barely has time to brush her teeth in the morning, let alone to date a woman—least of all one who has no idea about the two kids under her care.
Just when Anna finally starts to feel as if she’s getting some control of the situation, the biggest fight begins and Anna really has to step up once and for all.
L.A. Metro
(The L.A. Metro Series – Book 1)
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ISBN: 978-3-95533-039-2 (mobi), 978-3-95533-038-5 (epub)
Length: 97,000words (349 pages)
Dr. Kimberly Donovan’s life is in shambles. After her medical ethics are questioned, first her family, then her closeted lover, the Chief of the ER, betray her. Determined to make a fresh start, she flees to California and L.A. Metropolitan Hospital.
Dr. Jess McKenna, L.A. Metro’s Chief of the ER, gives new meaning to the phrase emotionally guarded, but she has her reasons.
When Kim and Jess meet, the attraction is imm
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Will the demons from Jess’s past destroy their future before it can even get started? Or will L.A. Metro be a place to not only heal the sick, but to mend wounded hearts?
The Words Shimmer
© 2019 by Jenn Matthews
ISBN (mobi): 978-3-96324-244-1
ISBN (epub): 978-3-96324-245-8
Also available as paperback.
Published by Ylva Publishing, legal entity of Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.
Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.
Owner: Astrid Ohletz
Am Kirschgarten 2
65830 Kriftel
Germany
www.ylva-publishing.com
First edition: 2019
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.
Credits
Edited by Andrea Bramhall and Amanda Jean
Cover Design and Print Layout by Streetlight Graphics
The Words Shimmer Page 27