Running from the Wolf

by Laura Ann

  He’d heard enough. Now that Derrick knew what she was trying to say, it was time to put her mind at ease. Grabbing her shoulders he stopped her rambling with a short but firm kiss. “I feel the same way, Ruby. I’ve never been drawn to someone like I am to you.” He laughed lightly and ran his fingers through her hair, letting the strands fall as he reached the end. “I can’t get enough of you, yet I feel like I barely know you. But I’m willing to jump in with both feet.” He looked her dead in the eye. “We can do it together. I think we’ll both regret it if we let something this special go.”

  Ruby’s smile trembled just a little and her eyes were misted over. “Sounds good Woodsman.” She grabbed his hand and walked the few feet to the desk. “Now, let’s eat.”

  “Great. I’m starving.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Ruby was still floating on cloud nine when she headed home from her lunch date with Derrick. His agreement to move forward together had quieted all the little voices of doubt in her head. She felt like she could sit back and enjoy the ride, wherever it took them.

  When she got back to her cottage, Grams had fallen asleep in her recliner, so Ruby quietly grabbed her laptop and headed to her room.

  Settling so her back was against the headboard, she plopped the computer on her lap and cracked it open. Before diving into working on lesson plans for the upcoming school year, she headed to check on her email.

  Surprise followed by trepidation hit her when she found another one from Braedon. “Why can’t you leave me alone?” She said sadly.

  Ruby-

  I can see my warning made no difference. No, bother. I am still willing to forgive your indiscretion. But your time with Mr. Woodsman must stop now. I have been more than patient but even my patience has an ending point. End it now or I’ll do what is necessary.

  Braedon

  Ruby sat stunned for a moment. “How does he know Derrick’s name?” A pang of dread began to creep into her, enveloping her entire body, fighting for dominance over the indignant part of her that screamed for Braedon to leave her alone.

  “What am I gonna do?” She chewed on her bottom lip as she thought about the situation. Am I willing to give up Derrick to appease Braedon? Her heart screamed in protest at the thought. “Why the heck should I have to give him up? Will Braedon actually hurt me? Or is he all talk and no action?” Are you willing to take the chance? A couple of tears tracked down her cheek as her mind jumped back and forth. One half of her wanted to tell him to stuff it and the other was worried he would follow through with his threat.

  All afternoon Ruby stewed over the matter, never coming to a conclusion. Derrick was planning to come over for dinner and Ruby’s nerves grew tighter and tighter as the hour approached.

  But Derrick never arrived.

  Eventually, Grams led Ruby away from the front window and they sat to eat dinner. Well, Grams ate dinner, Ruby simply pushed the food around her plate.

  “He’ll get here when he can,” Grams assured Ruby, reaching across the table to pat her hand. “Something must have come up at work.”

  Ruby eyed her phone sitting next to her on the table. “He hasn’t texted or anything, though,” Ruby said in a soft voice. Did he change his mind about us? Maybe we really are moving too fast. Or worse yet, did Braedon do something? That last thought ran through her head over and over again. Her stomach rolled with the thought that he might be hurt because of her.

  Headlights suddenly illuminated their faces through the window as a car pulled into the driveway.

  “Ah, there. See?” Grams said with a grin. “I told you he’d come when he could.”

  Unable to handle the suspense, Ruby jumped from her seat and ran to the front door, throwing it open and looking to make sure Derrick was okay.

  A car door slammed in the driveway and heavy footsteps could be heard coming her way.

  “Sorry I’m late, oof!” Derrick let out a huff of air as Ruby threw herself at him.

  Holding him tight she listened to his heartbeat for a minute, the sound soothing her worry.

  Pulling back she studied him in the light from the house. In frantic motions, she ran her hands over his head and shoulders, took his jaw in her hand and turned his head around to make sure there were no marks anywhere. When her investigation found nothing, she sighed in relief and stepped back, finally looking at Derrick’s face.

  Oops. A blush rushed up her neck and settled in her cheeks. Embarrassment stronger than she had ever experienced roared through her and she scrunched up her face, ducking her head.

  Derrick stood with his arms out and eyebrows raised. After she backed up, he finally spoke. “Did I pass inspection?”

  “Sorry,” Ruby muttered. “I was, uh, worried something had happened to you.”

  His face softened into an understanding smile. “Well, thank you. I haven’t had someone worry over me for a while. But I’m fine, it was my car that wasn’t.” He grabbed Ruby’s hand and finished walking into the house. He turned back to close the door behind him, then faced Ruby once more. “What’s wrong?” He asked.

  Ruby had felt all the blood rush from her head at his words. “What was wrong with your car?”

  “Oh. Just a flat tire. Found a nail sticking out of the top of it. Probably some punk kid.” Derrick shrugged and sighed. “Not every kid who comes into The Center wants to be there.”

  Ruby felt her head shaking back and forth. No, no, no. That wasn’t a kid. It was Braedon. I know it was. He’s going after Derrick because I didn’t listen to him.

  “Hey, it’s okay.” Derrick took her by the shoulders and pulled her into his strong embrace. “No real harm done. I had a spare in the trunk, it just took me longer to change than it should have.” He humphed. “Civilian life is making me soft, I guess.”

  Ruby let her arms slide around him, squeezing tight, a tear escaping her eye as she prepared for what she had to do. Using every ounce of self-control she owned, she peeled herself off of him and stepped back where he couldn’t reach her.

  “We can’t see each other any more.” Ruby’s voice was raspy and soft and her eyes were glued to the carpet. She couldn’t bear to look him in the eye as she sent him away. From her peripheral vision, she could see that his body had stiffened.

  “Excuse me?” There was an edge of steel to his voice that Ruby had never heard before and it only added to her nerves. “Would you mind repeating that?”

  Ruby cleared her throat, but the lump wouldn’t move. “We can’t see each other any more,” she repeated in her small voice.

  “I see.” He paused, but she still didn’t have the strength to look at him. “Could I please get an explanation to your change in attitude? After all, I thought we settled quite a few things over lunch today.” He folded his arms and widened his stance, a sign he wasn’t moving until he got what he wanted.

  Ruby felt a sob working its way up her chest and wasn’t sure how to stop it. Putting her fist to her mouth, she tried to stifle the sound, but it escaped anyway and was followed by a flood of tears.

  “Ruby.” Derrick’s voice was compassionate and soft. “What in the world is going on?” Without another word, he took her hand and led her further into the house and onto a couch. Settling her next to him, he wrapped his arm around her, he tucked her head into his shoulder. “Now,” he said, “tell me everything.”

  Ruby let Derrick’s warmth settle into her and she took a deep breath, inhaling the marvelous woodsy scent he emanated. His presence was soothing and his touch melted her defenses. Keeping her eyes closed and her cheek pressed into his chest, she decided to be brutally honest.

  “A few months ago I signed up for an online dating service,” she began. For the next twenty minutes, she told Derrick every little detail. The emails, the sightings, the way the police said they couldn’t help. Then she ended with her worries about his flat tire.

  “It had to be him. Don’t you see? There’s no way it’s a coincidence. He was sending a message. I wasn’t sure I believed
him, but he’s now taking it to the next step.” She pushed herself up so she could look him in the face. “I can’t let him hurt you, that’s why I said we can’t see each other anymore. That’s the only way I can think of to protect you.” She looked directly in to his eyes and had to hold in a gasp.

  His golden eyes were hard, radiating anger and it made her back up. Is he mad at me? I’m trying to protect him.

  “That is not the only way,” he growled. He took hold of her upper arms, not letting her slide any further away from him. “You are not going to let this guy take over your life. He needs to be dealt with. He has no right to you and he’ll have to go through me to get you.”

  Ruby shook her head. “No. I can’t risk you getting hurt.”

  “I can protect myself, Ruby. Have you forgotten I was trained as a Marine?” Derrick raised an eyebrow and his lips twisted into a smirk.

  Ruby reached out, resting a hand on his solid chest, further evidence of what he was saying to her. “I know.” She enjoyed feeling the steady beat of his heart under her fingers. “But you shouldn’t have to deal with this. This is my problem.”

  “Oh no, you don’t. Don’t push me back Ruby. I stand by what we talked about at lunch. Right now, you and I are a we. Something is pulling us together and I plan to go with it. You’ve already told me you feel the same, so there will be no backtracking. This is our problem. And I have considerable skills available to help us through it.”

  Ruby’s tears started up again at his words. Oh my goodness. Who is this guy? Giving into the electricity between them, she leaned into him, intent on conveying her emotions.

  “He’s right, you know.”

  Both Derrick and Ruby jumped and looked at Grams, who was standing in the doorway. Neither had noticed her entrance or had any idea how long she had been there.

  Derrick cleared his throat and loosened his hold on Ruby.

  Ruby scrunched up her face as if to say sorry, but Grams simply walked in and plopped down on her recliner. “You two can get back to the necking later, right now I want to know what we’re going to do about this guy.”

  Ruby dropped her face into her hands “Grandma, you can’t say things like that!”

  “I just did, so obviously that’s not true.” Grams had her head tilted to the side, her eyebrows raised and her lips pursed.

  Derrick whispered out the side of his mouth. “I think I know where your feisty attitude comes from.”

  “Hey!” Ruby jerked back and punched him in the arm.

  Derrick feigned being hurt and rubbed his arm with a pout on his fantastic lips. Ruby fought the smile that wanted to break free, glaring at him instead.

  “I heard that,” Grams said as she bent down and retrieved her current knitting project.

  Derrick chuckled. “Truth be told, I’m not sure there is much we can do. We have no way of proving this Braedon guy put the nail in my tire. And the email doesn’t sound like it’s enough to implicate him in it. We might just have to wait it out a bit.”

  Ruby spun on him. “What happens if he actually hurts someone next time? I don’t like this plan at all.”

  “Sweetheart, you don’t have any more evidence up your sleeve than you did the first time you went to the police. We simply don’t have proof. However, we can be careful and we can be prepared.”

  Ruby’s heart fluttered when the term of endearment slid so easily off his tongue. She had never known how a simple word could be so exciting.

  “What do you suggest then Lumberjack?”

  Grams raised an eyebrow at the nickname but held her peace.

  “I’ll take a look at the locks in your home, make sure everything is ship shape. You might want to get a camera for the front and back entrances. And you shouldn’t go anywhere by yourself. We’re going to have to rearrange your schedule a bit since I’m working during the day. You might need to do things like grocery shop at night when I can go with you.”

  Ruby stood and put her hands on her hips. “Are you serious? Just how is this taking care of the problem? It sounds to me like he’s running my life.”

  “Watch it girlie. This man of yours is trying to help.” Grams looked at Ruby like she was a misbehaving child and even though Ruby was no longer a kid, it worked.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled, sitting back down. “I’m scared and frustrated and I just can’t seem to think straight right now.”

  “It’s okay.” Derrick took hold of her hand and pulled her back into his embrace. “Anybody would feel those things in this situation. I understand.”

  Ruby snuggled into his chest and let his warmth seep into her. He made her feel safe and Ruby grabbed onto that emotion, unwilling to let go.

  Grams stood. “These old bones need to get to bed. You can let me know what my part in all of this is tomorrow.”

  “Hold up, Mrs. Sanchez.” Derrick let go of Ruby and stood. “Let me check the windows in your room, just to be safe.” He followed Grams out down the hallway.

  Ruby felt vulnerable and cold after he left. It’s okay. He’ll be back in just a minute. She repeated those lines over and over again until she heard his steps in the hallway.

  “Everything looks just fine in there,” Derrick announced as he walked back in.

  He stopped at the doorway and Ruby’s heart took off. She wanted him to come back to her and sit and hold her again. Her nervous energy forced her to stand up. “What’s wrong then?” She wrung her hands together.

  “Would you mind if we, uh, talked over some food? I haven’t eaten and I’m starting to get pretty darn hungry.” Derrick scrunched his face and raised his shoulders in a sheepish look.

  A relieved laugh burst out of Ruby’s mouth. “Of course. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it.” She headed toward the kitchen passing Derrick along the way. “You should have said something when you first got here.” Ruby winced when she realized she hadn’t given him a chance to say anything since she had basically broken down into a weeping mess.

  She turned and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms around herself. “Oh sorry, I guess that’s my fault. I didn’t really give you the chance.”

  Derrick took two strides across the kitchen and trapped her between his arms. One arm on either side held onto the counter, keeping her from moving. “I’m glad we got things cleared up. You about broke my heart when you tried to push me away. Waiting for dinner was worth knowing what was going on.” He started nuzzling her neck and collarbone, running his nose lightly along the skin.

  Ruby took in a ragged breath and tilted her head, giving him better access. “Oh wow ... “

  When Derrick worked his way up to her ear, he traced the shell of it for a moment before he whispered, “Feed me, woman. I’m dying here.”

  Ruby giggled and pushed him away. “That delay was your fault. I can’t think straight when you’re so close.”

  Derrick had a smug look on his face as he stepped backward, crossing his arms over his broad chest. He tilted his head to the side for a moment. “Again ... it was worth it.”

  Ruby couldn’t help the large, goofy smile that graced her face the whole time she prepared him a plate. Nor could she help that it was still there when she went to bed that night.

  CHAPTER 10

  “It’s just the grocery store Grams! I need like three things, I’ll be in and out in a flash.” Ruby rolled her eyes and huffed at her stubborn grandmother.

  “Derrick said you should always take someone with you, so ... take me with you.” Grams had her hands on her hips and looked ready to do battle.

  “I think he was referring to someone who could help me if Braedon gave me trouble. I’m not sure you’re exactly that person.”

  Grams raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? You know someone else who could stab a knitting needing through a kidney?”

  Ruby’s eyes opened wide. “Holy cow, Grandma, we’re not out to kill anyone or even hurt them for that matter. You haven’t ever actually done that have you?”

  Grams pursed her
lips in smug satisfaction. “You’ll never hear it from me.” Then she took off toward the front door.

  “Certifiable, that one,” Ruby murmured under her breath as she grabbed the keys and followed Grams outside.

  Once at the store, the two walked around grabbing the couple of things they needed. Just as they turned to head towards the front of the store, Grams turned and shuffled away.

  “I forgot something. I”ll be right back. Just wait up front,” she called from over her shoulder.

  “Fine, fine.” Ruby slowly sauntered down the aisle, eyeing the merchandise in a leisurely manner. She’d seen this scenario play out before, she’d be waiting upfront for several minutes before Grams made it there. As she walked, she spotted a familiar face, one that looked none too happy.

  She watched as the dark-haired gentleman from Piper’s barbecue slammed a bag of salad into his basket.

  “Whoa. What did that salad ever do to you?” She teased.

  Mateo spun around and narrowed his eyes momentarily before recognition spread across his face. “You’re uh ...” He snapped his fingers several times.

  “Ruby,” she supplied for him. “And you’re Mateo, Lillith’s date.”

  “Ooh. Sorry. Now I feel really bad that you remembered my name and I didn’t remember yours.” He scrunched up his face.

  Ruby waved a hand through the air. “No worries. Truth be told, I only remembered your name because I was so shocked you came with Lillith.”

  Mateo cocked his head. “I take it you don’t like Lillith?”

  Ruby pursed her lips. “Can’t say she’s my favorite person, no.” She brushed a tendril of her dark hair out of her face. She had a messy bun on top of her head and some of the strands were refusing to stay put.

  “I wonder if you would be willing to help me with something?” Mateo asked cautiously.

  Ruby’s eyebrows shot up, then slammed down as her eyes narrowed. “What exactly do you mean?”

  Mateo glanced around the store, making sure no one was paying attention to them. “I’m in a bit of a pickle with Lucy and Lillith and I need some information.”