by Sam Crescent
Ruby found Daisy and Brad sat on either side of the small dinner table she owned.
“Good morning,” Ruby said, tying the sash of her robe tighter.
Daisy looked up at her, glaring.
Smiling, Ruby went toward the coffee. Chris’s gaze was on her.
“How are you this morning?” he asked, handing her a cup.
“I’ve never been better.” Putting the cup on the counter she circled her arms around his neck. She leaned in close. “I’m sorry about them. I didn’t expect anyone to come home.”
“Do you really need to drool on him in front of us?” Daisy asked.
Getting annoyed, Ruby whirled around, glaring at her sister. “Shall I remind you that this is my house? I pay the mortgage and you’re staying here because I’m letting you stay here.”
“Are you throwing that up in my face?”
“What’s your problem, Daisy? I’ve kept your silly little secret. So you’re fucking Brad. Who cares?”
“You were a little loud last night. I thought you weren’t the woman to go for two men?”
Daisy stood, hands on her hips. Brad’s ears were pink, bowing his head as if to be invisible.
“Are you jealous?” Ruby asked, confused. She loved her little sister, but the way Daisy was looking at Chris meant something entirely different.
“Why would I be jealous of your boyfriend?” Daisy averted her gaze.
“You’re jealous. What is it with you? You’ve got Brad. You were fucking him behind my back, and now you’ve got an issue with the fact I’ve moved on.”
“I’ve not got to deal with how perfect you are. Even he thinks you’re perfect,” Daisy said, pointing at Brad. “I’m tired of always being seen as the wild child or the screw-up. I’m never going to be perfect like you.”
Daisy threw her hands up in the air before storming out.
“I’m going to follow her,” Brad said, following her sister out the front door.
“Okay, I’m totally confused. Is my sister jealous of the fact I’ve got someone else? What am I missing?” Ruby asked, looking between Chris and Troy.
“I think your sister wants what you have,” Troy said.
“What?” Ruby didn’t get it. Daisy was well liked through Stone Valley. She did well in college, with plenty of friends. “I don’t get it.”
“She’s your little sister, living in your shadow.”
“That’s doesn’t make any sense.” Ruby rubbed her temple. “I can’t handle this right now.”
“Daisy confirmed what we said last night,” Troy said.
“What?” Ruby asked. This was not how she imagined spending her morning.
“Brad’s still got feelings for you. It’s probably making Daisy feel insecure.”
Shaking her head, Ruby tried to put her thoughts into some kind of order. Nothing was happening.
“I’ve going to get dressed. Dads always want me at home early for the barbeque.”
“Is this a big event?” Chris asked.
“My family is well-to-do. Half the town will be there. It’s a good place for you to showcase your shop.” She turned to leave. “Did you guys have a great time last night?”
“The best.”
* * * *
Chris waited for Ruby to finish. The morning had not gone the way he planned. He was hoping for a long lovemaking session, followed by breakfast, some more hot sex and then off to the barbeque. Instead, he’d walked out of the bedroom, naked, with Troy, gone downstairs to find Brad and Daisy sat at the table, glaring.
Ruby’s little sister couldn’t keep her opinions to herself. He was sure Daisy loved her sister, but there was a rivalry there that Ruby didn’t sense.
“Okay, I think things are a little tense between the sisters,” Troy said, taking a seat opposite him.
“You think?” Running fingers through his hair, Chris wondered how he was going to handle the rest of the day. He wanted more from Ruby. Her sister’s appearance, along with the ex, ruined his plans.
“Daisy’s a little rough around the edges.”
“She’s got an issue with Ruby, which makes no sense. Why would she have an issue with her sister moving on?”
“Unless she feels better for taking what her sister wants,” Troy said.
“I don’t know. I look at Daisy and I see parts of Sandra. She doesn’t look like a nice person.”
“I doubt Stone Valley will ever accept something like that. They’re a close-knit town.” Troy reached over to the fruit bowl in the center of the table, taking a banana to eat.
“I wouldn’t have thought it about Sandra, but look what happened,” Chris said.
“I don’t know what to say to you, buddy. We’re not leaving Stone Valley. Our visas and permits are all in place. We’re Americans now.”
Chris chuckled.
Ruby stopped all conversation, coming through the door wearing a pastel-yellow summer dress with matching heels.
“I’ve got to stop off at my shop to check in a delivery. I just got a call on my cell. They should be ready in half an hour and then we can go on to the barbeque,” she said.
He watched her fill a thermos with coffee.
“Are you going to eat something?” he asked, standing.
“No, I’ll grab a sandwich from the diner. I’ve got to go or we’ll be late.” She led the way through to the main hall. “You don’t mind taking me to my shop, do you?”
“Of course not. Troy’s driving,” Chris said, pointing to his side.
Troy jingled the keys.
“Great, can we go?” she asked, opening the door.
The drive into town was short. Ruby was typing on her cell phone, taking occasional sips of coffee.
“What made you open a shop with shoes, handbags and accessories?” Chris asked, trying to draw her into conversation.
“I love them. I’m always wearing shoes, and bags are a necessity in a woman’s life. Accessories are needed in life. You’d understand if you were a woman.” She nudged him with her shoulder before going back to her phone. “Actually, I’m hoping to extend into selling some sexy underwear.”
“Are you trying to take our business away from us, love?” Troy asked.
“No, not at all. Our stuff is different. I checked on the internet before ordering. I’m talking sexy and sensual underwear that is worn to make the woman feel good, not the man.”
“And you think our sexy lingerie is designed only for the man?” Chris asked.
“Isn’t it?”
“You’ve just added some sexy lingerie to the list of stuff you’re getting for free, come Monday.”
Troy pulled up outside of her place. Chris climbed out, helping her down. He took advantage and caressed her rounded ass.
“You’re doing that on purpose,” she said.
He smiled, dropping a kiss to her lips. “You’ve got it.”
“I’ll only be a few minutes,” Ruby said, leaving them next to the truck.
His friend joined him, stretching. “This morning has certainly been a strange morning after.”
Chris agreed, looking up and down the street.
The diner was open and Chris’s stomach grumbled. Knocking on the window, he caught Ruby’s attention and let her know he was going to the diner.
She nodded her head, coming toward the door.
“Can you get me something to eat? I’ll join you guys soon.”
He agreed. She closed the door and headed back to the counter. Chris followed Troy to the diner. The scents made his stomach hurt more. His mouth watered for some decent food.
Tate was on duty, looking a little hungover as they both took a seat at the nearest table. There were several locals and tourists around. Chris spotted Donald, the older guy from the other day who gave them a free pass to their club. He was sat with a woman who looked like an older version of Tessie. He nodded in their direction.
Charles motioned for them to join them. Troy followed him as they made their way over to the other
table in the back. Chris hoped Ruby could see them.
“Hello. Chris and Troy, I’d like to introduce you to Lillian Holland.”
The older woman smiled at him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard you’re opening the new shop in town.”
“We are, Mrs. Holland,” Chris said, feeling uncomfortable.
“I wish you both well. Donald has been telling me all about it, as has my daughter. You’ve got their blessings and you’ve got mine.” Lillian shook their hands with a twinkle in her eye.
Another man approached. “I’m David Coulter. I work for the Sheriff’s department.”
“There’s a Sheriff here?” Chris asked, looking between the three people. He noticed a guy in the back glaring at the table.
“Stone Valley is a safe place, dear, but it sometimes has its problems,” Lillian said, glancing over to the glaring man.
Feeling out of place, Chris and Troy said their good-byes and made their way back to the table. “Is it me or is this town getting weirder?” Chris said, looking behind him.
Tate came to the table. “It’s not you. Stone Valley has been a little weird since the drug bust at Tessie’s old ranch. If you’d been here six months ago, you’d have had a lot of excitement on your case. What can I get you?”
“What do you mean ‘a lot of excitement’?” he asked.
“Well, around the time Markus and Brant were seducing Tessie, something was going on around the ranch. I don’t know the ins and outs of it, but the deputy was sentenced for his part and those two guys showed up. Lillian has been a little strange around Glary Eyes, but he’s not left town. Neither has David. I think Lillian’s got the chance with three different guys, though. At least someone is getting some fun around here.”
* * * *
Troy heard the yearning in Tate’s voice and felt sorry for the waitress. She clearly wanted to connect with someone, or multiple someones.
“What can I get you?” she asked, tapping her pen.
“What does Ruby eat?” Chris asked, taking control.
“Ruby’s a pancake girl.”
“Then we’ll have three rounds of pancakes.” Chris smiled up at her.
“Okay. You don’t have any skeletons in your closet, do you?” Tate asked.
“What?” Troy looked up at her, wondering why she’d ask something like that.
“We’re a small town, but skeletons always seem to pop out somewhere. I don’t want Ruby to get hurt. She’s been hurt already by that asshole of an ex.”
Troy held his hands up. “We’ve got no intention of hurting her.”
“Good. I’ll grab those pancakes and see you at the barbeque later.” Tate left them alone.
“Does Sandra class as a skeleton?” Troy asked, leaning in close.
“She won’t mess with us and she’s in the past. No one can hurt us in the past.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. She hurt us pretty good back then.”
“Sandra’s not part of our life. Remember, fresh start, fresh life. We’ve got no time for looking back,” Chris said.
Luke entered the diner, alone. It wasn’t like their old friend to be without his brothers. Entering the diner, Luke grabbed a chair, turned it and straddled it.
“I’ve got about ten minutes before Ryan and Jon get here, and I need to talk to you two because you’re not from around here. At least, you’re not lifers.”
Troy chuckled, seeing the crazy look in Luke’s eyes.
“What’s the matter with you?” Chris asked. “We’ve got Ruby coming over soon.”
“Okay, okay, okay. Shit, I don’t even know how to say this. It has caught me so out of the fucking blue I don’t even know what day it is.”
“It’s barbeque day,” Troy said.
“The kid Darla has. The little boy, Nathan,” Luke said.
“Yeah, what about him?” Troy picked up the menu, flicking it open and looking at the options to eat.
“He’s mine.”
Looking up from the menu, Troy stared at his friend. The whole diner had gone silent. Luke hadn’t been quiet in speaking.
“What?” Chris asked. “Was Darla even legal?”
“Yes, she told me she was nineteen. Everything was fucking legal, but I’m freaking out. No one knows who that baby’s father is,” Luke said.
Glancing around him, Troy saw the angry looks directed at Luke.
“I think everyone knows.”
Luke looked around him. “Fuck!”
Darla walked into the diner with little Nathan holding her hand. The silence in the diner was deafening.
“You told everyone?” she asked, glaring at Luke.
This had to be the single most confusing day of his life. Ruby followed close behind as Darla continued to glare daggers at Luke.
Ruby looked so beautiful with the sun shining behind her.
“Mommy, what’s going on?” Nathan asked.
“Nothing, honey. We’ve got to go to Granny’s.” Darla picked up her son and left the diner.
Ruby frowned, staring after her friend.
Troy nudged Luke. “This is where you go after her and make everything right.”
Luke left the table as fast as he’d been there.
Their woman sat down, dropping the bag to the chair. “Do I want to know what’s going on?”
Troy looked at Chris.
“Luke is Nathan’s father.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Are you being serious?”
He nodded.
“She would have been cutting it close to eighteen. Darla has always had a thing for the Willis brothers. She was close to Ryan, the youngest boy,” Ruby said.
“He’s fucked up now,” Chris said. “From the look on Darla’s face, I don’t think she wanted everyone to know.”
“She’s a quiet person. Darla wouldn’t want anyone to know the truth.” Ruby rubbed her temple. “I hope she’s okay.” She grabbed her purse and made to move away. “I think I should follow her.”
“No,” Troy said, reaching out to stop her. “Luke needs to deal with this mess.”
Ruby sat down. “I hope they’re okay.”
“They will be. Let’s just enjoy our breakfast and then head over to your parents’ barbeque.”
“You could detour and show me around your shop,” Ruby said. Her smile promised something else entirely.
“Do you want to see our shop? Or what we can offer you?” Chris asked.
“Both.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Tate bringing over their pancakes. “Can you believe what just happened? It was Luke all along. We should have known. Darla was always so protective of Nathan around Luke,” Tate said.
“We’re bad friends. We should have helped her,” Ruby said.
“No. We kept asking. I always felt bad for wanting to know who knocked her up. I just can’t believe it was Luke. He’s the oldest Willis boy and seemed so damn responsible.” Tate shook her head. “Enjoy your lunch. I’ve got to get started. See you later.”
Ruby turned back to them. “It has been a morning of firsts.”
Troy smiled at her and started to eat his pancakes. They were drenched in syrup and tasted lovely. He listened to Chris and Ruby talk while he ate. The others ate as well. In no time at all, the diner was filling up with murmurs about Luke.
Stone Valley was not happy with Luke abandoning Darla with a child. Troy knew he wasn’t getting involved with that issue. Luke was on his own with Darla. He’d gladly listen to his friend talk about his problems, but anything else was out of the question.
Several people stopped at the table to congratulate them on dating Ruby. He looked at his woman and saw the blush staining her cheeks. It was so damn sweet how the town cared for her.
Tate stopped by to hand Chris the check. “It looks like the next scandal to hit Stone Valley will be Darla and the Willis brothers.”
The door to the diner crashed open with Jon and Ryan covering the entrance. They looked toward Tate and Ruby.
“Is it true? Is Luke really the father of her son?” Ryan asked.
If anyone had any doubts before, no one did now. The youngest Willis brother had just announced the news to the entire Flippin’ Tasty.
Troy was so happy he wasn’t Luke.
Chapter Eight
Getting out of the diner was such a relief. Ruby let out a sigh, pleased to be away from all the drama. Ryan and Jon did not look in the best of moods with their eldest brother. To be honest, she wasn’t happy with Darla at all. She’d been very supportive of her young friend and even helped look after Nathan during her shifts.
Chris and Troy stood on either side of her as they walked down the street.
“Something tells me Stone Valley is going to get pretty interesting,” Troy said, leaning in close.
She slapped him in the stomach. “That’s not funny. Everyone has watched that little boy grow without a father. It’s not the norm here, and Luke has broken the code for them. Darla’s father left several years ago and Janet, her mother, is poorly. It’s not something to find interesting.”
Troy wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m not thinking of it as a joking matter.” He kissed her cheek. “Luke complains about her all the time, demanding the answer to who the father is. It’s nice to see him getting some comeuppance for his treatment. I’ve got no trouble with Darla. She seems nice, sweet almost.”
“She is.” Ruby took Troy’s hand and then Chris’s. “Sorry, I keep forgetting you’re not from around here. I feel like I’ve known you a long time. Is that strange?”
Chris squeezed her hand. “Not strange at all. Come on. Let’s show you the shop before heading to your parents’ place.”
Ruby followed them down to where their shop lay. She looked at the banner and couldn’t help but chuckle. It was garish compared to the rest of the shop, which was conservatively done.
Outside the shop front, she put hands on hips as she looked up at it. “You’ve certainly gained a lot of attention with that thing,” she said, pointing up.
“The banner we ordered wouldn’t be available for another week,” Chris said, standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. “We were ready earlier than expected. The deliveries all came on time.”