by Layla Holt
Ecstatic, glowing and in love with her fiancé. That was the only part that Ruby had gotten right. She had loved Dean with every fiber of her being. She forced her mind back to the present and quickly sketched a few designs on her notebook.
She drew a necklace with a pendant of a tree, several branches and three flowers each with an initial. She showed it to Leah. “We can always add a flower as your family expands.”
“It’s beautiful,” Leah said running her finger over the drawing as though it was a real necklace. “The wedding is in a month’s time. Will it be ready?”
Ruby nodded. “You want matching earrings as well?”
“Yes please,” Leah said.
She did a few designs of the earrings and Leah picked the one she liked best. “You make drawing look so easy.”
“Thank you,” Ruby said. She’d always loved drawing but she loved making jewelry the best. There was nothing like coming up with a design on paper and then touching it when it became a beautiful object.
They talked about the cost and Ruby promised to invoice her in a few days.
“Adrian insisted that you should send the invoice to him,” Leah said. “I’m not comfortable though. Send it to me.”
Ruby hid her smile. It was clear that the other woman was not used to enjoying the fine things in life that the Cohan wealth provided. “How about I send it to you and cc him?”
“Okay,” Leah said.
“Adrian told me about your little boy, Matt,” Ruby said. “He’s the first Cohan grandchild!” That little boy had come into the family at the right time. Ruby was sure they needed to be lifted after Mr. Cohan’s stroke.
“Yes,” Leah said, smiling sweetly. “I admit that I may be biased but Matt’s an awesome kid. He’s made it easier for me to get along with Mrs. Cohan though calling what we have ‘getting along’ is stretching the truth a little.”
Ruby cocked her head surprised that the two women did not get along. Leah was sweet and warm and Mrs. Cohan was wise and had a warm caring heart. Over the years she had given Ruby pearls of wisdom that had helped her through some rough patches.
Her own mother had lacked that motherly wisdom. She was too wrapped up in thoughts of the past and what might have been. Mrs. Cohan had filled that gap for Ruby when she needed advice from someone older and wiser.
It took time to penetrate Mrs. Cohan’s calm cool exterior. “Very soon you two will get along. I promise. Some of these things take time.”
“I hope so,” Leah said.
“You will, she’s just over-protective over her children,” Ruby said.
Leah merely smiled. A comfortable silence fell between them before Leah spoke up. “I’m going for the second and final cake tasting for the wedding. Do you want to come with me?”
Ruby grinned. “Sure. Any excuse to sample a cake. Are you sure my presence won’t make Adrian uncomfortable?”
“He won’t be there,” Leah said. “Adrian’s not interested in cakes and he doesn’t care which cake we get. I’ll just get upset with him so the best thing is to go with my friends.”
Ruby was touched to be considered a friend even though she knew it was a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe with time, she and Leah would become friends.
Chapter Four
The following day, Ruby was at the bakery café early. The first thing she did was beg Jonathan for a cup of coffee.
“I can’t remember the last time I woke up this early, if ever,” Ruby said and let out a yawn.
Her working hours in New York were irregular. She could be doing a shoot all day that would go on all night and get home in the wee hours of the morning. Then sleep all day and go for an evening gig when she woke up. It was a crazy life but it suited her single relationship status.
Jonathan laughed. “A coffee will sort you out.” He did his magic on the coffee machine and a minute later, handed her a steaming cup of coffee.
“Thanks, you’re a life saver,” Ruby said. She popped her head into the kitchen to say hello to James and Hailey, and then retreated to the small office at the very back.
Her dad was one of those super organized human beings, the ones who wrote down everything to do with the business. As soon as Ruby fired up the old computer, she opened a file with his work diary which told her what he did each day.
It helped that she had worked beside her dad countless times and more or less knew his schedule. There were a few changes here and there but nothing she couldn’t do. Ella came in later to work so she’d have to waitress for the first two hours of the bakery café opening.
Dean must have done the same. Waitressed for the first two hours before Ella got to work. She giggled at the thought of Dean in the tiny black and white apron that Ella usually wore.
She leaned her head on her open palm and wondered what Dean was doing at that very moment. Probably working or exercising. He’d always been an early riser and a fitness fanatic. But that was four years ago. He had probably changed his routine, just as she had.
Ruby asked herself a question that she had never allowed herself to ask. Where would they be now if they had gone ahead with the wedding? They had both agreed that they wanted two children.
Ruby’s mind conjured up an image of her and Dean laughing and holding the hands of a boy and girl. A longing so strong came over her. The magnitude of what she had given up hit her like a ton of bricks. A family. People to call her own.
Children with Dean. He would have made a wonderful father. He spoke about his nephew, Matt, with so much love and joy. She had denied him that. The chance to have his own children. An invisible hand went around her throat and squeezed, cutting off her air.
A cry escaped her mouth. Tears sprung to her eyes. Had it been worth it, giving up a life and a future with Dean for a career? Her mother would have answered yes. She’d been so proud of Ruby for going after her dreams. For making the right decision.
Closing her eyes, Ruby remembered the panicky feeling that had almost overwhelmed her as they went through the wedding arrangements. Finally, on the morning of the wedding day, she had confided in her mother and after they spoke, Ruby knew what she needed to do.
Her mother’s eyes had glistened with unshed tears when Ruby tearfully told her that she wanted to go to New York to be a model. The conversation replayed in her head.
“You’re braver than I was. I’m proud of you,” her mother had said.
“What about Dean?” Ruby asked her.
“He’s a young man. He’ll get over it and he’ll find another girl whose only goal in life is to get married and have babies. My daughter has grander plans than that. I’m happy and proud.”
She had helped Ruby take off her wedding dress and book a flight out of town. When she should have been saying her vows, Ruby was on a flight headed to New York. Tears had streaked down her face the entire flight.
Her mother had been so proud of her. She called Ruby every time she saw her picture in a magazine or newspaper. She had filled albums with newspaper cuttings of Ruby’s pictures. She had told everyone about her daughter, the successful runway model.
Why then did Ruby carry around this emptiness, this feeling that she had failed, when she had most of the things she had ever dreamed of? She had made her parents proud. She had a beautiful apartment, her finances were in very good shape and if she wanted, she would never have to work again.
What had her mother thought when year after year went by and Dean never married? But knowing her mother, that was not something she gave a second thought to after the wedding fiasco. Not that she was to blame. She had only given Ruby that final push that she needed to call off the wedding.
Ruby became aware of the wetness of her cheeks. She had been crying and had not known it. She shook her head. No good would come out of such thoughts. She had made the decision to leave and she could not go back in time and change it.
A knock came on the door and then Jonathan peered in. “First customer. I’ve taken their order.”
“Oh,
I’ll be right there,” Ruby said, irritated with herself. She’d sat indulging in past painful memories for God knows how long when she should have been at the front working.
She hurried to the changing room, washed her hands and borrowed one of the aprons hanging on the wall. Minutes later, she was smiling at the older gentleman and serving him his coffee.
“Morning to you,” he said and peered at her over the top rim of his spectacles. “Are you Ronald’s daughter?”
“I am,” Ruby said.
“Your father was a wonderful man. I enjoyed our morning chat before the cafe became crowded,” he said.
Tears jumped to her eyes. “Thank you for your kind words.”
“He spoke about you often. His famous daughter. He was very proud of you,” the man said.
Ruby bit her lower lip to stop the sob threatening to burst out of her. She managed to murmur thank you and then fled to get the rest of his order. For the next two hours, most of the customers she served had something to say about her dad.
It wasn’t just a job to him. His customers were his friends, people he cared about. By the time Ella came in at nine, Ruby was emotionally drained and needed time to recharge. She used that time to go through the inventory and make orders for the things they were low on.
The rest of the morning passed in a haze of activity as she adapted to the routine in the café. As the manager, she was also the one who stood in for anyone who needed to take a break. At lunchtime, Ruby looked at the door every time someone entered, hoping that it was Dean coming to check how she was getting on.
Disappointment settled in the pit of her stomach when he didn’t come. The lunch time rush was over. She retreated to the office to complete some orders. She hadn’t been there more than a minute when a knock came at the door.
“Ruby?” Ella said.
“Come in,” Ruby said with a smile. Her gaze lowered to Ella’s belly. “How’s the little one doing in there?”
Ella grinned. “Good. Actually, that’s what I came to talk to you about. Is it okay if I leave half an hour earlier? I have an appointment with the ultra-sonographer. I’m getting a scan today.”
“Of course,” Ruby said. “What about Jonathan? I bet he would love to see the baby.”
“He would but it’s not fair to you,” Ella said. “Work comes first.”
“It’s fine, if Jonathan can get hold of the barista who stands in for him,” Ruby said.
Ella’s face lit up. “That would be awesome, thanks Ruby. I’ll go tell him; he’ll be over the moon.”
Ruby was still smiling when the door banged shut. Everyone around her seemed to be happy and in love. Her own life felt so empty in comparison. What did she have? A good career, she reminded herself. Except, you couldn’t snuggle up to a good career at night.
She thought about Dean. Did he still love her, just the slightest bit, or had he gotten over her? If he’d gotten over her, wouldn’t he be in a relationship? Maybe he was in between girlfriends. Bile filled her mouth at the thought of Dean with another woman.
Which was stupid. He deserved to be happy with someone. That person could never be her. She had her own life in New York. A life she had worked hard for and which she loved. The moment Dean found her a buyer for the bakery café she would go back home.
The thought did not excite her. All she had to look forward to was a whirlwind of work. There was no one special waiting for her. No one missing her, except for Penny and she didn’t really count. She was a friend and she had her own life.
Despondency settled over Ruby. She hated what she was feeling. What had changed? A few weeks ago, she had been content with her life. Why did it look so empty now when she looked at it through the telescope that was Lockwood?
The answer came to her. In New York, everybody was like her—career focused with no time for anything else. In Lockwood it was the opposite. People focused on relationships and careers took a back seat.
Ruby forced herself back to work until half past four when she had to cover for Ella. She said hello to Paul, the part time barista and waved goodbye to Ella and Jonathan. The evening crowd kept her busy, running between tables and the kitchen.
Half an hour to closing time and the rush hour was over. As she was wiping down the tables, she looked up in surprise when Jonathan walked in. His face looked drawn and immediately, her heart took on a faster beat.
She dropped the wipe cloth and went to him. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, for now,” he said tersely. “Ella’s blood pressure is high and they want her to be on complete bed rest for a couple of weeks.”
“Poor dear.” Ruby had not heard Hailey joining them.
“She’ll have to stay away from work until the doctor says it’s safe to work again,” Jonathan continued. “She insisted that I let you know right away.”
Ruby closed the gap between them and patted his arm. “Tell her that she’s not to worry about a thing. Her job now is to rest.”
They spoke a while longer and then Jonathan left. Ruby pressed her fingers to her lips. Where was she going to get a waitress on such short notice?
“I’m thinking you need someone to cover Ella’s shifts?” Hailey said.
“Yes,” Ruby said. “Know anyone?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. My daughter Rosy. She’s done a few shifts here and won’t require training.”
Ruby almost wept with relief. “You’re a life saver.”
“Only thing is that she can only work up to four. She has evening classes,” Hailey said. “You’ll need someone else to serve for the two hours before closing time and the weekends.”
“What’s this I hear about needing someone?”
At the sound of Dean’s voice, Ruby’s legs turned to jelly. She spun around and came face to face with him. All air left her lungs. For some ridiculous reason, seeing Dean made her feel as if her world, which just moments ago had been spinning on its axis, had suddenly righted itself.
“We’re short on serving staff,” Hailey said and went on to explain about Ella.
“Well if you can find me a decent apron, I’d be happy to help in the evenings and weekends.”
“No,” Ruby said finding her voice. Everyone turned to stare at her and she realized that her tone had come out sharp. She smiled at Dean. “You’ve done so much, I couldn’t ask you to do this too.”
“I’ll finish clearing up the kitchen,” James said, a chuckle in his voice.
“Me too,” Hailey said.
She couldn’t handle seeing Dean every day. That much was clear from her reaction when she saw him. The more she saw him, the more her heart was getting the wrong messages. Opening up to him. Remembering how it had felt like to love him and to be loved.
“You need help, Ruby, and I’m offering,” Dean said and forked his fingers through his silky black hair.
Longing burst inside her. She used to love touching the stubble on his cheeks and trailing a finger down his throat. But that was the past. She was older and wiser, and so was he.
It was so tempting to say yes to his offer. She was an adult not a teenager. Maturity came with controlling one’s feelings. She could do that. Besides she genuinely needed someone to cover for Ella and Dean knew his way around the bakery café.
Ruby inhaled deeply and then smiled. “I’ll take you up on your offer. Thank you.”
He grinned. “I’ll go grab my apron. There’s work to be done.” He walked past her, his clean masculine scent teasing her nostrils.
Ruby continued wiping down the tables and arranging the chairs. Dean returned carrying a bowl of water and proceeded to wipe down the counters. He had removed his coat and folded the sleeves of his white shirt.
He looked sweet and funny with the tiny apron protecting very little of his front. Ruby giggled.
He looked over his shoulder. “Are you laughing at me?”
“No, of course not. Why would I do that?”
“I don’t believe you,” Dean said. “Just so you k
now, an ill-fitting apron doesn’t make me less of a man.”
Ruby’s eyes lingered on the muscular outline of his shoulders. She imagined sliding her hands across his shoulders and feeling his muscles flex underneath. He had become leaner and harder in the years she had been away. His sexiness was more pronounced now. “It certainly doesn’t.”
At six, James and Hailey left and it was just the two of them. Ruby looked around. “We’re done.”
Chapter Five
“How about a coffee to celebrate?” Dean said and slipped off the apron.
“What are we celebrating?” Ruby said following him to the kitchen.
“My new job,” Dean said and she laughed. He loved Ruby’s laugh. It was loud and fitted her huge personality. No wonder she had left. Lockwood was too small for her.
She struggled with the strap of the apron around her neck and without thinking about it, he closed the distance between them to help. Big mistake. His hands did the right thing and untied the straps. Automatically, he lowered his head and nuzzled the nape of her neck.
She smelled so good. He caught himself just as he was about to kiss the spot under her ear that used to make her giggle. What was he doing? He took a step back and mumbled an apology.
She turned around. “It’s fine Dean. Old habits die hard. You were always on my neck.”
They both laughed softly.
“I’ll put the kettle on,” Ruby said.
He was a sucker for punishment, Dean thought as he left the kitchen. For a second there, he’d dropped his guard. It couldn’t happen again. She was not Ruby his fiancée. That Ruby was long gone. The relationship they had now was friendship and he needed to remember that all the time.
She joined him and placed two cups of coffee on the table and slid into the chair opposite Dean.
“It’s good to be home,” Ruby said and she laughed. “I can’t believe I’m saying that. But Lockwood is special.”