Rubies And Boots (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  “Do you want anything from the house?” the officer asked.

  Lexie nodded. “Since we’re here, I’d like to get my clothes.”

  The officer gave her the go-ahead and she rushed back inside and frantically threw some of her things in a duffel bag with one hand while cradling Spicer against her chest with the other.

  “Ma’am, can you tell us where the drugs were found?” the officer asked.

  Lexie showed him the drawer on Joshua’s side of the bed. It was empty.

  Ruby watched the terror come back into Lexie’s eyes. Joshua had returned since their original fight. Lexie began to tremble.

  “Do we have your permission to search the house?” the officer asked.

  “Yes,” Lexie replied, her voice shaking. “We can’t be here too long, though. Joshua might come back.”

  “Don’t worry, ma’am. We know how to handle things like this.”

  Ruby put her arm around her sister and held her tight while trying to warm her, but Lexie’s teeth continued to chatter.

  When Lexie gathered her strength, she went to the closet. “Some of his clothes are missing.”

  “He’s most likely on the run,” the officer stated. He spoke to dispatch with the radio attached to his shoulder, and an APB was put out for Joshua.

  Ruby was sure he was as far from Sunrise Creek as he could get, while Lexie was convinced he was lurking behind every bush and tree.

  As darkness fell on that horrible day, the whole family held a council around the kitchen table, and it was decided that Lexie would never be alone. When she returned to work or stepped out of the house, someone would always be with her. Spicer would remain indoors. Emmie and their mother had hurried to the store to buy the necessary supplies. If anyone saw anything suspicious, they were to call the police first and family members next.

  Later that evening, Ruby received Jonah’s text, and a burst of joy and relief overrode her earlier angst and worry. Jonah would help. He would ease her mind and comfort her aching soul. She could tell him things she would never share with anyone in her family, like her overwhelming desire to strangle Joshua as he had choked Lexie, and how she hoped he would rot in prison. It would help to talk about those things that had burrowed deep like a parasite that wanted to canker her soul from the inside.

  Thirty-One

  As the afternoon wore on, Ruby kept waiting for Jonah to show up at the Jumpin’ Bean. It wasn’t until she waved her last customer away that she heard an unfamiliar diesel purr into the lot. Who could this be? The sound of the engine was unfamiliar. Ruby’s curiosity grew. Most tourists didn’t travel in pickups. She waited as the truck rolled up to her counter and open window. Montana plates.

  Jonah arrived at the window, and Ruby let out a gasp as tears of joy spilled into her eyes. Two weeks had passed since that decisive night where he’d stepped over the threshold of her home and walked into an unknown. Now, he was here, grinning at her.

  “How do you like it?” he asked.

  “The truck?”

  “Yeah. How do you like my new truck?”

  Ruby tore her gaze away from him to take in the deep brown Ford. “It’s gorgeous,” she said. “And it suits you. But if it brings you back to me, it could be a station wagon for all I care.” Ruby wanted to crawl out of her window and into Jonah’s lap.

  “Let me pull around,” he said.

  Ruby didn’t want him to leave even for a second. She was afraid that if she blinked, he’d be gone. She banished that fear from her attention. Jonah was home.

  Opening the back door of the coffee shack, she practically flew down the stairs and into Jonah’s arms. He swung her around, and the warmth of him spread through Ruby as his mouth found hers in a warm and pressing kiss with the sweet and clean taste of their growing love. She responded by returning his ardent embrace and opening herself to his kiss. When her feet finally touched the ground, she cuddled up against his chest and let out a contented sigh. She could’ve stayed forever, feeling the smooth cotton of Jonah’s T-shirt against her cheek and hearing the steadiness of his heart as it matched her own.

  Jonah pulled gently from her. “I have something to show you.”

  Curiosity filled Ruby as Jonah reached for the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out his wallet. Then, he flipped a card in her direction. It was a new Montana driver’s license. “I’m here to stay,” he said. “I’m going to start looking for a place to call my own. I’ve already lined up a realtor.”

  Ruby’s breath caught in her throat. “Your parents?”

  “Are fine,” Jonah said. “My dad is almost fully recovered, and he’s retiring within a year. Mom wasn’t too happy about my choice, but it’s the only one that’s right for me.”

  Ruby placed her arms around Jonah’s neck and pulled him close. The scent of pine rose from Jonah, as if Sunrise Creek was claiming him as its own. He had fulfilled his promise in every way, and Ruby’s defenses retreated, leaving her calm and openhearted for whatever would come next.

  Ruby felt Jonah tense. “How is Lexie?” he asked.

  Ruby drew away and shook her head. “I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her yet today.”

  “Curtis and I have talked, and we could take shifts at the house if it would help her feel safe. Your family must be exhausted.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a rough little while.”

  Jonah put his arm around Ruby. “I want you to tell me everything from the beginning, and then I want you to tell me how I can help.”

  Ruby leaned against Jonah. For the last twenty-four hours, she had been hyper-vigilant, looking for Joshua in every truck that passed while trying to cage her wild fury. She could stand down now and release her pent-up rage in a way that would be constructive.

  “Let’s grab a picnic and head to the lake,” Ruby said. “I’d love to bring you home, but I’ll have to check in first. I’m not sure how Lexie will feel about guests.”

  “Yes, of course.” Jonah propelled her to his truck, where he opened the passenger’s side door. “Welcome to my chariot.” He grinned. “You’re my first passenger.”

  Watching Jonah move around the hood of the truck, Ruby was filled with a comfortable love and fulfilled hope.

  As Jonah settled behind the wheel, Ruby’s phone rang. Her home number flashed on the screen. Tension rose up into her throat, and her voice shook as she answered. “Hello?”

  “He’s been caught,” Emmie said, her relief flooding over the line. “Joshua is behind bars in Missoula.”

  Ruby relaxed into the back of the seat as anxiety spilled away from her. She could hear Lexie crying relieved tears in the background and the sound of her mother offering comfort. “Thank goodness,” Ruby breathed.

  “Yes. We can all sleep easier tonight,” Emmie replied.

  “I’ve got more good news,” Ruby said, barely containing herself.

  “Oh?”

  “Jonah is home.” A budding thrill opened in Ruby. Jonah was home! He had kept his promise.

  “Oh, Ruby. That’s great! Tell him hello, and we’ll look forward to seeing him soon.”

  “Will do,” Ruby said before hanging up.

  From the driver’s seat, Jonah turned to her. “What’s the latest?”

  Ruby placed her hand on his arm. “Joshua has been caught. We’re safe.”

  Jonah broke into a grin before pulling Ruby toward him in a happy and passionate kiss.

  Ruby went to him willingly, thirsty for his touch and his lips on hers.

  “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” Jonah gently pulled from Ruby, whispering in her hair.

  Ruby kissed Jonah’s ear. “Not me,” she murmured. “But it’s a close second.”

  When she and Jonah broke apart, Jonah was still beaming. Ruby reached up and caressed his cheek before settling back into her own seat and strapping on her safety belt.

  Looking out the passenger’s side window, she saw Bert leaning against the trunk of a car with his arm folded and wearing a huge grin
. She rolled down the window and returned Bert’s smile while waving. Bert could get on her nerves sometimes, but she had to admit that when it came to her love life, he was right, and she was glad.

  Thirty-Two

  Ten days later, Ruby sat on the deck with Lexie, taking in the fragile warmth of the late September sun. Summer was easing into autumn this year, giving everyone a chance to settle into the new seasons of their lives.

  Lexie’s wounds were starting to heal. A sickly yellowish tint still covered her left eye and jawline, even though the swelling was gone, and her vision was returning. It was Lexie’s lightheartedness that Ruby missed. Her little sister still cringed anytime someone came to the door, and sometimes Ruby would find her shivering even though the day was warm.

  The doorbell rang, and Ruby placed her hand on Lexie’s arm. “It’s Curtis,” she whispered. “He’s here to pick up Emmie for a hike.”

  Lexie took a shaky breath. “Are you sure?”

  “I’ll go check,” Ruby replied.

  “Don’t go far,” Lexie pleaded.

  “I won’t.” Ruby stepped inside the house to hear Emmie and Curtis talking as they prepared to leave. “It’s just Curtis,” she reiterated.

  Lexie breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Joshua has been in jail for the last ten days now,” Ruby said. “You don’t have to worry any longer. He can’t hurt you.”

  “He has friends.” Lexie shivered and pulled her shawl close.

  “Not in Sunrise Creek. His own brother was willing to turn him in. I doubt he’s got friends anywhere. He’s probably got customers or associates. No one who’d put their own life on the line for his. You’re safe, Lexie.”

  Lexie relaxed and her tremors stopped.

  Ruby nudged Lexie and pointed to the house two doors down, hoping to distract her from her fear of Joshua. “It’s finished now,” she said. “And it’s probably the last house of its kind.”

  Lexie offered Ruby a small smile. “Mom told me your neighborhood meeting went really well, and everyone agreed to form an HOA with building restrictions.”

  New pride began to bud in Ruby. “Yeah. So, we don’t have to worry about losing our neighborhood to newcomers.”

  “I think some of us have lost our hearts.” Lexie gave Ruby a sideways glance.

  Ruby grinned before watching the muted light fade from Lexie’s eyes, only to be replaced with tears. “What is it?” Ruby asked as she leaned forward and placed her hand on Lexie’s arm.

  “I was so stupid.” Lexie sniffled, her voice small and timid. “You tried to tell me, and I should’ve listened. You’ve known Joshua all of your life, but I thought I could change him. Instead, I put all of you in terrible danger. Especially you. You work alone in the mornings, and you drove to the house with me to pick up Spicer. I put you in harm’s way, Ruby, and I don’t know if I can forgive myself for that.” She inhaled a sob before starting to cry. “I am so sorry.” Her tears flowed freely.

  Ruby nudged Lexie over in her lounge chair and settled next to her sister, her arms around her as they shared Lexie’s shawl. Gently, she pulled Lexie close, and her sister laid her head on her chest as she wept. “Shhh. It’s over now, Lex. And I never worried about myself. I’ve handled Joshua since I was in the first grade. He can never get the best of me, or you, for that matter. We’re made of sterner stuff.”

  Lexie quit crying and let out a shaky breath. “Thank you for being there for me and for understanding.”

  “I’d go to hell and back for you, Lex.”

  Lexie let out a low, humorless laugh. “I think you’ve already done that, Ruby.”

  A comfortable silence grew between the two sisters for several minutes before Lexie asked, “So, what happens next?”

  “What do you want to have happen?” Ruby asked.

  “I was thinking I might go away to live with Uncle Samuel and Aunt Anna in Oregon for a while.”

  A silent alarm went off in Ruby’s head. She pinned it to her own selfishness. She didn’t want Lexie to leave. But maybe leaving Sunrise Creek was the best thing for Lexie. “Tell me more.”

  Lexie’s voice grew stronger. “Well, I was thinking I could go to school there. I’d start at the community college and then see what I wanted to do after that.”

  “Have you talked to Aunt Anna and Uncle Sam?” Ruby asked.

  “Not yet.”

  “Would you come back for Joshua’s trial? The prosecution will need you as a witness, you know.”

  Lexie cringed before Ruby felt her sister’s body harden, her voice becoming stronger. “Yeah. I wouldn’t want to miss that. The marriage will be annulled by then, and I want to make sure he’s put away for good.”

  “Maybe a change of scenery will be just the thing you need,” Ruby said.

  Lexie snuggled against Ruby as the sun warmed them both. “I’ve always wanted to see the ocean,” she said before dropping off into a languid sleep under the obliging sun.

  Ruby held her sister like a kitten. Lexie still might be fragile, but their relationship was stronger than ever.

  * * *

  Later that evening, Ruby tucked her legs under her as the first fire of the autumn season popped and sparked in the woodstove. Jonah was at the Triangle 4, preparing for the trip to the feedlots he would be taking with Curtis and Jim. Prices were good now, but they were sure to drop as October and November crept up on the calendar. They were leaving in the morning for Colorado. Their stay wouldn’t be long.

  Listening to the voices outside the kitchen door, Ruby guessed Emmie was saying goodbye to Curtis. Their hike had been long, and dusk had settled over the land and water.

  Emmie entered the house and ran to Ruby, her face flushed with exercise and excitement. “Look!” She flashed her left hand in front of Ruby. “Curtis asked me to marry him! And I said yes!”

  Ruby’s own elation rushed through her as she grabbed Emmie’s hand and examined the ring. A large diamond sat in the middle of several smaller stones. She gasped. “It’s beautiful! Oh, Emmie, this is the best news!”

  “Curtis wants to build a house on the Triangle 4 where we’ll live. Can you believe things would end in this happy way?” Emmie grinned.

  Ruby squeezed her sister’s fingers before enveloping her in a hug. “Oh, dear Emmie. This isn’t an ending. This is just the beginning.”

  Thirty-Three

  The following week, the weather turned cold. Gray clouds scuttled across the sky, draping over the mountains as if threatening snow.

  Ruby was dressed in jeans, boots, and her favorite sweater, with a flannel scarf wrapped around her neck. Sitting in Jonah’s truck, she had asked him where they were going, and he’d told her there was a ranch for sale he wanted to see. The realtor was going to meet them.

  As soon as Jonah slowed the truck, Ruby knew where he was going. “This is Cooper’s property, isn’t it?”

  Jonah gave her a quick glance before turning his attention back to the rutted drive. “Yeah. He’s selling it.” Jonah stopped the truck. “We don’t have to look at it if you’d rather not,” he said. “We can turn around and leave right now.”

  Ruby was silent for a long minute as Jonah stopped the truck. Did she want Jonah to touch anything that had been associated with Cooper? Her heart trembled. “Let’s just look,” she said softly. “It might be a good fit.”

  Jonah pushed on the gas. They navigated the potholed drive until they reached the deserted house. Rotting porch boards greeted them along with shuttered windows and a graying roof.

  “Jonah, are you sure? You wouldn’t be able to move in until spring.”

  “Do you want to leave?” he asked.

  “No. It’s not that. I’m just trying to think of the best buy for you. There are two other ranches in the valley that are better kept.”

  “True. Yes. You’re right, but the land here is perfect. Don’t you think?”

  They walked around the side of the house and looked past the broken fencing to the overgrown pastures.
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  “There are two creeks that run through the property.” Jonah pointed in the direction of the running water. “And the way the property lies between these mountains, it’s better protected from the storms.”

  Ruby turned and smiled at him. “You are definitely ranching material.” She paused. “When is the realtor arriving?”

  “Not for another thirty minutes,” Jonah replied. “I wanted the two of us to walk the property first.”

  Ruby began picking her way through the fence with Jonah behind her. The mournful wind rustled through the crumbling barn and dying overgrown weeds. “I used to come out here, you know.”

  Jonah shook his head. “What for?”

  “To scream.”

  Jonah went to her and put his arm around her, pulling her close. Ruby placed her arms around his waist as she looked Cooper’s abandonment straight in the depth of this lonely, broken property.

  “When were you here last?” he asked.

  “I haven’t been back since …” Ruby thought. “Since you arrived.”

  Ruby moved from Jonah, pushing her way through the weedy field. The wind dropped its defenses, and in its absence, a breath of warm air traveled up the valley. Ruby welcomed the mild respite and its invitation to open herself to the healing Jonah offered, and in so doing help him heal this land, this place where she had flung to the wind all of her pain and Cooper’s cruel indifference.

  “This place is good,” Ruby said. “The land is fertile, and I’m fairly sure the water rights are secure. Plus, it’s beautiful. If you’re willing to put in money and a lot of work, you could probably have the best ranch in the valley.”