by Deb Kastner
She reached out and squeezed his hand. “Likewise. You gritted your teeth and kept on going even when I know you didn’t want to. You never quit.”
Again, her siblings offered major applause and a hoot or two as Ruby handed Aaron his certificate.
When she smiled up at him, he got all choked up. He wasn’t usually a man who experienced deep emotions, but he was definitely feeling overwhelmed now.
“I—thank you,” he stammered. “I appreciate everyone’s support. Let me put this away in my truck before it gets dusty.”
Then he made a figurative run for it, Oscar at his heel—away from people and out of the light.
Chapter Eleven
Ruby joined her brothers and sisters in singing a few hymns and praise songs they knew from church. They’d been singing in harmony since they were little kids, and it was something Ruby especially enjoyed. Since she was a second soprano, she got to sing the melody, so it wasn’t hard for her to keep pace with them. She let her other siblings do the hard work—Felicity’s soaring first soprano, Molly’s vibrant contralto, Avery’s rich first alto, Sharpe’s smooth tenor, Frost’s lush baritone. Jake’s deep voice joining in the bass and Molly’s husband, Logan, singing first tenor. It was almost as if God had put them together as their very own choir, and Ruby appreciated these special moments with her family.
Fifteen minutes later, when Aaron still hadn’t returned to the bonfire, she began to worry. She knew he didn’t like to be up in front of people because he was self-conscious about his wounds.
Had this been too much for him?
She hoped he hadn’t ducked and ran. This was their last night together, and Ruby didn’t want to miss a moment of it, so she excused herself and went to find him. The first place she checked was where he’d parked his truck, since he’d mentioned taking his certificate back there. She breathed a sigh of relief to find the vehicle right where he’d parked it earlier.
But he wasn’t anywhere to be found. Reaching his truck, she focused her flashlight beam on the front seat of his cab. His certificate of achievement was on the passenger seat, so he had been by to drop it there and couldn’t be far off.
“Aaron?” she called into the dark night air and listened closely, but she didn’t receive any kind of response. She followed her call with, “Oscar?” thinking the dog might bark.
It didn’t happen, so Ruby picked her way back toward the bonfire, staying just out of the firelight so she wouldn’t be seen by her family as she started a perimeter inside the forest. Feeling Aaron might be seeking time alone to regather his composure, she flicked off her flashlight so she wouldn’t draw any attention to herself or him. She could barely see her feet through the flicker of the bonfire into the tree line, but she’d spent her whole life on this land and was as sure-footed as a goat—something she knew because their farm actually had goats, and she’d seen firsthand all the antics of which they were capable.
“Aaron?” she whispered again into the darkness.
She heard the rustle of pine brush and turned in that direction.
“Aaron?”
“Over here,” she heard after a minute more of walking. The firelight barely came through now, no more than the slightest glimmer, but her eyes managed to make out the silhouette of broad-shouldered Aaron standing beneath a lodgepole pine, leaning his back against the trunk with his hands stuffed in the front pockets of his jeans.
She approached him, near enough that she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. She could barely make out his gaze, so she reached for his hand.
“Feeling overwhelmed?” she whispered tenderly.
He shook his head. “No. I just needed a minute to absorb everything.”
“I’m sorry. I should have known you wouldn’t want any kind of public ceremony, even if it was just here with my brothers and sisters.”
“It’s not that. I’ve gotten to know them over the past four weeks, and I’m aware they want the best for me. That isn’t what drove me away.”
“What is it, then?”
“You know I’m not used to speaking in front of people—not unless I’m barking out orders, which I don’t do anymore.”
She remained silent until he had pulled himself together enough to continue.
“I started talking and I got all choked up with emotion,” he admitted. “I couldn’t believe it myself to find tears were burning in the back of my eyes. That’s never happened to me before. I’ve never cried in my life.”
“There’s nothing wrong with tears, you know. You’re a human being. You’re allowed to have feelings now and again.”
“No. I know. That’s just not who I am.”
“And it scared you?”
“Not exactly. It definitely made me feel uncomfortable. And I knew if I stayed around any longer, it might frighten me out of my gourd. So, I took the easy way out and bolted, which appears to be my new MO.”
Speaking of emotions, her heart welled up with feelings for this quiet marine. She knew he’d probably never feel natural when he was experiencing strong emotions, but she was glad he’d trusted her enough to share this moment with her.
“So, you are off tomorrow, then,” she said softly, struggling to keep her own emotions from bubbling out. He was already on the verge of running. If she started bawling, the poor man would head for the hills for sure.
“I am,” he agreed without missing a beat.
She was surprised when he smiled. It was like a stake in her heart. She wasn’t happy about him leaving, but he evidently couldn’t wait to get away.
“I know you and Oscar will be successful wherever you land,” she said, despite her own feelings on the matter.
“You know, I think we will,” he agreed. “I really think we will.”
His voice had grown increasingly raspy, and she wondered if perhaps he was feeling a little of the same emotions she was.
Their gazes met and locked, and though she could only see him through the faintest flickers of firelight, she nearly drowned in the chocolate depths of his eyes. She wanted to stay there and never come out again, and so she did the most natural thing in the world for her to do.
She reached up and held his face between her hands, his soft scruff scratching her palms as she pulled his head down to hers.
Closing her eyes, she put every emotion she was feeling into her kiss. This was the only place in the world she wanted to be—now, and maybe always.
But then he leaned back, tilting his head as he looked at her.
“What are we—” he started to ask in a low, husky tone, his eyes glittering in the firelight.
In a panic, Ruby tried to pull away. She’d obviously just made a terrible mistake and had completely misread the situation.
But in a single moment, Aaron had taken control, wrapping his arm around her waist and turning her around so it was her back against the trunk of the tree. He framed her face in one large hand and braced himself against the tree with the other, and then his lips were on hers again.
Sweet yet strong. Both giving and taking. Saying far more without words than he ever had spoken aloud.
She didn’t know what the future held, but this felt good.
Right.
And then he pushed away from her. He grabbed both of her hands in his and took two steps backward, kissing the back of each hand before dropping them and disappearing into the dark of the forest, Oscar at his heel.
She knew in her heart he wouldn’t be coming back to the bonfire.
And she couldn’t imagine anything worse.
For she now finally understood just how smitten she was.
And he was gone.
* * *
The Saturday-morning sun shone through the curtains at the Winslows’ bed-and-breakfast, raising Aaron from the best night’s sleep he’d had in—well, maybe ever.
No bad dre
ams. No night terrors. No waking up in a cold sweat.
Just the memory of Ruby. Oh, how he’d welcomed her expression of emotions. It made what he was doing today mean all that much more.
The moment their lips had met, Aaron had known for sure his feelings were genuine. He couldn’t wait to start the day and see where it would take him.
Hopefully back to the Winslows so he could share his thoughts, plans and dreams with Ruby.
But first he had a full day planned.
He gave a very dusty Oscar another bath and blow-dried his hair. If someone would have told him a year ago, he would even own a blow-dryer, much less that he would use it on his dog, he would have laughed right in their face. Now it was just a regular part of his routine, and since Oscar always accompanied him wherever he went, he felt it was important that the poodle be in fighting shape today.
While Oscar waited, Aaron showered and trimmed up the week’s growth of beard on his face. His gut was churning with nerves. A lot rested on the results of today’s mission.
Oh, who was he kidding?
Everything rested on whether or not he succeeded today.
“Come on, boy,” he said, calling Oscar to his side. “Let’s win over some townspeople today.”
He drove into Whispering Pines with his heart in his throat. He’d never had to sell anything before, and in a way, he was selling himself as much as his product. Would anyone buy the idea of a baking marine?
His first stop was Sally’s Pizza. At least he knew Sally, so this wouldn’t be quite so hard. Thankfully, Sally was there and came out of the kitchen to greet him the moment he walked in the door of her restaurant. He carried a picnic basket with a tub of fresh-baked cupcakes under one arm. He’d originally intended to create some sort of flyer to advertise his wares but then decided the best way to sell cupcakes was to pass them out for everyone to taste.
“Well, if it isn’t Aaron and Oscar. It’s good to see you again. Where’s the pretty redhead who usually accompanies you?”
“I just graduated from the service-dog program last night, and I’m on my own today,” he told her, feeling awkward about sharing his accomplishment.
“Congratulations!” Sally said loud enough for every customer in her restaurant to turn and see what all the fuss was about. “This young man just graduated from Ruby Winslow’s service-dog program,” she announced merrily. “Can we get a big round of applause for him and Oscar?”
Aaron felt the heat rise to his face and knew his cheeks had to be the color of a ripe tomato. If only Sally knew how incredibly painful it was for him when people drew attention to him.
“Can I have a moment of your time, Sally?” he asked, trying to get to the point of his visit. “I won’t take too long.”
“Are you ordering?” She lifted one brow.
He chuckled. “I’ll take a slice of your famous pizza if you promise to sit down in a booth with me for a second. I have a proposition for you.”
“Sounds intriguing. You want everything except anchovies?”
“You remember.”
“Of course, I remember one of my favorite customer’s favorite pizza toppings,” she teased. “What do you take me for? Give me one second and I’ll be right back out with your pizza.”
Aaron slid into a booth near the back, placing the basket of baked goods next to him. Oscar pressed his head against Aaron’s thigh, and he absently scratched behind his ears.
“You can tell I’m nervous, can’t you, boy?” he whispered. He was no longer overly concerned that someone might be watching him or that he was speaking to his dog, even in a public place. All of that seemed normal to him now.
Sally reappeared with an extra-large slice of pizza and a glass of water and sat down opposite him. “Now, then. Tell me what I can do for you today.”
Aaron folded his hands on the tabletop and smiled at Sally. “As you know, I just finished my service-dog training, and technically my string to A New Leash on Love has been cut.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, nodding. “But...?”
“But I’ve come to appreciate what Whispering Pines in general—and Winslow’s Woodlands in particular—has to offer. The truth is, I’d like to stick around, if that’s possible.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You looking for a job delivering pizzas? It’s not much of an hourly wage, but you’re cute enough that you’ll get good tips from ladies young and old alike.”
He threw his head back and laughed, something he hadn’t done much of in his life, and he didn’t even care when people curiously glanced in his direction.
“While I appreciate the job offer, I’m actually here to offer something to you, if you’re interested. Have you been up to the Winslows’ lately?”
She shook her head. “Can’t say that I have.”
“Well, long story short, a couple of weeks ago, Ruby caught me baking my grandmother’s cupcakes at the bed-and-breakfast, and she convinced me that I ought to put some up for sale at the gift shop. I agreed under duress, and only because they kept it anonymous. I have to say I was surprised at first that Felicity couldn’t seem to keep them in stock.”
Sally’s eyes lit up with interest. “Let me get this right. You’re a handsome marine who also bakes. Please tell me you’re offering me cupcakes.”
He smiled. “I am. In fact, I’ve brought a sample for you today. If you like what you taste, I’m hoping to be able to make a side-hustle business out of it. I can deliver three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.”
He realized he was getting ahead of himself and backed off, took a deep breath and reached for a cupcake from the tub inside the basket.
He handed it to her and watched as she nibbled away at it, taking tiny, birdlike bites and murmuring unintelligible words after each one. Aaron was sweating by the time she’d finished the whole cupcake, and still she didn’t speak.
“Well?” he finally asked, unable to wait a moment longer. “Tell me what you think. Did you like it?”
She shook her head and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin before speaking. “No. Definitely not.”
Aaron’s heart, which had been lodged securely in his throat and pumping a mile a minute, dropped like a stone to his stomach.
“No?” he echoed, taking a bite of pizza to keep his disappointment from showing up in his expression.
So much for his brilliant idea.
“No,” she repeated. “I loved it. I’ve never tasted anything like it, bar none. Aaron, you’re an absolute genius.”
His mouth was dry, and he couldn’t seem to swallow his bite of pizza, so he took a long drink of water before responding. “No, actually, my grandmother is the genius here. It’s all on her. I just followed her recipe.”
“From one chef to another, I think we both know what utter bunk that is. Anyone can follow a recipe, but not everyone has such spectacular results when they do.”
He was blushing again. “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it.”
“How much per dozen?” she asked.
He’d been going over figures in his head since he’d first come up with the idea but wasn’t sure what number to put out there. He had to recoup what he spent in baking materials and needed to make some sort of profit, but he didn’t know what would be fair to the townspeople. Felicity was selling them for three dollars each, but that was out of the Winslows’ unique gift shop, and he thought she might be getting a little more out of it than it was worth for that reason.
“Honestly, I’m not sure,” he admitted. “That’s why I stopped here first before I spoke to anyone else. I trust you and figured you’d be straight with me. What do you think is a good price?”
“Honey, I can sell these things for three bucks a pop easy. That’s thirty-six dollars for a dozen. Let’s say an even twenty-five dollars. Fair enough?”
“More than fair,” Aaron sa
id, his heart beating rapidly. This might actually work. “And how many dozen would you like?”
“These are going to fly out of my restaurant. Let’s start with three dozen three times a week, and we’ll probably have to go up from there.”
Aaron wanted to pump his fist but barely restrained himself from doing so. Oscar picked up on his energy and barked animatedly.
“I see Oscar is excited about your new endeavor, as well.”
“He’s my partner in crime. I suspect he’d like to stay in town, where he can see Ruby from time to time, as well,” he said, patting Oscar to calm the poodle down—or to calm himself down, depending on how he was looking at it.
“Oh... I see,” Sally said with a giggle. The woman might be creeping up in years, but she pulled off her giggle as well as a girl in the middle of a high school crush.
“I’m sorry?” he asked. “See what?” He wasn’t following her.
“It’s quite clear to me now that it’s Oscar who wants to stay in town and see Ruby from time to time,” she said with a knowing smirk.
He choked on his last bite of pizza as heat flooded his face, his ears burning as hot as Ruby’s blackened marshmallow. At first, he started to deny her accusation—if he could call it that—but then he stopped himself before the words left his mouth. After all, he really was staying in town for Ruby’s sake. If she told him she had zero interest in pursuing a relationship, he wouldn’t have any inclination to stick around.
His mind briefly flitted to their kiss. He had to believe in those emotions, or he was wasting his time here.
“Ruby’s caught your attention, has she?”
He looked Sally straight in the eye when he answered, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good on you. Ruby deserves some true happiness in her life. I’ve been telling her that for quite some time, but I now see she was waiting for God’s best for her. You take care of her, you hear?”