Love Finds You at Home for Christmas (10 page)

Ruby laughed. “Oh dear. I had forgotten that you were some kind of football star. I hope you don't get annoyed when you have to explain the game to me. I may know how to play baseball, but I don't know anything about football.”

“I'm sorry. I'm having a hard time believing what I'm hearing. Did you just admit to not knowing something?” Cliff chuckled.

She reached over and swatted him. “Are you calling me a know-it-all?”

“Now don't put words in my mouth.” He grinned. “But maybe.”

Ruby crossed her arms. “Cliff Hamilton. You take that back.” She fought to keep her face stern, but a grin broke through. “Besides, you might be the same way.”

He nodded. “You're right. We just might be two of a kind.”

* * * * *

Cliff reached down and took Ruby's hand as they left the game. “Well? What'd you think?”

She smiled broadly. “That was so much fun. Thank you so much for taking me to my first college football game.”

“You're welcome.” He squeezed her hand. “Do you need to rush back to the dorm? It's such a pretty day I thought you might want to go for a walk or something.”

She turned her face toward the sunshine. “It is a perfect fall day, isn't it?” She looked over at him and grinned. “A walk sounds wonderful.”

They reached his car, and he opened the door for her. “Are you hungry? Do you want to go eat first?”

She shook her head. “Let's walk first and then decide.”

Cliff started the car and headed toward Jacksonville. “We can always eat with Aunt Ida and Uncle Fred. If you want to, I mean.”

“Oh, I hate to impose.”

He chuckled. “I seriously doubt they'd see it as an imposition. They like you a lot. Uncle Fred is still talking about that pie you made a few weeks ago.”

“I'm already looking forward to Thanksgiving with them. And Hazel.” She grinned.

Cliff glanced over at her. “What about me?”

She laughed. “Well of course. That goes without saying.”

He shook his head. “Nope. Too late now. I see what your priorities are.”

Ten minutes later he turned the car onto the dirt road that led to the farm house. “If we're lucky, maybe we'll see a turkey or two. You know, I'm pretty good at giving out a turkey call.”

Ruby raised her eyebrows. “Seeing a turkey would be neat, but listening to you practice your turkey call definitely sounds more entertaining.”

They got out of the car and walked to the porch.

“Where's Old Blue?” Ruby asked.

Cliff grinned. “He's taken up residence in the backyard since last week. A towel blew off the clothesline, and he took it upon himself to claim it as a bed. He dragged it to the back steps and has been sleeping on it there the past few days.”

She laughed. “Is your aunt going to let him keep it?”

“There was talk the other morning of swiping it from him, but that hasn't happened yet. Aunt Ida wouldn't want anyone to know, but I think she feels the same way about Old Blue that you do about Spotty the cow.”

“I knew I liked her for some reason.”

Cliff opened the front door and led her into the house. She'd been there a lot over the past few months. Just as she always did, she stopped at the collection of family photos that sat on the bookcase.

“I love this picture of you and Charlie and your parents.” She picked up the photo for a closer look. “Y'all were so happy together.” She caught his eye. “Have you talked to your parents lately?”

He bristled. Ever since he told her about Charlie's death and his guilt over what had happened, she'd been asking him that question. And the answer was always the same. “No.” He shrugged. “They send letters, though. I think they're trying to give me some space, but they've made sure to tell me they love me and are praying for me.”

She gently put the photo back in the right spot. “How about for Christmas? Will you at least go home and see them then?” Ruby had been encouraging him to go back to River Bend for a visit, but he wasn't ready to do it.

“I've been thinking a lot about that lately, and I don't think going home is the right thing to do. But I don't know that I want to stay here either. I love my aunt and uncle dearly, but sometimes I feel like they try too hard to make me feel better about Charlie and all.” He shrugged. “There's a fellow from my regiment who told me I could visit him over the holidays. He was the one who helped carry me out when I was wounded, even though he was injured too. He sent a telegram not too long ago inviting me for a visit. I guess some of his family members are still serving, so he's afraid it might be too quiet this year.”

Ruby nodded. “I know what he means. I'm looking forward to going home, but with Raymond and Jack still overseas, it just won't be the same.” She frowned. “And my cousin Lucille's husband, Donald, has practically been a member of the family since we were kids. He's overseas too. I'm looking forward to seeing my parents, but sometimes I think we should just skip Christmas this year. I'm not sure how festive it can possibly be.”

“You never know,” he said softly. “Maybe the season will have a little magic in it, despite the turmoil our country is in.”

She smiled. “I'm impressed by your optimism. And I hope you're right.”

“You ready to go?”

She nodded. “I'm ready.”

Cliff opened the door, and they stepped out into the backyard. He pointed toward a yellowed bath towel. “See that? There's Old Blue's new bed.”

Ruby giggled. “He just wanted to be comfortable.”

“I suppose so.” Cliff reached over and took her hand again. When they were leaving the ballgame, he'd been prepared to claim he was holding her hand because he didn't want them to get separated. But now he'd have to own up to just wanting to hold her hand. Her skin was so soft.

“You didn't want to go hunting today?” she asked after a moment's silence.

Cliff groaned. “Not even a little bit. Besides, I was afraid that if I mentioned it, you'd want to have some kind of target shooting competition.”

She burst out laughing. “You might know me a little too well.”

Cliff led her to the same log they'd sat on all those weeks ago. “I do know you well. And you know me well too. Better than anyone else does.”

She widened her eyes. “Really?”

“Ruby, I have a confession to make.” He stared into her green eyes. “You know that day I brought you out here to go rabbit hunting?”

“Yes.” She watched him expectantly.

He cleared his throat. “It wasn't even rabbit season. I was just looking for an excuse to get you away from work and have some time alone with you.”

A smiled played on her lips. “Are you serious?”

“That's one of the reasons I wasn't really concerned with you having a weapon or a bullet. I knew we probably wouldn't see any rabbits. A squirrel maybe, but no rabbits.” He grinned. “I thought Uncle Fred was going to give me away when I heard him ask you if you were sure you wanted to go, but he didn't. He probably saw right through my little plan.”

“And then I had to go and make it into a competition.”

He nodded. “Yes. But honestly, that competitive spirit is kind of attractive on you.”

“Kind of?” She raised an eyebrow.

He chuckled. “You aren't fishing for a compliment, are you? Because I could definitely give you one.”

“I'm listening.” She grinned.

He cocked his head. “You already know I think you're beautiful. I mean, Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth don't hold a candle to you.”

“Oh, Cliff. Don't be silly.” Despite her words, the faintest hint of a blush on her cheeks told him she was pleased.

“I'm not. I'm being serious. But the more I've gotten to know you, the more I see that you're far more than just a pretty face. You're kindhearted and loyal. I see the way the other girls look up to you, and the way you're always friendly to everyone no matter who they are.” He squeezed her hand. “I just want you to know that you're really special.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“When I met you, I was struggling a lot with my faith. I wasn't sure I'd ever step foot in a church building again or talk regularly to a God who had allowed Charlie to die and me to live.” He sighed. “But you've helped me find my way back. You make me want to be a better man.”

Ruby's eyes shone like emeralds. “That is the kindest, sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Cliff stood and pulled her up from the log, and then he enveloped her in a tight embrace. “I just want you to know what I think of you,” he murmured.

She pulled pack to look him in the eye. “You are already a good man. I had nothing to do with it. It's obvious to everyone who meets you.”

He held a finger up to her lips. “Shh. No more talking.” He bent down and gently pressed his lips to hers, tentatively at first. As Ruby slid her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, the kiss deepened, and Cliff wished the moment could last forever.

Chapter Eleven

.................................

October 17, 1943

* * * * *

Ruby sat in the dorm lobby, wondering why Cliff was running late. It wasn't like him. She pulled Mama's latest letter out of her purse and scanned over it to make sure she hadn't missed any news from home. It had been a while since they'd heard from Raymond, but sometimes no news was good news. Papa had written a note on the letter that said he was glad Ruby had made it to a football game. Lucille must have shared the news of the game with them, because Ruby didn't recall putting that in the last letter she'd sent her folks. She wondered what else Lucille had shared. Surely she hadn't told Mama about Ruby and Cliff's kiss.

“Everything okay?” Lola asked, coming through the door. “Why are you sitting here all alone?”

Ruby grinned. “I'm waiting for Cliff.” She held up the crumpled letter. “And re-reading the letter I got from home today.”

Lola plopped down beside her. “Anything interesting?” She grinned. “I hope they're telling you not to bother going back to school and they think you should just stay here.”

“Not quite.” Ruby was really going to miss Lola once she was back at school. “You'll have to come visit me some weekend. It's an easy bus ride. You can stay with me in the dorm.”

Lola raised her eyebrows. “Or I can get a ride with Cliff. I'm sure he'll be making the drive as often as possible.”

Ruby didn't answer. She still felt confused by Cliff's nonchalance about their kiss. On the one hand, it made things much easier for her. But on the other, she had to wonder if he hadn't liked kissing her. Or maybe he kissed lots of girls, and their kiss didn't mean anything special to him. “I'm not sure that we'll keep seeing each other after Christmas.”

Lola rolled her eyes. “If you say so.” She grinned broadly. “Guess what? Harold says he has a big surprise for me. We're having a special date on Friday night. Do you mind if I borrow your green dress again? Harold just loved it.”

“Of course.”

“Well, well. Don't you two make a pretty picture?” Cliff walked over to where they sat.

Ruby grinned. “You snuck up on me.”

“It's from all that time I spend in the woods. I've learned to stay quiet. Stealth is my middle name.” He chuckled.

Lola said her good-byes and hurried back to the dorm room.