Love Finds You at Home for Christmas (15 page)

Cliff followed her down the hallway adorned with family photos. He gave them a cursory glance as he walked past. One in particular caught his eye. He paused to look closer.

The girl in the picture was beautiful.

And also very familiar.

“Who is this?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

Owen walked up behind him and glanced over his shoulder. “That's my cousin R.J. I asked you if you knew her. She's been working at the ordnance plant for the past few months.”

Cliff's bag fell to the floor with a clatter. “You asked if I knew an R.J.” He shook his head. “You never said R.J. was a girl.”

Owen chuckled. “Yeah, I guess we're not supposed to call her that anymore. She's just Ruby Jean now.” He peered at Cliff. “Why? Do you know her or somethin'?”

Cliff nodded. “I do,” he whispered. “I sure do.”

Mrs. McFadden raised her eyebrows. “Ruby will be here before long. Why don't we get you settled in Raymond's room and give you a chance to relax a bit?”

Cliff picked up his bag and numbly followed her into a small bedroom. He set his bag on the bed and looked around. It reminded him a lot of Charlie's room back home. “Thank you.”

“It won't be a problem that you and Ruby know one other, will it?” Mrs. McFadden asked softly.

He shook his head. “No, ma'am. I'll be glad to see her.”

She smiled. “And I'm sure the feeling will be mutual.”

Cliff wasn't so sure, but he didn't think it appropriate to say so. On the drive over, he'd been wishing he could show up at Ruby's house and surprise her. It looked like he was going to get his wish.

Except that he had no idea what to say to her and was pretty sure she didn't care to see him.

* * * * *

“Ruby Jean McFadden. What exactly do you have in this suitcase?” Wade groaned as he lifted her bag out of the car.

Ruby giggled. It sure was nice to be home. “Don't poke fun. I've been gone for six months.” She followed Wade up the path that led to her childhood home. Even though the place wasn't fancy, there was something comforting about its familiarity.

Mama met her at the door and pulled her into a hug. “I'm so glad you're home.”

“Me too.”

Mama stepped back and looked at her. “You look beautiful and so grown up.”

“I am grown up.” Ruby grinned. “I might be the baby of the family, but I'm an adult now.”

Mama laughed. “You may think that, but you'll always be my baby.” She winked. “Just wait until you have children of your own, and then you'll understand.”

Ruby frowned. She'd told her mother time and again that she had no plans to ever settle down. Even though she'd been rethinking that decision lately, Mama didn't know it. “Is there anything to eat? I'm starving.”

Wade poked her from behind. “There's always something to eat. You know that. Now move out of the way before I collapse from holding this suitcase for so long.”

“Come on in the kitchen. There's a surprise waiting.” Mama's eyes sparkled.

A surprise in the kitchen could only mean one thing—her favorite food. “Did you bake a pecan pie?” Ruby's mouth watered. She'd been so upset over Cliff for the past week, she'd barely had any appetite. But just the thought of her mama's cooking was enough to make her stomach start growling.

Mama laughed. “I think this surprise is even better than pie.” She winked.

Ruby rounded the corner to the kitchen and her mouth dropped open.

There, at the wooden table where Ruby had eaten countless meals with her family, sat Cliff. A slow grin spread over his handsome face, and his blue eyes twinkled like they always did when he teased her. He stood up as she came into the room.

Ruby's feet felt stuck to the kitchen floor. Nothing had ever seemed more out of place than Cliff did sitting in her family's kitchen talking to Papa. Acting like he belonged there. Acting like he was part of her family and part of her life.

“Ruby,” he started.

She shook her head. “I don't understand. How did you find me?” She couldn't help but feel a little flattered that he'd tracked her down like this. After the way things had ended between them, she'd been sure she'd never see him again.

Owen chuckled. “Oh, R.J., he didn't come to see you. He came to visit me.”

Ruby's face flamed. “What?”

“We were in the same regiment.” Cliff wore an uneasy expression. “Owen sent me a telegram inviting me for Christmas. I didn't know it was your house I was coming to until I got here and saw your picture.”

“Well, that's nice.” She forced a smile. “How's Irene? I hope she's doing well.”

Cliff frowned. “Fine.”

She could tell he wanted to say more, but not in front of her family. That suited her. The less they said to one another, the better.

There had been a moment when she'd first walked in and seen him sitting there that she'd actually imagined he was there to tell her he loved her. To say that he couldn't live without her. And in that moment, her desire to keep her independence had flown out the window. But now that she knew he hadn't come for her, she felt foolish for having those thoughts in the first place.

Chapter Eighteen

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Cliff wished the floor would open up and swallow him. When Ruby had walked into the kitchen and seen him at the table, her face had lit up just like it used to when she'd spotted him across the cafeteria or seen him waiting for her in the lobby.

But now she was looking at him like she barely knew him. “It's nice that you were able to come visit Owen for Christmas,” Ruby said. “I'm sure y'all have a lot of catching up to do.” She turned her attention away from him and to her family.

Cliff stood awkwardly next to the table as Ruby made the rounds to hug Owen and Mr. McFadden.

“Cliff, can I get you a slice of pecan pie?” Mrs. McFadden asked kindly. “It's Ruby's favorite.”

He shook his head. “No, ma'am.” He cleared his throat. “I think I'll go out for a walk and let y'all catch up with Ruby.” He looked over at her, but she refused to meet his eyes. “I know it's been awhile since she's been home.” He hurried toward the front door, eager to get away from the family scene unfolding in the kitchen.

The family scene that shouldn't include him.

Mrs. McFadden followed him to the door. “Enjoy your walk, Cliff. Do you need a hat or gloves? It's getting chilly out there.”

He smiled. It was easy to see where Ruby got her looks and her ability to put others at ease. “I won't be long. Maybe I'll head out to see Spotty.” He chuckled.

She smiled. “Go behind the house and you'll see the barn. Spotty's probably set up camp there.”

“Thanks.” He walked out the front door and headed toward the barn. He had the sudden urge to put as much space between himself and Ruby as possible.

Because seeing her was stirring up emotions he'd just as soon forget.

* * * * *

Ruby stood in her bedroom, pulling things out of her suitcase. The action irritated her because every article reminded her somehow of Cliff. There was the green dress she'd worn the first time they'd attended church together. The red sweater she'd worn to the Razorback game. The gingham dress she'd been wearing on the day they met.

She heaped the clothes into a pile and tried to figure out the best way to handle the situation. What were the odds that Cliff would show up here, an old buddy of Owen's? She couldn't wait to tell Lucille this news.

There was a tap at the door and Mama poked her head inside. “You have a minute?”

Ruby grinned. “Sure.” She motioned toward the growing pile on the bed. “Sorry about the mess. I'm just getting my bag unpacked.”

Mama began sifting through Ruby's bag. She pulled out the strand of red, white, and blue Christmas lights. “Well, these are neat.” She looked curiously at Ruby. “Did you have your dorm room decorated?”

Ruby managed a smile. She might as well give credit where it was due. “Cliff surprised me with a little cedar tree, and he strung up these lights for me.”

Mama raised her eyebrows. “That was awfully nice of him.” She sat down on the bed. “Is there a reason you're hiding out in here instead of sitting in the living room with everyone else? It was very rude of you to get up and walk out as soon as Cliff got back from the barn.”

Ruby didn't want to explain the situation to her mother. “Sorry.”

“We don't treat guests that way. We make them feel welcome.” She held up the strand of lights. “Especially guests who are good friends.”

Ruby nodded but didn't say anything.

“And he has been a good friend to you, right?” Mama's knowing gaze seemed to see right through her. “Your letters to me and Lucille have been full of stories about Cliff. You've depended on him and laughed with him and spent time with him all these months.” She frowned. “Now, I don't know what happened to hurt your friendship, but maybe you need to do some thinking before you cut him out of your life for good.”

Ruby sighed. “Okay.”

“Now come on out and visit.” Mama rose from the bed and smiled at Ruby. “It's almost Christmas.” She walked out and shut the door behind her.

Ruby's eyes fell on the box that contained the ornament Cliff had given her, and she softened toward him. She knew how much he'd dreaded the holidays—so much that he was willing to visit a guy he barely knew to avoid the pain of going home and facing his parents and Charlie's empty room. Her heart hurt for what he must be going through in this strange place—and to think she'd acted like she barely knew him.

Cliff deserved better than that. And she knew just how to make him feel welcome.

* * * * *

Cliff sat by the fire in the den, trying to concentrate on an old Zane Grey western he'd picked up off the bookshelf. Owen and Mr. McFadden had already said good night, and he hadn't seen Ruby since she went storming out as soon as he came in from the barn.

A Christmas tree in the corner filled the room with the smell of the season, and yet Cliff felt none of the happiness that was supposed to come with it.

This had definitely been a mistake. He had half a mind to load up and leave tomorrow morning.

“Cliff?”

He nearly jumped out of his chair in shock to see Ruby standing in the doorway. A red and green Christmas apron covered her dress, and she had a smudge of flour on her cheek. And she'd never been more beautiful.

“I have something for you.”

“A peace offering?” He raised an eyebrow.

She smiled. “Something like that.” She motioned toward the kitchen. “Now come on.”

He folded the page corner to mark his place and put the book on the table. As soon as he stepped out of the den, he could smell something delicious. Ruby had baked several times at Aunt Ida's, and it had always been tasty. In fact, the desserts she'd made at Thanksgiving had been some of the best he'd ever had. “What have we here?” He stepped into the kitchen and watched as Ruby pulled a cookie sheet from the oven.

She set it on the stove top and turned to face him. “I realized that I never gave you a Christmas gift.” She gestured toward the cooling cookies. “So I came up with something edible.”

“Please tell me they're your chewy molasses cookies.” He grinned. “They're my favorite.”

Ruby returned his smile. “I know. That's why I chose to make them for you. I even made a few different versions—some plain with just our home-raised sorghum molasses, some with pecans, and some with raisins.” She set a plate full of cookies in front of him. “Here you go.”

He bit into one of the still-warm cookies. “Perfection.” He grinned. “Thank you so much.”

She smiled. “I'm glad you like them.”

“I'm sorry I ended up here of all places,” he said. “I nearly fell over when I walked down the hallway earlier today and saw your picture.”

Ruby sat across from him at the table. “It's okay. I was rather surprised, that's for sure, but I'll get over it. After all, tomorrow is Christmas Eve.” She stood up. “I'm heading to bed. Help yourself to as many cookies as you'd like and stick the rest of them in the cookie jar.” She set the jar in the middle of the table. “See you tomorrow.”

Cliff watched her go and mulled over her peace offering. He didn't expect her to have a change of heart or anything. And he was sure they couldn't be just friends. There was too much between them for that.

But maybe for the next two days, he could enjoy the Christmas season and try and make the best of the situation.

Chapter Nineteen

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Ruby didn't sleep well. She tossed and turned, and her dreams were plagued with images of Cliff. To know that he was right there, under the same roof, unsettled her. Yesterday, seeing how well he got along with her parents and brother, had given her an idea of how their lives might have been, had things worked out differently.

She still didn't understand the argument they'd had or why he'd seemed so angry. There was no longer anger in his eyes, but it had been replaced by something far worse—indifference.

She pulled on a sweater and skirt and padded down the hallway. She could smell bacon cooking already. Mama had always been the earliest riser in the house, and it was nice to know that even though years had passed, and even though her brothers were off fighting a war in far corners of the world, some things hadn't changed. “Good morning,” Ruby said as she walked into the kitchen.

Mama turned from the stove. She had on the same Christmas apron that Ruby had worn last night to bake Cliff's cookies. “Morning.” She smiled. “How did it feel to sleep in your own bed for a change?”

Ruby grimaced. “I had a hard time sleeping.” She walked over to the counter to pour herself a cup of coffee.