Love Finds You at Home for Christmas (17 page)

She wanted to correct him and tell him her stance on marriage had changed. But she was too confused. “It's like you're speaking a foreign language.” Ruby looked up at him. “What ‘words' did you say? Am I missing something?”

Cliff sat down next to her again. “The ornament. The note.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I never should've done it.”

“Note? What note? What are you talking about?”

“The note. Inside the ornament.” He widened his eyes. “There was a little string I'd attached so you could pull the silver top off of the ornament. And inside was a note I wrote telling you how I felt.”

Realization dawned on Ruby. His reaction that night when she went downstairs. He'd expected her to say something about the note he'd written. But she hadn't seen it. “I—I never read it. I saw the string but thought it was just for hanging it from the tree.”

“But you said you read the note. You said my penmanship was better than yours.”

She tried to process what he was saying. “I was talking about the tag with my name on it that said ‘open me.'”

“So you didn't read it? You don't know?”

Ruby thought of the ornament sitting in her bedroom right now. “I didn't. But I'm going to.” She jumped up. “You wait here. I'll be right back.” She took off running toward the house, not even caring how silly she must look. If Cliff had gone to such elaborate trouble to send her a message, she couldn't get to it fast enough.

Chapter Twenty

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Cliff paced the length of the barn. It wasn't far from there to the house, but the seconds seemed to be ticking past in slow motion. She hadn't seen the note yet. Unbelievable. And he thought he'd been so smooth by hiding it like that.

He tried to shake off the nerves. He'd never had feelings for anyone like he had for Ruby. And once she read the note, there would be no turning back.

Ruby ran into the barn, a grin on her face. “Two minutes flat.”

“Must be some kind of record,” Cliff said with a grin. She didn't need to know that it had felt more like two hours to him.

Ruby fought to catch her breath. “I'm pretty fast for a girl, huh?” She grinned and held up the ornament box. “Here it is.”

Cliff's eyes twinkled. “Are you sure you want to read what's inside?”

“Are you sure you want me to?”

He nodded. He'd never wanted anything more. Even though he had no idea how she'd react, he knew he'd never rest again until he was sure she was aware how he felt.

“Before I do, there's something I need to tell you.” Ruby sat down next to him and took a breath. “Something I need to apologize to
you
for.”

Cliff enjoyed the way the brisk run had put color in her cheeks. He'd missed her so much. “What's that?”

“Telling you that stuff about how I never wanted to marry was silly. There was truth to it, because I do enjoy being independent, and I do like the idea that I can pick up and move somewhere after college. But at the same time, I hid behind it.” She sighed. “I never expected to meet a guy like you. It scared me. The life I wanted with you was the very life I've been saying for the past year that I never wanted. I was confused and terrified of losing you and of getting my heart broken.”

He reached out and swept a strand of hair from her forehead. “I never would've broken your heart.”

She smiled. “But you never told me you wanted to keep seeing me after I went back to school. I look back now and see that maybe you assumed I knew. Or maybe you thought your actions spoke louder than words.” She shrugged. “But I needed to hear it before I could believe it.”

“And you never heard it.” He understood. “You might not believe this, but I was scared too. Kissing you was unlike anything I've ever experienced. But I didn't want our relationship to become just about that, and I could see how easily that could happen. I've never been attracted to another girl the way I am to you. And it isn't just your looks. You keep me on my toes. We talk about everything from politics to pig farming.” He grinned. “And most importantly, you've shown me that a relationship with the Lord is the most important one I can have.”

Ruby's eyes filled with tears. “What are you saying?” she asked softly.

He lifted the ornament from the box. “Open it,” he whispered.

She took the ornament with trembling hands and pulled on the string he'd attached to the top. “I can't believe I missed this.”

Cliff chuckled. “My grand gesture was a dud. I put a little slip of paper inside the box that directed you to pull the string, but I guess you didn't see it.”

Ruby handed him the silver top and held her eye up to the hole in the ornament. She grinned. “I see the note.”

“Told you,” he said with a grin.

She turned the ornament upside down and shook it. A little piece of paper fell onto her lap.

* * * * *

Ruby carefully unfolded the note and began to read.
 

I love you, Ruby. I've waited months to tell you, because I wanted to be sure and I wanted to find the right time. You are the answer to my prayers and the best thing that has ever happened to me. All my love, now and forever, Cliff.
 

Her heart pounded as she read his sweet words. She looked up at him. “Oh, Cliff—”

He held a finger to her lips. “Shh. Let me finish.” He knelt before her. “Words have always come easily to me. I've never gotten nervous about speaking, no matter how many people are in the room. In fact, I don't usually get nervous at all.”

She grinned. His confidence was one of the things she loved the most.

“But you have made me nervous since day one. When I saw you on the sidewalk with your big old suitcase”—he smiled—“you made me nervous, because for the first time I was faced with something that I knew was too precious to lose. You are everything I've ever dreamed of, ever hoped for, ever prayed for. And I was terrified I would mess it up. You bring out the best in me. I should've told you I loved you when I first realized it. It was the day we went rabbit hunting.” He chuckled softly. “Not only did you prove to me that you're no ordinary girl by the way you handled that rifle, but you were so kind when I told you about Charlie. You put me at ease that day, and I realized that I could talk to you about anything.” He shook his head. “But instead of telling you right away, I wanted to wait until the perfect time. And then when you told me that you never wanted to settle down, I started to fear that I'd misread things and missed my chance. That maybe you didn't feel the same way.” He reached up and stroked her cheek. “I told you a while back that I felt like I didn't have a home. Well, that's not true anymore. You are home to me. I love you with all of my heart.” He stood up and pulled her to him.

Ruby wiped a tear from her cheek and looked into his eyes. The twinkle she loved so much was back. She'd never imagined anyone would say such sweet words to her. “I love you too. I have for a long time. I'm so, so sorry that my stubborn pride got in the way.”

Cliff kissed her on the forehead. “I might have a little bit of that stubborn pride too. Maybe we can work on it together.”

“Together,” she repeated. “That sounds wonderful.” She grinned. “Because you are home to me too. I've told everyone who would listen that I wanted an adventure. It's occurred to me that
you
are my adventure. And it wouldn't matter if I lived in New York City or on an Arkansas pig farm. As long as I'm with you, it will be the greatest adventure of my life.”

He tipped her chin toward him. “It sure will.”

Ruby shivered in anticipation of the kiss she knew was coming.

Cliff bent down and touched his lips to hers. She circled her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, losing herself in a kiss that was even more perfect than their first.

When she pulled back and looked into his bright blue eyes, she knew without a doubt that this would be the best Christmas she'd ever had.

Epilogue

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December 31, 1943
River Bend, Arkansas

Ruby turned on the radio in the living room of Cliff's parents' house. She had the place to herself, since Cliff had gone to lunch with his folks. Ruby had insisted on staying behind. She'd known they needed some time alone with their son.

It was nice to look at the collection of family photos on the mantel while Irving Berlin's “White Christmas” played softly. After all the excitement she'd had over the past days, it felt good to relax and reflect.

The past week had passed in such a blur of happiness. Once she and Cliff had confessed their love, her whole world seemed to change. Mama had been so thrilled at the turn of events, she'd made Christmas dinner even more festive by stringing up the patriotic lights Cliff had made and hanging some mistletoe in the doorway.

Even better, Cliff had come to her on Christmas morning and asked if she'd go with him to River Bend to visit his parents for a few days after Christmas.

She'd balked at first, not wanting to impose. But Cliff had convinced her that she was a large part of the reason he'd finally healed enough to face his home.

“You okay?” Cliff asked softly from the doorway. “You look like you're a million miles away.”

She turned toward him and smiled. “I was just thinking about how happy I am. I finally see that even though I don't get to control everything that happens to me, it actually feels pretty great to trust that God has a plan for my life.”

He pulled her to him in an embrace. “And I hope I'm part of that plan.”

She smiled against his chest. “Oh, I think you are.”

He tipped her chin up. “My parents adore you, by the way. We had a nice visit and a really good talk.” He played with a strand of her hair. “It's time for me to let go of my guilt over Charlie. I can see that now.”

She nodded. “I'm glad you've finally forgiven yourself. And I know your parents are happy to have you back.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “And so am I.”

Bing Crosby's new hit, “I'll Be Home for Christmas,” began to play on the radio.

Cliff grinned and turned up the volume. “I never did get that dance you promised before the AOP Christmas party.” He held a hand out. “How about it?”

She giggled and went into his arms. “I love this song.”

“And I love you.” Cliff held her close, and they swayed to the music. “As long as you're with me, I'll be home. No matter where I am.”

Ruby's heart fluttered. He said the sweetest things to her.

Once the song ended, Cliff took a deep breath. “Ruby, I've already told you how much you mean to me. And I know you're headed back to school next week.”

She frowned. Now that she and Cliff were a real couple, the thought of being separated made her feel sick. “I'll write often. And I can take the bus to visit and stay in the dorm with some of the girls.”

He nodded. “That all sounds wonderful. And it will get us through a few months until your graduation.” Once her student teaching was finished at the end of the semester, she'd graduate in May. “But there's something I need to know.”

Ruby furrowed her brow. “What's that?”

“I talked to your Papa last week about the future. He gave me his blessing to ask you a question.” Cliff dropped to one knee.

Tears sprang to Ruby's eyes.

“Ruby Jean McFadden, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?” he asked.

“Yes. Yes! A million times yes.” She bent down and kissed him on the lips.

Cliff rose and took her hand. “My parents are waiting out back.” He chuckled. “We'd better go tell them the verdict. I think they were as nervous as I was.”

Ruby clung to his hand as he led her through the house and to the back door. Her desire to be in control of her own life suddenly seemed very silly. Because once she'd relinquished that control and let go of her fear, such wonderful things had happened.

Things she knew were part of a better plan than she could've ever imagined.

Tomorrow would begin a new year, and soon she'd begin a new life with Cliff. And she had no doubt it would be the biggest adventure possible.

Ruby's Chewy Molasses Cookies

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1 cup sugar
*

1/2 cup shortening

2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons soda

1 cup oats

1 egg

1/2 cup sorghum molasses

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.

*
Ruby would have used less sugar and more sorghum molasses due to the fact that sugar was rationed
.

Author's Note

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Sweet Southern Christmas
is very special to me, because I wrote it with the participation of my grandmother. Just like the heroine in the story, she worked as a WOW during World War II at the Arkansas Ordnance Plant in Jacksonville. That's where she met my grandfather and where their real life love story—one that would last more than sixty-five years—began. When I created Ruby and Cliff, I knew I wanted to use some of the stories from my grandparents' courtship, and it was such fun to blend a bit of truth into the fictional story.

About the Author

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