Love Finds You at Home for Christmas (6 page)

“I'm still hoping to taste them someday.” A smart, funny, thoughtful girl who could bake. Cliff might've found the perfect woman.

Ruby grinned mischievously. “I'll see what I can do about that.” She raised an eyebrow. “If you're good.”

He chuckled. “I'll do my best.” He glanced up at the counter. “Looks like our order is up. I'll be right back.” A minute later, he placed two heaping platters of burgers and fries on the table.

“This looks yummy.”

He nodded. “It sure does. I'll say a prayer before we eat if that's okay.”

“I'd like that.”

Cliff bowed his head. He hadn't talked to God much lately, but considering their first date had been to church, he felt that it was only appropriate. “Lord, please bless this food we're about to eat. Thank You for giving me and Ruby this time to spend together. Please be with all of the boys in the military, and give our leaders wisdom to know what is best for our country. Watch over us, Lord, and keep us all safe.” Once he said “amen,” he raised his head and caught Ruby's eye. “Are you enjoying your time in Jacksonville, or do you miss home?”

She bit down on a french fry. “I really like working. I was a little nervous in the beginning, just because it was all so new. I'm not used to having to wear a badge or safety shoes and all. I'm used to being on the farm or sitting in classes.” She popped the rest of the fry into her mouth. “But I've adjusted pretty well.”

“That's great. I was a little worried about you at first, especially when you found out Hazel was getting married and leaving.” He took a bite of his burger.

Ruby tossed her dark hair. “It would've been easy for me to be upset about that, but I figured there was no point. I'm happy Hazel is happy.” She smiled. “And I really do believe this is the best place for me right now.”

“Me too.” He winked. “You've certainly livened things up. I think two of the old boys in the cafeteria on Friday had to be resuscitated just because you walked past.”

She tossed a french fry at him. “You don't say? Well, I could say the same thing about you. The girl behind me in line was practically swooning while you were breaking up that argument. You should've heard her go on about how gallant you were.”

Cliff laughed. “And what did you say?” He enjoyed the way their sparring brought color to her cheeks. “It made you jealous, didn't it?”

She rolled her eyes. “So jealous I gave her your number.”

He frowned. “Did you really?”

Now it was her turn to laugh. “Of course not.” She raised an eyebrow. “I don't know your number.” She giggled again. “But if you want to write it down, I'll be glad to pass it along the next time I see her.”

He grinned. She was quite a girl, this one. He liked the way she teased him back. It must be because she'd grown up with brothers.

Or maybe it was because she liked him.

Cliff quickly pushed the thought away. She'd be headed back to college in a month, and then they might as well live in different worlds.

But they could have a lot of fun for the rest of the summer. “How about a movie later this week?” he asked before he lost his nerve.

“That sounds like fun.” Ruby smiled.

Cliff returned her smile. He hadn't even taken her back to her dorm yet, and he was already looking forward to getting together with her again.

Chapter Six

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

July 25, 1943

* * * * *

Cliff had been dreading the third day of August something fierce, and it wasn't just because of the humidity. It would have been Charlie's birthday, and this was the first year without him around to celebrate it. Cliff knew that if he was having a hard time with the occasion, his parents must be awfully sad.

Aunt Ida had encouraged him to send them a letter, but he'd declined and instead just passed on his love through her correspondence.

It was strange, though. Ever since he'd been going to church with Ruby, he'd started to wonder if perhaps forgiveness was possible. Last Sunday, the lesson had been about the prodigal son, and Cliff couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't divine intervention.

Would he be welcomed back with open arms like the son in the story? Or would the grief his parents felt over losing Charlie be too great? Cliff wasn't certain.

Uncertainty seemed to be the name of the game for him these days. Despite growing ever closer to Ruby, he wasn't any closer to figuring out whether she enjoyed his company or was just biding her time until she headed back to college.

“You aren't gonna get much work done just staring off into space like that.” Harold chuckled from across the workroom.

Cliff nodded to his friend. “I didn't even hear you come in.”

“You thinking about that pretty girl Andrew Wallace saw you with the other day? He said she had the kind of figure that could give Betty Grable a run for her money.” Harold grinned. “He was quite impressed. Asked where he could find a girl like that.”

Cliff hated to tell his friend that there weren't other girls like that, and it wasn't just because of her looks. It would give him away as being over the moon for her, and that's the last thing he wanted to admit. Especially to Harold. He was a nice guy, but he ran his mouth an awful lot.

“We're just friends. I give her a ride to church sometimes.”

Harold raised his eyebrows and motioned at the radio in front of Cliff. “Is that her radio you've been trying to fix for the past two weeks?” “Well, yeah. I can't figure it out. Sometimes it works, but others it doesn't.”

Harold smirked. “You're working hard on her radio during your off time, but she's just a friend? That doesn't add up.”

Cliff turned his attention back to the radio. “Let up, will you? I said we're just friends and we are.”

“Well then, since you're still a free man, maybe you'll want to go out with a bunch of us tomorrow after work. There's some kind of gettogether in the rec hall.”

Cliff struggled to keep his expression from giving him away. He'd finally invited Ruby to see where he lived, and he was supposed to pick her up after her shift tomorrow. “I appreciate the invitation, but I need to get home after work.”

Harold eyed him suspiciously. “Well, the offer stands. You're really missing out, though. There's a whole new crop of dames that just started in the admin building. They're from Louisiana, and you'd get a kick out of hearing their accents.”

“Some other time.” Cliff plugged in the radio and flipped through the dial. Frank Sinatra's smooth voice blared out of the speaker. “I'm not going to get my hopes up. Chances are the next time I plug it in, it won't work.” It was becoming the thorn in his side. Just when he thought he had it fixed and he would get to play hero to Ruby, he would plug it in one final time and it wouldn't work. “I'm not taking it to her until I've gotten it to play two days in a row.”

“Maybe you're missing a wire or something.” Harold walked over and peered at the radio.

“Oh well. I'll look at it again later.” Cliff stood and grabbed his tools. “I'd better run. There's a light flickering over at one of the detonator buildings. And if they can't see, they can't work.” He hurried out of the maintenance shop and toward the building that housed the second detonator line. As luck would have it, it was Ruby's line. Cliff smiled to himself. This would be the first time he'd see her in action as a line inspector. He'd had to visit the building once right after she started, but she was too new then to even acknowledge him. She'd kept her eyes trained on the work station in front of her. Today would be different.

“Thanks for getting over here so fast,” she said as soon as he walked in. Her dark hair was pulled back away from her face, and her green eyes sparkled. She pointed to a dim area in the corner of the room. “There's the problem.”

Cliff walked past a row of women, each working intently as they measured just the right amount of black powder into the detonators. One false move and the powder could explode. He had to admire them for their fearlessness. “I'll get right on it,” he said to Ruby.

She nodded and hurried back to the line where she peered over the shoulders of the workers, making sure they were measuring correctly.

Cliff glanced around. Posters on the concrete wall emphasized the importance of not discussing work outside of the building. He appreciated that. As someone who'd served in the military, he knew all too well the importance of keeping equipment and maneuvers quiet. He watched as Ruby walked the line, pausing a couple of times to offer encouragement or gently correct. She seemed so…capable. Maybe that was the thing that drew him to her.

She caught him looking and offered a smile and a raised eyebrow.

Cliff grinned. A few weeks ago he'd have been embarrassed to know she'd seen his obvious admiration. Not anymore. He turned his attention to the faulty light, pleased to find that it was an easy fix.

“Finished already?” Ruby asked once he'd gathered his tools. “That was fast.”

He grinned. “I know you were hoping I'd have to stick around the rest of the day, but no such luck.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Don't you flatter yourself. I've got plenty to do here without worrying about you falling off the ladder or electrocuting yourself.” Her eyes danced with mischief.

Cliff chuckled. “Okay, okay. I'll get out of your hair. But I'm glad to know you worry about me.” He winked. “Just as I suspected. I must fill your every thought in your waking hours. And probably your dreaming ones too.”

Ruby burst out laughing. “You're too much. Now get out of here before you disrupt the line.”

He turned to go but stopped. “We're still on for tomorrow, right?” Despite his flirting, he knew they weren't exactly on solid ground.

“Of course. I'm looking forward to it.”

Cliff stepped out of the dim building into the bright sunlight. He was looking forward to it too.

So much so that it scared him.

And as someone who wasn't used to fearing anything, that was an unsettling feeling.

Chapter Seven

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