“Why don’t you cook for others?”
When Ruby didn’t frown, I sensed a crack in her wall. I wanted to ask specifically why she didn’t have a virile man in her life, but I didn’t want her to shut down completely. She reached for her napkin and wiped the corners of her pretty lips before answering.
“It’s complicated.”
“I’m a single, virile man with nothing but time on my hands, so tell me what’s on your mind.” I winked at her.
Ruby dropped her hands in her lap and stared at me so long I thought she might be frozen like the icicles hanging from the rafters outside.
“Life hasn’t always been kind. I enjoy keeping to myself as I move through life.”
When Ruby didn’t elaborate, I took it as a sign that she’d rather change the subject. I still wanted to know more but sensed it wasn’t the right time to press her.
“I can relate. About those repairs though. What exactly do you need from me?” I wiped the corners of my mouth and set my napkin beside my bowl.
“Everything you emailed me is still on the table, although I have about three more things to add. This place is falling apartquicker than I can keep up.” She stood and picked up a piece of white paper on the counter and handed it to me.
I perused the list, mentally prioritizing the tasks by the amount of time needed to complete each one, the materials required for completion, and the cost of each repair.
Ruby moved beside me and leaned over my shoulder, allowing me to inhale her alluring scent again. She pointed to the top items on the list and rested her hand lightly on my shoulder before squeezing it as she spoke. I scooted my body a couple of inches closer so I could be all up in Ruby’s space.
“In my opinion, these are the worst issues, but since you’re the expert, I want to hear your thoughts.”
Ruby’s cheek was so close to mine I could have turned and kissed her. As her eyes stayed on the paper, I snuck a quick peek inside her gaping housecoat. She wore a low-cut red lace bra that hugged her round breasts just right.
Good Lord.I cleared my throat.
“I can do that.” I lifted my eyes to hers, which glistened under the rustic metal drum pendant light in the kitchen.
Instead of looking at me, her eyes remained on the paper. When I finally redirected my attention to her list, I focused on the beauty of her cotton candy pink gel nails as they moved across the page. Like Ruby, they weren’t too fancy but were pretty enough to hold my attention.
Ruby’s overall essence and lack of awareness about the effect of her body near mine had my groin responding. Although my shirt covered my crotch, I pulled up closer to the table so she wouldn’t pick up on my arousal. My action must have worked, since Ruby continued speaking in a steady tone.
“The roof will be the biggest expense. I don’t mind, because although there’s natural wear and tear on the house, it’s paid off. What do you think about my priorities?”
For the first time since she leaned over me, she met my eyes. Ruby lifted her hand from my shoulder as if it were hot and stood straight. I held those chocolate brown diamonds momentarily before she blinked rapidly and then stepped back, holding her robe tight again.
“We’ll use a phased approach.” I pointed to the floor and the doors. “The door casing is worn, and the floor is faded. I like this original maple plank. I’ll need to tour the rest of the house, but at first glance, we can repaint the cabinets for a few hundred. The floors would be more depending on the materials you choose. I drove by last week and didn’t see obvious structural compromises to the roof, so I’d start inside and then move to outside when it warms up.”
“That makes sense.” She nodded and stepped back several more steps, giving me quick relief from her magnetic essence. “I just want to be a good overseer of my ancestors’ legacy. It’s been five years since I moved in. I’ve figured out how to make ends meet on my teacher’s salary. Although I have some savings, I’m on a fixed budget, so I’ll have to prioritize where I put my money first.” Ruby bit her bottom lip in the cutest way.
“Lucky for you, I offer the Aspen Snowden school teacher discount. My little girl adores you.”
She placed her hands over her mouth and stared at the ground before meeting my eyes.
“Thank you. Aspen is so bright and such a sweetheart. You and your wife are excellent parents who raised her to have such potential.” Her soft voice made me want to reach toward her waist and pull her to me.
“My ex-wife.” I placed extra emphasis on the word ex.
“Ex.” She whispered the word with downturned eyes. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay, Ruby. Finish your meal.” I cleared my throat and set the paper down on the table, gesturing toward Ruby’s empty seat.
Ruby clasped her hands. When she finally moved toward her side of the table, I took my time observing her as I resumed my meal.
Her simple robe with its puffed geometric pattern was old-school, like those 1970’s housecoats that people joked about, saying they turned our granddaddies on and had them giving our grandmothers ten kids. It wasn’t too revealing but showed me just enough of her curvy shape to make me wonder what she looked like in skimpy clothes. The sash of the robe cinched her waist perfectly as the sky-blue garment billowed to the ground. Nude ballet flat slippers peeped from her skirt with a matching bow at the toe, alerting me that I most likely intruded into Ruby’s nighttime routine.
“You look as if you’re ready for bed. Are you sure I’m not inconveniencing you?”
