“But I wish it was.” Jett’s next comment had both our eyes widening in shock.
A signal went off saying the alarm was disengaged and I looked to see that Patience and the baby had made their way into the shop. That wouldn't last long, the two of them couldn’t stay there alone, but I needed to let Jett finish what he was saying. They would be safe for a short time.
“I don’t know if that was the right thing to say, but Patience is my friend and all I know is everyone at school and her parents have let her down. They just kicked her and that baby to the curb as if they meant nothing.” His voice broke. “If that baby was mine I would never have done that to her. Family sticks together, right sis?”
Tears filled Ruby’s eyes and she nodded. “Yes they do and I’m proud of you for being there for her.” She walked over and sat down on the other side of Jett.
When she wrapped him in a hug and he let her, I knew how emotionally invested he was. He didn’t let people touch him easily, something Ruby had talked to me about before. Not only did he hold emotions back, but he was not a touchy, feely person, and also a teenager which explained a lot sometimes.
“Jett, look at me,” she whispered. Her brother looked up at her. “Family is sometimes what you make it and if Patience needs help, if she needs family, we can be that for her. I promise we will do everything we can.”
The kids' eyes filled with tears and I was undone at the sight.
“Thank you. You are the most amazing person I know,” he told his sister.
And I couldn’t have agreed more.
I hated to break in but I wanted to get Patience and the baby out of there. I know there was a security system, but they were alone and we still didn’t know who had their eye on Ruby or if they still did.
“With the cameras in place, Patience will know we can see her and the child. She confided in you and went where she felt safe, but I don’t like her there alone.”
He looked at me. “Me either, but there was nowhere else. Her parents told her it was time to leave. Where was she supposed to go?”
“Jett, she went right where she needed to,” Ruby said.
Relief washed over his face.
“Your sister is right. But I want you to trust me and I know that is not easy. It may also be hard for Patience, but I swear it will be okay. I need to call one of the guys to go get her.”
Alarm now took over his features and he was shaking his head.
“You have met them, they are good guys, Jett. And their wives, they will take care of her and that baby tonight until we get home. I swear to you she will be okay.”
He tilted his head back and blew out a breath, then righted it and looked at me.
“What if she won’t go?”
“Does she trust you?” I asked him and he nodded. “Do you trust me?” He nodded again. “Then she will go. And we will be home tomorrow. She can come back to the house when we do.”
I realized I’d just offered someone else's home to a young girl and a baby, but I knew Ruby. She wouldn’t have it any other way. It may be a packed house, especially if Autumn was able to come home too, and also a lot to take on.
But we could do it.Together.
“Okay, I’ll call her, but who do I tell her will be going to get her?”
I could call any of the guys. It was a weekend and they were probably all at home. We didn’t have any big security jobs happening right then and any one of my friends would walk on fire to help those two alone in that shop right then.
In the end, I decided to call Kace. They didn’t live too far away and I was antsy to get the two somewhere we knew they’d be safe for sure. Also, Ruby knew Teal a little better than some of the other ladies. But in those few seconds while I pondered who to call it made me proud to have the friends I did.
“Tell her Kace will come to get them.” I would see if Teal would make the drive too even with their little one so Patience felt better, but if not, Kace had an easygoing personality that people gravitated toward. “And stay on the phone with her until they get there.”
He nodded and walked into the kitchen area.
“Thank you,” Ruby whispered.
Looking into her shimmering, tear-filled eyes, I couldn’t resist touching her. I placed my hand on her cheek and swiped some of the moisture away that had fallen in streaks down her face, but more tears trickled down taking its place.
“Don’t cry, baby. It’s going to be okay.”
