She nods sweetly, like she’s happy with anything I choose.
I lead her into the dressing room while Waylon waits outside, pretending very hard not to hover.
One by one, Ruby steps out from behind the curtain, hands on her hips, spinning slightly.
Waylon’s face lights up every single time.
“You look beautiful.”
“That color’s perfect on you.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re basically a movie star.”
She eats up his praise, beaming so hard that I think her cheeks might hurt.
When we’re done, I hand Waylon the stack of clothes.
“That’s everything,” I say.
Ruby spots a shelf in the back corner and lets out a little gasp before running to it. Tiny toy horses. Plush ponies. Plastic figurines, arranged in careful rows.
She drops to her knees and grabs a plush pony, hugging it tight. “It looks like Honey.”
I follow her and catch Waylon’s reflection in the mirror on the far wall.
He’s calculating.
I watch him covertly slide two of the sweatshirts back onto the rack, his movements slow and deliberate, like he’s trying not to feel guilty about it.
Ruby toddles back to him, pony clutched to her chest. “Can I have it?”
He hesitates. Just for a second.
“Yeah,” he says finally, “you can.”
“I was going to get that for her,” I say quickly.
He looks startled. “Shelby—”
“It’s her welcome-to-Wildhaven gift.”
Ruby’s eyes go wide. “Really?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
Waylon opens his mouth to argue, but I wave him off and head to the counter before he can say another word.
Mrs. Burl has the lace dress already bagged, and I set the plushie on the counter and ask her to add it to the purchase and pay. Then step aside so Waylon can do the same.
Outside, I hand Ruby the toy. She clutches it like a treasure.
I notice then that the hat is still in the window.
She’s forgotten all about it.
Waylon’s eyes go to it too. Just a quick flicker, and then they’re back on Ruby. He walks us back toward Ryse & Shine, still clutching the pastry box, bags swinging lightly in his fingers. He seems lost in his thoughts as he watches Ruby walking a step ahead of us. Halfway there, he clears his throat.
“I wanted to ask you something,” he says.
