“I’m sorry about your father, Ruby.” He kissed her softly.
“My mother and brothers will be devastated and cast adrift now he is no longer controlling them.”
“We will deal with it together, my sweet.”
She sighed then, her cheek resting on his chest.
“Sleep now, love.”
She did, falling into a deep slumber. He held her close, content in the knowledge she was with him, as she would always be.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
Two months later
Life for Rubyhad changed beyond recognition. She had moved in with Gabe and Dimity, along with Adam. Forrest had purchased a house which they would share once they were married. At present they were busy furnishing it.
The Deville brothers had also bought 11 Nobby Lane and renovated it. They then dropped the rent to what was manageable for their elderly tenants.
“It’s almost hard to believe, don’t you think, Ruby?” Adam said from beside her. He had changed so much since Forrest had entered her life. He and his family had welcomed the Knight siblings with open arms.
“The life we now live?”
They sat in the front pew of the church, awaiting the arrival of the groom, Nathan, and his groomsmen. One of whom would be Forrest.
The man was a constant wonder to her. He loved deeply and with all of himself. It both humbled and awed her. Yes, they debated about both Ella and Adam and many other things, but she loved that also. He considered her his equal, and that was a wonderful thing.
He had wanted Adam to join him and his cousins when they did their fighting and exercise sessions. Ruby had felt her brother was not ready. Forrest had insisted that Adam needed to build strength.
Her brother had loved it.
“Yes, it is the best life, Ruby.”
Adam wore a suit, and he looked young, handsome, and healthy. She swelled with pride every time she saw him. Between them sat Ella, who was holding his hand and swinging her feet back and forth. She was leaning on Ruby.
“It is the best life.”
She watched Nathan walk out of a door to her right. On his heels were his brothers and Forrest. Her heart did the predictable flutter seeing the man she loved.
Tall, broad shouldered, and dressed as the others were in black coats and trousers. He was ridiculously handsome, and she had eyes only for him.
“Move, gal!”
Looking over her shoulder, she saw the Duchess of Yardly urging those seated there to move along and make room for her and her companions, the Amble sisters.
When they had reconnected after Ruby had told the duchess of their location, she had swiftly moved them in with her, much to her nephew’s absolute horror.
“Hello!” Ella waved to them. They waved back and blew her a kiss. Ruby, too, got that, as did Adam, from the sisters.
“Thankfully I made it before the bride. That’s always a plus, to my mind.” Dimity arrived. She, of course, looked stunning in deep midnight blue.
“Give me that baby,” Ruby said, holding out her hands for Elliot. The little boy was soon on her lap. Ella immediately started kissing his cheeks. Dark-haired and brown-eyed, he had chubby little cheeks, and the family adored him.
Dimity sat beside her with a loud exhale.
“Leaving the house by myself was never this hard. It’s amazing how a single baby can change that.”
Ruby looked at Forrest again and found his eyes on her. His smile was gentle and filled with the love they shared. She returned it.
