Ruth tucked it away. “Okay, tell me about your exams.”
Jamie hesitated. She didn’t want to outright lie to Ruth—well, more than she already had—but she also didn’t want to ruin her birthday.
“The first three went well,” she said carefully. “The other two . . . we’ll see.”
“I’m sure you did great,” Ruth said, full of confidence.
Why is everyone saying that?
“I’ll find out next week,” Jamie said, dismissing the thought.
As usual, Ruth studied the menu like she hadn’t already memorized it before settling on the French dip cheeseburger. No surprises there. Jamie ordered a Cobb salad, knowing there would be plenty of food at the party later.
After lunch Jamie slid a credit card across the table. “Happy birthday.”
Ruth picked it up and squinted. “You got me a credit card?”
“In a sense.” Jamie nodded. “I didn’t have time to get you a present so I’m taking you shopping.”
Ruth made a face. “Thanks, but I don’t feel like it.”
Jamie had to think fast on her feet. “As your employer, I insist.”
“So I don’t have a choice? Even though it’s my birthday?”
“Exactly,” Jamie said, flashing a mischievous grin.
They wandered through the mall but Ruth barely glanced at the displays, making no move to try anything on. This was going to be more challenging than Jamie had anticipated. She pulled out her phone andscanned the mall directory. Bingo. There was a LUSH store on the upper level, and if anything could lift Ruth’s spirits it was their scented soaps and bath bombs.
“Where are we going?” Ruth asked as Jamie directed her toward the escalator.
Jamie just smiled. “You’ll see.”
The second they stopped in front of the store, Ruth’s face lit up.
“LUSH!” she squealed. “I can’t believe it!” She grabbed a shopping tote and disappeared into the aisles.
Twenty minutes later Ruth had filled her bag with enough bath products to turn Nolan’s house into a tropical oasis. Jamie figured Clayton’s place could use the same treatment, so she picked up a couple of gift boxes for the girls.
With Ruth in a much better mood, shopping became easier. They stopped by Aritzia, J.Crew, and Nordstrom, where Ruth predictably headed straight for the sales racks. But Jamie put a stop to that. “Nope. Full price only today.”
Ruth groaned but let Jamie steer her toward the new arrivals, eventually picking out a chic black-and-white polka dot Kate Spade dress that Jamie insisted would be perfect for her.
When Jamie checked her phone it was already five p.m. They were going to be late for Ruth’s party. “Let’s go,” she suggested. “I don’t think we can carry much more, anyway.”
After loading their shopping bags into the trunk of her car, Ruth turned to Jamie with a grateful smile. “Thanks, James. This was really special.” She wrapped her arms around her in a quick hug. “I’ll drive you back to Shorty’s.”
Jamie hesitated before saying, “I’m coming with you to the ranch.”
Ruth blinked. “You are?”
“Yeah.” Jamie shrugged like it was no big deal. “I need to get Poppy.”
Her assistant frowned. “What’s Poppy doing at the ranch?”
“Oh, I didn’t tell you,” Jamie said casually, though her voice had a slight edge. “Clayton came to get her. She missed her puppies.”
“Uh-huh.” Ruth gave her a knowing look. “Are you sureyoudon’t miss Clayton?”
