“If your father can stay awake, I’ll be ecstatic.”
Rubi smiled.
“And you’re taking your sister with you?”
“You make it sound like we’re little kids. Yes, I am taking Carolyn and MelanieandBobby. We’ll be home before curfew.” She pecked a kiss on her mama’s cheek.
“Don’t you sass me child. Getting out of the house will be good for your sister.” She ran her hands up and down her arms. “I have a strange feelin’ about this, like it’s bigger than you’re lettin’ on.”
Rubi had the same feeling, only hers was accompanied by a set of nerves and a basket of excitement to see Cash again. Amidst all the teasing and the torturing, something had happened between them. Caring about what he cared about had opened a door to a whole new bonding force. It wasn’tsteel cables and railroad tiesthick or anything. There was just this connection that was too much to ignore. Rubi gave her a hug. “We’ll be fine.”
“Rubi.” Mama looked deep into her eyes. “I’ve always wanted you to have what I couldn’t. You know that, don’t you?”
A vice tightened around Rubi’s chest, as it did every time her mother brought up the subject. Her mama had wanted to be a Hollywood star and had traded her sunglasses for burp cloths.Mama had never acted as though she resented Rubi because of that decision. But she’d been driven to push Rubi into acting. She took part-time jobs to pay for Rubi’s acting classes and drove hours one-way for auditions. All the work paid off, and Rubi became everything her mother ever dreamed she could be.
Sometimes, though, Rubi wanted a quiet family life. She wanted to be just like her mom, with two kids and a cocker spaniel. Admitting that out loud would cause a rift between them that may never heal. It would be like saying her mother had wasted all that time and effort, that she’d wasted her life. Rubi couldn’t do that to her mom.
“I know Mama. You always have.” She gave her a tight hug and stepped back. “How do I look?”
Mama took in the ruby-red flats that shimmered in the bathroom lights, the tight jeans, and the loose, flowing top accented with chunky silver jewelry. “Effortless.”
“Perfect.” Rubi plucked a red clutch off the bed as she glided into the hallway. Her eyes travelled over the crown molding, the wood floors, the cute side tables, and the paintings from all over the world. This home was her favorite place on earth. She couldn’t believe she’d stayed away for so long. She applied a layer of sheer gloss in the gilded mirror before she met up with everyone in the living room. “Are y’all ready for your first Southern barbecue?”
“Yee-haw!” Melanie punched a fist in the air.
They all looked at her with raised eyebrows.
“That’s not really a thing here.” She swirled her finger through the air. “is it?”
Rubi shook her head.
“But we could always tell people it’s a California thing. Y’all are weird enough as it is; they’d believe us.” Carolyn shoved Melanie’s shoulder as they crowded out the front doors.
“We are not the weird ones.”
“Ha!” said Bobby and Rubi at once.
“Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side.” Melanie scowled at Bobby. “Aren’t you from SoCal?”
“Born and bred.” He offered his arm to Carolyn and they headed for Rubi’s convertible parked out front. “I think I’ve found my inner Southern gentleman amidst the mint juleps and magnolias.”
Rubi got behind the wheel. Bobby’s designer casual jeans, polo shirt, and recent haircut did give him a Southern shine. She didn’t think she was the only one who noticed, either. Carolyn’s cheeks had gone rose-petal pink when he held the door for her. She didn’t know if she should step in and move things along with the two, or step out and see what happened.
They put the top up for the drive out to the lake so the girls’ hair would stay where they wanted it. All Cash had seen her in was baseball hats, and she wanted him to see a woman—not a buddy who followed him like a lost puppy.
CHAPTER TEN
Cash paced in front of the house, his dad sittin’ on the rocker, a glass of cold lemonade in his hand. Behind the house, the extended family spread out like quilts at a picnic. His nieces’ and nephews’ squeals, voices, and giggles floated over the fence—a family symphony in progress.
Uncle Joe, Brett’s dad, manned the barbecue. He’d marinated beef, pork, and chicken for two days and was darn proud of his recipe. One deep breath of the spice and smoke and Cash was mighty proud of it too.
“Brett called and offered his regrets, but he won’t be makin’ the party tonight,” said Dad. “Says his booth was such a success he’s got business meetings lined up till Judgment Day.”
Cash snorted. He’d seen what success really looked like—bare shelves and an inbox full of receipts. Brett’s backhanded apology was a dig at Cash. Too bad he wasn’t worried. “From what Mr. Grammar said, Brett’s brilliant fish tank idea didn’t come with a drain plug. He’s having to empty three hundred and fifty gallons of dirty water by bucket.”
Major chuckled. “I’ll be darned. That boy always did know how to make himself sound important.”
Cash nodded, his gaze trained on the break in the bushes where the pavement met the dirt drive.
