“Nana!” scolded Mama.
Cash laughed. “Tell it to me straight Nana.”
“She’s a lady and she’s got the patience of Jobe with those youngsters. I like her.”
Cash kissed Nana on the head, getting an eyeful of the chemicals used for a permanent. He couldn’t imagine his Nana with straight hair. She’d always had a halo of silver curls.
“Well, you’ll like her even more when you hear she turned me down for a date this afternoon.”
“What?!” Mama waved a dish towel. “Then what’s she doin’ here?”
Cash was enjoying the banter. “Dad invited her.” He popped a sweet pickle in his mouth and shrugged. “Truth is, I’m not even sure I want to take her out now.”
“Oh honey.” Mama patted his arm. “You’re so far gone, you’re in Florida. You just haven’t realized it yet.”
“Uh-humm,” agreed Nana.
Cash sagged against the counter and both women chuckled. They packed a plate with potato salad, corn bread, and green beans. “Swing by the barbecue and get her some of that smoked chicken.” Mama kissed his cheek. “Just be yourself—”
“But a little better,” added Nana.
“What’s wrong with the regular me?” he asked in a panic.
“Treat her like a princess—” Mom patted his chest.
“Likeyourprincess,” added Nana.
“And be honest with your feelin’s—”
Nana tossed her hands up. “But don’t scare her off.”
“And you’ll be fine.”
Cash’s head spun with advice. These two were like a tilt-o-whirl of well-meaning opinions. “Thanks ever so much.” He tripped out the door, still wondering what was wrong with him and if he’d ever have a shot with Rubi.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As the sun set, the Lowell family began to glow. Well, the land around them began to glow with campfires and tiki torches.
“The torches are filled with bug repellent. We put them around the perimeter of the yard and behind the food tables to keep the bugs down,” explained Grace as she finished lighting the ones on the deck. She nodded towards a group of six-and-under nieces and nephews running around with bubble wands, dripping the sticky, slippery liquid into the fresh-cut grass. “Looks like your sister is having a good time.”
Carolyn ran from container to container, refilling the bowls so the kids could keep going. Bubbles of all sizes drifted through the air, catching the golden firelight and shimmering like fairies. Carolyn’s face was just as bright as the bubbles, laughter and peace making her as beautiful as she’d ever been. Rubi let out a sigh and with it, all the stress and worry she’d carried since finding her sister in that hospital bed. “She needed this. Thank you so much for having us.”
“My pleasure darlin’” Grace patted her shoulder before turning to give directions to Cash and two teenaged boys whowere setting up three ice cream churns. “They’re gonna make a lot of noise, so let’s move them to the side of the house.”
Cash picked up one of the churns, his muscles doing all sorts of great things, and winked at Rubi. Her heart raced and skipped like one of those bubbles caught on the breeze. Cash was unexpected. He was serious about his business and yet still able to relax and play Frisbee with his nephew, or hook his arm around her middle as she ran with a football and carry her back to his end zone.
She hurried down the steps towards Carolyn, knowing she needed to redirect the directions her heart wanted to take her head. Opening a relationship with Cash wasn’t an option. In the end, her heart would pop just like one of those bubbles when it rose too high.
Bobby was in a high-intensity round of horseshoes with a group of older men in suspenders and plaid shirts. They all had on Sweet Birch Outfitter hats with worn brims. Melanie was in the house, soaking up frying tips from the ladies, who were all too excited to have a young woman to heap their knowledge upon. The Lowell family had indeed opened their arms to her and her friends and she could easily see herself here on a regular basis.
A three-year-old boy held his wand out to Carolyn. She blew a bubble that popped on his shirt. He squealed and ran off, laughing so hard he tripped over his own toes. His mama scooped him up and blew a raspberry on his cheek. Carolyn sighed and plopped into a camp chair.
Rubi took the seat next to her. “Your cheeks are rosy.”
Carolyn pressed her fingers to her face. “I am plum worn out—and it feels wonderful.”
Rubi smiled. “I’m glad you came.”
