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The doorbell rang out once more, and she reached down to kiss the top of Tasha’s head, and gave the little girl a scratch under the chin. With one last look around, she headed back to the foyer and yanked open the door, an apology on her lips.
But it wasn’t the driver who stood there, and her apology died.
Sidney’s eyes were swollen and red-rimmed. Her expression was so inconsolable that Ruby’s heart dropped.
“I tried calling, but…” Sid’s voice caught, and she grimaced. “Ruby,” she whispered. “It’s Ry.”
“What do you mean?”
Cold. She was so damn cold. Even though the sun beat down and an August heatwave had rolled into the area, she shivered. Ruby felt the blood drain from her body. She sagged against the doorframe and struggled to speak.
Sidney struggled to speak but it didn’t matter. Ruby cut her off.
“What are you trying to say?” She licked dry lips. “He’s coming here to get Tasha.” Her voice rose, her words almost a shriek. “He’s babysitting her while I go and make things right with Travis.”
Sidney shook her head slowly. “No,” she whispered. “He’s not.”
“What do you mean he’s not? Did he hurt himself?” Anger hit her square in the chest, and she pushed off from the door. “What did he do this time? Get drunk at the Coach House last night? Is he on a bender with one of the floozies he likes to screw? Is he still sleeping it off?”
Sidney just shook her head. She reached for Ruby, but Ruby backed away. She didn’t want to be touched. She didn’t want this connection. Not this one. Because she knew it was bad. It was going to rip her heart out.
She whirled around. “I need to call him.”
“You can’t.” The words came out of Sidney in a rush. “He can’t… You need to come with me.”
Slowly, Ruby turned around. The car she’d hired to drive her to the airport had pulled in behind Sidney, and the driver stood a few paces away.
“I’m here for Miss Montgomery.” He tipped his hat and looked at both women. Ruby was silent for a few seconds while she tried to gather her thoughts and the strength to speak.
“I’m so sorry,” Sidney said to the man. “We have to cancel. We’ll make sure you’re looked after for your trouble.”
“Of course.” He looked at both women, nodded, and then drove off.
“Ruby.”
Startled, Ruby looked at her friend. “I was supposed to go see Travis.”
“I know. But you need to come with me.”
“Ryder isn’t at home is he?”
“No.”
Her stomach turned over, and she thought she was going to puke. “Where?” she whispered.
A tear slid down Sidney’s face. “The hospital.”
Chapter 26
Labor Day came and went. Ruby never showed, and Travis Blackwell did his best to put the woman and their past behind him. He kept his word. He didn’t pick up the phone and call. Didn’t reach out to her brother or Sidney or anyone, for that matter. He put his head down, spent his days at the gym or on the ice and worked his ass off. He was in the best physical condition he’d ever been in. With the young rookie Hal Oberman looking sharp, he needed to be.
Because this was all he had.
He glanced around his condo, taking in the sparse modern furniture, the minimalist art on the wall, the black and chrome and utter lack of character. He’d thought it was cutting edge when he’d first seen it. The interior designer had said so.
The interior designer was full of crap. He missed the cabin. He missed the lake. He missed…
“Jesus, Trav. Stop whining and get your shit together.” He straightened his tie, grabbed his keys, and headed to Little Caesars Arena. The home opener was tonight, and he needed to focus. They were playing the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Red Wings rivals, and it was a big game.
