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“Attention, please. Attention.” Jasper scrambled up on a chair and let loose with another whistle to get everyone’s attention. He was wildly waving his arms around.
“Unbelievable!” Liam muttered as he folded his arms across his chest and sat back in his chair.
“If he breaks that chair, he’s paying for it,” Cameron grumbled. “There’s no family discount for destroying the property around here.”
As soon as all eyes were focused on Jasper, he began to speak. “I’d like to make an announcement. I’m sure most of you are pretty confused about what’s been happening here today. The Prescott family is delighted to announce that reports of Ruby Prescott’s death were greatly exaggerated.” He let out a chuckle. “Not that it’s anything to make light of, but we’re just so thankful to have her back in the fold.”
Loud gasps and murmurs rippled through the café. Customers turned toward her to gape at her. Ruby ducked her head. She didn’t want to make eye contact with anyone. Awkward didn’t even begin to describe this experience. She might have liked some warning about Jasper’s announcement, but one look at Liam’s face told her he’d been caught off guard, as well.
“Ruby has amnesia, but God has shown Ruby the way home after two years. She was in an accident that day in Colorado when she was saving lives. As a result, she’s lost most of her memory of life before that day. That means that in all likelihood she won’t remember you. It also means that we’re going to help her in any way that we can. With patience. And kindness. And good, old-fashioned Alaskan hospitality. She still has healing to do on her road to recovery. This town has always supported our own and this won’t be any different.”
“Hear! Hear! Mayor Prescott!” Hazel stood nearby, clapping and cheering. Ruby spotted Aidan standing nearby, beaming from ear to ear. A stunning redhead—presumably Sophie—had her arm around his shoulder. Hazel stepped forward and helped Jasper down from the chair, then reached out and grazed her palm along his cheek. “That’s the Jasper I know and love,” she cooed.
“And don’t you forget it, woman,” Jasper said as he reached for Hazel and placed his arms around her waist, then dipped her backward as he planted a kiss on her lips.
“Close your eyes, Emma,” Cameron said to his baby daughter as he placed his hand over her eyes. “You really don’t need to see this.”
Paige reached over and removed his hand from their daughter’s eyes. She shook her head at her husband and made a tutting sound.
Everyone in the Moose Café began clapping and hooting. Liam threw back his head and laughed. It was nice to see him so relaxed and lighthearted, Ruby realized. It suited him well.
Ruby felt shame almost eat her up inside as she watched Hazel and Jasper’s display of affection. When the town mayor had first begun to speak, she’d wanted to sink into her seat. She had felt embarrassed and slightly annoyed. Jasper’s words had surprised her. They’d been heartwarming and beautiful, leaving her feeling choked-up. Since she was struggling to discover what her place was in this Alaskan town, it meant the world to her to know that she had his support and friendship.
God had led her back here to Love. Of that she felt certain. Now if she could only figure out her role in the grand scheme of things.
Aidan’s mother. Liam’s wife. Friend to all.
Those things were meaningful, but were they enough to keep her in this town for the long haul when she still didn’t remember much of anything about her former life?
* * *
Not long after Aidan joined them for hot chocolate at the table, Liam could detect fatigue etched on Ruby’s face. Her warm brown skin seemed a bit washed out, and her eyes no longer sparkled. She appeared a bit worn down. He chided himself for indulging Aidan in his desire to have hot chocolate at the Moose Café. He feared it had been too overwhelming an experience for Ruby. Between Jasper, Cameron, Paige and Hazel, not to mention a handful of villagers who had approached Ruby with well wishes, it had turned into a lot more than a casual outing. He imagined Ruby felt as if she was being pulled in a dozen different directions.
After saying their goodbyes, Liam drove them back to the house. Ruby was very quiet during the ride. He tried to lighten the mood by turning the radio on and blasting festive holiday songs. Aidan played along, singing his favorites at the top of his lungs. Although he saw Ruby tapping along to the beat a few times, she remained somber. From this point forward he vowed to do a better job of protecting Ruby from situations that were too much for her to handle.
As he navigated the lane and pulled into the driveway, a familiar physique standing at their doorstep immediately captured his attention.
“Oh, no. Not now of all times,” he muttered.
Ruby turned toward him, her brown eyes full of concern. “What is it? Is something wrong?”
“It’s Uncle Kyle,” Aidan shouted. As soon as the truck came to a stop, he quickly unbuckled his seat belt and wrenched open the door.
“Kyle? Isn’t that my brother’s name?” Ruby asked. Her pretty features were creased with worry. “Is that him?”
“Yes,” Liam said in a clipped tone. Frustration speared through him. Already, Ruby was feeling overwhelmed by the events of this afternoon. He’d told Kyle to call him so they could arrange a time for him to come visit Ruby. Clearly, Kyle had decided to just fly to Love from Homer.
Ruby bit her lip. “He’s a big guy. If the fireman thing doesn’t work out, he may have a future in professional wrestling.”
Ruby’s comment made Liam grin. At six-three and two hundred and twenty-five pounds, Kyle was known as a gentle giant. Well-mannered and kind, he was a favorite among the townsfolk here in Love whenever he visited. Aidan thought he was the very definition of cool.
Liam and Ruby emerged from the vehicle and headed toward the house. Kyle was holding Aidan in his arms, but his stare was intently focused on Ruby. Tears welled in his eyes. He slowly lowered Aidan to the ground.
Before Liam could say a word, Kyle stepped toward Ruby. “I know you’re not expecting me, but I couldn’t stay away. I’ve been missing you for two long years, and not seeing you for another single day felt like torture.”
“I understand,” Ruby said in a low voice. She was gazing at her brother with such intensity it seemed almost as if she was trying to memorize his facial features.
“I know you don’t remember me—” Kyle began.
