AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I do want to figure out how to fund my sister’s foundation. Maybe I need to focus on that.”
“That sounds like a great idea. Having a project is good. What kind of foundation was it?”
“She wanted to open a horseback riding center for kids and adults with cognitive and physical impairments. Horseback riding can be incredibly therapeutic. Ashley learned about it when she was a teaching assistant in a classroom for autistic children. She saw what it did for their development, both physical and mental. And the kids tended to form very special bonds with the horses. It’s an all-around wonderful thing.”
Ruby grinned even wider now. “That sounds so amazing. I would love to help. If you’re going to need volunteers or anything like that.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
Up until that moment, Heath hadn’t considered that anyone might help with this, aside from Nolan chipping in some money and possibly some volunteer time. “That would be so great. It was just an idea when Ashley was still alive, but I’d like to make it happen. I’m thinking I can house it on my property, and I’ve got money set aside to build the infrastructure, but there will be staff and ongoing maintenance, which could end up being sizable. If I can fund an endowment, it could run on its own forever and no one would ever have to pay a penny for the services. That would be the ultimate goal.”
Ruby stepped closer and took his hand. It brought him immense relief to have that physical contact with her, to know that she wanted it, too. “You’re a good man, Heath. A really, really good man.”
He saw a tear roll down her cheek. He couldn’t help but reach out and wipe it away with the back of his hand. “Do you have any idea how long it’s been since someone said that to me?”
She shook her head and pressed her lips together tightly as if she was fighting back more tears. “I don’t. But if it’s been a while, I’m glad that I had the chance to say it.”
As physically frustrated as he’d been last night that he and Ruby hadn’t had sex, he was thankful for it now. There was something growing between them, and if he’d had to chalk it up to lust, he might doubt how real it was. “I need to ask you a question.”
“Sure. Anything.”
“Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve?”
“I don’t. I usually don’t do anything other than put on my pj’s, pop some popcorn and watch a movie.”
That sounded like sheer heaven to Heath, but he did want to forge that stronger bond with Nolan. It felt like an essential on his to-do list. “My brother wants me to go to the party at the Texas Cattleman’s Club. It’s not really my speed, but I need to spend more time with him and my sister-in-law. I was hoping that you might come with me.”
She grinned and the tears evaporated, making way for the shine of her incredibly bright eyes. “I would love to go. I’ve never been to the TCC. I’ve heard it’s amazing.”
“It can be fun. It can also be a runaway train if you’re the subject of town gossip. But I’m going to hope for the best, and honestly, I think I can endure anything if you’re with me.”
“Perfect, then. I guess it’s a date?”
He placed a hand at her waist, still unsure of what degree of physical contact was okay with her. He didn’t want to cross any lines. “It absolutely is.”
She leaned closer. “I’m sorry about last night. I’m sorry that I wasn’t ready.”
He shook his head. “Don’t apologize. I’m happy to take things slow.”
She placed a finger on his shoulder, then drew it down his chest. “I don’t need things to go too slow. I just needed some time to wrap my head around it. That’s all. I didn’t expect a sexy man to show up on my doorstep yesterday.”
Heath couldn’t hide the wide grin that spread across his face. “That’s going to go straight to my head, you know.”
She leaned in closer, flattening her other hand against his chest. “I hope that’s exactly where it will go.” Her lips met his in the softest kiss he’d ever experienced. It was sweet and sexy and exactly what he needed. Everything he wanted.
And everything he hadn’t taken the time to dream of.
Five
Ruby had nothing to wear to a New Year’s Eve party in Royal, especially not one at the Texas Cattleman’s Club. Although she’d never been, she’d heard plenty of stories. The TCC had a reputation. It was where the wealthy and powerful players of Royal gathered to make deals, hammer out problems and celebrate, usually on a very large and lavish scale. There was no way she was going to attend what had to be one of the biggest parties of the year at the club without looking spectacular. Even more to the point, she wasn’t going to be Heath Thurston’s date without looking perfectly put together. And sexy. If she still had it in her.
The day after the tree had been removed from her driveway and Heath had left her by herself, the snow in Royal was mostly melted and the roads were clear. She hopped in her SUV and headed for the heart of downtown to go shopping at the Rancher’s Daughter. She owned plenty of cute, feminine clothes—fun summer dresses, flirtatious skirts and formfitting tops—but she’d worn almost none of it since Lucas had died. It had felt unnecessary to present herself to the world in a way that suggested she was a woman who desired any attention or felt free. After all, Ruby had felt neither of those things when she’d suddenly found herself all alone. But Heath had awoken something in her, a part of her that she’d feared might never come to life. It was time to dress herself up and remind herself that it was okay to move on. It might not be easy, but it was okay.
A chime sounded when Ruby opened the door to the boutique, which was full of some of the cutest and most stylish clothes Ruby had ever seen, all of it artfully displayed. If money wasn’t always a bit tight, she could see herself going on a real shopping spree here. As she slowly strolled past the racks and shelves, she was drawn to so much, it was hard to know where to start, except that she knew she hadn’t yet seen anything dressy enough for New Year’s Eve.
A woman with fair skin and striking red hair stepped out of the back room, talking on a cell phone. She made eye contact with Ruby and held up a finger. “Hey, Zanai, I need to call you back. I have a customer,” she said into the phone. “Okay. ’Bye.” She pressed a button on the screen and placed the device on the counter near the register. “I’m so sorry. It’s my best friend. We start talking and I swear it could go all day long.”
