Epilogue
Ruby
“Evie, darling, aren’t you tired?” Sybil asked loudly. Evie was completing her fifth lap in the pool.
We were all gathered at Heath’s house for lunch.
He’d invited us spontaneously because the weather was great.
Last year, I would’ve refused in order to oversee the lunch business at the restaurant, but my sexy man had managed to convince me to take weekends off.
Sherry was over the moon with the idea and had been doing a wonderful job managing the team.
She’d even come up with new menu options.
And it turned out that I had much more energy during the week if I didn’t burn the candle at both ends.
“No, Grandma. I need to complete twenty.”
“Someone give this girl a medal already,” Thomas said. He was bursting with pride.
The weather was pleasant but not terribly hot because it was only the beginning of May. It was one of the sunniest days this year, so I totally understood why Heath wanted us to hang around the pool.
“Anyone else want to jump in? Heath made it a few degrees warmer than usual,” Cameron said.
I grinned. “That’s great. I’ll go in right after we eat. Should we help Heath out?”
He was manning the grill.
“How did you blackmail him into cooking?” Grant asked Cameron.
The two of us were sitting side by side on a lounge chair. Cameron was on the one next to us. Thomas and Sybil were each on their feet, watching Evie.
“No idea. I told him I would, but then he said he’d take care of it. I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” Cameron said.
I looked intently at Heath. His expression was very serious.
“Yeah, there’s definitely something going on with him,” Sybil said, clearly having overheard us.
“I tried to poke fun at him,” Cameron went on, “but the joke rolled right off.”
Grant frowned. “Think something’s wrong?”
Sybil took her sunglasses off, pushing the hat farther back on her head. “I don’t think anything serious is going on. But my boy definitely has something on his mind.”
“Can we find out somehow?” I asked. “Maybe we can help.”
Everyone stared at me. It was weird for me to accept that they weren’t busybodies like my own family. Although I felt like only Sybil and Thomas truly respected everyone’s privacy. Grant too. Heath and Cameron were made from a different mold.
“I’ll check if he needs help, Mom,” Grant said. Then his eyes widened.
Sybil jerked her head back.
“What’s going on?” I asked, glancing between them.
“That’s the first time this one has called me Mom!” Sybil’s voice was a mere whisper. Her eyes were a bit glassy as she added, “I think that’s your doing, Ruby.”
I smiled from ear to ear.
Grant winked at both of us. “I’m joining Heath.”
“I’ll come too,” Cameron added with a smirk.
“Oh, Cameron is so nosy,” Sybil said .
“Well, darling, so are you,” Thomas replied. “Only you’re more clever about it.”
She smiled at him. “That’s right. I am.”
I loved their relationship. It was different than the one my parents had, but you could still see their love shining through. Whenever I was around them, my heart was happy.
As Cameron and Grant stood by his side, Heath frowned.
“Oh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that expression on Heath,” I commented.
“Yeah, I’ve seen it only twice,” Sybil said. “That’s no good. Maybe something really is wrong.”
“Why don’t we join them?” I suggested.
“Yes, let’s,” she exclaimed.
Thomas laughed. “So much for your being more discreet.”
“Oh, we can just tell them we want food. Heath won’t catch on,” Sybil said.
She glanced at Evie, who was blissfully floating on the water. She’d finished her laps already and was looking at us with interest. I winked at her before joining everyone at the grill.
“We came to see how you’re doing,” Sybil said.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Heath replied. “What is this?”
That caught me off guard. I’d never heard him sound so exasperated.
“Let’s all mind our own business,” Cameron said. “This one woke up in a bad mood.”
“Nonsense.” Sybil waved him off. “Heath never wakes up in a bad mood.”
“Something about a deal gone wrong,” Grant said. He sounded amused.
Sybil frowned. “All right, then I’ll help with the food. I see the wings and veggies are done.”
He still had burgers and hot dogs on the grill. Sybil grabbed the wings and put them on the table behind the pool.
I took the bowl with corn, and Grant grabbed the one with zucchini. Cameron tagged along .
“What’s up with him?” I asked as Grant, Cameron, and I headed to the table.
“He got into a quarrel with a business partner,” Grant said.
“I think he needs a woman,” Cameron added.
“How is that relevant?” Grant asked.
Cameron and I exchanged a glance.
Ah. Things were starting to make sense now.
“Evie’s been hinting that she’d love it if her dad dated,” I explained.
“I don’t get it,” Grant said.
Cameron laughed. “We wouldn’t expect you to, brother. Don’t you worry. Let’s hang by the pool until the hot dogs and burgers are ready.”
Evie stood at the edge of the pool, toweling off her hair.
“Want me to dry your hair?” I asked.
“Yeah, sure. Can you teach me how to do that thing so it doesn’t get all tangled in the pool?”
“I can, yes. I brought you a swimming cap that won’t crush your hair like a regular one. Let me get it out of my bag. I wanted to give it to you when I first got here but forgot.” I opened my beach bag and took it out. “Here. You just have to put it on like this.”
As I arranged it on her head, I caught Heath’s expression. He was looking at us with such vulnerability that it gave me pause.
“This has an inner layer that will keep your hair from getting all messed up. At least, that’s what the commercial says.”
“Okay. Dad, doesn’t Ruby have the best ideas?” she called out to Heath.
“Yes, she does,” he replied. His voice sounded a bit different.
Grant looked surprised—clearly he’d caught his brother’s tone as well.
“By the way,” I told Evie, “I also brought you that selection of nail polish we chatted about last time. And the stickers.”
“Thank you. I’m going to be so fancy, like you, Ruby.”
She hugged me tightly. The first time she’d done it, I was surprised. But I’d learned that Evie was a hugger, so I wrapped my arms around her, too, pulling her close to me. Then she abruptly let go and ran straight to the pool, jumping in.
Heath watched her but didn’t chastise her about jumping, which he usually did. Then he looked at me.
“Thanks for being the way you are with Evie.”
I smiled at him. “Of course. My pleasure.”
“She really does lack a female presence in her life, someone she can talk to about all these things. I had no idea she was annoyed that her hair was getting in the way.”
“She knows she can always talk to me.”
Heath nodded.
I bit the inside of my cheek, deciding to be a bit pushy. “Have you thought about dating again?”
He blinked and looked at Grant.
Oh crap, I’ve overstepped boundaries. Me and my big mouth.
“I’m so sorry, Heath. I talk a lot. Forget I asked that.”
He shrugged. “I’ll give you the same answer that I do to my brothers or Sybil when they ask me, and that is no. I won’t bring anyone into Evie’s life.” Taking a deep breath, he added, “Into my life, either. I just won’t go down that road again.”
“Duly noted. I’m so sorry I asked. God, I’m such a chatterbox.” I put my hand over my mouth.
“That’s okay, babe. Heath doesn’t mind,” Grant said.
Heath smiled. “I really don’t. People are bound to ask from time to time. Sybil especially, as if she’s hoping my answer will change.”
Hmmm... I was hoping the same. Maybe in time, but clearly not yet.
“So,” I said, clearing my throat, “anyone want to check if the food is ready?”
Heath laughed. “I’m on it.”