Chapter 3
Austin
“Why?” I repeat after her, stalling to answer her.
There's no way that I can tell her the truth and let her walk away.
I did that seven years ago because she was too young and had her whole life in front of her.
But I've obsessed over her since. I can't just go back to Whiskey Run and forget about her.
But the way she's looking at me, I know she's not ready to hear any of it.
So I decide to go with the truth but not all of it.
“Why? Because we were once friends, Ruby.
I haven't seen you in seven years. Surely you can take a walk with me and catch up.”
She doesn’t answer me, and I try to reassure her. “Just take a walk with me. We can come back anytime you want.”
She's going to say no. I can see it written all over her face, and I prepare myself for it. But she surprises me when she says, "Okay. Let me put my bags away."
At that moment, the elevator dings, and the doors open. I take her suitcase and motion for her to go ahead. Following close behind, I trail her down the hallway to her room, pausing just behind her as she opens the door.
I hold my breath as she turns to me, expecting her to tell me she’s changed her mind. "Do you care if I freshen up a little bit and change clothes?"
I let out a sigh of relief. "Absolutely. That's fine. I'll wait right here." She takes her luggage and disappears behind the door. I stand in front of it, my arms crossed, waiting impatiently and breathe a sigh of relief when I hear her turning the doorknob.
She joins me in the hallway, and I notice that she’s changed into shorts and a sleeveless top. Her long hair is up in a ponytail on the top of her head, and I swear she almost looks 18 again.
We're both quiet as we go back to the elevator and then down to the first floor.
I point and show her the direction to the back of the hotel and to the beach.
We walk side by side, but I don't say anything until we have our shoes off and our feet in the sand.
The sun is about to set, its light catching in her red hair, making it look like a halo crowns her head.
"How's your job going?" I ask her.
She shrugs and turns her head away from me, looking out into the ocean. "It's fine."
I nod. “You always were good at numbers.”
When she doesn't say anything, I continue, "Becky misses you. She said she hasn't seen you in a while."
She folds her hands together behind her back as we walk. "Yeah, I plan to come and see her when the baby is born. Are you excited about being an uncle?"
It's my turn to shrug. "Yeah, I'm excited. I never thought that my baby sister would have kids before I did."
Ruby's eyes turned to me. “I didn’t know you wanted kids.”
Instead of telling her that I've thought about having kids with red hair and green eyes that look just like her, I answer with, "I do."
She's quiet and subdued, nothing like the happy woman that I once knew. She bends and picks up a seashell and holds it in her hand. "How's the ranch?"
"It's good, Ruby. It's probably changed a lot since you were there. You would know if you ever came home."
She lets the shell fall from her hand and sighs. "I do come home. I see my mom and dad every few months."
I grimace. That’s not what I meant. "At one time, you would've considered the McCoy Ranch your home. You were there enough growing up."
She glances at me, and hurt flares in her eyes before she quickly looks away. "That was before I wasn't welcome anymore."
I stop walking and reach for her, wrapping my hand around her wrist. "You've always been welcome, Ruby, always."
She looks down at where my hand is holding hers.
It makes me wonder if she feels the electricity between us.
It's always been there even though I tried to ignore it.
I can't do that now. Some of her hair has escaped from the ponytail, and it's blowing across her face.
I wish that I could reach for her and tuck it behind her ear and then cup her jaw and kiss her.
But I feel as if I need to tread lightly and not push her in any way, not before we can talk.
I can't get over how beautiful she is. She's ruined me for other women.
I haven't even looked at anyone else. And I've stood to the side all this time wanting the best for her, even though now I'm not sure what it is she wants.
But I do know after living without her for the last seven years, I will do everything that I can to be the man that she needs.
Gently she pulls her hand back and starts walking. My head drops but not in defeat. I'll never give up again. I follow behind her, and when I catch up to her, she is mad all over again. "You can't say things like that to me, Austin."
I don't even miss a beat. "Why not? It's the truth. You've always been welcome at the McCoy Ranch."
Ruby opens her mouth and then slams it shut again. She seems to be looking everywhere but at me, and then she turns on her heel. "I'm going to go back now."
I don't argue with her. The only thing saving her from having this conversation right now is knowing that I have the next several days to talk to her and hopefully convince her that I am what she needs. I follow her from a distance just to make sure she gets to her room safe.