Page 76 of Heart & Hope

Ruby strangles a smile, scoffing back a laugh. I snatch the roll from Huddo’s hand. “What you got, bro?”

“Your cabin designs.”

“Oh wow!” Ruby pushes off the door and comes to stand beside me. I put the tongs down and roll the papers out, holding them up. The blueprints for the one-bedroom accommodations are lit up by the fairy lights.

“Geez, Huddo. This is great,” I utter as Ruby takes the plans and moves closer to the firelight.

“Should be straightforward to build. And with the four of us, we can have two or three up in a month.”

“Four?”

“Yeah, Harry’s pitchin’ in.”

Addy walks through the door, her happy smile landing on my puzzled expression. “He told you, then. Hey, Reed.”

“Hey, Adds.” I lean over to give her a tight hug.

“You better be taking care of my girl well, Reedsy,” Adds whispers.

“Who, Mira?” I quip. She slaps my shoulder, glancing at Ruby, who is now standing by Hudson, running a finger over the plans.

When I track Addy’s gaze, she’s looking at my big brother like he’s the last man on earth. What I wouldn’t give to have Ruby stare at me that way. I wrap an arm around her. “He gets more Harry every time I look at him.”

She laughs and pecks my cheek. “You’ll keep. But I’m serious, Reed, about Ruby.”

Now, I let my arm fall and turn to face her. “Me too.”

She smiles before messing up my hair with her hand. Always the little brother to this lot. Guess it could be worse... I could have Ruby’s trash bag family.

“Reed?”

I snap my attention to the pretty brown eyes I know so well, now topped with furrowed brows.

“Yeah?”

“Hudson wants to know what you think.” Ruby beckons me over with a finger. I’m by her side a heartbeat later.

“Do you want them all identical or different? Floor plan wise, that is.”

“Whatever you think is the most cost effective. I want to make more changes, so sticking to the budget is a must.”

“Who the hell invited Harry to this party?” Addy snorts, almost losing the white wine she just sipped.

“Ha, ha. I don’t wanna screw this up, Adds.” I let my eyes slide to Ruby. “...It’s too important.”

“Yeah, well. I’m proud of you, little bro, taking the helm, so to speak. Going against Harry is never easy, but you two seem to have pulled it off, and unscathed, too. You’ll have to tell me your secret,” Huddo says with a half smile.

“You do just fine with Pa, Hudson Rawlins, now sit down and have a drink before this night goes from fun to all business.” Addy ushers him into his seat the same way Ma would to the old man.

Uncanny, really. But it’s sweet, and I’m happy for them. They both deserve something amazing and all-encompassing.

Ruby is still poring over the blueprints as she sips her red wine, sunk into a chair by the fire. And for the first time in my miserable existence, I wish time would slow down. Because her leavin’ when this holiday ranch is a roaring success and her events are all lined up and she can phone it in, that’s gonna leave a gaping hole.

Not even Harry’s approval or Ma’s cooking could fill that.

Chapter Eighteen

RUBY

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