Page 20 of Redemption

RUBY

Today isthe first day of the rest of our lives. At least that's what I'm telling myself. Caleb went to work earlier this morning, I've got the kids on the bus, and I'm heading out for my first day of work in almost a week. What I need first though? Coffee.

The ride into town is uneventful, and when I pull up to A Whole Latte Love, I can almost taste the vanilla coffee as I get out and head inside.

"Morning, Ruby," Eden says as I enter. She's got a big smile on her face.

"Morning to you, too. How's it going?"

"Been busy." She sighs. "I think I'm gonna need to hire a couple more workers at the counter. Good problem to have, but..."

"No, I get it it. It's hard to hire right now. Everyone wants a bunch of money for the least amount of work. We're running into it, too. I'm lucky I got Stephanie."

"Speaking of Stephanie, how did it go with you and Caleb? Must've been pretty good, because he asked me to give you this when he stopped in."

She pushes my coffee toward me, along with a muffin. They've been my favorite lately. My face warms with pleasure asI think of Caleb coming in this morning to get his coffee, and then purchasing mine too. I think back to Valentine's Day when he made the step that would end up changing things for us. "It went well." I grin, thinking back to our time together. "We worked on a lot of things that needed it. He's moved back in," I admit.

"Oh Ruby, I'm so happy for you two. If there's anything I've learned since being with Devante, it's that it isn't easy to be a first responder. There are things we don't understand, and situations I'm not sure we ever will be able to. Sometimes when Devante comes home, he's so quiet, and all I want to know is what happened, but he won't talk about it. I can't imagine what that's like when it's enough to split you up."

"Yeah." I run a hand through my hair. "It's not for the faint of heart. If someone had told me what it would be like, though, I still would've married Caleb, I just wish it would've been a little easier ya know? That I would be able to automatically be able to deal with the harder parts of this life."

"Although we can't automatically know how to deal with it, we at least have each other." Eden comes around the counter and wraps me up in her arms.

And I'm thankful for that. Without my friends I wouldn't have made it through the last few months. "Thanks for being my friend, Eden. No one will know what the group of y'all have done for me. The times you got the kids, or you let them stay here when I had to work late. When you let Caleb pick them up, so that the two of us didn't have to see each other. I appreciate you, and I love you."

"I love you, too, Ruby. You've always welcomed me, and I can't ask for a better friend."

Rubbing under my eyes, I give her a smile. "I gotta get to work. Have a great day."

"Tellhim we need the charcuterie board today at four. That's what we paid for, and that's what we're going to get. If not, you'll feel my wrath, Steven. I know he's particular about the food he serves, but if we don't have this, then the meeting isn't going to happen. You and I both know that the meeting will benefit Laurel Springs, and you don't want me to put a little post on social media about how y'all broke a contract, now do you?"

Stephanie is a tiger, and since working with her, I've promised myself I'm never going to cross her. She can chew you up and spit you out without breaking a sweat, or smudging the red lipstick resting on her lips.

"Thank you, we'll see you this afternoon." She smiles as she slides her finger on her phone. "Son of a bitch thought he was going to screw us over."

"Hootie the Charcuterie is notorious for that," I sigh, snickering at the name of the business. "Really, we should've known. He's done this before, and he'll do it again."

"But he's so cute." Stephanie pushes out her bottom lip. "Why's he so hot? It's always the good-looking ones that are such assholes."

"Yeah..." I put my stuff on the counter and look over at her. "Speaking of good-looking ones..."

"Of course, how did it go with you and Caleb? You're wearing your ring, so I'm assuming the two of you have worked out your differences?"

The smile that spreads across my face is one of pure indulgence. "We had a very good time, and he's moved back home, if that's what you're asking."

"I'm so happy for you, Ruby. Seriously, y'all are couple goals, and I'm excited for y'all."

"I am too, but why don't you feel me in on what went on while we were gone. Anything that needs my immediate attention?"

"There a few things, but if Caleb is moving back home, what's happening with his apartment? Becca and Mick are staying with Madden more and more. I can't afford the three bedroom apartment on my own, and most of the stuff is theirs." She stops for a second and licks her lips. "I heard someone saying that Caleb is going to leave most everything in the apartment he's renting?"

God, word gets around town fast. "Yeah, and I don't think anyone has approached Leigh about it yet. I can put in a good word for you, if you want it. It's over The Café. From what I've heard through the grapevine, you sometimes get leftovers."

Stephanie grins. "That would be amazing. I'm slightly worried because I haven't lived by myself in a while. Before I moved in with Becca and Mick, I had a roommate. So more than anything I want to feel safe."

"That's gonna be the safest building in Laurel Springs. Especially with all the members of the PD who drive around, and come visit. If you'd like, I'll let Leigh know for you. I'm sure she wants to rent it out to someone who would take good care of it, and pay rent on time. Caleb is leaving most everything there," I mention. "You at least know it's been used sparingly. He's put in more overtime the last few months than anyone I've ever known."

She looks hopeful. "Thank you, I appreciate that. I talk to Leigh when I go in there, but I don't know her. Not like the rest of you do."

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