Page 103 of Rules

"I'm sorry buddy, I let you down too," I told him softly. "And if she won't talk to me, that's okay. You two can recover together."

Turning onto Ruth's street I realized how nervous I was. I've broken up armed domestic disputes. Fought in the Army, been in numerous situations that I had no idea how I was going to getout of. And all of that put together made me less stressed than facing Ruth.

Chapter 35

Tobias

My hand hesitated on Ruth's doorbell. Joey stirred in my arms, making a small whimpering sound. He knew exactly where we were and who he was going to see. I pressed the bell.

"Joey," I said, holding him just a touch tighter to discourage any of his wiggling.

Footsteps approached, and the door swung open to reveal Ruth's aunt Irene. Her expression shifted from neutral to frosty when she recognized me, then to surprise when she spotted Joey. She stepped outside, closing the door behind her.

I blew out a breath seeing how this was going to go.

"Joey!" she exclaimed, reaching for the dog.

I instinctively pulled back slightly. "I'm sorry but I would like to give him to Ruth myself."

Irene's eyes narrowed. She stepped back a step herself. "You've got some nerve showing up here."

"I know."

"Do you? I highly doubt that. Do you have any idea what you've done to her? You know, the physical blows will heal, but what you did, that's worse." Her voice was low but intense, she stepped toward me pointing her finger at me. "I've watched her cry over you. Question herself because of you. And the worst part she thought less of herself because of what you said. So, Sheriff Trenton, tell me why I should allow you in the house?"

Each word hit like a physical blow, but I didn't flinch. I deserved it all.

"You're right," I said simply. "Completely right."

That seemed to catch her off guard. "I, what?"

"You're right about all of it. I hurt Ruth in ways I can't excuse. I pushed her away because I was afraid. Afraid of what people would think, afraid of our ages. Afraid of my own feelings and of losing her. I told myself I was protecting her, but really, I was protecting myself." I looked down at Joey, who was watching me with those expressive eyes. "I was wrong, and I'm more than sorry. Even if she tells me to never speak to her again, I need to tell her the truth. And she needs to hear it from me, so she can see I'm sincere."

Irene studied me, arms crossed, skepticism plain on her face. "Pretty speech, Sheriff. Did you rehearse it on the way over?"

"No, ma'am. It's just the honest truth."

She sighed heavily. "Fine. You can come in, but only because you're right, she deserves to hear an apology directly from you, and because you brought Joey home. She's been worried sick about him."

"I brought Joey to her the first time., seemed right to bring him this time." I handed her Joey's medicine bag and told her his instructions, as she led me into the house.

"She's in her bedroom. First door on the left," Irene directed, then added with unmistakable warning, "I'll be right out here."

I nodded and approached the door she'd indicated. It was partially open. I knocked softly.

"Come in, Aunt Irene," Ruth whispered. Her voice sounded tired, strained. "Could you help me with my pillow?"

Taking a deep breath, I slowly pushed the door open. Ruth was propped up in bed, surrounded by pillows, a book open on her lap. She looked up, expecting her aunt, and froze when she saw me.

"What are you doing here?" The bruising on her face looked even worse in the daylight—deep purples and blues spread across her cheekbone, her right eye swollen, her split lip stitched and puffy. Then her gaze dropped to the bundle in my arms, and her expression transformed.

"Joey!" she gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth. Then raising both hands to take him.

"Careful, he can't get excited. He's got a cracked rib, he has to be in low mode for a couple of weeks."

Hearing the cracked rib part Ruth began to cry. I crossed to the bed and gently placed Joey beside her. The little dog whimpered with happiness, his tail wagging despite his bandaged rib, as he carefully nuzzled against Ruth's hand.

"Oh, my baby," she whispered, tears spilling from her eyes as she gently stroked his head. "I was so worried about you."

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