Page 27 of Cinnamon Strudel
He edged one foot forward, and then the next. Admittedly, that did make it a little easier, and he only needed the railing to guide himself.
Once he seemed a bit more stable, Manuel asked, “Do you want your cane back?”
“I can try.” He didn’tfeelvery stable, and if it weren’t for Ruby, he wouldn’t have felt comfortable to distance himself enough from the outside barrier to use the cane.
“You’re doing fantastic,” she encouraged.
“You’d better not be lying, because I’m going to watch the video that I’m sure Alexander is taking right now.”
“You should’ve seen me my first time.”
“I’m sure you looked fabulous.”
“Don’t make me all weak in the knees, I’m the only thing holding you up right now,” she teased. “We’ve almost done a whole circle.”
“Time for him to spread his wings.” Manuel had barely finished the sentence when Morgan felt Ruby being pulled away.
“No!” she called, clearly not wanting Morgan to fall as she focused on steadying herself.
Denise’s voice came from behind. “I got him!”
“I don’t like you two,” Ruby protested, but was whisked away.
“No wonder you’re so tough, you had no other choice with these two troublemakers,” Denise muttered, nudging him with her arm to prompt him to take it.
“Yeah—it’s a love-hate relationship.”
“Rhett is behind you and Ruby’s a few steps away cursing out her new brothers-in-law.”
“Youcantell her no,” Rhett offered. “She’s not very receptive to it, but you don’t have to agree to something you’re not okay with.”
“I wonder who’s to blame for that,” Denise scolded. “Three older brothers and all she had to do was bat those lashes at you to give her all she wanted.”
“We had to make up for all the teasing somehow.”
Morgan chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t mind and let’s be honest, I like how she doesn’t see me for my limitations.”
“We told her she was crazy for inviting you to the Zoo Lights,” Denise giggled.
“She did mention that, but it was fun. She found ways for me to experience it that others wouldn’t have.”
After a while, Ruby returned to him and with his feet hurting and him needing a break, she helped him off the ice. “How are you feeling?” she asked, seeming worried.
“Pumped with adrenaline.”
“The good kind?”
“Yes, darlin’, the good kind.” Their fingers laced together, and he loved how her palm always found his without a word. All it took was for him to hold his hand out. “Now go and show off for a few minutes while I calm my nerves.”
“Will you join me again later?”
“I would love to.”
With a kiss to his cheek, she left him to lower his blood pressure. Though it had been fun, being out was always overwhelming for him, and adding ice skates only made things worse. He withdrew his phone, finding Ruby as she skated by with Denise at her side. When she came back around again, she threw him the brightest of smiles and a kiss.
“You good?” Alexander asked, joining him on the bench.
“Yeah, just needed a moment.”
