Page 19 of Her Mountain Man Outlaw
“I found Winterdale on the map,” Ruby says, “and it was right in the middle of all the other places. I figured you made a mistake, so I didn’t cash the money order…just in case it could be traced.”
Smart kid.
“Then I traveled to Winterdale,” Ruby continues breathlessly, wiping her eyes. “I knocked on doors, asking if anybody knew a guy called John Evans, since that’s the name you always used on your money orders. Nobody had heard of you. So I tried the next town over. Somebody mentioned a guy selling firewood on Cherry Mountain. They said his name was Evans or Edwards or something. So I drove up the mountain, and when I saw the firewood stand, I figured it was worth a shot. I never imagined it would really be you.”
Damn.
It breaks my heart knowing how hard she’s been working to find me. I rest a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Ruby. Fuck, you have no idea how sorry I am. I wanted to reach out so badly, but I thought?—”
Ruby shakes her head, cutting me off. “Staying hidden was the right thing to do. The cops would have tracked you down in no time if you tried to contact me. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
I swallow hard. “It wasn’t just the cops I was thinking about. I thought you would hate me for what I did to your dad.”
Ruby’s face crumples, but she doesn’t cry. “No, Maddox. Of course I don’t hate you. The coroner explained how my dad died. How his injuries were consistent with being punched, thenfalling backward and hitting his head. I knew it was an accident.” She takes my hands in hers. “My father was a dangerous man. You were more of a parent to me than he ever was. Even after you joined the army, you were always there for me. You always cared.”
“Of course I cared, Ruby. You’re my sister.”
She lets out a gentle sob and hugs me again. “Thank you for the money orders,” she whispers. “You don’t know how much they helped.”
“It was the least I could do, Rue.” The old nickname slips out naturally. “I’m just so sorry you had to handle everything all by yourself. Especially after my mom passed away.”
Ruby pulls away, pressing a hand to her mouth as she looks at me. “Oh God. I was…I wasn’t sure if you knew…I thought I was going to have to break the news.”
“Saw the obituary online.”
Ruby nods, wincing. “It was very sudden.” She squeezes my hand. “But she didn’t suffer. She passed in her sleep.”
Grief wells up in my chest. It’s still raw, even now.
“Was she…happy?” I ask.
To my relief, Ruby smiles. “Yes. She missed you like crazy, of course. We talked about you all the time. But a couple of years after you left, she married a guy called Gary. A really nice guy. She had lots of friends and was always out doing something. She was really happy, Maddox.”
The heaviness in my chest eases, relief washing over me. Instinctively, I look back over my shoulder, seeking Sophia. I want to share all this with her, and I spy her hovering in the kitchen doorway, watching us nervously like she’s scared to intrude. I reach a hand out, beckoning her to join us.
“Come here, sugar.”
She walks gingerly toward us, and I sling an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
“Ruby, this is Sophia…the love of my life.”
My sister’s eyes widen in surprise, then she beams at us. “That’s amazing! It’s so good to meet you. I never thought my brother would settle down. He’s always been too grumpy to have girlfriends.”
Sophia chuckles warmly. “It’s great to meet you, too. Maddox has told me so much about you. I’m so happy you found us.”
My chest surges with affection for my sweet Sophia, and I press a kiss on the top of her head before stepping back from the doorway.
“Come on in, Rue. Let’s talk inside. We have a hell of a lot to catch up on.”
My sister smiles. “I’ll be right in. Just need to move my car off the road.”
Sophia and I watch as she heads back up the forest path toward the firewood stand. Her car is parked in the same spot where Sophia’s ran out of gas, and I smile to myself.
“This is so amazing,” Sophia says, turning to me. “You finally have your sister back!”
I let out a whoosh of breath. “It’s crazy. Still haven’t processed it.”
I wrap an arm around Sophia’s waist, and she melts against me, sweet and soft as a peach. Her body fits mine perfectly, like she was made for this place in my arms.
