Page 70 of Christmas in Mistletoe
Ruby’s parents hugged her, then Victoria, before Ruby greeted Fran, Dad and Pop.
Her parents couldn’t wait for their hug.
“Ruby, you were incredible. Fran told us how good you were, but that was such a performance. Fran was right, you should be a megastar!”
Ruby cast her gaze to the floor, then shook her head. “My hometown made it easy.” She glanced at Fran. “But without your daughter, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Fran shook her head. Ruby was too quick to attribute her success to others. It was time she owned it. “This wasn’t me. This was all you.”
Ruby glanced at her parents. “Do you need me to do anything else here?”
Paul shook his head. “I want you to do nothing here. The cafe staff are going to take down the stage. We’ve got the food and drink stands covered, and our Christmas tree pre-orders are through the roof. One thing, though. Everyone has demanded another concert next year, so can we make this an annual event?” He paused. “I should let you know, I’ve already said yes.” He walked over and put an arm around Ruby, kissing her cheek.
“I would love to,” Ruby said. “From being scared stiff, it’s turned into the best night of my life. I could feel the love from the crowd. If you have that, you can’t fail.”
Fran shook her head. “You can’t.”
“By the way,” Paul added. “That ‘one, two, Mistletoe’ chant got me a little jealous. Nobody’s ever chanted it back at me before.”
Ruby laughed. “I’ll credit you next time, Dad.”
Paul smiled. “It’s my gift to you.” He kissed her cheek again. “Why don’t you and Fran have a drink and we’ll join you later when we’ve cleared the farm. Don’t argue. We’ve got enough staff here to help, so just go and relax.”
Ruby glanced over at Fran. “Can I interest you in a mulled wine and a mince pie by an open fire?”
Fran nodded. “It sounds perfect.”
* * *
“You really were incredible.”
Ruby squeezed Fran’s hand as they walked through the farmhouse front door. Chipper greeted them, jumping up at Ruby and pawing Fran.
“Hey boy, good dog!” Ruby ruffled his fur, before ushering him through to the lounge. Then she shut the door.
“Aren’t we going in there?” Fran inclined her head.
Ruby shook hers. “I’ve been thinking about you all week, wanting to kiss you without an audience. Just me, an audience of one.” She wrapped her arms around Fran and pulled her close so their bodies were touching. Then Ruby pressed her lips to Fran’s.
Fran’s toes danced in her boots.
“I haven’t shown you my room, yet. Plus, there’s nobody in the house right now. How about a mulled wine afterwards?”
“Fuck the mulled wine.”
Ruby shook with gentle laughter. “You’re my kind of woman.”
Ruby tugged Fran’s hand and they walked through the kitchen and up the stone stairs with frayed carpet. Fran focused on the rich thud of her heart, stirring her insides with style.
Ruby opened a door on the right: her bedroom. It housed a double bed with a white duvet and pillows. The walls were white, the two chests of drawers the same colour.
“You like white.”Shut up, Fran.
The room could have been painted neon pink for all she cared. It didn’t matter.
What mattered was the electricity in the room, so raw, so wired, about to ignite.
Ruby reached for her, but stopped when she touched Fran. She brought Fran’s hand to her mouth and kissed it gently. That didn’t help Fran’s mini-tremors.
