to go around trying to fix everything, but when you’re upset, that’s still our first instinct. But I can’t even be there for you in any way if you won’t tell me what the hell is wrong.” His tone got a little grumpy at the end.
The shift in tone had helped her recover herself. She laughed softly and started walking toward the house. “If you really want to be there, you’ll accept it when I say everything’s fine. Even if something were wrong, I’m used to dealing with stuff on my own. I’m a big girl. I’ll be okay.”
He didn’t answer, which surprised her enough to shoot a quick glance over to check his face. He was snarling slightly, like he was still annoyed but trying to hold it in.
She didn’t like it when Carter was annoyed, but as long as he wasn’t being pushy, she could handle it. And the good thing was that Lincoln, Summer, and Mrs. Wilson were waiting inside the house so there was no further opportunity for private conversation.
THE BRUNCH WAS DELICIOUS—MRS. Wilson had really gone all out—and the five of them lingered over the table for almost two hours, eating and chatting and laughing and telling stories.
Ruth tried not to enjoy it too much, but it was hard not to feel at home with these people. Like they were her family too.
By the end of the meal, she was so emotionally rattled that she needed a break, so she excused herself to the bathroom. As she washed her hands afterward, she stared at herself in the mirror. Slightly tousled auburn hair, despite her attempt to dry it sleek and straight this morning. Pink cheeks. Hazel eyes that looked gray in the artificial light. A scattering of freckles on her nose. A strangely spooked expression. Like a trapped animal.
She sighed as she dried her hands on the clean, expensive hand towel. Instead of returning to the others in the dining room, she walked into the library and sat down in a big leather chair near the fireplace. There wasn’t a fire burning this morning, so the room was cool and comfortable. Quiet.
She’d been sitting there for less than five minutes when she heard a motion at the door. Expecting Carter, she was surprised when it was Mrs. Wilson walking in. “What are you doing in here by yourself, dear? Don’t you feel okay?”
“I feel fine,” Ruth told her with a smile. “Just taking a beat. Sometimes I like to have a minute or two alone.”
“Of course you do. Everyone does.” Mrs. Wilson took the chair beside Ruth’s and leaned forward to take both her hands. “You’ll feel even better if you do a little meditation. That’s the best way to refresh yourself. Here. Close your eyes and breathe with me.”
Part of Ruth wanted to giggle at the earnest words, but she wouldn’t have hurt Mrs. Wilson’s feelings for anything. So she closed her eyes obediently and let the older woman hold her hands and guide her breathing for a few minutes.
She actually did feel more relaxed when Mrs. Wilson finally let go of her hands.
“See? Doesn’t that help?”
“It does,” Ruth replied. “Thank you.”
“Sometimes it feels like the voices in our heads are all talking at once, telling us different things, sometimes making up stories that just aren’t true. It can be overwhelming. But if we can clear our minds a little, then we can think better and sort all those voices out. Hear the ones we need to hear.”
“Yes. That makes sense. Thank you.”
Mrs. Wilson reached over to pat her knee affectionately. “You’re such a sweet girl.”
Ruth couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t think people usually see me as sweet.”
“Well, then they’re wrong. You’ve got some edges. That’s what life does to us. But you’re so sweet underneath it all. I can see it, and I know Carter sees it. Why do you think he loves you so much?”
Ruth gulped at that and had no idea what to say.
Fortunately, Mrs. Wilson didn’t appear to expect an answer. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that Carter found you. He’s been a new man. Like the boy he used to be. I never thought I’d see that boy again.”
Now Ruth’s eyes were burning. She made a wordless sound she hoped was appropriate.
“Hey, Mom.” The male voice wasn’t Carter’s.
Ruth turned to see Lincoln’s handsome face in the doorway.
“Where did you put that gift for the Harringtons? Summer wanted to make sure we got it in the