The Turning Tides - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,35

know.”

“Wow,” I said, thinking that he probably should, “What are you going to do?”

He looked sheepish, “She had a cab drop her off. She needs a place to stay for a few days.”

“What did you say?”

He shrugged, “What could I say?” He looked down, “I guess I’m kind of curious… I think I should give her a chance.” He looked into my eyes, searching, “You don’t mind… do you?”

I paused, trying to be diplomatic. Ruby was the woman who had scarred Ethan. She had made him suspicious of love, afraid to love. She was directly responsible for his guarded and mistrustful nature, and even if I tried to be objective, I was inclined to dislike her.

“I suppose everyone deserves a chance,” I managed. I understood better than most that people could be complicated, and that life could change you in unimaginable ways. “Where is she going to sleep?”

“I guess I’ll give her my room.” He looked at me for my reaction, and his face fell, “Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not,” I sighed, “It’s only that… I was looking forward to finally being alone with you.”

He smiled, slipping his arm around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder, “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear that.”

I turned to kiss him, and put the kitten aside to get up, “I better go to Abby’s tonight.”

“Oh, c’mon… stay here tonight. I’ll give you the couch and sleep on the floor… I promise I won’t do anything.”

I blushed, “It’s not that– I just wouldn’t feel comfortable… It’s only for a couple of days, right?”

“Please?”

I shook my head no, “You should get to know her without me around.”

He sighed, “It’s like a giant conspiracy against me.”

“That’s life in the big city.”

“This isn’t San Francisco,” he grumbled.

I insisted I should go, and he got up to walk me out. I reached for my purse, and I nodded to Ruby politely on the way out, “I’ll leave you two to get caught up.”

“It was nice meeting you,” her eyes darted to my hand, and she rushed forward and grabbed it before I could pull it back. Her long red fingernails stood in stark contrast to my short bare ones, “Ooh! Nice ring!” she gasped, turning to Ethan. “Are you kids engaged?”

“Yeah,” he said, looking to me with a smile.

“Oh my God! Congratulations!” she squealed, lunging forward to embrace me again while I stood stiffly.

“Uh, thank you,” I said, leaning back.

She brought her hands to her cheeks and her eyes flew open wide, “I can’t believe I’m gonna have a daughter in-law!” Everything she did seemed theatrical, and her reactions, like her appearance, were completely over the top. She reminded me of a low-budget Evie.

“I should really be going now,” I backed away towards the door, nodding politely, “Goodbye.”

Ethan followed me out and down to the Rover, taking me in his arms before I could climb inside. “Are you sure you won’t stay?” he whispered in my ear.

“Yes.” I said firmly, “Do you have to work tomorrow?”

“I was planning to,” he said, with a glance back up to the apartment. “But what am I going to do with her? Will you come over and have dinner with us tomorrow?”

I nodded, “Sure.”

“What should I make?” he asked nervously.

“Ask her what she likes,” I advised him, realizing that she was as big a stranger to him as she was to me. I gave him a reassuring squeeze, “I’m sure anything you make will be fine. Just tell me what I can do to help.”

I climbed into the car, and Ethan signaled for me to roll down the window.

“Hey,” he leaned in, “What about my surprise?”

I kissed him, “It’ll just have to wait.”

It was completely dark when I parked in front of Abby’s house. I took the gun and Taser out of my purse and locked them into the glove compartment. Abby wasn’t very happy about the alarm system Evie had insisted we install, but she’d be mortified if she knew I brought a weapon into her house. Besides, I thought, it would be wrong to introduce a symbol of violence into her peaceful home. I’d caused enough trouble already.

There was a thin wisp of smoke curling up from the fireplace and warm yellow light shining through the curtain. When I walked onto the porch I could see Dutch on the couch, burping the baby gently over his shoulder. Abby walked by, affectionately ruffling his hair as she passed. I wasn’t sure why, but the scene brought