Katie woke to the sound of a squeal from downstairs.
“Wake up! Christmas is finally here and you won’t believe what’s outside,” Zoe yelled.
The sound of Zoe’s feet pounding on the stairs made Katie burrow under her blankets in a vain attempt to hide. If she could just have a few more minutes—
The blankets whipped off her. “I’m glad I don’t sleep naked,” Katie said, curling into a shivering ball. “That could have been embarrassing.”
“Please,” Zoe said, waving her off. “I knew you wouldn’t be. You’re not the type.”
Book 2: "It's better to have loved and lost, they said. They were wrong."Ruby balanced her phone between her shoulder and ear as she wound her bike chain around a tree. “Have you decided what you want on your cake? I just arrived at the bakery.”“I told you, it doesn’t really matter to me. The cake is going to be delicious either way,” Katie said.It mattered to Ruby. An ache settled in her chest and she paused outside the bakery door. “What about pink baby booties in the middle with the writing surrounding the
Parker watched Ruby hurry out the door. Her long dark hair bounced slightly with each step, and it seemed to glow as she walked into the sunlight. After all these years he still couldn’t help but watch her every move.“Parker, did you want me to bag these up for you?” Rebecca asked. From the way she looked at him, it seemed like maybe it wasn’t the first time she had asked.“Yes, please. Thank you.” As Rebecca rung up the cake and figurines, a flash of light on the counter caught Parker’s eye. He walked over and saw that it was a blue wallet. Tiny jewels sewn into the surface reflected the light that streamed through the window. Parker opened it and saw Ruby’s face staring back at him on her driver’s license. Except the license had e
Ruby finished setting the table, then glanced at the place cards she held in her hand. She placed one next to each plate, then when she felt she had the order right, she sat down on the couch to anxiously await the arrival of her dinner guests.After what seemed like hours, Ruby glanced at her phone. It had only been twenty minutes, but she saw she had a text from Sam that she had somehow missed.Sorry, we’re running late.Of course they were. They had probably burned dinner and now had to pick up something on their way over. At least Zoe would be there as a buffer between her and Parker. And if all went well, it would be Zoe that Parker would ask to take home, and Ruby would be off the hook. At least, t
Ruby tried not to stare, but…wow. Parker’s chest wasn’t hairy like a lot of men, and she couldn’t help but wish the table didn’t cover up the abs she caught a glimpse of as he sat down.“You okay?” Parker asked, not bothering to hide his smile as he ate.“Of course,” Ruby mumbled and she forced a bite of enchilada into her mouth. “The view is much better now, thank you.” She paused, realizing what she had just said. “I meant the smell. The smell is much better now—you don’t stink anymore.”Parker’s eyes danced and he took a drink before leaning back in his chair, his hands behind his head, and a sati
Ruby turned on the ‘closed’ sign and pulled the daycare door shut. She sighed as she turned her key in the lock. Another day over. Another night in an empty house. She’d thought she’d be used to it by now. She had lived alone for a long time before she had gotten married. It had been bearable, but never felt right. And then Clark had shown up and it had been like a light switched on. Clark illuminated everything, making even the drabbest corners of Ruby’s life bright again. She had never laughed as much as when she had Clark.Now?Ruby unlocked her bike chain and stuck it in the basket. She flicked the bell on the handlebars a few times, just to hear a bit of its happiness before she started for home. It was the same bell Ruby had had since she was a kid. T
Parker couldn’t believe that out of all the places he could have chosen to eat—and admittedly, his choices were limited—Ruby had to be there. He had been looking forward to a quiet evening out, but it didn’t look like there’d be much chance of that now. Parker loved being back in Amor and visiting his family, but his parents’ thirty-year anniversary celebration was over and it was hard being cooped up with all his brothers and sisters, plus spouses and several nieces and nephews. He loved them and they had a lot of fun together, but he couldn’t handle the chaos and noise anymore. He needed a breather.And he got Ruby Freedman instead.Taking off his shirt and t
Ruby stared at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the reflection that stared back. It wasn’t just that she was older. Life had thrown a lot at her, and she didn’t wear it well. The bags under her eyes were evidence of all the sleepless nights Ruby still had. After marrying Clark, it hadn’t taken long to get used to sleeping with another person. But after his death, she’d never gotten used to sleeping without him by her side. Her laughter lines had also faded over the years.Ruby grabbed her phone and called Zoe. It rang several times before Zoe picked up. “I can’t do it,” Ruby said.“Yes, you can. It’s not like you’re going out with a stranger. Parker’s already been over to your house for dinner, and you’ve s
Parker stood on Ruby’s front porch. His hands had suddenly gone clammy, and he wiped them on his pants. What was wrong with him? This was almost as bad as when he had waited at the movie theater, except he shouldn’t be this nervous to help someone prepare for a baby shower. Especially because it wasn’t even his baby!Parker raised a hand to knock, but the door swung open before he had the chance. Ruby stood in the doorway, her dark hair flowing over her shoulders. She wore an oversized T-shirt and leggings that accentuated her figure.“Beautiful,” he murmured.Ruby gave him a crooked smile. “Sorry?”Parker cle
Zoe walked down the sidewalk, arm in arm with her best friend, Ruby. The sun had set an hour earlier and all they were left with was the light from the street lamps, splashing across the road. Summer was her favorite time of year, despite the monsoon rains that would leave as quickly as they arrived, and despite the mosquitoes the rain invariably brought with it. And right then, she loved the scents of the desert mingled with campfire smoke that surrounded them as they walked down Main Street toward the town park.“Too bad Parker couldn’t be here for the star party,” Zoe said, turning the corner by the bike shop. A small path led to the large park that was tucked away behind the buildings, w
Bev stretched out in bed, her toes dangling over the edge. Katie had encouraged her to take a long weekend, and it was the best thing Bev could have done. Of course, that didn’t stop her mind from drifting to Charles, or keep her from constantly looking at the picture that Katie had given her. The one where she was floating in zero gravity, the earth behind her…while she kissed Charles. It was a picture-perfect moment, and one that she kept coming back to.Bev kept asking herself if she had overreacted. Maybe. She would never know, though. She had texted Charles several times over the previous few days. Even if nothing else happened between them, she wanted the chance to apologize. She felt bad about how she had left things, and the things she had said to him.But he’
Charles arrived early at the celebratory lunch. They were meeting in a large conference room that had been decorated with glittering stars that hung from the ceiling. The black tablecloth also glittered, as though millions of stars were sprinkled all over it, but he couldn’t enjoy it when all he felt was regret. Charles had watched Bev walk away, and he had done nothing to stop her. But how could he have? Everything he had said, she’d turned it on its head and made him into the bad guy.When he had said her homelessness didn’t matter to him, he hadn’t meant that her experiences weren’t important. He had only meant that he didn’t care if she was a billionaire, or a kindergarten teacher. Or even homeless. It was the money that didn’t matter to him. But he was never able to explain himself. Bev had been so angry, he
The spaceship landed with a thud and Bev’s heart thudded with it. They were back on Earth. Their journey was over. But not completely. After seeing the earth, so innocent and small, all of her problems seemed minuscule by comparison. She didn’t feel she had the right to complain about a broken high heel or having to eat spaghetti again for dinner when she’d rather have steak.Bev unbuckled her harness and Charles held out a hand to help her stand. She wasn’t sure why he thought she needed the help, until she tried and her legs wobbled under her. She took his gloved hand in hers, grateful for the support. It wasn’t until they walked down the steps from the spaceship that she let g
Charles felt queasy, but he didn’t think it was because of the motion of the spaceship. His nerves were clawing at him and his heart beat so fast, he thought it too was trying to escape. He touched the button on the side of his helmet. “You guys okay if I start talking through the techniques a little early? Or at least a little deep breathing?”“Yes, please,” Brady said, practically begging.“Breathe in…and hold it. One…two…three…four. Now slowly let it out,” Charles said. He was sure he needed it more than anyone else, but saying it out loud, and knowing the others were doing it with him, helped calm him down.The pilot’s voice cut in just as
Bev woke up long before the sun rose. That would have implied that she slept, though, and she didn’t get much of that. This time it wasn’t because of Charles, however. He had texted her as she was getting ready for bed, asking if she wanted to go for an evening stroll. She had considered it, but in the end decided it would just complicate things. She hadn’t texted him back.Judging by the tossing and turning she heard from the other two beds, she doubted that Cecelia or Katie had slept either. Who could, when they knew they would be going up to space in just a few short hours? They had been prepared. They were ready.Even though Bev had ignored Charles’ text the night before, she peeked through the blinds next to her window, half hoping that he would be out there
“Welcome to the simulation lab,” Julie said, stopping and opening a door that their badges didn’t allow them access to.Bev was the first one to step through the door, but it was so dark, she couldn’t see her own hand in front of her face. “Is there a light around here somewhere?”“Take about three more steps and it will kick on,” Julie said.It was a little unnerving stepping into the dark, but she did as she was told. As promised, the lights clicked on, but the sudden brightness momentarily sent spots through her vision. When they cleared, Bev’s breath caught in her throat.She was standing in a room that was even larger than the roo
“I can’t believe I said that,” Bev said, pacing back and forth in their dorm room. “To a billionaire.”“So what? You told him you know your way around a cardboard box. That could mean anything,” Katie said, studying her reflection in the full-length mirror on the closet door. “I really like this spacesuit. Doctor Randall said we get to take it home as a souvenir. Usually when I get free stuff, it’s a lousy T-shirt that is three sizes too big.”“Can we focus on me for a moment?” Bev asked. “Everyone associates homeless people with living in cardboard boxes. Where would we even get a box that would be big enough to fit inside? It’s not like people just throw those things out on the street.” She sighe
Charles felt disoriented as he leaned on Doctor Randall. His body had never been through so much torture. But he had done it, and without puking. He had Bev to thank for that. He slid into his chair in the hall, many of his teammates looking similar to how he felt. Only three people were left: Brady, Cecelia, and Katie. With each person who came out, Katie made another phone call to her daughter. The last time she’d returned, she’d complained that her sister-in-law had stopped picking up the phone.“Guess I better show you how it’s done, eh?” Cecelia said, teasing Brady. She smiled as she said it, but her eyes held fire. Whatever anxiety she’d had before had been replaced by the feud between her and the young actor. Who knew someone could gain a nemesis on a space tourism flight?