The next several weeks pass with Ruby attending counseling weekly and caring for her children.
This change for Em provides her free time. Time that she hasn’t had in over a year and taking that into account, her first order of business is a salon appointment where she has everything done. She leaves after her treatments, feeling refreshed and energized. Her agenda includes shopping and dinners with Daisy along with other friends.
The day before her departure to AC with Daisy begs whether to call Noah. She hasn’t returned his call since he’d left the message. Deciding to take a chance, she makes the call.
“Em?” Noah answers.
She gulps. “Yeah, it’s me. I’m sorry it took so long for me to get back to you.”
“Are you okay? Do you need help?”
“No, I’m fine. I wanted to let you know that I’ll be in AC for the weekend.”
“That’s great. When do you arrive?”
“We’re coming in early tomorrow afternoon. Usually we’re unpacked and downstairs around one thirty. Will you be on the boards?”
Noah chuckles. “I am almost always on the boards. Are you staying in the same place?”
“We are.”
“Then I’ll meet you on one of the benches in the same area we met last time. I’m not sure why but you have been on my mind so I added you into my daily prayers.”
How does she respond to that? In her entire life, no one has ever said that before. “Uhm. Okay. So I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow. And Em.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for returning my call.”
“Sure.”
Em looks at the outfits she was going to pack with a more discerning eye, knowing she will see Noah. Feeling better about what she’s packed, she flips through her closet for what she’ll wear tomorrow. The day she sees him again. Just that thought has her heart banging against her chest like a pinball machine.
Unable to decide what to wear for the trip itself, she descends the stairs and walks to the kitchen to begin dinner, only to find Ruby already in the midst of preparations.
Smiling broadly, Em asks, “What can I do to help?”
Ruby looks up from her chopping potatoes. “Nothing. I’ve just got to mash these potatoes. There are string beans in the microwave and a salad in the refrigerator. The small roast is resting before I slice it.”
Her mouth waters, recognizing the smells with the food items Ruby mentions. “I’ll get the salad out with our dressings.”
“Okay. Thanks. Are you packed for your long weekend?”
“I am. We’ll be leaving around nine tomorrow morning.”
“Are you going to see that guy you met the last time you were down?”
“Yeah, I am. I’m ashamed to admit that I’m a little nervous.”
Ruby smiles. “I understand the nervousness. Do you want me to help you with what you’re going to wear this weekend after I get the kids to bed?”
“Really? You’d do that with me?”
“Of course. What are sisters for?” Ruby says, leaving her post at the counter to give Em a squeeze. “It’s the least I can do for the past year.”
Dinner is a fun affair with Hanna and Gabriel.
Hanna watches Gabriel in the living room while Ruby and Em clean up dinner.
Em lays out the outfits she’d decided upon on her bed for Ruby to review.
Ruby slips in the room and puts a finger to her lips then whispers, “They’re in bed but not asleep yet.” She softly closes Em’s door.
Em nods. She waves her hand over the four outfits on the bed and breathes, “This is what I’d planned on wearing while I was there, but I need an awesome outfit tomorrow since he’ll be on the boards waiting for me.”
The sisters spend the next hour revising what Em had planned on taking, along with selecting her outfit for her arrival. Neither worried about the trip home, so comfortable old jeans along with a t-shirt get thrown into the suitcase.
Em hugs Ruby. “Thank you so much. I would have never thought of pairing some of these together.”
Ruby returns the hug. “You’re welcome. Enjoy your time away. I’ve told dad to call me if there’s mom problems.”
Em’s eyes fill, and she swallows the lump in her throat. “Thanks.”
“You’ve got this, Em. You’re a beautiful woman who has a lot to offer. He’d be a fool if he didn’t take more than one look.”
“I don’t know Ruby. I’m not good at flirting or dating.”