“Why not?” she put her hands in mine and under the glow of the orange hazard lights, we slow danced. It was like the whole world stopped for us. The only cars in the vicinity trapped by this train.
Never mind that the music was too fast for how slow we were moving. My chin resting on top of her head I said, “I had to tell you about my wife because I didn’t want you to feel like I was hiding anything from you. You know me better than anyone.”
She pulled back to look up at me. “Somehow I feel like I always have.”
When the song ended, my nerves went up. She turned to get back in the car. “No, wait, just a minute.” I looked at the radio begging the commercial to go off.
“Why what’s the matter?” Ruthie’s eyebrows drew together in concern. “Do you want to dance to another song?”
When the DJ’s voice came over the radio I visibly exhaled. “Maybe.”
She shook her head. “We might as well. The police will find our skeletons by the time this train ends.”
I ran my hand across my chin.
“Welcome to KBRT radio. This morning my boss handed me a special request that I’m honored to deliver. And it goes something like this, Ruthie Mirisch will you marry Boaz Traugott? Who promises to be your fighter.”
“That’s a funny coincidence. It sounded like they said my name and yours.”
When she turned back to face me I was already on one knee. In one quick movement, I produced the black box from my back pocket. Auntie Naomi help me pick it out the other day. “It wasn’t just a coincidence. Ruthie, will you marry me?”
She flung her arms around me in a tight embrace. “Yes. I will marry you.”
As I slipped the ring on her finger. Large popping sounds could be heard coming from the other side of the train. I stood up and we looked towards the sky to see the fireworks, partially hidden behind the trees. “Those were also for you.”
“Don’t sound so defeated. I loved every moment of this day and it’s not over yet.” She brought her arms around my waist. “This is all very romantic. And I can’t wait to tell Naomi.”
“Like a proper gentleman. I asked her for your hand in marriage. Also In full disclosure, she helped me pick out your ring.”
Just when the last train car left the gate. Ruthie clapped her hands together. “Is my fiancee ready to take me to the fireworks?”
I grabbed her hand and helped her back into the car. “Yes, I am.”
22
Ruthie
That morning after I promised everyone at work that I would buy them lunch, I found myself running late as I waited for the sandwich makers to finish making the lunches. The ring of the door opening, caused me to turn my head and see Mr. Carver, Boaz’s lawyer enter.
“Good morning, fancy seeing you here.”
I stood up to shake his hand. “Yes, what a surprise and just in time for Boaz’s last court date.” I gave him a small wink.
Jia told me that Mr. Bullock was citing my employment as another example of Boaz’s negligence in hiring competent employees to work at his hospital and dog walking business. I didn’t want to bring it up to Boaz because I already knew what he would say. Protecting me was his number one priority, but when I said yes to his proposal that changed things. “I’m glad you could meet me under such unusual circumstances.
Mr. Carver cleared his throat and laughed. “Well, I eat lunch like everyone else. But is it safe to assume that this is about the Traugott vs Bullock case?”
My shoulder’s straightened. “I want in. I’ve been briefed on how the case is going and don’t ask me how I know.” I walked over to a table with him and sat down.
“We’re getting hammered. What looked like a cut and dry dog bite case has turned into an all-out battle. One that I’ve been sworn by my client to keep you out of.”
A heavy weight settled into my chest. Although I wanted to help, it was still a bit depressing to hear that he actually needed it, and this case wasn’t all wrapped up in a cute bow. He spent so much of our time together shielding me from the truth. This was it, I was going to confront him once and for all about treating me like a china doll. My heart ached at the thought of him going through this alone.
“Well put me on the stand. Question me. I want to be a character witness for Boaz.”
He seemed to be eyeing me for truthfulness. “Call my office and set up an appointment for later today. I want to grill you with some questions so that you know what to expect.” He got up and shook my hand. “Welcome to the team.” He got to the door and looked back at me. “What changed your mind?”
“He told me that he was my fighter. I just want to return the favor.”
* * *
That evening, after finishing up my meeting with Mr. Carver, I headed to Boaz’s intent on telling him the truth of what I was about to do. As I got out of the car, the ring of my cell phone caused me to jump as I realized that it was just Naomi. I put the phone on vibrate and made a mental note to call her after.
“You look absolutely gorgeous,” Boaz said sitting on his porch when I walked up. I had already called to tell him that I would have to miss dinner, but still would be available for dessert. Using my mother-in-law Naomi as an alibi. I was just thankful that he didn’t push it. And Naomi only agreed to go along if I talked to him about it. Which only meant that she wasn’t much help at all.
We stood staring at each other for a couple of minutes. Until I joined him on the porch swing watching the cars as they went by.
“It’s good to just be sitting here next to you. I hope everything is going well with your court dates.”
He shook his head. “This guy is a monster. If this was just about his dog this would have been over by now, but its like he wants to see me fail.”
I put my hand on his knee. “Can I ask you something?”
He adjusted himself so that he was staring directly into my eyes. “Anything.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that he was using me against you? The fact that you hired me with little experience.”
An airplane went by overhead. Looking no bigger than a shooting star. I turned back to him and he ran his index finger along my jawline. “You just got on your feet and seem genuinely happy with the direction your life is taking. I didn’t want to be the reason you had to put an asterisk on your happiness.” He released a heavy sigh.
My hands were warm when I placed it in his. “I know better than anyone what it means to reach out for help. You’re fortunate enough to have someone in your life who’s willing to carry half the load. You got to take the Superman cape off and let me wear it sometime. Like Supergirl.”
He laughed and put his hands around my shoulder. Pulling me in until he planted a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll take that advice into consideration, Supergirl, but not this time.”
“You still don’t get it,” I said, pulling out of his grasp. “I’m a little hurt that you don’t see me as a formidable woman, but someone who always needs protection. I can handle anything this world throws at me and in fact, I have.”
“I’m the rescuer and sometimes I forget that I need rescuing. I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you. Ever.”
I nodded. “Of course, I know that.” I squeezed his hand. “I want to help you.”
He gave me a small smile. “Unfortunately there is no way you can. I’m already exhausting all of my options.”
“Let me be a character witness for you.”
He leaned over and kissed me on my forehead. “Thank you, but I’ve got this one.”
My shoulders slumped. At least I could tell Naomi that we talked about it.
23
Boaz
The next morning after agonizing over the proper suit to wear to court, I finally began to relate to what women go through on a regular basis. Waiting for my lawyer outside the courthouse, so we can discuss today’s events before court starts.
“Sorry I’m late, but I had to wrangle my final witness out of her house.” My lawyer said checking his wat
ch before stepping aside to reveal Ruthie. After our rendezvous, after our second court date, I knew that it was something my lawyer wanted to do, but I never thought he would go behind my back to do it. Ruthie hadn’t even mentioned to me that she was going to testify. This was definitely blowing my mind right now.
We stood in silence as we made the slow trek through security. Both trying to avoid the others gaze out of fear of what that might spark.
“Listen I’m sorry for going behind your back, but I’m supposed to help you win this case right? Well, that’s what I’m doing.”
I shook my head. “You can plead temporary insanity because last I checked you worked for me. So you follow my wishes.” Following him up the stairs to the room where my court proceedings would be held.
She shrugged. “It’s not as if he dragged me here by gunpoint.”
Fear consumed me, and when I looked at her she seemed to already know what I was going to say. “I don’t want you going down with the ship.”
The door wasn’t open yet. Ruthie motioned for us to take a seat away from the lawyer so that we could talk. “They already dragged me into this. The least I could do is speak up for myself, and you.”
The prosecutor whizzed by us and checked the sign on the door. Drawing my eye to Mr. Bullock who stood against the wall with his dog Jacobi. I turned back to Ruthie, to find myself face to face with her. “This is an unfortunate money grab and I’m sorry that your name was ever mentioned.”
I released a sigh.
Her hand was warm when she placed it on top of mine. “You know the importance better than anyone of reaching out for help. I’m sorry that instead of being a help. Yet again, I’m being used to drag you down. I guess I’m lucky that your forgiveness does not have a limit.”
Before I could respond the guard came through the door. “Traugott versus Bullock, 10 am, now open.”
“That’s us.” She arched a brow at me. “Seriously, I’m happy to help. I feel unintentionally responsible for the negative turn that everything has taken. At least I can try to get you out of this.”
It wasn’t easy admitting that I did need rescuing. I was just used to handling everything on my own. “I’m not trying to doubt you. And I do love you for doing this for me.”
She nodded. “I know that.” She squeezed my hand and headed into the courtroom.
“Are you ready?”
I took a deep breath. “Yes,” I said smiling as I passed Jenni, who sat in the audience as one of the witnesses called on day two of this debacle. I dropped my head in acknowledgment. “I can’t lose this case. My fiancee and I need this business.”
“Fiancee? Congratulations. Who is it?”
I attempted a smile. “I’ll tell you after all this is over.”
We stood up as the guard rattled off the rules, like no cell phone, and no talking. Before calling the session to order and ushering in Judge Hensley. “Be seated. Mr. Carver, call your first and last witness. I think we can agree a simple case has turned into anything but.”
Feeling somewhat vindicated by the comment, he stood up with a smirk on his lips. “I call Ruthie Mirisch to the stand.”
She stood up and shakily made her way to the front. Swearing on a bible to tell the whole truth and nothing, but. Not that she needed it because I knew that she was as honest as they come.
Mr. Carver approached her. “Can you explain how you came to work for Mr. Traugott?”
Her eyes darted to me fearfully. “I met Jenni who said she worked there and I knew they were hiring because of a post on a board that I had seen the day before. So I decided to walk back with her to the place and see if they would hire me on.”
“Did you ever feel pressured to work at either Bark Village Veterinary Hospital or the Dog Walking Service?”
“No, not at all. In fact, he kept saying that if I wanted to change my mind and go back to dog walking I could. But I chose not too. It really was like an apprenticeship more than anything. I mostly trained with Felicity, our secretary and occasionally I would go and help him with an animal. Mostly when it just helped to have an extra set of hands and a dog was particularly skittish. My time there, and still is the best time I’ve ever had,” she said, clearing her throat. He went over and poured her a glass of water before handing it to her and going on to the next question.
“What’s it like working for him?”
“He’s got this magic touch with the animals where they just sense that he will take care of them. And in essence, that’s who he is. Its what he did for me. I was in a really tough place when I reached town, and he was like my savior. This job saved my life. And yeah its super simple, dog walking, but it was hope on four legs and when a position opened to fill his assistant position temporarily. The only thing I could think about was rising to the occasion to be worth all the faith he had in me. He treats everyone at the shop like family, and I felt that immediately. You never want to disappoint the people you care about.”
“Your witness.”
The prosecutor pointed to her left hand. “Just now when you reached for the glass, you were wearing an engagement ring, but you weren’t before,” he began, “Who are you engaged to?”
“Objection, relevance.” My lawyer shouted.
“No further questions your honor.”
My lawyer shook his head.
“You can step down now Ms. Mirisch.”
Her eyes settled on me only briefly before she went back to sit in the audience. The courtroom practically empties except for the witnesses and a few court officials. No bystanders were allowed to view the proceedings even though the judge had been petitioned to keep it open. By our local newspaper who had picked up the story.
The judge banged the gravel and stood up collecting the paperwork on his desk. “The court is in recess while I deliberate. Judgment will be coming today.”
“All rise.”
We all did as the guard ordered. The judge disappearing into a back room. The room seemed to collectively exhale.
My lawyer stuffed paperwork back into his briefcase. “It probably is best if you didn’t stray too far. I don’t imagine this will take too long.”
My heart soared as the Judge dismissed us to deliberate swearing that he would make his decision sometime today. But I had to wait until I got out into the hall to give Ruthie a hug. Ignoring the evil side eye from Mr. Bullock with his dog Jacobi as they made there way down to the cafeteria. And there in front of the courtroom, I held Ruthie’s hand like two teenagers deeply in love. Hoping that no one else finds out.
* * *
The tapping of my black boots echoed throughout the third-floor courthouse corridor. After three long weeks of back and forth, today was the first day of closing arguments. No more racing in between here and the Vet hospital and sometimes the dog walking service. There was nothing left to do, but pray that it all works out in my favor. He was ready to put this idiotic case behind him and start the next chapter in my his life. A life that now included Ruthie.
“Do you think I did a good job?” Ruthie asked sitting on a bench just outside the courtroom.
I stopped and joined her my hands nervously gripping the basswood on either side of me. Quieting the roaring in my head. “Whatever happens today its not your fault.”
“Do you think everyone else is really going to believe that?”
“Everyone else doesn’t matter. Its what I know.”
I was worried about the same thing. Not because I thought Ruthie was the catalyst, but because I knew other people might and I didn’t want her to go through any more heartache. The things she said about me in front of the judge was awe-inspiring. There was no way I could ever doubt her commitment to my vet hospital and the animals under my care. She was just as worried as I was. Maybe more so because she had been the last witness called. “They weren’t in that room and they didn’t hear you. But I did and you were awesome.”
“A regular super-hero.”
The last thing I wanted was to put Ruthie
in the middle of the mess I created and it seemed to be such a cheap shot on the part of the prosecution. “My superhero for sure.”
She shook her head and tucked her straightened hair behind her ear. “If I can’t help you win this case some hero I am.”
I leaned over and put my arm around her not sure how much affection we could display here. “You have given me everything I need. The rest is just window dressing.”
We were waiting another fifteen minutes when Naomi and my mother showed up. Joining us on the bench and taking our hands.
“Have you heard anything yet?” my mother was the first to ask.
“Not yet.” She gripped my hand reassuringly, looking more nervous than I was. It was our legacy in jeopardy here and that weighed heavily on me as well. I grit my teeth. “Let’s just stay positive.”
Silence enveloped everyone except for the occasional footfalls of people passing by dealing with there own commitments.
“Well, it’s not a murder case. What could possibly be taking the judge so long?” Naomi quipped.
Fear gripped me once again. That was a good question, and the first sign that maybe I wasn’t going to win this after all. What would I even do with my life instead? The life that I hoped to share with Ruthie. He looked over at the ring she was now wearing on her finger. They would figure this out together. “It was a lot of information to pour over Naomi.”
“Have you guys even eaten anything?”
“Who can eat?”
In true mother fashioned. She pulled some singles from her purse and shoved them into our hands. “Go get something from the vending machines before you waste away.”
I squeezed my eye shut. “Naomi, really that’s not necessary. I’m not broke.”
Ruthie stood up abruptly. “I’m going to go get a sandwich or something.”
My eyes darted open to see Ruthie retreating with the weight of the world on her shoulders. I stood up needing to check on her. “Thanks, Naomi,” kissing the older woman on her cheek. “Text or call me if they come out,” I told my mother. She nodded.
Miracle Walk (The Designed Love Series Book 2) Page 14
