“I think being here is helping me to recover my lost memories, which is why I came here in the first place. Sticking around for my son is a no-brainer. There’s really no way I can say no.”
Liam let out a huge sigh that sounded like relief. He reached out and placed his hand over hers. He gently squeezed it. Ruby felt a spark in response. Liam’s eyes widened as if he had also felt a connection. Judging by his expression, he was just as surprised as she was by it.
Just then Aidan darted into the room. His hair appeared less rumpled, and he had changed out of his pajamas into a pair of corduroys and a festive sweater. “Hey, Dad. Remember you said we were going to pick out our tree today.”
Liam let out a groan. “It’s amazing how you can remember all of my promises, yet you keep forgetting to brush your teeth before bed.”
Ruby giggled at the sight of Aidan jumping up and down with excitement. She hoped she would be able to keep up with him and his unbridled enthusiasm and energy.
“Hey, buddy, I’m on call today, so I have to be ready to run to the clinic if anyone needs me. You know the drill, right?”
Aidan nodded his head. “Yep. You made a sacred oath to help people.”
“That’s my boy,” Liam said, his tone full of pride.
Aidan walked over to his dad and tugged at his sleeve. He gestured for him to lean down. Aidan cupped his hands around his mouth and began whispering loudly in his father’s ear. Ruby couldn’t hear every word, but she managed to overhear the words “tree” and “please” and “ask.” Suddenly, two pairs of eyes were focused on her.
“Ask her,” Aidan urged in a loud whisper. He put his finger in his mouth and began to nibble.
“How about it, Ruby?” Liam asked. “Do you want to come with us into town and go shopping for an Alaskan Christmas tree?”
* * *
Watching Ruby getting along with Aidan like a house on fire warmed Liam’s insides like nothing else ever could. They had driven into town and parked on Jarvis Street, then made their way to the town green where Alan Pendergast’s tree stand had been set up. Liam’s family had been buying trees from Mr. Pendergast ever since he could remember. Now, he was passing the tradition down to his own son.
This moment was almost surreal. If anyone had told him two days ago that he’d be picking out a Christmas tree with Ruby and his son today, he would have called them all kinds of crazy. God was good! He had given his family back the person who had always been at the core of it with her huge heart and unwavering kindness.
A tight feeling seized his chest as he studied the familiar, graceful slope of Ruby’s neck and the long strands of mahogany hair that trailed down past her shoulders. A hint of a smile played around her lips. She was patiently listening to Aidan and nodding her head in response to his comments.
Was the woman he loved still in there somewhere? Was she still his Ruby? Or had all that changed forever as a result of her head trauma?
Ruby had always been the love of his life. They had planned on being each other’s forever. He fought against a feeling of sadness that crept over him. So much had changed between them. Ruby didn’t even remember him, which he was trying not to take personally. She remembered Aidan and Kyle and the town of Love, as well as a host of other important things. But not him. Not a single memory of him or all the happy times they had shared. It played into every insecurity he had about his relationship with his wife. And even though he dreaded her remembering the rocky state of their marriage at the time of her accident, he still ached to have her remember the sweet and tender moments—their wedding, Aidan’s birth, their very first Christmas together as man and wife.
He stuffed down the feelings of hurt. This wasn’t about him. Aidan was the focus here. Sooner or later he and Ruby would have to figure out where they were headed, but for now it was all about restoring Aidan’s relationship with Ruby. It would be the ultimate Christmas gift.
As he watched Aidan, Liam had the sneaking suspicion his son’s face might crack under the weight of his huge grin. Liam felt as if his heart had expanded to ten times its normal size just watching his joy. It pulsed and hummed in the frigid December air. Aidan was on top of the world as he walked hand in hand with Ruby. Every time he saw an appealing tree, he would begin circling it and eyeing it up and down.
Although word had gotten around about Ruby’s return, there was still a good amount of heads turning in their direction, as well as astonished faces. Thankfully, the place was fairly deserted. Otherwise it would have been overwhelming for Ruby. And Liam was a little tired of explaining the situation to the few townsfolk who pulled him aside and asked. He didn’t blame them for being shocked, but he simply wanted to savor this moment with his family. Liam felt fairly certain his grandfather might have to call a town meeting simply to announce the incredible news.
His family. He still couldn’t believe it. Tears misted his eyes. He blinked them away before Aidan or Ruby could see them.
“This one!” Aidan said triumphantly as he pointed at a large pine tree. “Isn’t it great, Dad?”
Liam walked over and looked the tree up and down. He turned toward Ruby, who had a bemused expression on her face. “It’s pretty impressive. What do you think?”
“I think it’s a keeper,” Ruby said, holding her palm up so Aidan could give her a high-five. He jumped up and slapped her hand, letting out an enthusiastic cry that sounded a lot like triumph.
“If you’re sure, I can go pay Mr. Pendergast,” Liam said. Aidan gave him a thumbs-up sign.
Liam paid for the tree and helped Al carry it over to his truck where they strapped it down with rope.
Once the tree was secure, Aidan seized the moment. “Can we go to the Moose Café for hot chocolate? I want to show my m...” His voice trailed off after he stumbled with the words.
Ruby bent and tweaked his nose. “It’s all right to call me Mom. If you want to,” she said. She glanced over at Liam with a questioning look in her eyes.
Liam sent her an encouraging nod. He hadn’t thought to bring up this topic before. Calling her Mom would be natural, but perhaps it would be too much too soon for Aidan.
“I don’t want to hurt your feelings,” Aidan said, his eyes focused on the snowy ground, “but it might take a while to get used to. So I might wait a while. If that’s okay with you?” He didn’t look up at Ruby but began to push the snow around with the tip of his boot.
“Of course it is,” Ruby said in a gentle voice. “I’m sort of relieved that you said that because, if I’m being completely honest with you, Aidan, it’s going to take a little bit for me to get used to being your mother. And I hope that doesn’t hurt your feelings, because as far as I can see, you’re the most awesome almost-five-year-old on the planet.”
Aidan tried to keep it together but his grin was effusive. Liam let out a sigh of relief. There were bound to be bumps and hiccups on the road ahead, but it was comforting to know that Ruby and Aidan had worked this one out on their own. There would be plenty of time for Aidan to get used to his mother on his own terms and at a pace that felt comfortable to him.
“How does hot chocolate sound?” Liam asked with a glance in Ruby’s direction.
Ruby bobbed her head. “It sounds perfect.” She held up her mittened hands. “My fingers are beginning to tingle. This material is no match for Alaska cold. I need to invest in a new pair of mittens.”
“There’s also lattes and mochaccinos and tea and lots of other types of coffee drinks.” Aidan practically chirped. “This place aims to please.”
“Wow,” Ruby said. “You’re good! You could be a great advertisement for the Moose Café.”
“Cameron has been training him well,” Liam teased, patting Aidan on top of his hat-covered head.
They all chuckled, with Aidan laughing louder than either of them. As they walked down Jarvis Street, p
ausing to admire the festively decorated store windows, Liam wondered if anything felt familiar to Ruby. He stopped himself from asking her, realizing that it might get tiresome to have to continually answer questions about her memories.
Before he knew it, they were standing in front of his brother’s establishment. The bronze, embellished sign welcomed them to the Moose Café, Love’s most happening coffee bar. “We might as well bite the bullet and go inside,” Liam said. He sucked in a strengthening breath of air.
“Is it going to be that bad?” Ruby fretted.
Liam made a face. “Um, how should I put this? You were beloved in this town. Still are.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Which is a good thing,” Ruby said. “Right?”
“Yes. But that means that there are dozens and dozens of villagers who are going to go a little bit crazy when they see you. Not to mention all the members of my family who are going to swarm all over you, like Cameron and Paige...and then there’s Hazel, and Declan and his new wife, Annie. Not to mention Sophie and Myrtle.”
Ruby’s eyes bulged. She made a gulping sound. “Wow. Sounds like I had a lot of friends.”
“Sophie and Annie are new to town. They both came as part of the Operation Love program. But everybody who knew you, loved you.” Liam’s statement hung in the air, dangling like a fully inflated balloon. Especially me. He almost blurted it out but he stopped himself. It wasn’t the time or the place to go down that road. At the moment it would only serve to muddy the waters.
“No matter how crazy it gets, don’t forget I’m here. I’ve got your back,” Liam said.
He opened the door to the café, allowing Aidan to sail through as if he owned the place. Try as he might, Liam couldn’t stop himself from wanting to protect his wife. He placed his hand on her lower back and ushered her inside, all the while praying she would be able to handle her re-entry into Love society.
Chapter Five
The moment Ruby stepped inside the Moose Café, delectable aromas assailed her senses. Aidan ran off toward the kitchen as if his sneakers were on fire. Waitresses with cartoon moose emblazoned on their T-shirts hustled to and fro, serving customers and taking orders. There was a loud din emanating from the robust crowd. Perhaps it served as an indication of the popularity of this particular establishment. It was filled to capacity. A roasting fire roared in the dining area, lending a rustic, warm atmosphere to the eatery. Antlers hung on the wall above the fireplace.
She heard several people call out to Liam. “Hey, Dr. Prescott” and “I need to see you about my gout.”
The place oozed charm. It seemed like the sort of eatery where you could settle in for a refreshing coffee and good conversation while enjoying a pleasant ambience.
“Liam!” a boisterous voice called out. Ruby turned to see a tall, good-looking man with dark hair and an easy stride making his way toward them. He exuded a great deal of confidence. He flashed them a pearly smile.
“Welcome to the Moose Café, Ruby. Let me show you to a place of honor at my best table over here.” He held out his elbow so she could place her arm through it. The gentlemanly gesture made her want to chuckle. He was treating her like a fragile piece of china.
Liam glared at the man. “Cameron. Take it down a few notches, okay?”
“Sorry,” Cameron said in a less animated voice. He reached out and grabbed Ruby by the hand. He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. “I can’t tell you how overjoyed we all are that you’ve come back to us.”
Aw. He was a sweetheart in addition to being almost as gorgeous as Liam. This town sure had its fair share of attractive men. No wonder the media was in a frenzy over this town’s matchmaking program. It was just the type of human interest story that you read about in glossy magazines.
“In case you haven’t figured it out yet, this is my brother, Cameron. He’s the owner of this place,” Liam explained.
“Nice to see you, Cameron. Your café is gorgeous,” Ruby said. “And if the aroma is any indication, I know I’m going to enjoy the food here.”
“Thanks. My wife, Paige, helped me redecorate it. Let’s just say it was a little masculine in its décor. That’s what happens when you have a town full of men.”
“Ruby.” A sweet, feminine voice washed over them. A tall, regal woman with blond hair and a stunning face took faltering steps toward her. She stopped short, seeming to be wary of crossing any boundaries. “I know you don’t remember us, but I’m Paige. We were best friends.”
“Hi, Paige,” Ruby said, wishing she could remember this woman who had clearly been an important part of her life. A sudden sound caused her to look down. A beautiful little girl who looked a lot like Cameron stood clutching her mother’s leg. She looked up at Ruby with curious, almond-shaped eyes. Then she gifted her with a toothy grin that melted Ruby’s heart.
By this time all the patrons were staring and whispering. It made her feel uncomfortable. Ruby moved closer to Liam. It felt awkward to be the topic of everyone’s conversation, especially when none of the faces were even remotely familiar. Why had she agreed to come inside the café in the first place? She felt completely outside her comfort zone.
“As I live and breathe!” A tall, broad-shouldered woman with graying hair stepped into their circle. An apron decorated with dancing moose let Ruby know she was one of Cameron’s employees. Tears streamed down her face and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. “Jasper told me you were among the living, but a part of me couldn’t wrap my head around it. Ruby Prescott, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Come over here and give me some sugar.” The woman held her arms open wide and motioned for Ruby to step toward her. When Ruby hesitantly approached her, she felt strong arms envelope her. Helpless to extricate herself, Ruby sank into the embrace.
All of a sudden, a sharp, high-pitched whistle brought silence to the room. Ruby found herself being tugged away from the embrace. Mayor Jasper Prescott was standing there with an irate expression stamped on his craggy face. His cheeks were rosy, although Ruby wasn’t certain if it was from the frigid temperatures outside or his ire.
“Hazel, give the gal some breathing room!” Jasper barked. “You’re going to suffocate her with all that mothering you’re doing.”
“Oh, give it a rest, Jasper,” Hazel fumed. “We were having a moment until you came barreling in here like an out-of-control tornado.”
“If you’d have hugged her any tighter she might have snapped in two.” Jasper huffed. “Let the girl get acclimated before you start squeezing the life out of her.”
Hazel let out a harrumphing sound and turned her back on Jasper. “Neanderthal,” she muttered. She turned all of her attention back to Ruby. “Welcome back, darling,” Hazel said, wiping away tears from her face. “I know you don’t remember me, but we were almost like family. Before you married your honey here, you lived out at my Black Bear cabins. Those sure were some good times. I’m looking forward to making new memories with you.”
All Ruby could do was smile. Her face felt a little stiff from grinning. She didn’t know what else to do in response to all the love the townsfolk were showing her. Her head was beginning to spin. She now knew what Liam had been referring to earlier when he’d been hesitant to enter the café. She would never have imagined that a tiny fishing village could have so much of a social component. Granted it was almost lunchtime, but the Moose Café was a real whirlwind. People were coming out of the woodwork.
She could feel the heat of Liam’s gaze. He narrowed his eyes and studied her then leaned in toward her. “Are you all right?” he asked in a tender voice. “Just say the word and we can blow this Popsicle stand.”
“I’ll be fine once we sit down and order a hot cocoa,” she said in a low voice. “I’d like to get off my feet.”
Liam turned toward Hazel. “Hey, can you find us a table?”
“Why don’t you sit down at this table right here and I’ll make you the best hot chocolate known to mankind,” Hazel suggested. Her eyes radiated kindness. “Aidan is in the back with Sophie, by the way. She’s showing him how to make frozen hot chocolate.”
“While you’re back there, make me one of those caramel lattes with the cinnamon sprinkled on top,” Jasper requested.
Hazel let out a snort. “Coming right up, Your Highness. One caramel latte sprinkled with arsenic flavoring.”
As she stomped away, Jasper frowned at her retreating figure. He shook his head. “You heard that, right? Threatening the life of a beloved town leader.”
“Jasper, be nice,” Paige cautioned. “You’ve really been sniping at Hazel lately. A woman can only take so much.” She bent and picked up her daughter, then handed her to Cameron.
Jasper sputtered. “That right there is a perfect example of why I’m not putting a ring on it.” He began muttering under his breath. “Plenty of women would be mighty glad to have a boyfriend like me.”
“Yeah,” Cameron said. “Those Operation Love gals are just lining up outside the mayor’s office in droves, aren’t they?”
Liam rolled his eyes. “Don’t mind Hazel and Jasper. They have a love tiff at least once a week.” He pulled out the chair so Ruby could sit.
“I figured they might be romantically involved by the way they were bantering. They’re both pretty feisty,” Ruby remarked. “For a moment I thought we might have to take cover.”
“Just so you know, you and Liam weren’t like that,” Cameron interjected. “I promise. You were the perfect couple as far as this town was concerned. Ruby and Liam forever.”
Liam jabbed his brother in the side. Cameron made a grunting sound then shot Liam a dirty look.
Perfect couple? Just hearing that phrase made Ruby feel she had a lot to live up to. The word “perfect” rubbed her the wrong way. And although she knew Cameron was only trying to be complimentary, it made her feel that there was no way she could ever be half as wonderful as the Ruby she’d once been. It wasn’t possible. She was no longer that woman. And even if she got her memory back, she’d be a different woman than the one who had left this town two years ago. Suddenly it felt like she would be trying to fit into a life that no longer existed as it once had been.
Reunited at Christmas Page 6
