Melissa’s Cozy Teacup

You have one week to figure it out. My church is doing a forty day fast starting September 1. As I was sitting in the leadership meeting hearing this I thought, ‘Hmmm, with my hypoglycemia, what could I offer up as a sacrifice besides food?’ I immediately thought about giving up t.v., then, about 2 minutes later, pastor’s wife got up to speak and talked about how she and Pastor were going to do a t.v. fast. Okay, Lord, I get it. Here’s the painful part. Could have done the fast during the writer’s strike, or the summer when nothing much is on but re-runs, but nooo, it’s going to happen right during the start of the new season.

I don’t watch much (there’s not that much out there too watch) but the shows I do watch, I really want to know what is going to happen next. NCIS, what is going to happen to the team? Are they really going to get rid of everyone but Gibbs and the lab? Bones, I can’t believe Zack ended up being the killer they were looking for! He is so sweet and naive. Sigh. I can live without knowing, really.  So think about it, as I have, how much murder, death, adultery, and lascivious behavior pour into your home on a daily basis through, The Tube? Are you becoming desensitized? Don’t even get me started on, ‘Reality’ t.v.

Back to my original question. what could you accomplish in forty days without television distracting you? Could you write an entire book? I’m making plans to make that happen. I’ve never done a book in forty days before, should be interesting. Could you take your business, your marriage, your life, to the next level, whatever that may look like for you? Would you be able to rest? Catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while? What? Tell, me. I’d love to know what you could do in forty days without t.v. If you want to participate in this challenge, let me know. I might even create a button if enough people are interested.

All there is to do is sit around, drink tea, and read.

After a looong and very dry summer, with parts of the city, mountains and plains going up in flames, we are finally getting rain. A great deal of rain. So much rain that I feel like I now live in Washington State. Of course, the rain comes right after we had our house washed and primed, ready to stain. We have to wait for the rain to stop first, if it ever does!

If you are stuck inside because of the weather, hot or cold, why not stop by Lulu and pick up a copy of my book to read? It’ll make us both happy!

My book that is. It needed some cosmetic surgery. When they say, ‘camera ready’, they are not kidding! You may purchase your own copy (please do! you’ll love it!) by clicking on the above Lulu button. Thank you for all your words of encouragement. Don’t forget the drawing tomorrow. Stop by and see who won!

A Teacupful of Turmoil by Melissa J. Bishop For Ruby Cross, life is filled with difficulties and sorrows, until a kindly, elderly patron from the tea room where Ruby works,takes her under her wing and mentors her into a way of life Ruby has never before experienced. There are a few bumps along the way with flared tempers,inflamed jealousies and blackmail. Vi, Ruby’s mentor, has a handsome great-nephew, Devlin Cummings-Black staying with her in her huge mansion.Can Ruby let herself heal,enjoy the second chance she’s been given and tear down her walls and let love in? Will love grow between Devlin and Ruby or will a handsome stranger come between them? (190 pages) Paperback: $10.83 Download: $6.25

The holidays are coming up and so is that age old question:what gift should I give? You don’t really want to just buy something that could end up at a garage sale or gathering dust on a shelf. Why not give a gift that your friends and family can cherish now, and in the future? Why not give a gift that they will enjoy and will remind them of you even after you have passed away from this world? Give your friends and family the gift of your life.

It broke my heart when my beloved grandmother and dear Aunt left this world before their stories could be told. Don’t let this happen to you. I have met so many interesting people through my blog. Every person has a story to tell. Why not tell yours?

That red book standing out on the shelf above could be the book that holds your story, your legacy.

Contact me today. Tell me your story and leave your legacy.

It has been brought to my attention that how my book turned out is quite different then what I submitted for printing. I have temporarily suspended its availability while I work on correcting the problems. Thank you for your patience.

A Teacupful of TurmoilA Teacupful of Turmoil (book)

Print: $8.89

Download: $6.25

For Ruby Cross, life is filled with difficulties and sorrows, until a kindly, elderly patron from the tea room where Ruby works,takes her under her wing and mentors her into a way of life Ruby has never before experienced. There are a few bumps along the way with flared tempers,inflamed jealousies and blackmail. Vi, Ruby’s mentor, has a handsome great-nephew, Devlin Cummings-Black staying with her in her huge mansion.Can Ruby let herself heal,enjoy the second chance she’s been given and tear down her walls and let love in? Will love grow between Devlin and Ruby or will a handsome stranger come between them?

Well, it’s official, I have put my book on Lulu. Click HERE to see the book cover.

Click ——>

to buy it.

A Teacupful of Turmoil is now on Lulu. You have enjoyed the first 4 chapters, and now the entire book is available for you to purchase and take with you to the beach or pool or park. You are no longer stuck at your computer screen waiting for the next chapter.

You may either buy it as a download or buy a paperback copy to be shipped to you.

Take A Teacupful of Turmoil with you where ever you go this summer!

Please give some feed back here on what you think of the cover art. I took the picture and designed the cover.

Thank you for stopping by and if you purchase a copy of my baby, er, I mean book, an extra special thank you to you!

CHAPTER FOUR

Devlin watched as the sun came up over the eastern plains. He had been up all night pacing back and forth in front of the fire place in his room. The argument at dinner last night only increased his aunt’s resolve to give everything away to That Woman. How had she done it? How had she been able to wheedle her way into his aunt’s life and into her/ his fortune? What now? He could not stand idly by and risk losing the family estate to a stranger no matter how captivating she was or how beautiful she looked when she was flustered. She seemed to be flustered around him quite a bit. The idea came to Devlin as a surprise at first. Why hadn’t he thought of it sooner? Could he pull it off without getting caught up in her web of lies? His tired body wanted to rest after a night of anxiety ridden pacing. He sat down in the wing back by the fireplace. Not to rest, but to plan. This was something he had done before, he could do it again. The only difference was that the stakes were higher. What of it? He was a man of means, used to being challenged and used to getting his way. He rarely disappointed himself by not getting what he wanted and this would be no different. In fact, his plan would get him everything he wanted and a little more, just because he could.

Feeling energized by his new plan, he rang for breakfast and hopped into the shower. He was done and shaving when Myers knocked on his door with the tray. She set everything up by the window as was his custom and left without a word. Devlin finished his routine and sat down to enjoy his spinach and cheese, egg white omelet with whole grain toast on the side and strawberry jelly. Black coffee and the morning paper helped to greet the morning and make it some what bearable to be awake at this hour after not having slept all night. Despite his lack of sleep, Devlin decided to keep his appointments for the day which meant beginning the day at the Garden of the Gods country club. After dressing in wool slacks and a cashmere sweater over a button down shirt, Devlin went downstairs to don his coat and scarf and headed out the front door and into his vintage DB5 Aston Martin. As he drove to the club he kept thinking about Ruby, his aunt, and about how much had happened in the short amount of time since he had met Ruby yesterday morning. In a little over twenty four hours she had gone from a pretty stranger in the park, and possible conquest, to a house mate but still possible conquest. He shifted the gears a little harder than he intended just thinking about all the trouble she could cause now that she was in residence. She would most likely chop the house up into apartments and rent it to strangers who would steal the fixtures and ruin the floors. He growled at himself, no matter how hard he tried to stay angry at her, his mind kept wandering to the way she smiled, when she had smiled at him, before she started scowling at him, which seemed to be all she did since he first met her in his aunt’s hall.

She was curvy and beautiful, slightly plump, and as he tried to formulate the rest of his plan, all he could do was think about was how pretty she was and how flustered he made her. It made him smile to think about her. He was still smiling at the thought of her when he turned his car into the club’s drive way. He was hoping a good game of racket ball would clear his head so he could think later. He handed his keys to the valet and entered the club and checked in before heading to the locker room. Charles was already there and changing into his shorts when Devlin set his bag on the bench between them and began to fill in his friend on all that had happened since their last match as he changed his clothes and they headed to the court and began playing.

“You’re in love!”

“Charles, don’t be ridiculous.”

“No, I’m serious.”

“So am I. She’s a liability that’s all. Someone I need to deal with if I’m going to keep that house in the family. I’d marry her to do it. I would.”

“What, did you have to invent a reason to marry just so that you wouldn’t look like you had caved?”

“What?!”

“You met this girl. She got to you. You’re thinking, ‘Hey maybe she could be the one.’

But you have such a reputation as a ladies’ man you can’t just do the dating thing and marry her so you invent some drama to make it all worthy of the reputation of the Great Devlin Black. You can’t just go out and find a girl, there has to be a thing. A catch. You can’t just fall in love you have your reputation to think about.”

“You’re so full of it!” Devlin shot the angry words at his friend and hit the ball harder. He had come here to think and to get some support for his plan, not to be picked apart and analyzed.

“No, man, think about it. You have spent time in Europe, Asia, India. You have done business all over the world and you’ve had pretty women in every country but you’ve never needed or supposedly had a reason to marry any of them until now.”

“Focus, Charles, it’s about the house. The house that my great-grandfather built. The house that was supposed to be mine.”

“Please. You have enough money to build a replica of that place ten times over and still have enough left over to keep generations of Blacks happy and gainfully unemployed.”

The growl started deep within Devlin’s chest. Charles never had a chance. Suddenly it was impossible to keep up with Devlin who seemed determined to take his anger at Charles’ words out on the racquetball, and his friend.

“Hey, ease up.” Charles tried to protest but it only drove Devlin’s anger deeper.

Whack, grunt, splat. Devlin looked over to see his friend sprawled out on the court floor, unconscious. He cursed to himself under his breath and pushed the buzzer for one of the club’s first aid techs. A few moments later, Charles was sitting in a club chair with an ice pack on his face glaring at Devlin. It had been serious enough for the tech to call in the club doctor but Charles and declined a trip to the E.R.

“Here, let me take a look,” offered Devlin.

“You’re not going to punch me now are you?”

“Shut up and let me look.” Devlin felt about an inch tall for what he had done but did not know how to make it up to his friend. At the time of the incident, he wasn’t sure with whom he had been more angry, himself or Charles. The fact that he took his anger out on his friend only made it worse when he had been hurt. He had only wanted his friend to lose, not to be injured. He pulled back the ice pack and winced at what he saw. Charles’ eye was now swollen shut and the skin around it was beginning to darken. He would have a nice shiner before too long. Devlin’s heart sank. He offered to give his friend a ride home. When they had changed and were getting ready to leave, the club manager asked to speak to Devlin in private. Charles waited patiently.

“What was that all about?” He asked when Devlin finally emerged from the manager’s office, his face a barely contained storm of anger.

“I’ll tell you in the car. Let’s go.”

Devlin eased his friend into the front seat, tipped the valet and climbed into the driver’s seat and took off, losing himself in his thoughts.

“Dev?”

Devlin smiled at the old nickname. They had come up with them when they were younger thinking their given names were too stiff for a couple of ten year olds. Dev and Chuck.

“I’ve been suspended. Unsportsmanlike behavior. One month.”

“One month! But I’m fine.”

“That’s not the issue. They reviewed the game from the tape. You know they have cameras everywhere. Even though I didn’t deliberately aim for your head, I hit the ball too hard for you to avoid it. I’m sorry, Charles. I only wanted to win. I never meant to hurt you.”

“I know, I know.”

Devlin drove through the familiar streets of downtown Colorado Springs. His friend lived in one of the over priced (in Devlin’s opinion) lofts that lacked the character and charm of the older neighborhoods. Some developer a few hears back, had bought up some of the older buildings, stripped them of their charm and built industrial looking lofts within their historic walls. Devlin hated the exposed heating and air conditioning vents and the fact that you had a really great view of the police communications tower. For almost a million dollars he could find a hundred properties he liked better that had more room, character and no bums relieving themselves on the sidewalk in front of the building. His car bottomed out on the entrance to the under ground parking but he didn’t say a word.

Charles looked at him in disbelief.

“Wow, you must feel really guilty.”

“Let’s just get you upstairs.”

He was sure it would hurt too much to make laughing at his friend worth it, so Charles let it go and they rode the elevator in silence. Once inside, Charles flopped down on his leather sofa and turned on the t.v. looking for a game as Devlin refilled the ice in the baggie for his eye and grabbed them both a bottled water from the fridge.

“Here” he grunted at Charles offering both items to him without much fanfare. He sat down in a chair and focused on the game for a while as they both sipped in silence.

“I think you’re right.” Devlin waited for his admission to sink in and for his friend to react. Charles sat still and waited for his friend to continue. These moments were few and far between so he thought it would be best to just let his friend get it all out at once.

“I do want the house, but it’s more than just that. How can one chance meeting make a man feel this way. It’s more than just wanting a one-nighter with her, but why? Why is she different than the others that I’ve had. And let me tell you, there’s been more than a few.”

Charles rolled his eyes at that one but let it pass. The great womanizer, Devlin Black was having an epiphany. He would have gladly suffered two black eyes not to miss this.

Devlin went on, “She’s tall and red headed. When have I ever gone for a tall red head?”

Charles shrugged knowing it wouldn’t matter but feeling like he need to interact a little.

“I haven’t even really sat down to get to know her. There was dinner last night but that turned into a fight and I left this morning before she was up. She probably wouldn’t want anything to do with me now anyway after all that’s happened and I still have my doubts about her motives.”

Charles cleared his throat. “Maybe you should go home and get to know her.”

Devlin looked at him.

“She may not be as bad as you think. Obviously there is something about her that appeals to your aunt or she wouldn’t have done what she did. I don’t think your aunt was trying to hurt you, Devlin. Look at all she has done for you over the years. She has always been involved in charitable organizations and loves helping other people. Maybe she thought you had proven that you can take care of yourself and she just wanted to help out this woman-”

“Ruby.”

“Ruby, and give her a chance.”

“Well, that is what Aunt Vi said last night.”

“There you go. Why didn’t you believe her?”

“Because she’s getting older and I had been gone for a while and I thought she had been taken advantage of by Ruby.”

“You need to trust you aunt’s judgment.”

“Maybe. Ruby’s not going anywhere and the doctor said you needed to be monitored for twenty-four hours so I’m staying until Becky can come by and stay with you. If Ruby is still at Vi’s when I get back I’ll make things better. If not, well, there’s my answer.”

Charles looked at the clock. It wasn’t even eleven. It was going to be a long day until six when Becky could get there after work. His girlfriend’s boss wouldn’t let her have the day off to look after him but he knew she would be here as soon as she could leave work.

“Why don’t you order some food then if you’re going to stay.”

“Chinese?”

“Chinese.”

Devlin picked up the phone and speed dialed their favorite place.

“They’ll be here in about 30-45 minutes.”

They sat in silence watching the game, waiting for the food.

Posting a day early because of the holiday. Print it out and take it with you to read while the burgers are grilling. I have peppered this post with links. I thought it might be fun to go to other people’s blogs and web sites of places mentioned in the chapter.

CHAPTER THREE

An hour and a half later, Ruby sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes. She would be a fool to turn down such a generous offer. She went into the bathroom that connected to her room, splashed her face to get rid of the salt from her tears, grabbed the compact and lipstick from her purse, and fixed her face the best she could. She was combing her hair with her fingers when there came a soft knock at her door.

“Miss?”

It was Myers. Ruby crossed the room to answer the door. “Yes?” she asked.

“Miss, if you are ready for that tour…?”

“Yes, of course! Come on, Ruby. Let’s go look at our new home!”

Violet had been listening to them from down the hall. When she heard Ruby say she would stay, tears sprang to the corners of her eyes and her smile could have lit up the whole city. She would no longer be stuck in this big mansion all by herself. She now had the Victorian equivalent of a ‘companion’. The house would finally be filled once again with happy voices and activity. Violet loved action and activity and both had been missing for far too long. She stepped out of the shadows as Maxine and Ruby entered the hall.

“I’m so happy,” Vi exclaimed as she gave Ruby an almost bone crushing hug.

Ruby let out a little puff of air. Violet was stronger than she looked. Maxine and Daphne danced around the pair as they hugged. It was quite a sight that greeted Devlin as he came to the top of the stairs. He had been going to his room to change out of his wet clothes from his day at the park. He took a closer look at the woman hugging his Aunt. It was her. The woman from the park that had taken his breath a

away. He blinked his eyes hard once to make sure he had really seen her. She had left in such a hurry he thought he had some how offended her. He smiled at the thought as he remembered how stern she had been with her dog for running off. He, on the other hand, had thought it a most fortuitous event for it had allowed him to meet her. If the dog hadn’t run off and he hadn’t been able to see those exquisite eyes of the woman, what would he have day dreamed about all day? Just then a sharp bark interrupted his musing. A blurry fluff of white and red was bounding its way towards him with another blurry fluff of black and white trailing behind. Devlin waited for the two dogs to come to him. He greeted Daphne with one treat and introduced himself to Maxine with another.

‘Traitor’, thought Ruby as she watched Maxine sell herself for what looked like a piece of chicken jerky.

“Devlin!” Vi’s exuberant greeting of the stranger made Ruby flinch. “How’s my favorite nephew?”

Ruby groaned to herself as her heart sank. It was HIM and he was the great-nephew living with Vi. This changed everything. She couldn’t move in now. Could she?

Ruby felt her face flush as tiny beads of sweat broke out all over her body. Her panic attack was interrupted by their words.

“Hello, Aunt Vi, I see we have visitors.”

“Ruby isn’t just a visitor, Devlin, she’s going to be living with us.”

“For how long?”

“For as long as she likes. She is the newest ‘member’ of our family.” Vi ended her sentence with a look that also ended any further questioning from him.

Ruby hoped he didn’t see her cringe a little at his reaction. Clearly she was not welcomed by everyone in the house. She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders in defiance. She had been welcomed by the

most important person in the house, it’s owner and her friend.

“Ruby, come and meet my Grand Nephew, Devlin Black.”

She walked over to him with what she hoped was more confidence than she felt and extended her hand in welcome.

“Ruby Cross.”

“Seriously? That’s your name?”

Ruby wasn’t ready for such a response and it threw her off guard. He was mocking her!

“Devlin!” Came Vi’s indignant reprimand.

“I’m sorry, Aunt Vi.” Devlin couldn’t believe his ears. He had thought that a woman so beautiful would also have a beautiful name. Not something that sounded as if he were addressing a truck stop waitress. Not that he had ever stepped into a truck stop to know what the waitresses were called, but he imagined it would be something close to what he had just heard.

Ruby’s embarrassment did a quick boil into anger. ‘So,’ she thought to herself, ‘for some, beauty really is only skin deep.’ From now on, Ruby would be doing her best to avoid Mr. Devlin Black.

“Daphne and I are taking Ruby on a tour of the house, her new home. When we get back, I trust you will have found those manners we spent so much money on refining.” Violet’s voice was firm with anger. Devlin managed to looked abashed for a moment but that was quickly replaced by a look of surprise that crossed his face when he heard his aunt call Cummings Manor, Ruby’s home. What wool had she pulled over his aunt’s eyes to ingratiate herself into these new living conditions? Devlin would need to keep an eye on the new comber and ferret out her true intentions.

Devlin walked over to Ruby and extended his hand to her, “ I’m sorry Miss. Cross. My aunt is correct, my manners towards you were appalling and unnecessary. I hope you will accept my apology?”

“Of course Mr. Black,” ‘What choice has he left me?’ She thought. “We all have our moments. Are you ready, Vi?” Ruby was getting uncomfortable and needed to get moving.

The women turned to go and Devlin headed to his room. He shared the opposite wing from Ruby with his aunt.

As the women walked and talked, Ruby’s mind kept straying to Devlin. His reaction towards her made her uncomfortable but that wasn’t the only thing. She felt attracted to him but she didn’t want to be distracted with that now. Not now when she had so much to do and now that she knew he lived there, she wasn’t too sure she wanted to stay. She tried to distract herself from over analyzing the situation by asking questions about the house as they went along. Though she was familiar with some of the rooms on the main floor, she had never before been anywhere else in the house. It was magnificent. Each room was more amazing than the last. Rich wood work, Ming vases, marble fire places some with Van Briggle tiles inlaid into them, original furniture, leaded windows, pianos, bear skin rugs, ivory, the list went on and on. Ruby was concerned. Many of the antiques and artifacts were priceless. How could they both display them and keep them safe from thieves? How much of the house should they open up to the public? Ruby’s head began to spin. Before she delved too far into the planning, she needed to decide if she was going to stay and if she was going to stay what, if anything, needed to be done about Devlin?

Ruby sat down on a stone bench. They had reached the solarium. Tropical plants, orchids and canaries made for a beautiful and peaceful contrast to the weather. Vi had been watching Ruby during the tour. She had seen the conflict on her face and knew she was thinking about Devlin. She wasn’t sure how much to butt in to Ruby’s thoughts, but when Vi saw her sigh heavily and sit down, she felt it was time to put in more than just two cents worth of advice.

“Ruby, I know it is a big decision. Opening and running a tearoom is a great deal of hard work.”

“It’s not just that, Vi,” Ruby paused reluctant to bring up Devlin’s name.

“Is it Devlin?”

Ruby looked up at Vi. She felt guilty and transparent.

“I ran into him at the garden of the gods this morning, Vi. He-he took my breath away and it scared me.”

Vi’s heart skipped a beat. She waited for Ruby to continue not wanting to do anything to keep her from opening up to her.

“Vi, I don’t know if I can live here with him.”

Vi’s heart sank with disappointment but she still didn’t say anything. Sometimes a woman needed to think out loud.

Ruby went on. “I-I guess if he kept to himself and wasn’t around too much it would be ok. I would be so busy with everything anyway I probably wouldn’t notice if the circus moved onto the lawn much less who came and went in the house. This is something I’ve wanted for a long time.”

Vi held her breath.

Ruby sat in silence for a moment.

“Okay, I’ll stay.”

Violet let out the air she had been holding and Ruby looked at her in surprise then laughed when she realized how much her friend wanted her to stay.

“Thank you, Vi. Thank you for this opportunity and for letting me work this out on my own.”

“Oh I’m so glad you decided to do this, Ruby,” Vi was hugging Ruby and crying. “You’ll love it here, you’ll see. We’ll work together and have the best tea room in Colorado Springs! We’ll blow the

competition out of the water!”

Ruby stiffened. Cora! What would she do about Cora? She was the one of the competition in town, if you could call her that. Ruby was confident that her passion and Vi’s enthusiasm and their location, would create a tea room that would beat out the rest. Cora was already struggling. This could bury her.

Vi had felt her stiffen and pulled back from the hug.

“What is it, Ruby?”

“What about Cora? She has been there for me, Vi. I can’t just quit then open a business that directly competes against her. I don’t want to not live my dream to protect her either especially when her heart doesn’t seem to be in what she’s doing where for me, opening a tea room is all I can think about.”

“You-we if you’d like, need to sit her down and talk to her about this Ruby. I have enjoyed many good times at Miss. Daisy’s with my Red Hat(C) friends and I would not want it to look as if we were stabbing her in the back. Let’s set up a meeting with her for next week and work things out. What do you say?”

“Yes, I think that’s the right thing to do.”

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I have worked up quite an appetite. Let’s get ready for dinner and meet in the dining room at 7 pm.”

“Good idea, Vi. Come on, Maxine.”

Ruby, Vi, Daphne and Maxine walked together towards the stair case with Myers following discreetly behind. At the top of the stairs, Ruby turned left to go down her hall and Vi turned right. Ruby paused at her door to watch Vi for a moment and saw her stop at Devlin’s room and knock on his door. Ruby went into her room feeling a tad guilty. She knew Vi would be talking to him about Ruby living with them. She stopped and retreated back out her door. Looking both ways down the hall she crept to

Devlin’s door, her curiosity winning over any sense of decorum. She couldn’t hear much but caught a few words here and there. Vi was making it clear that Ruby was welcomed by Vi and that Devlin didn’t have a say in the matter. Ruby winced. While she didn’t want any trouble from Devlin she didn’t want Vi fighting her battles for her either. Ruby wanted to knock and interrupt them but thought it best that she not be caught eaves dropping and there was no other way to explain how she had heard what was said. She would just have to make sure to be kind towards Devlin whenever she saw him. She turned away from the door and ran smack dab into Myers.

“Need anything, Miss?”

The tone was more of an accusation than a question.

“No, Myers, I’m fine.” Ruby turned away and hurried down the hall with Maxine close on her heels making sure not to slam her door shut behind her once inside her room. Ruby explored her room in an effort to calm herself. She hated being caught doing something she knew was wrong. Ruby’s room was large. It had an area which held a writing desk that over looked the garden. The desk was a Mary and William with Waterford crystal doors. It had been well cared for over the years and the wood glowed from being recently oiled. There were pockets and drawers and a tiny key with which to lock everything. There was even an indentation for an ink well. Ruby made a mental note to order a writing set that included an ink bottle if for no other reason than to complete the look of the desk.

Double French doors lead out to a balcony. She would have to explore it more when the weather warmed up. Speaking of warm, she had her own fireplace too. Two wingback chairs and foot stool were facing the fire place and seemed to be waiting for her to curl up with a good book. Ruby would be sure to place Maxine’s bed next to it so that she too could stay warm at night before bed. A wardrobe, nightstand, and various plants completed the room making it seem more like a small apartment than a

mere bedroom. Ruby cold have stayed here for days but knew dinner time was quickly approaching and that Vi and Devlin may already be waiting for her. With nothing else to change into, she went to the bathroom and checked her appearance in the mirror. A few touch ups later and she was on her way to the dining room.

“Ah, there you are Miss. Cross.”

Ruby turned quickly at the sound of Devlin’s voice.

“May I escort you to dinner?”

Ruby could not believe her eyes. He was dressed for dinner. In fact, he was dressed very well for dinner. Devlin was a man who knew how to dress to best accentuate his qualities and tonight was no exception. Ruby gave in to her eyes and let them look. His navy blue jacket was cut perfectly across his shoulders. His shirt, pants, all were made just for him. He looked, stunning.

“Miss. Cross?”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Ruby extended her hand which he took in his and hooked into his arm at the bend in his elbow. Ruby’s other hand grasped the railing of the stairs and they descended together. She was grateful he had interrupted her thoughts before they had a chance to wander too far.

Devlin had expected her to say ‘no’ to his offer. He had not expected to feel, what, happy, pleased?- that she had accepted. Even though his aunt had spent a good deal of time this afternoon trying to convince him it was her idea that Ruby move in with her and that he was to accept her and treat her with civility, he couldn’t help but be suspicious of this women he didn’t know. He loved his aunt and felt she needed his protection. Why would a young woman want to move in with an older woman to whom she was not related if not for the money? He was convinced that Ruby had some how ingratiated herself to his aunt and had talked her into financing the tea room and allowing her to move in to Cummings Manor. Only

time would tell if he were right. He would make sure not to let her out of his sight while she was here until he had determined her true motives.

“There you are,” Violet greeted them from the bottom of the stairs with a smile that appeared to be genuine. Whatever had gone on in Devlin’s room earlier, there were no lingering signs of it now. Ruby greeted Vi and they all walked together to the dinning room.

Vi had graciously remained in the clothes she had worn earlier. After they had been seated and had blessed the food, they attempted to make small talk. It wasn’t long, how ever, until they turned their attention to the tea room and began talking about business.

“Well Aunt Violet, I can’t stay here and not help out,” Devlin said.

Ruby looked up in surprise. This was definitely not in her plans. Ruby opened her mouth to protests but was cut off.

“Devlin, that won’t be necessary. Ruby has experience in this sort of thing and you would only be in the way.”

“But Aunt Vi, I can help with the heavy lifting and direct the workmen.”

Ruby sat back and watched to see how Vi would handle Devlin. She didn’t think his reasons for wanting to help were all that pure. More like he was wanting to keep an eye on her. Ruby didn’t care what his reasons were, she didn’t want him around getting in her way. She had been stuck under a glass ceiling controlled by her male boss at the insurance company and she would never again let a man get between she and her goals. Personally or professionally.

Vi and Devlin continued the debate. The more road blocks Vi put up the more persistent Devlin became and visa versa. Both looked close to losing their tempers. Finally Devlin gave in.

“Alright, alright, Aunt Violet. I can see when I’m not wanted.”

“Devlin, that’s not it.”

“No, no. It’s clear this is something between you and Ruby and I would only be, or be viewed as, a third wheel.”

‘Guilt?’ thought Ruby ‘He’s using guilt?’

“Devlin, we’re not banning you from the project because we think you have nothing of value to contribute,” came Vi’s response “it’s just that this is Ruby’s endeavor. Hers alone. Can’t you understand that?”

Devlin decided to get it all out on the table. “No Aunt Vi I can’t. I can’t understand how you could open up your home to a complete stranger and give her cart blanc over the whole proceedings. What do you know about her, really?”

“Devlin Marshall Black! Ruby is my friend. She is not only a guest in this home but she owns it now which really makes you the guest, now wouldn’t it?”

Ruby watched as Devlin paled. He opened his mouth to speak then closed it. Opened it again and closed it again.

It would have been funny if he had not been so angry.

“What-have-you-done?” He ground out each word as he began to rise.

“Devlin, stop!” Violet rose also and came around the table to stand beside Ruby.

“Stop right now or you will be asked to leave for good.”

Devlin looked at his aunt in disbelief.

“That’s right. I asked Ruby here. I gave her money, the house and I asked her to use them and enjoy them. I never got to do what I wanted when I was her age. My whole life had been controlled by men. I won’t have you coming in here and trying to control her and me, Devlin. You are my sister’s grandson

not mine. Cummings Manor is still mine to do with as I please and it pleases me to give it to Ruby and to let her try out her wings and see what she can really do if given the proper resources to succeed. I’m giving her the opportunity I never had. I hope you can understand that and be supportive, Devlin but if you can’t, then you may move out.”

Ruby held her breath waiting. She didn’t have to wait long. Devlin stood up from the table, excused himself and went up to his room. Ruby turned to look and Vi. If she felt regret, it was not showing on her face.

“Vi, I-,”

“It’s ok, Ruby. I had to live my entire married life in the shadow of a man. I won’t allow it to be lived in the shadow of a man who’s diaper I once changed. It’s never too late for an old dog to learn a new trick. It may have taken me a while but I am going to stand up for myself. Don’t you wait until you are my age to allow yourself the life you have always wanted, Ruby.”

Ruby’s eyes began to fill with tears. She was not used to standing up for herself. She felt a bit uncomfortable that this tiny wisp of a woman was exhibiting more bravery than Ruby had ever felt. All she had done about her life was get angry and feel sorry for herself. She realized that cutting back and making herself and her life small to match her circumstances was not how she should be living or how she wanted to be living.

Timothy 1: 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. The verse came racing into her mind. She had been timid. She thought she was being powerful having the ’strength’ to merely exist, but merely existing, is not how God wanted her to live her life and He was clearly doing something about it.

“Excuse me, Vi.” She barely choked out the words and ran up to her room. Maxine was hot on her

heels and made it into the room before she shut the door and locked it. She threw herself down on her bed and gave her self over to the sobs that racked her body until she started choking on the still swollen tonsils at the back of her throat. She sat up coughing and looked for a tissue to blow her nose. Maxine sat beside her looking as concerned as a dog can look. Ruby went to the bathroom and washed her face and undressed down to her undergarments. Sighing, she climbed into bed and drew Maxine close to her enjoying the comfort her friend brought to her though she needed more than Maxine tonight. Ruby turned off the light and began to pray. She praised God for all He had done for her in the past and present and for what He had in store for her future even if she could not read to the end and find out what was going to happen, as she was in the habit of doing with the books she read, to see if it was even a road she wanted to go down. After spending time praising, Him, she repented. She had acted the part of long suffering victim all the while thinking she was living. She had played it safe the last few months. Much, much too safe. Life was full of ups and downs and she had avoided them all. When things had been going well she thought she had been living victoriously. She realized now that being victorious without a battle wasn’t being victorious at all. She questioned Vi’s gift. Was she being handed everything she wanted on a silver platter? Yes, she was getting a huge head start but there was still a great deal of hard work a head of her. She could still lose everything which would not only put her at risk but Vi as well.

“I don’t think there is enough room in the trailer for all three of us, Maxine.” Maxine shifted in her sleep and grumbled a bit. Ruby fell asleep praying.