Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy by Hallee A. Bridgeman Page A

is this man slowly growing this fortune in this city with some of the biggest power players in the world? But, there was nothing to find out. I have no record, I have no paper trail. The best someone could do was to find my birth certificate, and that didn’t tell them anything.” He gestured at her with his palm. “You are a different story. You were in the system, so to speak. Your mother died as a tragic statistic. You were arrested after stabbing a foster father.”
    Robin snorted. “Yeah, and he – “
    With a small smile, Tony said, “Yes. I know. The point is, people are going to dig, discover, and it’s going to get out. The reporter was correct. I think you should be open about your past. Do another interview with him. We’ll give it on the condition that we get to read the final product before publication. Stop the fire before it becomes a storm, so to speak.”
    Embarrassment, horror, fear, all sprang up in her chest, drowning her. “Wait. You can’t be serious.”
    “I am completely serious.” He reached for her hand and took it with both of his. “I can’t stop this from happening. We can just try to control it.”
    Terrified that she would just burst into tears sitting right there, Robin closed her eyes and pulled her hand away. “Please,” she whispered.
    “My love, you have nothing for which you need be ashamed. You were a child and your story is a remarkable tale of endurance and sacrifice. You made it. Look at the woman you became.”
    He was right. They would never stop. The best defense was a good offense. She took deep long breaths. In and out. Inhale, exhale. Finally in control, she opened her eyes and looked at her fiancé. “If you think I need to, then I will. But I wish you didn’t think I needed to.”
    “Robin, cara , I am sorry that it came to this, and I’m even sorrier that I didn’t foresee it. Please forgive me.”
    This time, she reached forward and took his hand. “Tony, this isn’t your fault. It’s just life. And for whatever reason, people care about stuff like that. It’s never been important to me, other peoples’ stories. But I guess this is considered news. I trust your judgment in handling it, and I know you wouldn’t put me in a position that would hurt me.”
    His eyes grew intense and Robin’s heart skipped a beat. “Never,” he said. “I promise you that.”
    “I just wish – “
    Tony waited, but she didn’t finish the sentence. Finally, he asked, “What, cara ? What do you wish?”
    Robin picked her fork back up again and cut a piece of scone. “I just sometimes wish you weren’t richer than dirt. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about people questioning how genuine my love for you is or what my motivations might be for marrying you.”
     

     
    OBIN leaned back against the booth as the waitress placed a salad in front of her. Craig sat across from her and fidgeted as the waitress gave him his soup. He picked up his spoon but set it back down again. “Can we bless this?”
    “Absolutely,” Robin said, lacing her fingers in her lap and bowing her head.
    Craig cleared his throat and said, “Dear God, thank You for this food. And thank You for my daughter and for her birthday. I know my future is not bright, what with the prison sentence in front of me, but I’m glad to at least get this one with her. Amen.”
    Robin smiled and put a hand to her chest. “What a beautiful prayer. Thank you.”
    He shrugged, clearly uncomfortable. “This is all new to me. I don’t always know what to say or how to act.”
    “Likewise.”
    With a nod, he picked up his spoon again. “That’s right. It’s new to you, too. You make it look easy.”
    “I have a good teacher,” she said, looking at the ring on her finger. “Tony has been great.”
    “You got yerself a good man, there, girl. You keep him.” He looked around the steak house. Loud country music blared from the speakers and peanut shells littered the floor. Robin loved the nostalgic post