Love Finds You at Home for Christmas by Annalisa Daughety Page B

what it was like for me growing up?”
    â€œJust that you grew up on a farm and have three brothers. And you played basketball when you were in high school.”
    â€œWe went through some pretty tough times, depending on the crops and all. Some years were better than others. Life on a farm can be hard. I watched my mama work as hard as any man.” She sighed. “And I’m not afraid of hard work. That’s not what I’m saying at all. I don’t mind work. I just…I saw how hard it can be to be the wife of a farmer and work hard on the farm while raising kids.”
    â€œSo because of that, you don’t ever want to get married?” How could she write off something like that just because of a limited experience? Ruby was usually open-minded, but he could see she had her mind made up about this.
    â€œCliff, do you know how close I came to being a widow? That terrifies me now. And that’s the reality for so many women these days. I think I’ve told you about my cousin Lucille. She’s three months older than I am. She got married right out of high school and has a baby now. I know I should look at her life and be envious, but I’m not. Not even a little bit.” Ruby ducked her head. “It sounds so shameful and selfish when I say it out loud, doesn’t it? I mean, she’s married to a wonderful man who adores her and whom she adores. But all I can think is that she’s never going to get off of that farm. She’ll never live anywhere else. She’ll just stay right there like her mama did and like my mama did.” She sighed. “And her husband, Donald, was drafted last year. What if he doesn’t make it back? What if she ends up having to run a farm and raise a baby all by herself? Never able to leave the farm, even if she wanted to.”
    â€œAnd you want something more,” he said softly. “You don’t want to end up stuck somewhere following someone else’s dream.”
    Ruby managed a small smile. “Since the country went to war, there’ve been new opportunities for women. Just like me becoming the line inspector at the AOP. That never would’ve happened a few years ago. Even back when I met Joseph, that wasn’t really an option. But now…there are doors open that didn’t used to be. And I want to make sure I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way. I don’t want to settle down right away and miss the chance to have an adventure and see things I’ve never seen before.”
    Cliff had never given much thought to stuff like that. He had to admit that some of what she said made sense—some, but not all. “No one says you have to marry a farmer.” He took a sip of his Coca-Cola. “You might end up marrying someone who thinks like you do and who wants to have adventures too.” He had himself in mind but didn’t want to point it out. He was pretty sure he’d made his feelings for her clear. He might not have spelled them out, but surely she knew.
    Ruby sighed. “I still say life would be much less complicated if I stayed on my own.”
    He flinched. Life might be less complicated alone, but it sure wouldn’t be as much fun. He’d just have to show Ruby how nice it could be to have someone around. He’d change her mind. Cliff forced a cheerful expression. “Looks like our order is ready.” He hurried toward the counter, already formulating his plan.

Chapter Twelve
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    November 20, 1943
    Dear R.J. Ruby Jean,
    I guess you can see that I messed up and accidentally called you R.J. Sorry about that, but I don’t want to waste paper and start over. I realize that since you’re a grown-up now, we don’t use your nickname anymore. It’s been on my mind lately because Cousin Owen is staying with your parents for a few months to help out on the farm, and that’s what he always calls you.