Make Me Yours(51)

“Hey, I know.” Ruby’s voice takes on an excited tone. “Which monster did you meet this week? Last week was white monster number three, right? Tres?”

Lillie’s voice is pouty. “Yellow monster number three.”

“That’s right!” Ruby is working hard to keep the enthusiasm alive. “And who is it this week?”

Lilly shrugs, but Ruby holds her middle, giving her a tug. “Come on, I know we were busy packing and getting ready last night, but tell me his name.”

Hazel eyes are fixed on Ruby’s collar. Her rosebud lips quirk, and she tries not to smile. Ruby gives her another little squeeze, and she relents. “Purple monster number four.”

“Purple?” Ruby’s eyes go wide, and I’m kind of loving everything that’s happening right now. “Do you know purple is my favorite color? I can’t wait to hear all about purple monster number four. I wonder what his Spanish name might be.”

“Cuatro.”

“Cuatro… I like that name. Do you?”

Lillie shrugs and puts her arms around Ruby’s neck again. “I miss you now.”

Ruby holds her close, kissing her cheek. “I miss you too, butter bean. We’ll do something special when I get back, just you and me.”

“Good heavens, it’s not like she’s joining the Foreign Legion.” Eleanor appears in the grand foyer, hands on her hips. “Lillian, come with me. We have to go to school now.”

Ruby gives my daughter one last squeeze, and they both make grunting noises. After that, she takes her grandmother’s hand and follows her out to the waiting Crown Vic.

When Ruby turns to me, I see tears in her eyes. “I never know what she’s going to do.” She breathes a laugh and wipes her eyes with her palms, looking up at the ceiling. “It’s only a two-day trip.”

It tugs at my chest, and damn, I didn’t think I could care for this woman more. Is she crying over leaving my daughter at home with her grandmother?

I slide an arm around her waist and hold out a handkerchief. Thanks to my old-fashioned mother, I always have one in my pocket. “You realize Eleanor has been taking care of her since she was born. All the way up until you arrived… just two and half weeks ago.”

She laughs a little more, touching the white cloth to her cheeks. “I know. I’m such a goose.” She hiccups a little breath. “I just…”

Her voice trails off, and she doesn’t finish her thought.

“What?”

She shakes her head, but I want to know. “Eleanor doesn’t listen to her.”

“It seems like she does.”

“No, she’s just pushy. She waits for Lillie to finish speaking, then she tells her what to do. There’s a difference. Even little kids know it.”

I can’t take it anymore. I reach forward and pull her into a hug. Her arms go around my waist, and I hold her against my chest. She takes a deep breath, and I hope she’s not still crying.

My lips are right at her ear when I speak. “I love that you’re so worried about my daughter.” She nods against my shoulder. “Now, no more crying. Lillie is going to be fine. We’re going to have a fun trip, and you’ll see my daughter again in two days.”

Releasing her, I catch her watery eyes. They melt into that sweet smile I love… followed quickly by her snarky sass. “You’re not going to miss her at all? Did your sentimental chip get lost?”

I huff a laugh, grabbing her suitcase and hanging bag, and carrying them out to the waiting limousine. “I will miss my daughter, even though she didn’t seem too upset about telling me goodbye. At the same time, I know she’ll be fine while I’m away.”

Her eyes slant over to me. “You’re hurt she didn’t cry over you leaving?”

“If the tables were turned, I suppose I’d be more upset over you being gone, too.”

“Are you flirting with me, Remington?”

“Always.”

That makes her laugh, and I’m glad to see we’ve moved past the water works.

The limo drops us at the terminal for the private jet service. A few cars are parked in the lot, but we’re the only ones flying out this morning.

“Wow.” Ruby’s eyes are round as she follows me up the short flight of stairs into the Lear 60. “Do you own this?” She’s speaking just above a whisper as we pass through the oval door and walk down the short aisle separating seats with tables in the center.

“No.” I sit in one of the seats toward the back and motion for her to join me. “I charter it for short flights. It’s not really worth the upkeep to own a jet, with as little as I travel.”

She sits beside me in the plush, cream leather chair. A small sofa is behind us, but this plane doesn’t have a bed. Our flight is barely over an hour.

“I’ve never been on a private jet before.” She’s still speaking low, tilting her face toward me as the flight attendant puts glasses of champagne in front of us.

“Welcome aboard, Mr. Key, Miss. Banks. We’ll be taking off momentarily. If you would, please fasten your seatbelts, and I’ll let you know when it’s safe to move about the cabin.”

“Thanks, Grace.” Taking the glass of champagne, I hold it to Ruby’s. “Here’s to a successful business trip.”