Reunited at Christmas Read online

  “So it bonded us?”

  Paige grinned. “That, among other things. We were both in love with Prescott men, so that really jump-started our friendship.”

  “And we had to deal with Jasper,” Ruby quipped.

  Paige nodded enthusiastically. "Dealing with Jasper's antics and his constant comments about settling down with his grandsons bonded us for life. Now that I think of it, we should get medals of valor."

  They shared a look that resulted in the two of them launching into fits of laughter.

  * * *

  Liam sat at the kitchen table filling out some paperwork. He’d closed the clinic early today so he could work from home this afternoon. Aidan was at a friend’s house for a play date until suppertime. Ruby had gone to the tea party at Hazel’s lodge, looking more gorgeous than ever. Without Ruby and Aidan puttering around, the house had a quiet, unnatural vibe to it.

  How long did tea parties last, anyway? He missed his wife. And he had nearly passed out at the sight of her in her tea party finery. His breathing had definitely gotten shaky. Her long hair had hung loose in soft waves. Other than a slash of red lining her lips, her face had been devoid of makeup. Ruby had dressed to the nines in a red, knee-length, cocktail dress with black lace at the hemline. She’d found the dress at the back of the closet they had once shared. Try as he might, he hadn’t been able to dispose of Ruby’s things. His family had said he was holding on to his grief, but now he had to wonder if God had been telling him to hold on and not let go.

  Ruby was a beautiful woman. It had taken every ounce of his self-control not to sweep her up in his arms and kiss her senseless. He frowned. What made him think she would want that type of intimacy with him? Even though she was starting to remember little nuggets about him, it still didn’t mean they were going to ride off into the sunset together. There was still a chasm of unresolved issues standing between them, and those issues would come to light if Ruby’s memories returned. They still had mountains to climb before they could ever hope to get back what they’d lost.

  A loud knocking interrupted his thoughts. Someone was at the front door. Maybe Ruby had forgotten her house key. He pushed up from his chair and strode to the front door, pulling it open in one fluid motion. Instead of his wife standing there, he found himself staring into the bluest pair of eyes he’d ever known. A pair almost identical to his own.

  “Pop!” He almost did a double take. His father, Gareth Prescott, was standing on his doorstep. Tall, leanly muscled and good-looking, his father cut an impressive figure. His tanned features hinted at a lifestyle inconsistent with Alaska.

  “Hey, Liam. Aren’t you going to invite me in?” He slapped him on the shoulder as he walked past him and into the house. “It’s been a while.”

  Liam almost couldn’t believe his eyes. Wasn’t his father somewhere in South America helping with a search-and-rescue mission? Not that he had the up-to-date information regarding his whereabouts. His father had always been a rolling stone, living his life on his own terms without any apologies to his kids. After his parents had divorced and gone their separate ways, both had left Alaska for warmer climates. Gareth’s profession as a search-and-rescue leader had placed him on several operations with Ruby over the years. Liam hadn’t seen his father since Ruby’s memorial service. Although he had called a few times, Gareth’s contact with his family had been limited.

  Liam closed the front door and trailed after his father, who was walking toward the kitchen. “So, kiddo. How’s Ruby doing? Jasper called me about her return. I couldn’t believe it when he told me she had resurfaced with amnesia.”

  Liam put a lid on his annoyance as his father opened up the fridge and began poking around inside. “What Jasper said is the truth. She has flashes of memory, but for the most part she’s a clean slate. It’s been improving, though, since she’s been back in Love. So there’s hope.”

  His father poured himself a tall glass of lemonade. He took a lengthy sip. “That’s a tough break, Liam.”

  “So what brings you back to Love? It’s been a while,” Liam said. Every instinct was telling him his father wasn’t just here to check in on his family. The past had shown him that Gareth Prescott was most comfortable at a distance.

  “Well, to be honest, I’ve been asked by the higher-ups to find out if Ruby is interested in coming back to work. They flew me out here to talk to her, find out if she’s interested, or if she’s even capable of doing so, what with her memory loss and all.”

  Anger—hot and fiery—pulsed through his veins. Search and rescue had already taken enough from them. It wasn’t getting Ruby back. Not if he had anything to say about it.

  All this time he had been agonizing about the past coming back to bite him. How wrong he had been. He hadn’t seen this coming. Not by a long shot.

  Liam let out a harsh laugh. “I should have known. You would never come back simply to check in on your kids or Aidan or to meet your newest grandchild, Emma. It’s all about the work, right, Pop?”

  His father held up his hands. “Liam, don’t take this so personally.”

  “Save it. I don’t want to hear it. And I don’t want you coming around buzzing in Ruby’s ear about how wonderful search-and-rescue missions are.”

  “I’m not looking to make any trouble,” Gareth insisted. “We worked together. I wanted to see how she’s doing. After all, she did suffer her injuries in the line of duty.”

  Liam took a steadying breath. What was it about his father that always pushed all of his buttons? He wasn’t sure how to put into words how nervy it was for him to show up here. This was one big slap in the face after a lifetime of disappointments. Where had he been for the last two years when Liam had been mired in grief?

  “Ruby is fine. I’ll make sure of it.” He spit the words out.

  “She has to make her own decisions, Liam,” Gareth said in a softer tone. “Despite everything that’s happened, she’s a big girl.”

  “How many ways can I say this? Ruby’s career in search and rescue is over. She nearly lost her life due to that profession. There’s no way I’m ever going to allow her to go back. Not on my watch!”

  “Liam!” Ruby’s voice crashed over him like a bucket of ice water. He turned toward the doorway.

  Ruby was standing there, a look of horror etched on her face. Her eyes wide, she was looking back and forth between him and his father.

  “I could hear the two of you shouting from outside on the porch. What in the world is going on here?”

  * * *

  Ruby felt as if she had just walked into a war zone. Liam—calm, cool Liam—looked wild-eyed and fierce. He practically had steam coming out of his ears. And the gentleman he was speaking to seemed just as agitated. His brow furrowed, he looked like a kettle about to boil.

  “Liam?” she repeated in a tentative voice. “What’s going on?” The tension hanging in the air was palpable.

  He shoved his hand through his hair then jerked his chin in the man’s direction. “This is my father. He was just leaving.” Liam’s voice was curt, bordering on rude.

  Ruby frowned. Liam hadn’t mentioned anything at all about his father to her, other than the fact that he’d been on her search-and-rescue mission two years ago. Clearly, there had been a reason for that omission. Their relationship seemed frosty at best.

  Liam’s father stepped toward her. “Since Liam doesn’t seem inclined to introduce us, I’ll do the honors myself. I’m Gareth Prescott. I can tell by the look on your face that you don’t remember me, but we were friends.”

  “You were there that day on the mountain,” she said. She practically had to push the words out of her mouth. It felt like there were cotton balls lodged in her throat. Every time she thought about the accident, dread rose inside her.

  There was something about seeing Liam’s father that made her want to ask
him a hundred questions about that terrible day. What had he seen? Had she really saved lives on the mountain? Perhaps by finding out the answers to her questions, the fear bottled up inside her might dissipate.

  He darted a glance in Liam’s direction. Liam glared at him. Gareth turned back to her. “I was there that day.” He shook his head. “I wish I could have done something more for you. One minute you were standing there and the next thing we knew the snow-slip swallowed you up.”

  “You saw it?” Ruby asked.

  “Yes, with my own eyes.” He shuddered. “I never want to see anything like it ever again, although in the search-and-rescue business that’s unlikely.”

  Something had been bothering Ruby. It was a tidbit of a detail. She wasn’t sure it was from that mission, but she had to ask Gareth.

  “Was there a search-and-rescue dog there that day? A German shepherd.”

  “Ruby, why do you want to dredge this all up?” Liam asked. He had a tense expression on his face.

  “Because it’s part of me. That day changed my life. I don’t know why, but talking about it helps.”

  “It just drags you back into the past,” Liam said with a shake of his head.

  “And it might help me trigger some more memories.” She turned to Gareth. “Was there a rescue dog?”

  “Yes,” Gareth answered. “There was a dog there that day. He didn’t make it.”

  “Rufus,” she whispered. Images of a sweet, brown-and-black German shepherd flickered in her mind like snapshots. Her mouth went dry. “Did I—?”

  “You trained him, Ruby. He was yours,” Liam said, his voice suddenly tender.

  Ruby wrapped her arms around her middle. The memories flashing before her eyes were poignant and powerful. Rufus as a puppy trailing after her in the snowy yard. Aidan playing with him. Liam taking him for walks. Ruby training him as a certified search-and-rescue dog.

  And he had died on that mountain in her arms.

  She heard Liam’s voice through a fog. He was telling his father it was time for him to leave. Out of nowhere it felt like she couldn’t breathe. She began to breathe rapidly, her chest rising and falling with the effort.

  Suddenly she felt Liam’s strong arms around her. He was rubbing her back and trying to soothe her. Liam was holding her against his chest and it felt so good to be held in his arms. It was like refuge from the storms of life.

  “Ruby. Are you all right? You’re scaring me.”

  “I saw it. In my mind’s eye. It felt like I was reliving it. Rufus located several climbers who were trapped. And then he slipped off the ledge. I rappelled down to see if I could help him, but it was too late. And then I remember hearing this horrific noise. It was coming at me so fast...and then there was nothing. Just nothing. I was gone.”

  “It’s going to be okay. You’re safe now,” he crooned as he caressed the side of her face and pulled her against his chest.

  “I remember you walking with Rufus...and Aidan,” she cried.

  “It’s good to remember, Ruby, but I don’t want you going through this emotional turmoil. It can’t be good for you.”

  She pulled away from him. “You can’t protect me from this, Liam. It happened. I lived it. And through God’s grace I survived it.”

  Liam shook his head. “My father blew into town like a tornado and stirred everything up. I never wanted you to have to relive your darkest moments.”

  “I can’t pick and choose what I remember,” she said with a shrug. “I’m actually grateful to Gareth. It’s painful, but what I just remembered is a huge event. And it gives me hope that I can remember other crucial moments in my life. And who knows? Maybe I can return to search and rescue if I’m healthy enough to do so.”

  Liam’s entire body stiffened. His expression darkened. “How can you even consider doing that? I won’t let you put yourself in harm’s way. It’s not going to happen!”

  Liam had just thrown down the gauntlet. It simmered in the air between them.

  “If I ever decide to go back to search and rescue, that’s my decision, Liam. I never gave you permission to run my life,” she snapped.

  Hurt flared in Liam’s eyes. She hated to see that wounded look, but he’d cornered her and forced her to stand up for herself. Over the last two years she’d had to make decisions for herself in her day-to-day life. Liam couldn’t expect to just step in and make all her choices for her, especially when it came to something as huge as her former career.

  “Point taken, Ruby,” Liam said in a clipped tone. “I’ll remember next time not to care if you decide to put yourself in harm’s way and make Aidan a motherless child all over again.”

  Ruby sucked in a shocked breath. Liam’s words served as a punch in the gut. They bordered on being cruel. Deliberately hurtful.

  Ruby turned away from Liam without a single word more and made a fast retreat to the guest bedroom. In the past few days it had felt as if they were growing ever closer, despite her stalled memories. Now, it seemed as if rushing rivers stood between them. And she had no idea how they were going to bridge the distance.

  Chapter Nine

  Liam settled into his seat at the Moose Café. He looked around the place, admiring the festive Christmas decorations that were now on full display. Sprigs of holly hung by the window while a fully decorated pine tree sat in the corner. Gaily wrapped presents were scattered beneath it. Holiday tunes softly emanated from speakers. Liam tapped his foot to the beat underneath the table.

  The café really had become a favorite of almost everyone in Love. He admired his younger brother for reaching for the stars and making his dream come true.

  As he did at least a few times a week, he was treating himself to lunch at his brother’s establishment. He looked up at the door just in time to see Boone striding through with his best friend, Declan O’Rourke, by his side. Declan, Boone’s lifelong best friend, was the owner and one of the pilots for O’Rourke Charters, a private plane company he ran out of Love. Just married to the town librarian, Annie Murray, Declan was an unofficial member of the Prescott family.

  “Hey, Liam,” Declan greeted him. “Thanks for the lunch invite.”

  “Hey, bro,” Boone said as he settled into his chair. “I’m starved.”

  “You’re always as hungry as a bear. Poor Grace must be sick of cooking for you,” Liam said, chuckling. “She probably can’t keep up.”

  Boone peered at his brother from behind the menu. “I cook just as many meals as Gracie. I consider myself a Renaissance man.”

  Liam and Declan looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  Boone rolled his eyes. “Laugh all you want. You two could take pointers from me. Annie and Ruby would thank me for it.”

  Declan looked over at Liam. “How are things going, by the way? Is Ruby getting acclimated to town?”

  “Honor invited Ruby and Aidan to the Wildlife Center today, so that’ll be a fun trip.” Liam frowned. “Everything was going pretty smoothly until we were blindsided by a visit from Pops yesterday.”

  Cameron walked up just at that moment. He stopped in his tracks and gaped at Liam. “Pops is here in Love?” He sank into a chair.

  Liam swung his gaze up at his brother. “At least, he was last night. Sorry. I thought you knew.”

  Boone slapped the menu down on the table. “What did he want?”

  “Not to catch up on all times, that’s for sure.” Liam drummed his fingers on the table. “He came for Ruby.”

  “Ruby?” Declan asked. “Gareth isn’t the sentimental type. It’s hard to believe he heard about Ruby and was so moved he came back home. That’s not his style.”

  “Something tells me Liam has more to tell us,” Boone drawled. “Spill it!”

  “He came to find out if Ruby was fit to return to duty. He was flown here by hi
s employer to ask Ruby if she wanted to return to search and rescue.” He clenched his fists on the table. “It took every impulse in my body not to toss him out on his ear. He basically wanted to be able to go back and tell his bosses that Ruby was ready to go back to work.”

  Cameron scoffed. “Maybe he got a bonus or something out of it. Wonder if Jasper knows.”

  “This is so typical!” Boone snapped. “Did he even see Aidan or ask about Emma? He’s never even met Gracie. He didn’t show up at Cam’s wedding or mine. And I’m not even sure he’s aware that Honor is back in Love.”

  “You’d think one of these days he’d get his act together,” Declan grumbled. “You guys know my dad isn’t any better. At least Gareth shows up once in a blue moon.”

  Liam grunted. “To stir up a hornet’s nest. Ruby and I got into it about the whole idea of her returning to search and rescue. It didn’t end on a good note, I’m afraid.”

  “Did I miss something?” Cameron asked, a quizzical expression stamped on his face. “How can she resume that career with amnesia?”

  “They were sending out feelers about her coming back down the road. That’s the sense I got from his probing. Little by little, Ruby is remembering bits and pieces, so it’s very possible. She remembered me and Aidan. She even had flashbacks about Rufus and what happened to him during the rescue.”

  “So I take it you would have a problem with her returning to search and rescue?” Boone asked, gazing at him intensely.

  “Of course I would.” Liam frowned. “It cost my family everything. We lost Ruby for two torturous years. The truth is, we might never fully get her back. We’re still in limbo, Boone. And there’s no guarantee that we’re ever going to get back what we lost. Why would Ruby ever want to go down that road again?”

  Boone held up his hands. “I see where you’re coming from, but as a member of law enforcement, I just have to tell you that it seeps under our skin...it becomes part of our identity. Ruby may feel compelled to go back to service.”