Love Finds You at Home for Christmas Read Online Free

working here for the summer. The pay is great, and Cliff will be here to look out for you.” She grinned. “I think the two of you can be great friends.”
    â€œThanks, Hazel, but I’ll be fine on my own.” Ruby narrowed her eyes, wondering if her friend was trying to set her up with Cliff. “I won’t be needing anyone to look out for me.” Especially not someone as handsome as your cousin. “But I’m thrilled for you, Hazel. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
    Ruby chose to keep her opinion about marriage to herself. Last month when she’d declared to Betty Jo that she had no intention of ever marrying, it had sent the poor girl into a tizzy—and she wasn’t even engaged. No need to spoil things for Hazel.
    â€œYou’ll come to the wedding, won’t you?” Hazel’s brown eyes were pleading.
    Ruby nodded. “Of course. I’d be honored. And I can’t wait to meet Troy.” She smiled. “I’m sure he’s wonderful.”
    â€œOh, he is.” Hazel squeezed Ruby’s hand. “Now let’s go get you settled into the dorm. Cliff will drive us over.” Hazel dragged Ruby over to Cliff’s car, where he waited patiently.
    â€œEverything okay, ladies?” Cliff asked once they’d climbed inside.
    Hazel nodded. “Let’s take Ruby to her dorm and help her carry her things inside.”
    He cranked the engine and slowly drove away from the administration building.
    Ruby leaned her head against the passenger seat and listened as Hazel and Cliff chatted about people they knew. None of the names were familiar to Ruby. For what seemed like the hundredth time today, the butterflies swirled in her stomach. She wouldn’t know anyone here. Hazel was about to get married, and Ruby would be left to fend for herself. So much for their fun summer together. The sigh that escaped her mouth was louder than she intended it to be.
    â€œNervous?” Cliff asked softly.
    She looked up, surprised by the genuine concern in his blue eyes. “Just wondering what I’ve gotten myself into, that’s all.” She gave him a tiny smile.
    â€œYou’ll love it,” Hazel declared. “Did they tell you what your job will be?”
    Ruby smoothed her skirt. “I’m going to start out measuring black powder. Hopefully after a few weeks of learning the ropes I’ll become a supervisor, though.”
    Cliff stopped the car and grinned. “I have no doubt that you’ll make it.”
    â€œI can get my suitcase,” Ruby said once they’d climbed out of the vehicle.
    He laughed. “I know you can, but I’d like it if you’d let me help.” He pulled the suitcase out of the backseat and winced as he set it on the sidewalk.
    â€œYou okay?” Hazel asked. “Is that arm still bothering you?”
    Cliff rubbed his shoulder. “It’s fine. Much better.”
    Ruby followed them into the dorm, wondering what had happened to his arm but not wanting to pry.
    â€œThis looks a lot like the dorm at Harding, doesn’t it?” Hazel asked once they made it up the stairs and into the room Ruby had been assigned.
    Ruby looked around the small space and frowned. With its concrete walls and gray floor, it seemed cold—almost clinical. Would this ever feel like home? Her college dorm room had been cheerful and cozy. “I guess.”
    Cliff lugged her suitcase onto one of the twin beds. “You’ll just need to put out a few knickknacks and maybe some pictures or something.”
    â€œKnickknacks?” Hazel giggled.
    Cliff shrugged. “I’m sure she has something in this big old suitcase that reminds her of home.” He shot a smile at Ruby. “Maybe that rock collection.”
    She managed a tiny smile. If he’d meant for his lighthearted jokes to put her at ease, he’d been successful. The fear she’d felt at the sight of