Ruby (Orlan Orphans Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

him.  I barely know him.  But I feel so much more than I ever felt with David."
    "That's what I wanted to hear.  It sounds like you're a good match physically.  Love will come, but you need that initial attraction.  He seems like a good man."
    "I really think he is."  Ruby shrugged.  "You and Mr. Hayes will be here for the wedding?"
    "I wouldn't miss it."  Mrs. Hayes seemed to hesitate for a moment.  "Would you like to wear my wedding dress?  It's nothing fancy, but I'd be honored if you wore it when you married Lewis."
    Ruby nodded.  "I'd like that a lot, if you don't mind.  I was just going to wear my Sunday best."
    "We're very close to the same size.  I'll send Tino over with it this evening.  I'm sure Penelope could do better for you, but there's just no time."
    "That sounds wonderful.  Thank you for thinking of me.  I'll take good care of it.  You never know, you may have a little girl who will want to wear it someday."
    Mrs. Hayes put her hand on her belly.  "Tino is determined this first child be a boy."
    "Do you want a lot of children?" Ruby asked, wondering what it would be like to carry a child within her body. 
    "I'd like a few.  I'm too old for many." 
    "Does it hurt?  The baby being inside you?"
    "It's more discomfort than real pain.  The real pain will come when I give birth."  Mrs. Hayes sighed.  "I'm ready for him to be born, no matter how much pain is involved though.  I feel like I've been carrying him for twenty years."
    "At least we have a good doctor in town," Ruby said, thinking about Iris Harvey.  Edna Petunia thought a lot of the doctor, and so did Opal, who worked for her family.
    "Yes.  I'm thankful for her.  And she's due a few months after me, so I don't need to worry about her missing my delivery."
    "It must be strange being pregnant at the same time as your doctor." 
    "It is, but at least we have a lot to talk about."
    Edna Petunia interrupted then, bringing in a tray with a teapot and a plate of cookies, along with some cups.  "I feel like I should be helping with the cleaning," Ruby announced to no one in particular.
    Edna Petunia shook her head.  "No.  This is their gift to you.  Sarah Jane is helping with the cooking, of course."
    "Of course." Sarah Jane had been the first to become close to Edna Petunia.  She loved to cook, and it had been a delight for her to cook with the older woman.  "You're keeping it simple like you promised, aren't you, Edna Petunia?"
    Edna frowned.  "I'm trying my very best.  I want you to have a big beautiful wedding, but I'll do what you want, no matter how much I hate it."
    "I'm sure the other girls will want that.  I just want simple."
    "I'm beginning to understand how Mary Sullivan felt," Edna mumbled under her breath.
    "Excuse me?" Ruby asked.
    "Nothing that matters."  Edna jumped to her feet.  "I'm going to go work on baking some cookies for the wedding guests.  We're going to have a beautiful wedding if it kills me."
    Ruby shook her head as the old woman rushed from the room. 
     
    *****
     
    Ruby got more and more nervous as the day progressed on Friday.  She'd only planned to work half a day so she could get the dress fitted to her by Penelope and do her best to rein Edna Petunia in with the wedding preparations.  She went behind the counter to kiss Lewis goodbye before leaving work.  "I'll see you in the morning."
    "I'll be there.  The boys are going to stay at your house with Opal, right?"
    Ruby nodded, suddenly feeling shy.  "Yes, she's planning for that."
    "The boys are really excited.  They love your sister."
    Ruby smiled.  "She loves them as well.  They're good boys."
    "Usually.  What happens if they aren't good?"
    Ruby shrugged.  "I guess we'll deal with that when the time comes.  If you're worried their behavior will scare me, don't.  I was raised in a house with almost thirty other orphans.  Someone was always getting into some mischief or other.  Mrs. Hayes was a good role model."  If she