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

nerves a bit.  Her religious fervor after living with a pastor and his wife for a few years overshadowed a lot of her good points.
    "I hope so," Ruby said simply.  "I've never been a mother, but I'll do my best by them."
    The girls stayed up past ten, reminiscing about their shared childhood.  "I'm really going to miss you, Ruby," Katie told her.  Katie was the youngest of the group.
    "I'm going to miss you, too, Katie."  Ruby smiled at the sweet girl.  "That reminds me, Katie!  Would you sing at the wedding tomorrow?"
    Katie's face lit up, obviously pleased to be asked.  "I'd love to.  What do you want me to sing?"
    "I have no idea.  You choose!"
    Katie thought for a moment.  "How about 'I Love You Truly'?  I know you like it, and it's perfect for a wedding."
    Ruby nodded with a smile.  "I'd like that."
    Edna Petunia looked at the clock.  "Do you realize it's after ten?  We have a wedding in twelve hours!  To bed, girls!"
    Ruby got to her feet.  Tomorrow was going to be a big day for her, and she knew she needed her rest.  She hated to go to bed, though, because it would be the last night she would be able to do this with the girls.

Chapter Four
     
     
    Ruby woke earlier than usual on Saturday, the morning of her wedding.  She'd had a dream that David was standing watching her as she walked down the aisle toward Lewis.  He had a sad look on his face, and she couldn't figure out why.  It was an odd dream that she wanted out of her mind.  It was her wedding day, and the last person she should be thinking about was David.
    She sat while her sister-friends crowded around her, some fixing her hair, some just sitting quietly talking.  "I'm going to miss this," Ruby said to no one in particular. 
    Sarah Jane was helping Edna with the wedding lunch, while the rest of them lounged in Ruby's room.  They all knew they'd have to go downstairs and help set up for the wedding any minute, so they were taking as much time as they could to spend with Ruby before she left. 
    Opal reached out and took her sister's hand in hers.  "We'll still be close by."
    "I know," Ruby said.  "But it won't be the same."
    "I'm thankful you're not moving back to New York.  I don't know what I would have done if we'd been so many miles apart."
    "Written lots of letters, made ridiculously expensive phone calls, and visited every time the chance arose."  Ruby would never have done well living so far from her twin, and she knew it now, even if she hadn't before.
    Opal smiled, wiping a tear from her eye.
    Edna Petunia stood in the doorway watching all the girls.  "I need everyone but Opal, Ruby, and Penny downstairs to help get the chairs set up."  She waited 'til the others were gone before looking at Ruby.  "Do you and I need to discuss what will happen tonight?  Or did Mrs. Hayes talk to you?"
    Ruby blushed.  Only Edna would bring that subject up in front of others.  "I already know.  Thank you, though."
    "Well, I'm glad of that.  I don't want to have to explain about playing 'hide the pickle' with your husband in front of these girls."  Edna Petunia turned and left the room amidst the giggles of the girls. 
    "I swear that woman has no sense of decorum!" Ruby said after a minute of listening to the others laugh. 
    Opal grinned at her sister.  "Life with Edna Petunia is never boring, though!"
    A few minutes later they had finished with her hair and were slipping her dress over her head.  Ruby looked into the mirror and was surprised at what she saw.  Somehow the girls had been able to make her pretty.  Her dark hair hung in waves over her shoulders.  Lewis would be pleased.  Of that she had no doubt.
    Opal took her seat in the hard backed chair and Penny immediately went to work on her hair.  As the only person standing up with Ruby, she knew all eyes would be on her.  Opal was as blond as Ruby was dark, and they'd always made a striking duo. 
    As Ruby watched her sister transform into the beauty she tended to