Boy On A Farm

Part 15

Life marched on like always and harvest was just around the corner. Ruth found it hard to believe that so much had changed in just the few months that Ian had been home. Ian was shouldering more of the farming and insisting that Ruth get out more. It was hard for Ruth to willingly spend time in town after how they had treated her, but she was trying.

Philip had started taking Ruth out on more dates and Ruth was almost giddy with all of the attention that Philip gave her. Ruth was used to having attention showered on her because of her book, but Philip's attention was different. He saw the real Ruth and not Ruth the author. He dug deep to discover what made Ruth tick and Ruth loved that.

The farm was busy and the house was once again full of warmth and happiness. Ruth's injuries did not pain her as much and for that she was truly happy about. Louis still stayed in the basement, but Philip had moved into Ruth's bedroom. Ian ribbed her good naturedly about it. Ruth always blushed when he did that and stammered that they were just sleeping which they were. Ruth was not comfortable with going any further than that with both of their brothers in the house with them.

Ruth had been chatting to Rachel about how they would start harvesting within the next few days. Rachel had suggested that they throw a BBQ at either the farm or in town. Ruth had quickly volunteered to have the BBQ at the farm. Rachel had just rolled her eyes, but agreed. Rachel had put together the menu right then and there. Ruth had sat back and let Rachel plan the food.

That was why Ruth was busy shopping for ingredients. Ruth was in charge of make that broccoli/cauliflower salad that Rachel loved. Ian had asked Ruth to grab him some stuff in the store which was why it was taking Ruth longer to shop and she hated it. Ruth wished that Philip was here because people were gossiping about her again. Ruth ignored it like always.

"Hi Ruth!"

Ruth looked up from the meat case to see who had spoken to her. Clarissa Cain stood there in her skin tight clothing that she thought she looked good in. Ruth mumbled a quick hello before she looked back at the meet. Ruth hoped that Clarissa would leave, but unfortunately that was not the case.

"I hear that you are having a BBQ. Is it invite only or can someone come and crash the party."

Ruth looked up slowly. She skewered Clarissa with her best bitch glare. Clarissa squirmed slightly, but refused to back down.

"Why in the hell would I invite you to a BBQ with my family in friends?"

Clarissa made a vague motion with her hand. "Because I am the life of the party and those identical twin brothers are hot."

"Philip is mine and Louis is off limits."

Clarissa snorted. "Yeah right. Who would want someone like you?"

Ruth felt her anger rising, but she pushed it down. "I have better things to do than stand here and argue with you. You are not invited to the BBQ and if you show up, I will have you arrested."

"Since when did you become such a bitch?"

Ruth paused in turning away. She ran a disgusted eye over Clarissa. "The only bitch I see is you."

Ruth finished her shopping quickly and only breathed easier once she was outside. Ruth took a few deep breaths before she started her vehicle and pulled out of the parking lot. The nerve of Clarissa should have surprised Ruth, but it didn't. Clarissa thought that she was the hottest shit in town.

"What took you so long?" Rachel asked when Ruth stepped into the kitchen with her arms full of bags.

Ruth let Rachel take several of the bags. "Oh, I ran into Clarissa in the store. She was trying to get herself invited to the BBQ and talked about crashing it."

Rachel looked at Ruth in disbelief. "How in the world did she hear about our BBQ?"

"Who knows? Clarissa has her finger in all sorts of pie. She had to have overheard it somewhere."

Rachel began unloading the bags. "What did you tell her?"

"That if she shows up that I will have her arrested for trespassing."

"I would love to see that."

"I bet you would."

Rachel stopped setting groceries on the counter and looked at Ruth. "What's the matter Ruth?"

Ruth shrugged. "Just the same ole stuff Rachel. Having Ian home has helped, but I doubt that things will ever be the way they were."

"I'm sorry Ruth," Rachel said as she reached over and laid her hand on Ruth's arm.

Ruth smiled at Rachel. "Thanks. I wish more people were like you. You have never treated me any different."

"I loved your family Ruth and I miss them too. I still see you as my best friend even though you are a famous author. That is why I do not treat you any different. Everyone else does and I wanted you to have someone in your corner."

Ruth gave Rachel an impromptu hug. Rachel returned it before she went back to dealing with the groceries. "We better get the food ready. The boys will be here and they will be starving."

Ruth laughed. "I will let Ian know that the meat is ready for his magic touch."