“Nonsense. Your grandmother was like a sister to me. We were neighbors for years, until she passed away. It’s been nice having you and your brother next door. Agatha would be so proud if she could see you now.”
“Ruby!” Cameron cried, running across the room to throw his little arms around her waist. “You’re home.”
Staring over his head into Mrs. Fleming’s eyes, Ruby held him tightly against her. “I’m so happy to see you, Cam.”
He pulled back, a huge grin on his face. “How long do you get to stay for?”
Ruby found it hard to speak around the lump forming in her throat. “For quite a while. Now, go get your things so we can go home.”
Cameron ran off down the hall to gather his belongings, his little body bouncing with excitement.
“If there is anything you need,” Mrs. Fleming murmured, touching Ruby on the arm, “don’t hesitate to ask.”
Ruby nodded, not trusting her voice.
The sight of Cameron rushing up the hall saved Ruby from falling into a fit of tears and throwing herself into Mrs. Fleming’s arms. “I’m ready.”
“Remember what I said,” the elderly lady said, opening the door for the siblings. “I’m only a few feet away at all times.”
Ruby turned to face her as Cam bounded down the steps. “Thank you again, Mrs. Fleming.”
Quickly catching up to Cam, Ruby unlocked the door to their home and followed him inside before closing it behind her.
“Daddy?” Cameron called, dropping his backpack on the floor near the kitchen. He turned to face Ruby. “When’s Daddy coming home? He left me at Mrs. Fleming’s all night.”
Unable to prevent the tears that abruptly flooded her eyes, Ruby inched forward, lowering to her knees in front of him. “I have something to tell you, Cam.”
Tilting his head to the side, Cameron’s face grew pale with anxiety. “Why are you crying?”
Unable to think of an easy way to say what needed to be said, Ruby inhaled a shaky breath and took hold of her brother’s hands. “Daddy isn’t coming home, Cam. He’s gone to heaven to be with Grandma.”
“He died?” Cameron whispered, his eyes growing round in disbelief.
She could feel his tears against her shoulder as they seeped through the material of her shirt, and her heart shattered all over again.
A fierce protectiveness rose inside Ruby. No matter what happened to her from that moment on, or what sacrifices she would have to make, Cameron would want for nothing. She would take care of him until her last breath.
“You’re not going to leave and go back to school are you, Ruby?”
“No, love. I’m not going to leave you. Not ever again.”
His little arms tightened around her, telling her how much her words meant to him.
No, Ruby wouldn’t return to school. She would stay in New Orleans, take care of Cam, and find the man responsible for killing her father.
Titles by Ditter Kellen
The Seeker Series
Ember Burns
Ember Learns
Ember Yearns
Ember Discerns
Ember Turns
Five Book Box Set available
Shon
The Rise of Vlad
Finding Carly
Cassandra
Fully Engulfed
Secret Series
Lydia’s Secret
Midnight Secrets-Coming Soon
Time Travel Series
Turn the Page
Worlds Apart-Coming Soon
Enigma Series
Enigma: What Lies Beneath
Naura
Vaulcron
Zaureth
Oz
Gryke
Rykaur
Thrasher
Ruby and the Beast
A Novel
The Billionaire’s Baby
A BBW Shifter Romance
Ditter Kellen
Ditter Kellen has been in love with romance for over twenty years. To say she's addicted to reading is an understatement. Her eBook reader is an extension of her and holds many of her fantasies and secrets. It's filled with dragons, shifters, vampires, ghosts and many more jaw-dropping characters who keep her entertained on a daily basis.
Ditter's love of paranormal and outrageous imagination have conspired together to bring her where she is today...sitting in front of her computer allowing them free rein. Writing is her passion, what she was born to do. I hope you will enjoy reading her stories as much as she loves spinning them.
Ditter resides in Florida with her husband and many unique farm animals. She adores French fries and her phone is permanently attached to her ear. You can contact Ditter by email: ditterkellen@outlook.com
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