Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
It’s clear that Ryan and Ruby mean a lot to him.
“Hey, everyone,” Dale begins, and then he clears his throat.
A few seconds pass until he starts speaking again.
“I may be a man of few words, as you all know, and that’s okay right now, because I don’t think there are words in the English language to describe exactly what Aunt Ruby and Uncle Ryan mean to me. I agree with everything Donny said. Your wedding twenty-five years ago was when Donny and I realized we were actually part of this amazing family. Still, it took a while for me to come out of my shell. I suppose a lot of you would say I never really did. But I did. I did when I began working with Uncle Ryan at the winery. Who would’ve thought an interest in wine would be my saving grace?” Dale’s voice cracks a little, and he clears his throat again. “Turns out I have kind of a knack for it. Uncle Ryan saw that in me. He saw it, and he nurtured it, and he allowed me to go at my own pace. There were days when we’d work together and neither one of us said a word. He didn’t force me to talk when I didn’t feel like talking, and when I did feel like talking? He listened. He gave me sage advice. He helped me realize that every member of this family was on my side. He’s been a second father to me, and that’s meant everything.”
Ashley slips her hand into his, while I consider his words. Every member of this family was on my side. Dale truly believes that, but I’m forced to wonder… Are the Steels on Ava’s side? How could they be if they’re keeping secrets?
After a few seconds, Dale speaks again.
“And then there’s Aunt Ruby. Aunt Ruby, who let me tag along on an investigation twenty-five years ago. I found a polished rock. That may sound silly to you, but we were looking for clues—any kind of clues—and I found a polished rock outside on the ground. I handed it to Aunt Ruby, and I told her it didn’t belong there.”
Laughter trickles through the audience.
“She told me I was right, and that polished rock ended up being a significant clue in her investigation. You gave me a voice that day, Aunt Ruby, and I’ll never forget that.”
Soft murmurs through the group.
Dale sniffs. “I could say more, but I’m already getting misty up here. Just suffice it to say the two people we’re celebrating today mean as much to me as my own parents do. Uncle Ryan and Aunt Ruby, you both gave me what I needed at a time when I didn’t know what I needed. So here’s to your twenty-five years, and we will all be here to join you when you celebrate the next twenty-five.” He holds up his glass of sparkling wine. “To Ryan and Ruby, and twenty-five years of happiness!”
The rest of us hold up our glasses. “To Ryan and Ruby,” I chorus with all the others.
Ryan and Ruby walk onto the stage, and though they should be radiating happiness, I’m not getting that feeling at all.
Dale hands the microphone to Ryan, but he gestures to Ruby.
Ruby smiles at him and takes the microphone.
“I think Ryan’s a little choked up. That was a wonderful tribute from you guys.” She nods to Dale and Donny. “There’s a lot of love in this family, and Ryan and I have been so lucky to share in that love for the last twenty-five years. Dale talks about coming out of his shell. I was a mousy detective when Ryan and I met, and he certainly helped me come out of my shell as well. Everyone welcomed me into the Steel family, especially my best friend in the world, Melanie—”
Melanie waves and smiles from her table.
“And I’ve had a life I never thought I’d have because of this wonderful family. So thank you so much for being here, all of you. And thank you to my wonderful husband, Ryan Steel, for giving me this incredible life. I love you so much, babe.”
She nods, smiles, and hands him the microphone while applause echoes through the yard.
Ryan doesn’t bring the microphone to his lips. Instead, he lets it hang at his side as the applause dies down.
Finally he brings it upward. “I wish I knew what to say. To my brothers and sister, my sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, my beautiful daughters, Ava and Gina, and all my amazing nieces and nephews, thank you all for being here. And to all of you in the community who came out to celebrate with us tonight, thank you.
“Ruby and I have had an amazing life together, and I can only hope that…”
Ruby touches his forearm.
Ryan looks out into the crowd, but he seems to be seeing something else. “My brothers stood beside me in the backyard of this very house. I wore a black suit, no tie, and Talon and Joe both wore blue-gray. The weather cooperated beautifully for November. The orange and gold colors of fall surrounded us, and the temperature was a balmy sixty-two. Ground had already been broken for Ruby’s and my house. It was Thanksgiving Day, and Ruby and I thought it was a perfect day to exchange our vows and begin our life as husband and wife. We had so much to be thankful for. Then Dale and Donny…” He trails off for a moment, and Ruby grabs his hand.