Ruby was perturbed. “But that’s exactly the point. Her name is Italian. It’s to honor her father.” She pressed her lips together in a thin line. “It’s not that hard to say.”
“I think it’s a lovely name, but you know how people are in these parts. They like simple names. Joe, Bud, Jane. See?”
Crossing her arms, Ruby said, “If I’d wanted to name her Mary, I would have. Her name is Mariangela.”
“Of course, it is,” Patricia said in a soothing voice. “You’ve had a long trip, and I know you’re tired. Please don’t get upset over a silly nickname. Kids grow up with all sorts of nicknames. Like you did.”
“Mari with an ‘i,’ then. But not Mary with a ‘y.’” Ruby had to give in a little, but she still wanted her daughter to have a connection to her heritage. Yet, Michael meant no harm. Maybe his tongue did get twisted on Mariangela.
Finally, Mari settled down again, and Patricia sat beside Ruby, sliding the child into her arms. Mari seemed happy now, and Ruby sighed with relief.
“I’ll get a clean towel for you to throw over that beautiful blouse.” She stood to open a bureau draw. “Real silk, is it?”
“A gift from David, who supervised the wardrobe in my last film.” Ruby nuzzled her face against Mariangela’s face and hair, reveling in her sweet baby scent. Her hair had grown, and it was feather-soft.
“Is David someone special in your life?”
“He is, but not that way. I don’t think he’s available.” Ruby didn’t say exactly why, but she’d heard that David had a secret boyfriend. It didn’t bother her, and maybe not Patricia, but their father would disapprove of such a friendship.
As Patricia opened a drawer, it fell forward, spilling its contents. She knelt to scoop up Mari’s clothes and cloth diapers. “Maybe there’s someone nice for you around here. As a matter of fact, I met a nice young man at church. He’s the new assistant pastor.”
“And poor as a church mouse, I’ll bet.” When Patricia nodded, Ruby added, “I couldn’t afford him.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Patricia said. “We’ve had so many expenses this past year. It’s hard to get ahead, but we’re so grateful to you and what you’re doing. If it weren’t for you, our parents would have surely lost the ranch. We would’ve had a hard time, too.” Patricia tucked the clothing into the drawer and then handed a soft baby towel to her.
As Ruby reached for the towel, Mari spit up on her shoulder, a second before Ruby could drape the fabric over her blouse.
“Oh, dear,” Patricia said. “That silk is a magnet for spit-up.”
“I don’t really care.” Ruby dabbed her silk blouse. She just wanted to be with her baby.
“It happens.” Patricia reached for Mari. “I’ll take her while you clean up.”
“It’s okay,” Ruby insisted. “I just want to hold her. I’ve been waiting so long to do this.”
Patricia smiled. “I understand.”
The two sisters chatted for a while, and Patricia told her all about Mari’s progress. Mari seemed to grow used to Ruby again—almost as if she remembered the months spent cuddled next to her mother in a sling. After a while, the baby fell asleep, and Ruby put her down for a nap.
After tiptoeing from the nursery, Patricia said, “Mama and Daddy will be here soon. I told them you might want to freshen up first.”
“I would like to change,” Ruby said.
“Spring has come early this year, so we’ll have the party on the back porch,” Patricia said. “Michael screened in the downstairs porch and added electricity so that when Mari starts walking, she can play there. It’ll keep the mosquitos away. Last year she got itchy red welts on her tender skin.”
“Thanks,” Ruby said. She hadn’t heard about that. It must have happened when she’d been in New York.
“I hate to mention it, but the porch is for Mari,” Patricia said. “Once we began building, it cost more than we thought it would.” Patricia fidgeted with the edge of her collar. “Do you think—”
“I’ll take care of it,” Ruby said. “Let me know how much you’ll need.”
After Ruby changed into a blue-checked cotton dress, she set up Mari’s birthday party on the new back porch. Ruby had brought a pink tablecloth and party napkins and a banner that read Happy Birthday. She piled wrapped toys beside the yellow, vinyl-covered high chair.
The rear screen-door banged. Mercy and Harrison arrived with their arms filled with packages.
“Oh, my Ruby,” her mother cried. “Look at how you’ve changed.” After placing her packages on the table, she held her arms open to Ruby.
“I’ve missed you, Mama,” Ruby said, hugging her mother, who seemed thinner than she’d recalled.
“Welcome back,” her father said, approaching her with awkward open arms under her mother’s watchful eye.
As her parents exchanged a look, it was apparent to Ruby that her mother had engineered his forgiveness. She wondered what kind of force Mercy had exerted. Sometimes her mother stopped cooking for Harrison or sent him to sleep on the couch. Or worse. Had her mother threatened to leave him?
Ruby hadn’t spoken to her father since before Mari was born. Mercy had been pleading with her to forgive her father for his anger. Ruby was trying, but she couldn’t forget what he’d called her or how he’d threatened her mother. Although Ruby couldn’t change the past, she hoped their future would be amicable, especially for Mari. She let her father give her a brief hug, and she played her part as well, stifling her anger and discomfort and trying to recall better times. Yet she would remain forever on guard.
A small sigh of relief escaped Mercy’s lips.
Harrison shifted from one foot to another, his eyes downcast. “We sure appreciate what you’re doing for us,” he said, his ego deflated.
Mercy grasped her hands. “I don’t know what we would’ve done, especially with your father so sick. Running a ranch is hard work at his age.”
Her father frowned. “I’m not that old, Mercy. I’ll be better soon.”
Ruby squeezed her mother’s hands. “Don’t worry. I’m working a lot this year.” Sensing the tension, Ruby said, “Can we wake Mari for her party yet?”
“Let’s go get her,” Patricia said.
Ruby propped up Mari in the high chair, and the little girl giggled and waved her arms. They sang to her, and Ruby helped her blow out a single candle. Patricia cut the cake and gave Mari a small piece, which the little girl smashed into her mouth, smearing frosting on her cheeks and laughing hysterically.
“Isn’t she precious?” Mercy clapped her hands at Mari’s antics. “It’s so wonderful to have a little one around again.”
Michael slid his arm around Patricia. They both looked so proud of Mari. “I can’t believe she’s a year old already,” he said. “She’s made us so happy, especially my beautiful wife.”
Ruby watched them, thinking how fulfilled her sister seemed. Patricia looked serene, and Michael doted on her. They tended to Mari together, and Ruby was so touched. Even though the separation from her daughter hurt, she’d made the right decision for them.