Love Finds You at Home for Christmas by Annalisa Daughety Page B

suggestion?”
    â€œMaybe you have to hold your mouth just right.” Harold snickered.
    Cliff looked at the mischievous grin on Harold’s face and realization dawned. “Have you been monkeying with the radio?”
    Harold doubled over with laughter. “Me and Andrew have been taking turns disconnecting the wire after you’re through fixing it.” He wiped his eyes. “It’s been the funniest thing to watch you toiling over that thing, not being able to figure it out.”
    Cliff shook his head. “You got me pretty good.” He should’ve suspected something. Come to think of it, Andrew had been there the day Cliff brought it in. He grinned. “But the joke’s over. And I owe you one.”
    â€œI look forward to your retaliation. It has been well worth it.” Harold chuckled again.
    Cliff unplugged the radio, grinning. At least he’d finally be able to give the radio back to Ruby. She’d be thrilled.
    He tucked the radio under his arm, told Harold good-bye, and hurried toward his car. The whole day with Ruby stretched out before him, and he had to admit, he was really looking forward to it.
    She had told him she wasn’t ready to risk her heart again, probably because she needed to heal. He understood that. So he would give her time and be a great friend to her. But when the time was right, he couldn’t wait to sweep her off her feet.
    * * * * *
    Ruby glanced in the mirror one final time. She’d chosen a red sweater today to match the team colors for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Cliff had assured her that many of the fans would wear team colors, and she wanted to fit in. Besides, every time she wore red, he told her how pretty she looked.
    She dabbed on some red lipstick and slipped the tube into her purse.
    â€œI’m so jealous that y’all are going to the game.” Lola looked up from her bed where she was flipping through an old issue of Modern Screen that had Clark Gable on the cover. “Harold was going to get tickets, but he wasn’t able to get off from his shift.”
    Ruby grinned. “I’ll cheer loud enough for you.”
    â€œThanks. I’m touched.” Lola made a face. “It’s okay, though, because Harold is supposed to make it up to me tonight. We’re going to the dance, and he’s promised me a jitterbug.”
    â€œThat’ll be fun.” Ruby started toward the door but then stopped. “If you want to wear my green dress, it’s hanging in the closet.”
    Lola jumped up from the bed and pulled Ruby into a hug. “Do you mean it? I know that’s your favorite. But it sure is pretty, and Harold’s already seen me in everything I own.” She widened her eyes. “Are you sure you mean it?”
    â€œI mean it. You’ll look beautiful, and I know Harold will love it.”
    Lola snatched the dress from the closet and danced around the room. “Thanks. You’re the best.”
    Ruby laughed. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you later.” She closed the door on the image of Lola still waltzing the green dress around the room.
    â€œAre you excited to go to your first Razorback game?” Cliff asked once she made it to the lobby.
    She nodded. “I sure am. I thought Lola was going to steal my ticket and go with you until I loaned her one of my dresses to wear out tonight.” She giggled and filled him in on Lola practicing her dance moves in the dorm room.
    He chuckled as they walked out to the car. “I think those two might be a perfect match. Harold’s been smitten with her ever since they met.”
    â€œI still think it’s funny that they wanted to introduce us to each other.” She grinned.
    Cliff looked down at her. “Well, maybe that means we’re a perfect match too.”
    Ruby never knew how to respond when Cliff joked about such things. “Maybe.”
    Cliff stopped at the car and pointed toward the