Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy by Hallee A. Bridgeman Read Free Book Online Page B

with the people who meant the most to him.
    “Yummy!” Angel said as she hopped off the couch and ran to the table.
    Caroline smiled and put her hand on the head of her daughter. As they stood to go to the table, Tony slipped an arm around Robin’s waist and said, “We are so honored that you and Peter are going to stand up with us at our wedding. We were hoping that Angel Dove could serve as our flower girl.”
    “Oh, I bet she would love it,” Caroline said, walking forward to hug Robin first, then Tony.
    In what seemed like incredible timing, the second youngest child and youngest boy in the O’Farrell home appeared from the kitchen carrying a stack plates to the table. Little did he know he was about to become the topic of conversation.
    “There’s more,” Robin said. “We would also be honored if Isaac would be our ring bearer. I know he’s a little old, but – “
    “What do you say, lad? Do you want to be in Uncle Tony’s wedding?”
    The little tawny haired boy with the round glasses scrunched his eight-year-old face up. “Do I have to dress up in a monkey suit?”
    Caroline’s laughter rang out through the room. “Aye, you do. And you’ll look sharp in it, too. Like James Bond.” She waved at the table. “Now, eat. Get as much as you want. I can make more.”
    The back door opened and Peter and Derrick came in, stomping the snow off their feet. Peter pulled his glasses from his face when they steamed up in the heat and Derrick shed his new ski coat. “It is really coming down out there.” Peter set a gallon of milk on the table. “There’s your milk, my dear.”
    “Thank you, love,” Caroline said, taking the milk into the kitchen.
    “Temperature is dropping,” Derrick said. He grabbed half a sandwich from the platter and ate it in two bites. Caroline came back into the room carrying a glass of milk which she handed Derrick.
    “We should probably go, then,” Tony said. He grabbed Robin’s coat that she’d hung on the back of a chair and held it out for her to slip her arms into it. “I still need to get Robin home.”
    “Can I drive?” Derrick asked. He drained the milk in a few long swallows and grabbed another sandwich.
    “If the weather wasn’t so nasty, I’d say yes.”
    “I have to learn how to drive in the snow sometime,” Derrick said.
    “He has a point,” Peter said, pulling the ski cap off of his salt and pepper hair.
    Tony nodded. “You’re right. After we drop Robin off, maybe I’ll let you drive. Let me see how bad the roads are.
    Derrick let out a loud, “Whoop,” and went rushing outside, yelling good-bye to Caroline as he went.
    Caroline laughed and put her hand to her chest. “You make me proud, Tony,” she said. “What you’re doing for that young man is a good thing.”
    Tony nodded, looking at the door from which Derrick had gone out. “He seems like a fine boy. Ever since he came to me last Wednesday, he’s just gratefully accepted what I’ve offered. I don’t know if he’s waiting for a catch, casing me, or just plain happy to be out.”
    Peter put his glasses back on. “I’m guessing the last,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of lost boys. You can tell when they’re sincere and when they’re just biding their time. He will be a great man one day, if he lets God use him.”
    “I agree.” Tony buttoned his coat. “Ready to traverse the roads, cara ?”
    “I guess,” she said. “We probably should leave before it gets worse.” She stepped forward and hugged Caroline. “Thank you. I enjoyed the movie and time with you.”
    “I enjoyed it as well, love. I shall see you at church tomorrow.”
    Tony stepped outside and the wind immediately drove snow into his face. He held up his arm to block the icy blast and took Robin’s arm in his other hand. “Be careful,” he yelled against the wind. “The walk will be slippery.”
    He walked carefully along the sidewalk to the gate. The latch was frozen shut. Derrick kicked it with a booted