Free Love Finds You at Home for Christmas by Annalisa Daughety Page A

college, even just for a semester, is going to be a difficult one for them. But I think this will be a pretty good compromise and will make us all happy.”
    Hearing Ruby talk about her parents made Cliff wish he could mend his relationship with his. But maybe things would never be the same. Maybe the pain of losing Charlie would have a lasting impact. “That’s wonderful.”
    They stopped at the tree where the guns were propped. “This was fun.” Cliff grinned. “Despite your competitiveness.”
    Ruby blushed. “I don’t know what makes me that way. I suppose it irritates me when I don’t feel like I’m being taken seriously.” She shrugged. “Just like the day we met. My brother came to get me, to try and convince me that working at the AOP was a bad idea and I should just come home.”
    â€œMaybe he was just trying to look out for you and keep you safe.”
    She nodded. “I know. And I’m grateful for that. But I don’t want to be kept safe and sheltered. I want to have adventures and experiences that I can’t get on the farm raising pigs.”
    Cliff smiled at the passion in her voice. She was unique. “Maybe the key is finding balance. You don’t necessarily have to conquer the world by yourself, but I’m willing to bet that a lifetime of experiences awaits you.”
    â€œLet’s hope so.”
    He winked. “I know so.”
    And he hoped many of those experiences would include him.

Chapter Nine
    .................................
    August 31, 1943
    Dear Hazel,
    I know you must think I’m a terrible friend, as I’ve received two letters from you since I’ve found time to write. I think of you often and selfishly wish Troy would be transferred back here. But I’m so glad to hear you like it there. It sounds like y’all have found a good group of friends from church.
    I’m sure you’ve heard from your mama by now that I’ve been out to your house a few times with Cliff. Your parents are so kind to me, and your mama let me use her kitchen to bake. Cliff was thrilled to finally sample the molasses cookies. Have you given the recipe a try yet? I made some changes to it last week and added some pecans. You know how I love to come up with new recipes. It’s a rare treat now that we’re rationing sugar.
    Cliff finally told me about what happened in that foxhole with his brother Charlie. Poor Cliff—I can’t imagine losing one of my brothers, let alone feeling responsible for his death. I don’t really know how to comfort him, other than to just listen and to pray. Charlie sounds like he was such a great kid. I remember how torn up you were last year over your cousin—now I realize it must’ve been Charlie.
    Cliff and I spend a lot of time together. In fact, he’s my best friend here. I’ve never had a boy as a best friend. It’s kind of nice.
    Last week, Cliff and I went to the skating rink, and the funniest thing happened. It turns out that my roommate, Lola, has been seeing Cliff’s friend Harold. Lola has been trying for ages to fix me up with a certain boy, and Harold had been telling Cliff about a girl for him. It was us all along! They were so surprised when we walked in together, and we all had a good laugh. Of course, Cliff was full of himself on the way home, all puffed up and joking that they’d picked him out for me because they knew he was my dream man. I just laughed at him. He always jokes about us dating, so I know he’s not really serious about it.
    I hope it’s okay to talk about Cliff like this to you, seeing how he’s your cousin and all. But I assure you, we are only friends. He hasn’t kissed me or anything, and if he tried, I’d tell him not to. My decision to remain single hasn’t changed, and it never will.
    It’s strange to think that classes at Harding will be starting soon. I wrote to all my