Reaper's Hollow: The Complete Series

Chapter 9-1

Chapter 9

“Wear the halter top,” Candice insisted. “It looks good on you.”

“No,” Ru replied, tossing the black shirt onto the bed. “I never wear that. I don’t even know why I have it.”

“Because it looks good on you,” Candice repeated. “If you’re self-conscious about showing that much skin, put a jacket on over the top. You have a black leather jacket, don’t you?”

“I’m going to dinner, not a rock concert,” Ru reminded her friend who’d come over to help her get ready for her not-a-date with Cutter. “What about the red?” she asked, holding up a red dress in front of herself in the full length mirror.

“It looks nice,” Candice agreed. “But I think it’s a little too fancy for a not-a-date. If you want Cutter to see who you really are outside of work, wear the black halter top, your leather jacket, and those black leggings. Hell, you can even wear that black miniskirt over the top. Oh, and your boots.”

Ru turned around to face her. “Who am I outside of work? The Grim Reaper?” The words came to her mind before she even had a chance to reflect on them. Memories of her dream made her stomach tighten, but Candice was laughing, and she shook her head to clear those thoughts.

“No, but I think he needs to see your edgy side, the side that listens to The Ramones and The Cure. At school, all we see is Miss Goody Two-Shoes.”

“Thanks.”

Candice shrugged. “Let him know you’re not so… vanilla.”

“Again, thanks.”

“Oh, come on, Ru. Who is the fashionista here, the one who goes on, like, a hundred dates a year, huh? Me or you?”

Ru turned to look at her friend who was sprawled on her bed amidst dozens of discarded outfits. Her number was an exaggeration, but Candice certainly had more experience dating than she did. “You do,” she replied.

“So… wear what I tell you to wear, girlie.”

“Yeah, but, this is different,” Ru protested. She didn’t think it would be polite to remind her friend that very few of those first dates turned into second dates, and she definitely needed to make sure that Cutter still wanted to see her—as friends, of course, and coworkers.

Holding up the black halter top, Candice said, “Wear the black halter top!” in an almost-monster-like voice, her eyes bulging.

“Fine!” Ru finally agreed. She grabbed the only strapless b*a she had out of her drawer and took both items into the bathroom, figuring there was no reason to let Candice have a glimpse at her scars. She was hopeful the top would hide them, though she’d never even put it on before and couldn’t even remember how she’d gotten it. She thought her mother might have bought it for her when she was in college and Liddy thought she needed help finding a man. It had been a running joke amongst her family members that the only letters she was capable of earning at college might be her MRS if she put out a little bit. Ru had shown them when she’d earned her Bachelor’s in less than four years.

Once she had the questionable top on, she turned to look at herself in the mirror the best she could. Above the top seam, she could faintly see the beginnings of her scars. They had diminished over time, but they were still visible, crooked and jagged. She didn’t think anyone would see them even if she didn’t wear the jacket Candice had recommended, but Ru still felt self-conscious.

“Well?” her friend yelled, clearly still on the bed. “Come out and let me see.”

With a sigh, Ru opened the bathroom door.

“Wooo! Hot mama!” Candice exclaimed. “That looks good. Real good.”

“Why do I feel like you’re trying to pick me up in some sleazy bar?”

“Please,” Candice protested, “as if I’d go out with you.” She winked at her friend. “I’m just kidding. I totally would. If I swung that way. Here,” she picked up the leggings and skirt she’d already decided on and threw them at Ru, who caught them just before they hit her in the face. “Oh, and do you have on sexy underwear?”

“Candice! It’s not even a date!” Ru yelled before turning back toward the bathroom.

“It doesn’t matter if he’ll see it or not,” her friend shouted after her. “It’s about how it makes you feel!”

Ru didn’t feel like her panties were any of Candice’s business, so she didn’t answer. She finished putting on the rest of her outfit and went back out to check herself in front of the full-length mirror. She did look good, if she said so herself. “Wear this,” Candice said, handing her a chunky necklace and a set of bangle bracelets. “And where is your jacket?”

“It’s in the closet,” Ru replied, slipping on the jewelry and grabbing a pair of hoop earrings to add to it.

Candice had the jacket and stood behind her for Ru to slip into it. “Whoa, girl. What happened to your back?” she asked, freezing with the jacket still spread open. “That looks like it hurt.”

Feeling a blush coming on, Ru hurried and slid her arms into the sleeves. “I don’t remember, honestly,” she replied. “I’ve always had them.” She wondered how much her friend could even see.

“No wonder you never wear any cute bathing suits,” Candice remarked, and then, clearly seeing Ru’s face in the mirror, she added, “I mean, they don’t look bad or anything. I’d never noticed them before. It’s just… you’re probably self-conscious about it, huh?”

“Will you get my boots out of the closet?” Ru asked, changing the subject. She could’ve gotten them herself but sending Candice after them might get them off of this topic. She’d already done her makeup but thought her mascara could use a touch up, so she crossed to her dresser, where her makeup bag was, to fix it.

“Here you go,” Candice said, dropping the boots beside her. “Are you sure you don’t want me to put your hair up?”

“No, thank you,” Ru replied. They’d had this discussion. She didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard, though in her current outfit, she had no idea what message she might be sending. Was she a punk rocker or a vampire hunter?

“You look great, girlfriend,” Candice reassured her, putting her arm around her shoulders. “I’m sure this will be the best not-a-date ever.”

“Yeah, well, let’s just hope I don’t end up making him not-a-friend.” Ru looked herself over again in the mirror, unsure of everything.

“I’m sure that won’t be the case.”

Candice’s words were said with confidence, but Ru still didn’t know if this was a good idea. She definitely wanted to hear what Cutter had to say, particularly about her car, but it might not be worth it if it jeopardized their working relationship.

“I wonder if Jane knows about this,” Candice said, stepping back toward the bed and grabbing her handbag. “She’d die!”

The thought had crossed Ru’s mind as well, and picturing Jane at home by herself crocheting or knitting or something, with her dogs at her feet, while she was out with Cutter, made her laugh. “I’m sure she has other plans tonight.” Jane was a pretty woman. If only her personality matched her face….

Thinking of a face that didn’t quite match reminded Ru of the dream she’d had the night before. It had been stuck in her mind all day, creeping up on her when she least expected it, and she had to keep pushing it away. For some reason, when Cutter had called her earlier that morning to talk about what time to pick her up, she had felt compelled to tell him about the dream, but she hadn’t done so. Why would he care that she’d had a vivid dream about the Grim Reaper?

“You okay?” Candice asked, standing before her with her purse on her arm. “You look a little… pale.”

“I’m always pale,” Ru replied, shaking her head. “I’m fine. Just a little nervous maybe.”

“No need for that,” Candice said, patting her on the arm. “You’ll be fine.” She smiled, and Ru relaxed a little. “Now, I am meeting some friends at the watering hole, so I will get out of here.”

“Okay,” Ru said, following Candice as she headed toward the front door. A pang of jealousy at the thought of Candice with other friends hit, but then Ru remembered she was free to go out with whomever she chose, and even if she wasn’t going out with Cutter, Ru wouldn’t have wanted to go. Candice’s objective at bars was always very different than Ru’s. She’d be looking for a man, and Ru would’ve just wanted to have a few drinks with friends.

“Have a great time!” Candice said, wrapping her arms around Ru before she stepped outside the door. “Text me if you can.”

“You’ll be drunk,” Ru teased.

“True. I’ll probably text you. Or Cutter.”

Ru’s eyebrows shot up. “You’d better not!”

Laughing, Candice stepped down off the porch. “I can’t be held responsible for what I do while I’m intoxicated!”

Ru watched her get into her car, thinking about how terrible it could be if drunk-Candice sent some embarrassing text to Cutter while they were on their not-a-date or shortly thereafter. Wouldn’t that be a great way to end the evening, with an inquisition from her best friend?

Feeling Piper rub up against her leg, Ru bent down to stroke her and then checked the clock. Cutter should be there in just a few minutes. “Let’s go make sure you have enough food, kitty,” she said heading toward the kitchen. Piper’s bowl was mostly full, but Ru topped it off and checked the kitty litter, which was clean. She definitely didn’t want Cutter thinking her house smelled bad.

As she crossed back into the living room, headlights caught her attention. “All righty, Pipe. I’ll be back.” She knelt and stroked her kitty’s orange and white fur, listening to her purr, wondering if she should’ve said no when Cutter asked her to go to dinner with him. Life was a lot less complex when one spent the evening at home in pajamas.

She heard his footsteps on the porch and stood, grabbing her clutch and phone off of the table by the door just as he knocked. With a deep breath, Ru approached the door. Pulling it open, she forced a smile onto her face, even though her nerves were starting to get the better of her. She’d dated several guys, some of them even very attractive, but she’d never gone out with anyone like Cutter before.

He was wearing a blue shirt that closely matched the color of his eyes, and for a moment, looking into them, Ru was transported back into her dream and a different set of electric orbs. She pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the handsome man in front of her. “Hi,” she said, “how are you?”

“I’m great,” Cutter replied, smiling at her as he straightened his tie. “We match pretty well.”

Ru realized not only was his tie black, he was wearing black slacks. Feeling a little self-conscious about her outfit again, she shrugged, “Well, I had a lot of help from Candice.”

“Ah, I see,” Cutter nodded. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you. So do you,” Ru replied, grabbing her keys off of the hook next to the door so she could lock up behind herself. “Candice seems to think I am some sort of a doll she can dress however she likes.” She wasn’t sure any further explanation was in order, but she figured it couldn’t hurt for Cutter to think she was not responsible for the clothing she wore.

“She did a good job.”

His remark made her feel even more timid, and Ru averted her eyes. “Thanks. Shall we?”

“Yes, let’s do,” Cutter replied, stepping backward toward the steps.

Ru exited and locked the door behind her. He offered his arm to her, and she took it, letting him lead her to his blue Dodge Ram. She absently wondered if blue was his favorite color.

The air was slightly chilly and the sky was gray. The sun would be completely gone in a matter of minutes, and Ru could smell autumn encroaching in the air. Soon, it would be October, and then the nights would really start to cool off. Her boots crunched through leaves as he walked her the few steps to his vehicle.

Opening the door, Cutter stepped aside. “Here you go.” He stood next to the door, ready to help if she needed it, but Ru had no problem popping up into his truck. Cutter closed the door and went around to the other side and climbed in. The truck was already running so once they were buckled in, he backed out of the driveway.