I attended Longmire Days this year and was so happy to meet the cast. To my surprise, it was possible for me to have several wonderful chats with Louanne Stephens, who plays Ruby. She was kind and warm and I was thrilled when she gave me a Longmire script (S3: Wanted Man, which I promptly trotted around "Durant" getting autographed). So this is, in part, a tribute to Louanne/Ruby. PS, this is my first story, so be gentle. I found some of the fic posting guidelines to be vague or lacking completing...
Ruby had been fidgeting with this issue for some time now. She wasn't sure if she wanted to confide in someone at work about it. Vic seemed very distracted of late, with her mind on personal problems and worries about money and housing. Ferg, similarly, always seemed bent on 'improving himself' and studied training manuals or the County Firearms and Permit and Infractions binder. Neither was a good choice to turn to with her worries. And Ruby certainly couldn't talk to Walt. He seemed moody and unreachable most days. Even Cady did not understand much about what was eating at her dad. They had ceased having their Saturday morning father-daughter breakfasts months ago.
So the issue went unresolved for a time, and was placed on the back shelf of Ruby's mind while she looked at completing her monthly reports and organizing the eviction notice plans for the next quarter.
One particular warm spring morning, Henry surprised them all by bringing freshly baked pastries into the office, "a new recipe" he declared proudly, as he distributed napkins and berry pastries. After the taste testing was concluded Ruby tried to get his attention without the others' notice. Finally she winked at him and very subtly used her pencil to point towards the back staircase.
"See you all later" called Henry as he headed down the front stairs. "Don't forget that I am donating half the proceeds of drinks tomorrow evening between 5 and 7 pm towards a Healthy Baby program on the Rez. Hope you can all be there." "Okay, sounds REALLY healthy" called Vic, laughing. Ferg looked up from his books, with crumbs on his chin, but did not reply. Walt had already gone back into his office (with a pastry) and thus had not heard Henry's departing message. Henry would phone Walt later in the day to invite him to the event.
Ruby, sensing that the coast was clear, scooted down the back stairs and met Henry out on the sidewalk. "What is on your mind Ruby", enquired Henry, with a look of concern.
"Can we meet for lunch this week Henry? I need your help with something and it's a secret," blurted Ruby.
"Of course" said Henry, putting his arm gently around her shoulder. "How about tomorrow?"
"Sounds good, except it would have to be at the Pony. The Busy Bee is too busy" she said. "No privacy in this town."
"Alright", replied Henry. "Can you make it early? If you can come at about 11 am, before I open up for the day, we will have the place to ourselves. I was going to open up a bit later tomorrow because the charity event will be busy and I'll be working late. We would have about an hour."
"Thanks Henry", Ruby said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Not a word about this to anyone. Please!"
"My lips are sealed", he replied, making a little gesture with his thumb and forefinger. He zipped his lips and threw away the invisible key over his right shoulder.
