Can I ever know your mind?

 It was decided. Rafe guessed. He was going to Metro. Again. 

He thought he'd done enough from the truck driving school, but evidently, that was not where the money was. Oh, it could have been, but he would be on the road a lot and Ruby's Dad didn't like the idea of her being alone. Evidently.

Come Monday he was to start classes on repairing airplane engines. If he got through the course, chances were he could get on at the airport.

His Dad had chatted  him up about how he'd worked all summer on the moped that didn't work. Rafe squinted at the thought that he wasn't sure he was top-notch in engines by any means, but he would give it a try. Ruby's dad paid for this venture, even if Rafe wished he was learning to fly planes instead.

Cade would not come to Thanksgiving and Rafe didn't dwell on it. After all, Rafe was at Ruby's parents, and his parents were elated not to have make Thanksgiving dinner so they were there too. It did feel like extended family and he felt he needed to do his part.

Naturally, his dad had to remind Ruby's dad of their history. It got a little annoying after a while and Rafe found himself with his arm around Ruby as if they were in this together. It made her happy and it was good to see her this way. 

After a little wine, coffee and too much pumpkin pie, they finally made it home just to fall on the living room rug in a deep nap. He found himself dreaming perhaps. But he swore the shower was too steamy and Ruby was there too.

When he awoke, his hair was wet and they were in bed. Oh, it was warm and toasty on such a cold cold night. Rafe didn't worry they were skin-to-skin. No, it was about time the most natural thing happened. Just one more thing he wasn't going to dwell on.