The Vaudeville Star

to Ford’s arms as they both watched King being led away.

“It’s over.” She breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s over,” he said, holding her tightly.

He kissed her mouth and pulled the ring from his pocket, placing it back on her finger.

“Back where it belongs, my darling girl.”

“It certainly is.”

Epilogue

Two years later

Ruby Rutledge was a full-fledged star. Following the tour in London and Paris, she returned to the United States and received financial backing for a tour. The vaudeville troupe traveled heavily for a year and were well loved by audiences everywhere. Ruby was interviewed and photographed and constantly written about in numerous newspapers, and young girls all over the country admired her.

When she traveled to Mississippi, her mother and sister did not attend the show, though Ford’s family was thrilled to see them both again. She was welcomed with open arms and finally found a family who loved her for herself.

In London, after a long trial, William “King” Parker was hanged for the murder of his mistress, Lourdes Banegas. Though no formal charges were brought against Alice Parker for killing Caroline Parker, she was ostracized in New York society and became a recluse in her own home.

Ruby returned to the New York stage, where she received top billing after Zeta retired. Ezra and Bessie were married in a quiet ceremony, and Ford continued to work as a Pinkerton detective, though they talked about taking an extended leave to return home to Mississippi for a respite.

They rented a small town house in New York and furnished it, carefully choosing each piece of furniture together. As autumn came, Ford and Ruby lay in their mahogany bed under the blanket with their limbs tangled together. Ford’s hand moved over Ruby’s belly that was just now beginning to curve outward.

“I think, for a son, we should give him a good Southern name.”

“Like?” Ruby asked.

“Jefferson.”

“And if it’s a girl?”

“Magnolia.”

“Magnolia?” Ruby laughed.

“That’s a good Southern name,” he said defensively.

“Ford, I am not naming my daughter Magnolia.”

“Our daughter,” he corrected.

“Our daughter,” she agreed.

He turned to stare at her in the dark. “Darling Ruby. Did you ever think this would be us? Together as husband and wife, with a child on the way?”

“I hoped.”

He kissed her lips sweetly and then pulled her against him.

“Hope. Hope Rutledge.” She moved her hand along her belly. “Jefferson Rutledge.”

She snuggled against him and sighed. “Or we could just call him Bubba.”

Ford chuckled. “Go to sleep, brat.”

“Cletus?” She giggled softly as she rested her head on his chest. She could hear his strong heartbeat. “Good night, Ford.”