She spent a few more minutes watching him. She had always seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve when it came to him, but she supposed she should put it back where it belonged, bruised and battered that it was. She folded her legs under her, looking now at the hearth as she thought about things. Then she thought about something and she murmured, "I would ne'er force ye to be wit' me if it's not somethin' ye desired. As hard as unrequited love is, at least ye now know the truth o' it from me, and I don't have ta pretend. But that isn't me askin ye to take a chance on me. I know how it works all too well."

Ruth then stood and moved over to the nearest shelf of books, her fingers grazing over a spine as she took in the smell of books. That is what he smelled like somewhat... Books. "Let me tell ye why I think ye deserve ta be happy," she said so softly that he probably had to strain to hear it, "Ye're the kindest person I've ever met and ye impact more people than ye ken. Ye're smart... brilliant, really... ye fascinate me." She turned to glance toward him only briefly that time, "But nobody is here ta force ye to feel what ye're not ready to feel, only to hope that one day, ye can be with the world again and just... live again. That's all everyone here wants, ye know? Ta see ye, not as a shell o' a man, but as complete as ye can be given the circumstances. Mourn your family, but don't hide within yerself anymore." And then she finally turned toward the door.

And then she said one last thing, paused at the threshold, "Love means bein' happy fer someone else even if they don't love ye back." She gave a sad smile and then was gone.

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The next day, she took to rest as she was instructed. Lord, she was so tired. She wasn't feeling ill or anything, she was just worn out. Soon enough, she pulled on the new clothing she had finally purchased for herself. It was a clean blouse and a long, hunter green skirt. She put her hair up in one of those high buns, pinning her hair just so. She left her room once dressed, Jacob on her hip. She went out to the garden again to be alone with her son, stopping long enough to get some cheese, bread, and an apple or two and wrapping it in waxed paper as opposed to getting a whole basket.

She wasn't planning on visiting Edward at the moment, though he could easily find her if he wanted to. She picked a spot under a tree, spreading one of her quilts on the ground and setting the boy down on his tummy, sitting down with her back against the trunk. She ate in silence as Jacob played with his rattle, and soon found herself dozing. Jacob soon moved in for cuddles and the two of them were soon asleep in the shade dappled sunlight.