Page 56 of Under A Sicilian Sky
Evin stared at Ruby with a confused expression for a moment until Reid appeared behind his son.
‘Hi guys! Great to see you, come on in out of the cold,’ he said, stepping aside for them to enter. ‘Here, let me take your coats.’
They shrugged off their coats and handed over the gifts they had brought.
Evin eyed the white box and grinned. ‘Is this from Caitlin’s?’
Ruby nodded. ‘I’ve heard she’s good.’
Evin rolled his eyes and nodded. ‘And then some. Make sure to save me a bit, Dad,’ Evin instructed as he ran off down the corridor, followed by Chewie.
Reid called, ‘Aye, I’ll try, son, but I’ll no’ promise!’ Then he turned his attention back to Ruby and Mitch. ‘Come on through, Jules is stirring the whisky sauce.’
Mitch clapped his hands and rubbed them together. ‘Something smells good. What are we having?’
‘Jules has perfected Chicken Balmoral, so that’s what we’ll be tucking into tonight.’
Ruby smiled. ‘I have no clue what it is, but Mitch is right: it smells amazing.’
‘Chicken stuffed with haggis and drizzled in whisky sauce. Bloody lush,’ Mitch informed her with a wide smile as they followed Reid into the kitchen.
‘Hi there, so glad you could make it. We haven’t had a dinner party for ages,’ Jules said as she walked towards them. She hugged Mitch and then turned to Ruby. ‘And it’s so lovely to have you here,’ she said as she embraced her too.
Ruby was warmed by the friendly welcome. ‘Thank you so much for having us.’
‘Hey, Mitch, I’ve got something that might interest you. A new canvas I’ve been working on. Shall we leave the ladies to chat a wee while?’
Mitch glanced at Ruby, but she nodded her confirmation that he should go.
Once they were alone, Jules leaned her back against the countertop and fixed her attention on Ruby. ‘Before things go any further this evening, I have a confession.’
Ruby felt her cheeks warming as a million thoughts seemed to rush around her mind. What the heck was she going to say? She tucked her hair behind her ears and nodded. ‘Okay, go ahead.’
Jules cringed. ‘I know who you are. Reid and I both do. And there’s a strong chance Evin does too.’
Ruby swallowed hard and widened her eyes. ‘Oh. Right.’
Jules held up her hands. ‘Can I just say, though, we haven’t told a soul. And I know you’re innocent of the awful things that have been put out there. If we can help in any way, just say the word. I don’t know if I have done the right thing in telling you. But I didn’t want you to feel that you had to make things up about yourself this evening. It must be awful having to pretend to be someone else just to feel safe. I don’t want you to do that. I just want you to have a lovely relaxing time and be able to be who you really are.’
Ruby’s eyes stung a little. ‘Thank you. That’s really lovely. I appreciate it.’
‘Reid’s brother is a bit of a TV star.’
Ruby raised her eyebrows. ‘Really? Will I know him?’
Jules giggled. ‘Probably not, Kendric Mackinnon is a TV show host on the mainland. Scottish television. In fact, I’m not sure why I brought that up, it’s not exactly the same, is it?’ She shook her head, chewed her lip and then smiled. ‘Look, I’m not entirely sure where Mitch fits into things, but he seems really lovely, and the way he looks at you—’
Ruby gasped involuntarily. ‘Oh my word, no! We’re not a couple. Just friends. Not even that really. I’m a guest at his house, but that’s as far as it goes.’
Jules covered her mouth with her hand. ‘Oh heck. I hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable. I just assumed – wrongly, I now see – that you were, you know, together. I feel daft now.’
Ruby liked Jules right away. An honest, clearly northern lass, with a heart of gold. ‘It’s fine, honestly. He’s a nice guy. Although, between you and me,’ she lowered her voice and glanced briefly over her shoulder, ‘he can be really bossy and opinionated too.’
Jules giggled. ‘Can’t all men? I think we need wine.’
Ruby grinned. ‘I agree!’
Mitch and Reid returned through a door at the back of the kitchen. Ruby was lifted when she realised they were chatting like they had never been apart. Jules glanced at her and they shared a knowing smile.
