Page 34 of Saved By Love at Christmas
I shook my head. “Tom, you’re not a coward. Look,” I said fixing my eyes to his. “She’ll see how upset this has made you and probably feel bad about bringing this to your door.”
“But we’re family. I’d do anything to protect her.”
“And she’ll know that. Let me do this. And when you come back from your theatre break, we’ll sit round the metaphorical table and discuss what we need to do.”
Hope appeared in his eyes. “That sounds like a very good idea.”
I drained the last of my tea and got up. I needed to head to the surgery. “Just go and enjoy your trip. I’ll keep our girl safe.” Sayingour girlmade me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
“Knowing she’ll be with you makes me feel a whole lot better. You’re a good lad, Ben. I just wish…” He was going to say something else, but then he clamped his mouth shut.
I mentally shrugged, choosing to let it go. “Don’t forget, I’m only a phone call and a ten-minute drive away. If you need me, reach out.”
He waved goodbye at the door, and as I drove away, his last words left me with more questions than answers.
* * *
RUBY
As soon as I was settled in Marie’s car, we chatted non-stop. It was like I hadn’t been away for almost a year. She always had this knack for making people feel relaxed. Even back when we were in high school. I used to say she should’ve been a counsellor. Maybe she would’ve been if not for her passion for property management. When we reached the cute little country pub, I smiled at all the Christmas decorations.
“Oh my God. This is way too early. It isn’t even December yet,” she complained.
I linked my arm through hers. “It’snevertoo early where the festive season’s concerned.”
She laughed. “You would say that, wouldn’t you? I bet you and Tom would have them up all year round if you could.”
“I’d never be that extreme. But I can’t help but love this season.”
After ordering drinks and food, we sat down next to one of the windows that looked out over the pub garden.
“So, Ruby. How are you? I mean really, not just pretending.”
“I guess I’m doing okay. I still feel a little vulnerable. Glad that I changed my phone so I can’t get calls from Jamie anymore. But I do have the occasional nightmare.” I played with my glass, watching as the bubbles from the Diet Coke fizzed and popped.
“That was a good call,” she agreed. “Let’s hope you never hear from or see him again.”
“I’ll drink to that.” We clinked our glasses together.
Taking a deep breath and preparing myself for her onslaught, I said, “I want to take on the job you offered me.”
Her eyes widened, along with her smile. “What? Really? I thought you said you wanted more time to mull it over.” Her voice was raising with excitement with each word.
“I need this so much, Marie. You have no idea how much Jamie battered my confidence.” I closed my eyes as I remembered him belittling my ideas.
“I thought you studied design at university. You wouldn’t think so looking at these mock-ups. They’re embarrassing. I can’t use these for my clients.”
“But you brought me here because you said you loved my designs, Jamie. Why would you say this now?”
He threw the book at me, his eyes filled with disgust. “Because these designs are laughable.”
I watched in shock as he pulled out another pad from a drawer and thrust it into my hands. I opened it and stared with horror at the garish colours used for fabrics and paint. The furniture looked like a bad DIY disaster.
“I… I can’t do this. These are terrible.”
He grabbed the pad out of my hands and pulled me to my feet. His eyes bored into mine. There was so much anger in them that I feared for my life. Where had the man gone that had said how much he loved my passion for design? Where had the man gone who said he loved me more than anything else?
“From now on, you do as I tell you. This is your new career. Do. Not. Ever. Think to cross me again. Understood?” he growled as he bared his teeth to me.
