Page 37 of Saved By Love at Christmas
I groaned and leaned back in my seat after finishing my last mouthful of bacon. Tom’s breakfasts were the stuff of legends. Fried egg, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, fried bread, toast, baked beans, hash browns. Perfect for our early morning walk and Tom’s coach journey. Fred had sat close by Tom’s side, gazing up at him with love in his eyes. I chuckled, knowing full well he’d had a piece or two of sausage from him. It was a rare treat, so I wasn’t concerned about Fred getting fat.
“That,” I declared after drinking the last of my tea, “was amazing. I may have to hire you as my housekeeper, Tom. Thank you for that.”
“Oh, no you don’t. He’s not leaving me,” Ruby joked.
Tom started clearing the plates. Ruby took his hands and pulled him away. I watched as she hugged him close. Such a sweet moment between the two of them, and I swallowed hard against my emotions.
“You go and get ready, Grandad. You’ve done enough.” She patted his cheek with tenderness. “I’ll see to this.”
I rose to help her and chuckled when I saw Fred heading for the front room. The scent of Ruby’s vanilla and spice perfume filled my senses. She stood close by my side, a smile on her face.
“Looks like Fred’s made himself at home.” She inclined her head towards the door Fred had just gone through. “He’ll be out of luck, though. The fire’s not been made. He’d be better off in the kitchen close to the aga.”
After cleaning up the kitchen, she headed upstairs to check on Tom. They came downstairs, sharing laughter about something.
“Now,” she said, standing by the front door. “Have you got everything?”
He saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
“You have a great time and I’ll see you tomorrow evening.” She pecked his cheek.
He kissed the top of her head, and I walked him to his car.
“Take care of her, Ben.”
“I will. I promise. She’ll be safe with me,” I assured him.
He indicated for me to draw closer. “Don’t forget, you need to tell her, son.”
I nodded and opened the car door for him. “Have a great time. Stay safe.”
“You too.”
“What do you need to tell me?”
I turned to see Ruby eyeing me closely. I closed my eyes and opened them again to see her still watching me. Taking a deep breath, then exhaling, watching the frigid air turn my breath to mist, I strode back inside.Now or never, Ben.
* * *
RUBY
I heard my grandad tell Ben that he had to speak to me. My body chilled, and not from the cold air. What was he going to tell me?
I walked into the kitchen and plonked myself down at the table. Ben followed. Usually, I could read him like a book, but his emotions were hidden from me. He slumped down into a chair across from me.
I leaned across the table, reaching for one of his hands. “What is it, Ben? Why did Grandad look worried just now?”
“It’s about the scratches on his car.”
Her brows knitted together in confusion. “What about them?”
Ben huffed out a long breath. “I have the same on my car.” I was about to say something, but he held up his hand. “There’s more. I think someone was following me in the woods when I took Fred for an evening walk a few days ago.”
My heart chilled. “Maybe it’s a coincidence. There are idiots around who like to vandalise things.” My words didn’t sound very convincing.
“Fred growled when we saw the person in the woods. Henevergrowls. He went on full alert like I was in danger. I called out and the person ran away. Fred calmed down when they disappeared.”
My heart started to go double-time in my chest and I couldn’t breathe. I clutched at my chest, my vision growing dim. Ben lifted me up, cradling me in his arms, and we went through to the living room.
