Page 7 of Saved By Love at Christmas
Grandad was speaking in a low voice with Ben in the hall. My eyes closed against the pain I’d caused everyone. Yes, I’d suffered, but I’d hurt others in the process. Both men looked concerned and weary at the airport. Grandad’s eyes were sad, but there was also love and relief in them. Ben’s jaw was set in a thin line; an outward sign that he was suffering from stress. Now I was back, I’d never hurt them again.
I’d lost my career and my dignity, and I fully intended to recover both. The best experience from my now defunct career was hiring a financial advisor. Another reason to thank Grandad, who had told me to do this as soon as I began working for myself. My savings account, which Jamie never knew about, was healthy. Also, because I’d always lived with my grandad, he’d refused to take any rent from me.
“You’re family, love, and one day, this will be yours anyway,”he’d once said to me.
I thought about the cute, four-bedroomed cottage that had been my happy place growing up. Home. Finally, a place I could rest and heal my mind and body. The cottage was nestled in a quiet location, surrounded by trees and just a stone’s throw away from the River Deben, on the outskirts of the small town of Woodbridge in Suffolk, and with plenty of great walks. The front garden was always tidy, with an abundance of shrubs and flowers. The back had a very large lawn, patio area, and a veggie plot. I caught the scent of Ben’s aftershave and realised I still had his coat on.
I stood up and headed out to the hall just as Grandad returned.
“I’ve just got to give this back to Ben.”
I shrugged out of it, folded it over my arm, and opened the front door.
“Ben, you forgot this,” I called out as he was getting into his car.
“Thanks. You needn’t have bothered, though. I have a few coats.”
The cold started to seep into my bones again, and I shivered. “I’d better get inside. I… I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done. I’ve really screwed up.”
He gathered me in his arms and held me. I tried not to weep, but my tears fell anyway. I could get used to being held like this. By a man who truly cared and didn’t worry about how others would see me. My body snuggled closer to his, and he kissed the top of my head.
He took my face in his hands, eyes searching mine, but I didn’t know what he was hoping to see.
“You have nothing to say sorry for, Rubes. You fell in love. We do crazy things when we’re in love. You weren’t to know what an asshole he was. Please, don’t beat yourself up about this. Now,” he said, his thumbs stroking my cheeks. “Go back inside and spend time with your grandad. We’ll talk in a few days.”
“Okay. I’ll call you soon,” I assured him.
I stood and watched his car disappear into the distance. Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with someone like my best friend? Someone who’d love me for who I was. Ben was the complete package; caring and supportive. The world could do with more guys like him. Shrugging, I headed back into the warmth of the house.
* * *
BEN
I’d lied again. I was off today, but I knew if I’d told Tom, he’d have made me stay for breakfast. Of course I wanted to be with Ruby, but I still felt she needed space to get her head together and have quality time with Tom. Besides, I needed to tell Marie that Ruby was home. Sitting at the breakfast bar in my kitchen, I called her.
“Hey, big brother. To what do I owe the honour of this call?”
I laughed. “That’s very formal for you.”
“I’ve just come out of a meeting, which has made me this way.”
“Is that in a good or bad way?” I knew she’d had an important meeting with some investors.
“Oh, in a really good way. My company recently acquired three boutique hotels on the Suffolk and Norfolk coasts.” She squealed with excitement.
My sister had worked hard to build up her property management business. I was proud of her. She’d worked her ass off and deserved this. She’d have loved Ruby to help with some of the interiors, but Ruby was always so busy with her own clientele.
I decided it might be better to leave telling her about Ruby until I met up with her. She was headstrong like Rubes, and I didn’t want her to go rushing in to see her today, in spite of her good intentions.
“I think we should celebrate,” I announced. “Dinner on me. Fancy going to the Unruly Pig?”
“Oh. My. God. How can I say no to that?”
I chuckled. The Unruly Pig was a gastropub close to Woodbridge. My sister’s favourite place to eat in the area.
“I’ll make a reservation. Is seven-thirty okay?”
“Perfect.”
