Page 36 of Saved By Love at Christmas
I shook my head. “Always the matchmaker, huh? The last thing I want is to lose my friendship with your brother, so let’s leave it like this, okay?”
“Okay, you win.” She exhaled a deep breath.
“Let’s turn this conversation on its head. How’s your love life?”
She groaned. “How long have you got?”
When we finally left the pub, I got the impression someone was watching us. I turned in the car park, which now had the lights on as it was dark. Beyond the periphery of the light, I could’ve sworn I saw a shadowy figure.
“What’s wrong, Ruby?”
I glanced to where Marie studied me. Then I looked back, but the person was gone.
I lifted one shoulder. “I thought I saw someone, but there’s no one there.” My words didn’t sound very convincing, even to myself.
Marie wasn’t fazed. “Maybe it was Father Christmas keeping an eye on you.”
As we drove home, we laughed and talked, but in the back of my mind, I did wonder if the shadowy figure had been a figment of my overactive imagination.
CHAPTER12
BEN
I’d been up since six a.m. preparing Ruby’s room and hauling my decorations out of the garage so she could help me decorate. Fred had been less than impressed with the early morning wake-up call. He’d grumbled, had a nibble at his food, and slunk back into his basket, moaning.
“Fred, you’re such a drama queen, do you know that?”
He opened one eye, grumbled some more, and went back to sleep. Little did he know that he’d soon be in the back of my car, heading to get my best friend. I was excited about having her all to myself. But then my stomach churned as I thought about what I was going to have to tell her.
Marie had called me yesterday evening to update me on her lunch date with Ruby. I laughed as she rambled on about how happy she was that Ruby had agreed to take on the interior design projects. This was exactly what she needed. I got the impression that there was something she wasn’t telling me. I only hoped it didn’t have anything to do with the possibility of Ruby and I becoming romantically involved.
After putting my coat and wellies on, I re-entered the kitchen to get Fred. He was snoring loudly as I grabbed his lead and waggled it close to him. One eye opened, and he grumbled, but I did see the slight wag of his tail. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, my canine companion loved his walkies. Slowly, he stood up and stretched, making his way over to me and nudging my leg.
“Come on, boy. Let’s go and fetch Ruby.”
By the time we reached Ruby and Tom’s, Fred was wagging his tail vigorously. It kept hitting the side of the car like a drum. When the front door opened, Ruby stood there waiting for us. She graced me with the most amazing smile, which brought warmth to my soul. Fred barked.
“Okay, buddy. Let’s get you out of here.” I switched off the engine and got out of the car.
“Hi, Ben.”Did her voice sound a little breathy?
“Hey.” I opened the door and Fred leapt out, heading straight for Ruby.
He jumped up at her, alternating between whining and yelping. She giggled and planted a kiss on his head.Lucky dog.After a while, he let her be, heading inside.
“I hope you haven’t eaten. Grandad’s making a full English.”
My stomach grumbled. “No, I haven’t. A good brekkie is just what we need before our walk. Anyway, it’s still a little dark to go down by the creek just yet.”
There were no lights on that path, and it would be easy to lose your footing and fall. I always carried a torch with me, but it still wouldn’t give out enough light.
Tom was already talking to Fred. He was no doubt being fed. I left some food there for whenever he stayed while I was on a long shift. I was distracted by Ruby’s smile, her eyes shining brightly in the lights from the hallway. She reached up and placed a kiss on my cheek.
“You’re freezing. Come on.” She stood aside as I entered. “Breakfast is almost ready.”
* * *
BEN
