His life was well and truly stuffed.
Ignoring the pressing discomfort of a full bladder, he continued to stare unseeingly at the sky. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Two days ago he’d come back to Dorset so his wife’s ashes could finally be scattered in her family’s special spot, and he’d stayed.
Where did a has-been go when the world turned away, determined and eager to forget him?
The recent months had left him with no choice but to sell everything he’d worked for, to pay his debts and walk away. Forcing him to accept charity and hand-outs from people he’d never considered friends, while the ones he’d thought were had deserted him without even a goodbye.
Out of habit, he reached for his mobile, resting in the centre of his bare chest, and checked for messages. His thumb slipped over the screen in pathetic hope. Hope that quickly died after several seconds. Nothing except a message from his service provider, notifying him that he needed credit.
No one called any more. These days his phone stayed silent because his name was shrouded in whispers, gossip and scandal. He was someone no sane person in the racing world wanted to trust with the care of their precious thoroughbred livestock. A trainer no one wanted to touch. The last nineteen years had all been for nothing.
What the hell was he going to do now?
Everything was wrecked because he hadn’t seen the damage that chasing after his dreams had caused to the one person he should have protected and helped.
God, what an idiot he was.
A noise drew his attention back to the sky. Three white gulls flew above him, squawking as they went. Their large wings flapped in perfect timing as they headed some place new.
A rare smile tugged at Kern’s lips. ‘Have a safe journey—’
Suddenly something swooped over him. A second later a small red and brown robin landed on his bare stomach.
‘Well, hello,’ he whispered, not wanting to scare the bird.
Small dark eyes stared back, before the robin started pecking at the wiry hairs circling Kern’s tummy button.
‘Ouch! No. That’s attached, you little—’
Kern registered something wet and warm on his skin a second after the robin flew off. Glancing down, he saw bird droppings splattered across his stomach.
Great, even the wildlife wanted to echo how crap his life was.
‘Thanks!’ he yelled to the long-gone bird. ‘Like I need the reminder.’
Rolling onto his feet, Kern stared at the river that marked the edge of MacKinley land. Dressed in nothing but blue boxers, he strolled towards it, feeling the damp grass cushioning his footsteps, the green blades tickling his toes.
It was the same river where he’d played and swum during his childhood. He’d kissed his first sweetheart and eagerly tried to lose his virginity behind the bushes that grew in places along the bank. It was where he’d thought up boyhood daydreams and big plans. Back when his mother had run the place and kept his stepfather out of Kern’s business.
A time before she’d betrayed him and everything he’d once thought true. Long before he’d fallen in love with a neighbour’s youngest daughter and run away with her. Before he’d married her and formed a new life away from their families. A time before he’d bought his first racehorse and won his first major trophy.
Coming to a halt on the bank, he dug his toes into the grass and breathed in a lungful of sharp morning air. Wriggling the gold wedding ring off his finger, he glanced at it for several long seconds, sad that its familiar sight no longer stirred any emotions. Was he so far gone now that she’d ripped even that from him? Killed the last threads of his affection so that the act of removing this ring for the first time in nineteen years left him feeling nothing?
Drawing his arm back, he threw the ring into the air, watching as it flew, then dropped, breaking through the water’s surface with a loud, distinct plop.
Now that last connection was gone too. Relegated to nothing but a memory to shovel on to the huge pile of disappointment his life had become.
He’d returned to this old run-down farm because there was no other place to go.
With that final thought, he jumped into the freezing water, gasping as it swirled over his skin and froze every inch of his body.
Scrambling back out of the water, his fingers grasping at the mud and grass, he crawled onto the bank with all the style and finesse of a flapping, gaping fish. Bent over on all fours, he dragged air into his shocked lungs as his mind vaguely registered the loss of feeling in his body.
How the hell had he forgotten how cold the river was? His life was already on the slide, without adding the agony of self-inflicted frozen body parts too.
* * *
They were staring. After years of enduring similar behaviour from strangers, Ruby had expected it and now fought the urge to stick out her tongue. Every time she arrived somewhere new the stares began, triggering prickles of tension as she prepared for the remarks and insults that followed. The nosy, ridiculous questions that always ended up becoming too personal.
She pretended not to notice as she stepped into the reception area. Closing the door, she caught the faint smell of disinfectant in the air, mixed with the whiff of rich coffee. Two women stood behind the counter. One she recognised as Kiki Morsi—the other was a grey-haired older woman.
‘Ruby?’ With a smile, Kiki stepped from behind the counter and walked over to greet her. Dressed in blue animal print scrubs, she held out a hand in welcome. ‘It’s lovely to meet you. I hope you didn’t mind my knocking earlier? Only I’ve been so looking forward to your arrival.’
Not sure what to say, Ruby shook Kiki’s hand, conscious of the intense gaze of the woman at the counter.
‘My husband’s finishing some paperwork and other important chores he apparently has to see to,’ Kiki continued. ‘I suspect they involve cuddling and singing to our daughter. Come and meet Anne.’
The woman behind the counter leaned forward. Her smile was wide and genuine. ‘Nice to meet you, Ruby. Is your hair naturally curly, or thanks to chemicals and a skilled hairdresser?’
Stunned, Ruby stared at the woman before answering. Of all the things she’d expected, comments on her hair wasn’t one of them. ‘It’s natural.’
‘It’s very pretty,’ Kiki agreed, tilting her head to one side. ‘Much better than my boring straight blonde mop. I’m going bald, you know—’
‘You’ve just had a baby,’ Anne interrupted. ‘I keep telling you it will grow back. It’s your messed-up hormones.’
‘That’s what Alex dared to say the last time we disagreed.’ Kiki sighed. ‘Until I threatened to stick his expert opinion somewhere uncomfortable. Anyway, enough about me and the love of my life. Tell me all about yourself, Ruby.’
‘Ignore her, dear,’ Anne said. ‘She’s recently returned from maternity leave and she’s trying to get her fix of female conversation and gossip before she starts work for the day.’
Kiki grinned and nodded. ‘All true. Though she forgot to mention that I’m incredibly nosy, too.’
Ruby laughed, envying the women’s easy camaraderie. Their chattiness was something she wasn’t used to and had never experienced for herself. Normally people avoided talking to her or just stared.
‘So you live in that box, do you?’ Anne asked, pointing out of the large window to Ruby’s caravan.
Ruby stiffened, waiting for further remarks about her unusual home. Okay, it might not be everyone’s idea of home, but she loved it. It was her sanctuary. Her place to escape when she required a private moment alone. Her ‘Ruby’ space, where she could lower her walls, wash off her make-up and be her true self.
‘Yes.’
Anne shivered and folded her arms on the counter. ‘Must get cold in the winter. It would play my old bones up something awful.’
It did get cold, but Ruby refused to admit it
and felt a silly need to defend her home take hold. ‘Actually, it’s quite cosy.’
The sound of someone clearing his throat stopped further conversation.
Ruby turned to find a tall, dark-haired man frowning at the blonde woman at her side. His serious expression was a sharp contrast with the pink baby carrier strapped to his waist, holding a wriggling and softly grunting child.
His eyes flicked to Ruby, lingered for a second before returning to Kiki. ‘Our daughter needs feeding.’
Kiki smiled, her expression softening as she gazed at the man and child. ‘Stop frowning—you’ll scare Ruby away. I’ll get Neeve’s bottle for you. Be nice.’
The man grunted, then returned his full attention to Ruby. His eyes narrowed for several seconds, before he held out his hand. ‘Miss Day?’
Seized by nerves, Ruby grappled for her courage before placing her hand in his. She tried to speak, but her voice wouldn’t work.
Not the tweed-wearing country vet she’d imagined, but although he was good-looking and young, Alex Morsi still gave off an unapproachable air that told her she didn’t have any hope of getting a job at his practice. No doubt he was already figuring out a way to get rid of her and save himself the inconvenience of having to go through with the interview.
‘I’m Alex Morsi.’ He rubbed a loving hand over the baby’s back, glancing to the older woman behind the desk. ‘Anne, have you sent anyone to MacKinley farm yet?’
‘Nope. Eloise said her nephew wanted you to go.’
Alex frowned and shook his head. ‘I’m too busy with Neeve.’ He glanced once again in Ruby’s direction. ‘Miss Day can go. From what I’ve read and heard, horses are her passion and her area of expertise.’
Kiki returned, carrying a bottle of baby’s milk and a cloth. She handed both to her husband with a frown. ‘Her name’s Ruby, Alex.’
‘I know,’ Alex murmured, taking the bottle and throwing the cloth over his shoulder. ‘Your CV states that you have a strong interest in equine health and have volunteered at several horse rescue centres in order to work with a couple of top specialists. Professor Handel also mentioned your gift.’
Ruby stiffened, unsure how to answer. How much had her old professor divulged about her supposed ‘gift’? Neither of them had made it public knowledge during her training. Why had her mentor and friend trusted this man with the information?
Forcing herself to meet Alex’s eyes, Ruby found only curiosity in his gaze. Deciding it might be best to blag her way through the rest of the conversation, while she tried to gauge how much he actually knew, she nodded. ‘Yes, I loved helping out and I found the work fascinating.’
‘Good. I’d like to observe you in action some time.’
Ruby didn’t know what to say, so she stayed quiet. Should she trust his apparent interest or not? Did he want to watch her so he could afterwards pooh-pooh her gift as nothing but a charlatan’s work? Surely Professor Handel should have warned her that she had told Alex Morsi about it.
Alex nodded, taking her silence as agreement. ‘So you’re the best person to deal with this visit, Miss Day. Anne will give you directions to the farm. No point relying on satnav—it’s useless out there.’
Confused, Ruby asked, ‘You want me to go and see a horse?’
Alex nodded. ‘Yes. The owner wants a general check done. Nothing you can’t manage. His name is Kern MacKinley. Have you heard of him?’
She shook her head. ‘No.’
‘He’s a racehorse trainer,’ Anne piped up. ‘Damn good one too. Never met him, so I have no idea what he’s like to deal with, but he’s in the area and he wants his horse looked over. It isn’t a good traveller or something. Nothing major or concerning, but best you go out and put the man’s mind at ease.’
‘Okay...’
‘Don’t worry, dear,’ Anne said, writing something in a notebook. ‘You’ll be fine. I don’t know Kern MacKinley—do know his aunt, though. Wonderful woman. Blunt to the point of rudeness, but honest to deal with. I’ve seen the nephew on television, of course. Handsome man...if you like them rough and smelling of horses. Avoid the stepfather if he’s about. My Harry gets on with him well enough, but I’ve no time for the man.’
‘I’ll pop your tea in a flask, shall I?’ Kiki asked brightly. ‘You can take it with you. I think there are a couple of spare chocolate croissants in the kitchen too.’
Ruby frowned as Kiki rushed off again. Was this some bizarre dream?
She turned to Alex and asked, ‘But don’t you want to interview me?’
He sighed. ‘Isn’t Professor Handel’s endorsement enough? She spoke very highly of you during our phone call the other day.’
‘I—I don’t know...’ she stammered. ‘Is it?’
‘Miss Day, can you do the job? Are your qualifications real and up to date?’
Pulling herself together before she ruined this chance, Ruby nodded. ‘Yes, of course they are.’
‘Then off you go. I’ve no time to waste on interviewing you when my daughter needs feeding. It’s best you learn, Miss Day, that my family always comes first. We can chat later, when you return, and go through everything you need to know. Will that please you?’
Ruby’s mouth fell open as he walked away, kissing his wife on the head as they passed each other.
‘It’s Ruby, Alex,’ Kiki reminded him brightly.
He snorted. ‘I know. Until later, Miss Day.’
Kiki held out a blue flask to Ruby. ‘My husband’s really sweet when you get used to him. A year or two should do it.’
Confused, Ruby took the flask. ‘He did give me a job, didn’t he? I have that right?’
‘Oh, yes. Trust me—Alex wouldn’t let you near a client if he wasn’t sure you knew your stuff. I’m sure he quizzed Professor Handel and checked your qualifications thoroughly.’ She smiled once more and shoved a plastic bag holding two croissants Ruby’s way. ‘Welcome to the family, Ruby. It’s good to have you here.’
CHAPTER TWO
RUBY SLAMMED ON the brakes and stared at the sight that had greeted her within moments of turning off the country lane and onto MacKinley land. No sooner had she bumped her way over the cattle grid, then bounced over several stomach-tilting potholes, she’d glanced to her left and set eyes on an almost naked man, kneeling on all fours beside a river.
Screwing her eyes shut, Ruby paused, then opened them again, convinced that the vision was nothing more than an illusion of her mind, brought on by the shock of actually securing her dream job and the peculiar way it had happened.
But, no, there the man knelt, in nothing but tight blue boxer shorts, almost as exposed as the beautiful nature in the field surrounding him.
What the heck had Alex Morsi sent her to deal with?
No one at the practice had mentioned anything about the risk of encountering an unclothed male. Was this some test, specially concocted to mess with the newbie vet? Was there even a horse requiring a visit, or was this all some stupid practical joke on her?
Pushing open the car door, Ruby slowly climbed out, unable to move her eyes from the sensual curve and dip of the man’s back above the material so snugly covering the round curve of his very firm backside.
She was embarrassed by her own staring, but she couldn’t stop herself. Apart from the countryside, and an old horsebox, there wasn’t much else to look at. And from this angle the man appeared to be a perfectly formed specimen of masculinity.
Flushing at her thoughts, Ruby reluctantly moved in the man’s direction and called out. ‘Hello? I’m Ruby Day. Alex Morsi sent me from the vet’s practice in town. Are you all right?’
The man glanced up, water dripping down his face. and puffed. ‘I will be in a sec. Just waiting for things to defrost.’
‘Defrost?’
‘Yeah. My blood, for one, and other more sensitive parts of my body. Right now I’m st
ruggling to feel anything from my waist down.’
‘Oh,’ Ruby said, wondering if he was one of those endurance swimmers who liked to pit themselves against nature.
Getting awkwardly to his feet, the man stared at her for several moments before demanding, ‘Is he on his way?’
Good grief. Ruby glanced away, forcing her gaze to a nearby hedge despite the irresistible and unexpected urge to sneak a second eyeful. Anne had said the man was good-looking, but he made even her handsome new boss look plain. Tall, wide-chested and shivering, the man literally made her mouth water.
The man called out again. ‘Hey? Miss?’
With no choice but to look at him, she resisted the childish urge to cover her eyes and croaked, ‘Yes?’
‘I asked if Morsi is on his way,’ the man repeated, walking towards her.
His lack of embarrassment over his undressed state and his determination to talk to her while in it was unsettling. How was she supposed to have a conversation with him when he was so blatantly uncovered and when his swim had left the material of his boxers clinging rather rudely to him?
‘Are you going to answer me or simply stand there?’ he asked.
Ruby squirmed on the spot, unsure whether to shut her eyes or take off and make for the safety of her car.
Heat warming her cheeks, she folded her arms and admitted, ‘To be honest, I’m debating whether to cover my eyes or leave.’
‘Why?’
Surely the man knew?
She waved a hand towards his lower body. ‘I wasn’t expecting to arrive and find you so unclothed.’
Silence followed by a sharp intake of breath came from the man, before he glanced down at himself and said. ‘God, can things get any worse?’
He spun round and hurried over to the horsebox and dragged on a pair of jeans. Sliding them on and up over his firm wet thighs with difficulty, he zipped them, before returning to Ruby.
‘Sorry about that,’ he puffed. ‘Truth is I forgot I was only wearing my boxers.’
‘You forgot?’ she echoed disbelievingly.
Awakening His Shy Vet Page 2
