Not that she cared about impressing the man, but displaying a lack of basic table skills was bound to prevent him from ever asking again. Not that he’d planned to this time. Without his aunt’s prodding and interference they would both be spending the evening alone and stain-free.
Going out with a man who, through his work, must have often shared the company of the rich and famous sounded stressful. How lacking would he find her conversation? How soon before he started to rush her through the meal, desperate for an end to the pain of her company?
‘Okay, what did he do?’ Kiki demanded, slamming her handbag onto the reception counter. The baby strapped to her front giggled and waved her arms and legs excitedly. ‘Tell me everything—no matter how bad.’
Startled, Ruby gasped. ‘Sorry...?’
‘Don’t make excuses for him—tell me. Your expression indicates it’s pretty mega. Seriously, I’ve heard it all. You won’t shock me.’
‘Well, he asked me out to dinner.’ The words escaped before Ruby could think better of saying them.
‘What?’ Kiki gasped.
‘Dinner,’ Ruby repeated, reaching out to stroke baby Neeve’s hand. ‘To eat.’
Looking as if she was on the verge of either crying or killing someone, Kiki demanded, ‘Alex asked you out to dinner?’
‘Alex?’ Ruby repeated, not sure what he had to do with their conversation.
‘Yes,’ Kiki nodded. ‘Your boss—my husband! The man I gave my heart to.’
Ruby slowly shook her head. ‘I haven’t seen Alex all morning. It wasn’t him who asked me out to dinner.’
‘Then who?’
Ruby stared at Kiki for several seconds, relieved to see the murderous expression had left the other woman’s face. Then, licking her dry lips, she confessed, ‘Kern.’
‘Kern MacKinley?’ Kiki cried, loud enough to startle her daughter and make her jump. ‘Mr Gorgeous Racehorse Trainer?’
‘Yes.’
‘Not Alex?’
‘No.’ Ruby shook her head, not wanting to upset the woman again. ‘He’s always very kind to me, if a little abrupt. But he would never ask another woman out when he’s so in love with you.’
‘Those are his best qualities.’ Kiki nodded, then grinned. ‘In work hours, anyway.’
‘Who are you talking about?’ Anne asked as she joined them from one of the back rooms.
‘Kern MacKinley,’ Kiki answered. ‘Our local hot and handsome celebrity.’
Anne sat on the chair behind the reception desk. ‘Really? Tell all,’ she demanded.
Kiki jumped in before Ruby could open her mouth. ‘Ruby’s going on a date with him.’
‘Well...’ Anne mused. ‘I guess men who smell like horses do have their attractions.’
‘He doesn’t smell like horses,’ Ruby argued, standing up for Kern.
He smelt like sunshine and hard work. Perhaps laughter, cuddles and river water. And if there was a slight horsey whiff to him occasionally, then it added to all the rest in a positive and manly way.
‘He’s more stallion—all muscle and horny!’ Kiki giggled, then frowned. ‘So why do you look pensive?’
‘Because I have a date,’ Ruby repeated, not sure why she’d decided to share with the other two women. She didn’t normally gossip or open up about her feelings, but the urge to tell someone had proved irresistible. Though now she was seeing it might not have been one of her best ideas...
Kiki scrubbed at a stain on her daughter’s sleeve. ‘Why aren’t you doing star jumps and cartwheels?’ she asked. ‘The man’s yummy.’
‘He’s also a client,’ Ruby reminded them.
Kiki waved an unconcerned hand. ‘Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s not a no-no for us. Go on the date and enjoy it.’
‘But—’
All her doubts returned, stronger than ever. Was it a mistake to consider going out with Kern? Especially as he’d been forced into doing it. Why exactly had he asked her when he obviously hadn’t wanted to? Was he really fed up with eating alone?
‘But what?’ Anne asked gently. ‘Don’t you like him? If you want to say no, you can. Tell him it’s against the rules.’
Ruby dragged a hand through her curls and sighed. ‘But Kiki just said it isn’t.’
Her boss’s wife piped up. ‘That’s when I thought you were eager to go.’
‘I am. It’s just...’ Ruby hesitated, not sure how to explain the strange see-saw of emotions that had plagued her since she’d agreed to go. She didn’t understand it herself.
‘You’re worried he might be a breast-grabber, aren’t you?’ Anne asked. ‘Or perhaps a bum-toucher?’
‘Yuck!’ Kiki groaned, pulling a face at the older woman. ‘What sort of men did you used to date?’
‘Men who soon learnt to stop doing both after trying!’ Anne chuckled.
Ruby shook her head, eager to dissuade the pair of that kind of idea. ‘Kern’s a gentleman.’
Kiki’s eyes narrowed. ‘You’ve already spent time with him, haven’t you?’
Heat rose up Ruby’s neck and over her face, giving her away. Why had she opened her big mouth? Kiki could give terriers and beagles lessons in sniffing out information.
‘I checked his horse over one night and—’
‘You’ve been moonlighting!’ Kiki accused her. ‘Wait until I tell Alex!’
Worried that she might lose her job, Ruby begged, ‘Please don’t.’
‘But I must,’ Kiki insisted. ‘We’ve a bet going that Kern MacKinley fancies you, and I intend to win it. I plan to buy six hens with my winnings.’
‘You do?’ Ruby gasped, not certain she liked the idea of her non-existent love-life being gambled on.
The woman nodded, not in the least repentant at the discovery of her sneaky carry-on.
Ruby blushed once again, wishing she’d kept quiet. What would Kern think if he heard they had discussed him in this way? If the gossip reached his ears, would he think she had instigated it? Telling others that their friendship was more than casual.
‘But he doesn’t fancy me.’
‘Did he ask you out to dinner?’ Kiki probed.
‘Yes.’
‘There you go. He fancies you. That’s how it started for Alex and I. Attraction over carrot soup and fresh bread. Next thing, he’s asking to kiss me. It doesn’t take much to get my man to pucker up.’
‘But—but Eloise sort of pushed him into doing it,’ Ruby stammered, then gave up.
Kern did not fancy her. He’d asked her out because he was too kind to come out and say he didn’t want to. Probably believed he was saving her feelings.
Kiki snorted. ‘From what I’ve seen of your Mr MacKinley, I doubt he lets anyone push him around.’
‘Eloise is very forceful—and I think he feels guilty for staying away so long.’
Anne leaned back in her chair. ‘Do you like him?’
Deciding to be honest, Ruby nodded. ‘Yes, I think I do—but not in a romantic way. As a friend.’
‘Nothing wrong with friendship,’ Anne agreed.
‘Are you sure?’ Kiki asked, sounding disappointed. ‘Where’s he taking you?’
‘No idea,’ Ruby admitted.
‘You’ll need smart but casual wear, then. With some thought I think we can turn your unique style into serious Goth class. You’ve the confidence to pull it off already.’
Ruby’s heart twisted at the other woman’s words. If only they were true. Sometimes she felt like the weakest person in the world.
‘Let’s go shopping in our dinner hour,’ Kiki suggested.
Half afraid of the wild twinkle in Kiki’s eyes, Ruby searched for a reason to decline.
‘Good idea,’ Anne encouraged. ‘There’s a new shop opened at the other end of the high street. Lots of velvet and lace. Just Ruby’s sort of t
hing.’
‘Perfect,’ Kiki said. ‘Don’t worry—my taste is excellent. I married Alex, after all.’
For some reason Ruby didn’t find that assurance truly comforting...
CHAPTER EIGHT
RUBY GLANCED DOWN at the simple black dress, with a small slit on one side, and muttered a prayer of hope that she wasn’t overdressed. She’d teamed it with her mother’s velvet jacket and simple silver jewellery. Velvet boots with a crisscross pattern gave her the perfect height, and she’d applied her make-up a little more heavily, coating her eyes and lips in a dark plum shade to match the small handbag she carried.
Standing outside the stables, where Kern had set up a temporary home, she fought the urge to rush inside, cancel, then leg it home.
The earlier shopping trip with Kiki had ended up being a mixture of both fun and embarrassment. The shop she’d dragged Ruby to did cater for her taste, and stocked lovely clothes, but the unwanted accompanying pearls of dating wisdom from Kiki had had Ruby cringing in the changing room.
She appreciated Kiki’s help and insight, but the trouble was she and Kern weren’t dating. Nothing near, in fact. Tonight’s dinner was just two people sharing a meal. It didn’t mean more than company and conversation. Which was perfect. Brief, safe and easy.
Then why are you nervous?
‘Because,’ she whispered aloud, placing a hand on her stomach to stop the nerves darting up and down, ‘it feels like a lot more than a meal shared by friends. And even though I know it’s best to keep things simple between us, I’m still a little excited.’
Raising her hand, she hesitated for a second, then knocked on the stable office door.
It opened instantly. Kern stood in the space, dressed in a pair of black jeans and a smart black shirt.
He stared at her for several moments before declaring, ‘You’re beautiful.’
She blushed, ridiculously pleased by his compliment. Warm pleasure swirled through her veins, setting off her nerves again. Silent warnings stirred in her head once more, but she ignored them, too captivated by the man in front of her.
‘Thank you.’
He nodded politely. ‘You’re welcome.’
She giggled then, unable to prevent herself. ‘Sorry, but this feels very odd.’
‘Why?’
She shrugged, not really sure. Going out for the evening with this man felt unreal. She was just a newly qualified vet and he was a famous racehorse trainer. His world involved horses, wild characters and money. Hers included sick animals, their body fluids and their worried owners.
‘It just does. Let’s be honest—you didn’t really want to ask me out, did you?’
‘No, I didn’t want my aunt to arrange a date for me,’ he corrected. ‘She seems to think I require help.’
‘And do you?’
‘No, I can ask a woman out all by myself,’ he said, and then did so. ‘Ruby, do you fancy going out tonight? I’d really love you to say yes.’
She pretended to consider his question. ‘Well, seeing as we’re all dressed up and ready...’
Kern laughed, then narrowed his eyes. ‘Now we need to change what you’re feeling to a more positive emotion.’
‘We do?’ she asked.
He put out a hand to her. ‘Oh, yeah. Give me your hand.’
‘My hand?’ she repeated, sounding like a confused parrot. She rubbed it against the side of her dress and waited for him to explain.
‘Yes—the thing hanging at the end of your arm.’
She presented him with her hand and wiggled her fingers. ‘This thing?’
‘Yep, that’s the one.’ He held it and tugged her into the office, kicking the door shut behind them a second later. Not giving her time to speak, he lifted her hand and trailed a finger across the centre of her palm. ‘Oh, lookie here...’
Another giggle left her, thanks to the tickling sensation of his touch. And another wash of pleasant shivers raced through her. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Reading your palm.’
‘I thought it was your aunt who believed in all that stuff?’
He glanced up. ‘I’m a man of many talents, Ruby. It’s not just you and my aunt with undisclosed powers.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘So you’re not simply a piggyback knight?’
‘Keep that quiet, won’t you? I’d hate to fight back an adoring public, all desperate to experience my special skills.’ He studied her hand again. ‘It says clearly here that you need to stop worrying about what’s going to happen in the next few hours, because fun is coming your way.’
‘Is someone else joining us, then?’ she asked cheekily.
He glared at her. ‘You deserve a second dunking in the river for such a cruel remark.’
‘But you’re not going to give me one.’
‘No, not when you look so beautiful.’
His blue eyes held hers until warmth tickled the back of her neck and oozed over her skin.
Flustered at both his words and scrutiny, she forced herself to act detached. ‘I only agreed to tonight as a way of getting back at you for throwing me in the river. I think it’s right to be honest with you.’
‘So it wasn’t the idea of spending time enjoying my company that made you agree?’ he asked. His lower lip curved slightly in a disappointed frown.
‘God, no,’ she dismissed, fighting another smile. ‘The bonus of a meal I don’t have to cook swung it for me.’
Snorting, Kern returned his attention to her hand. ‘Well, right here it says—’
A knock on the office door stopped him from continuing.
Kern glared at the wooden panel and muttered, ‘Who the hell is that?’
She glanced down at her hand. ‘Can’t you see the answer in my palm?’
‘My talents are a touch weak right now,’ he admitted.
‘Poor you,’ she teased. ‘Perhaps it’s someone with a remedy for your impotent skills. It sounds like you may need it.’
A second knock filled the air. They both turned to stare at the door, but neither moved.
After a couple of seconds Ruby asked, ‘Aren’t you going to answer?’
Kern didn’t shift. ‘I’d rather stay right here, holding your hand, while you continue to enjoy crushing my fragile self-esteem.’
She giggled. ‘I must admit it is fun.’
After the third knock, Ruby pointed out, ‘Whoever is out there is getting impatient.’
‘Their problem, not ours,’ he insisted. ‘Ignore their rudeness. We didn’t invite them, did we?’
Ruby tried to pull her hand from his. ‘You should answer it.’
Kern sighed heavily, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. ‘Fine—but if I do, we’ll be late for the restaurant.’
‘Restaurant?’
His expression turned scolding. ‘You didn’t think I was going to serve you fish and chips here, did you?’
‘I like fish and chips,’ she answered.
‘I’ll remember that for some time in the future,’ he promised and opened the door to reveal a small blond man, wearing designer country clothes and a disgruntled expression. ‘You must be mad if you believed your last option was to come here.’
Kern stepped away and let the man enter the room. ‘It was my only option.’
‘Because you’re too stubborn to call a friend when you need one,’ the man complained, slapping Kern on the shoulder. ‘It’s good to see you. It’s been far too long.’
‘You too, Jacob. But not right now. You’ll need to postpone telling me the reason why you’re here, because I have plans tonight.’
‘Thanks for the enthusiastic welcome.’ The visitor glanced Ruby’s way, then returned his attention to Kern. ‘God, what a dump.’
Kern folded his arms across his chest. ‘Cheers for your tactless opinion o
n my family property. I’ll try not to take offence. I guess you want to stay?’
‘Of course. I have a meeting in Lambourne tomorrow. Why pay out for a hotel room when I can bum a sofa off you?’
‘I don’t own a sofa. All I can offer is a stable full of straw.’
‘Good enough. I’m sure I can manage for one night. Won’t be the first time I’ve bedded down in a pile of straw—though usually I’m not alone.’
‘Why are you here?’ Kern demanded, not looking pleased to see his friend.
‘Because I intend to talk some sense into your thick head. If you think I am going to let my best friend of sixteen years rot in Dorset, then you need some sense knocked into you.’
Feeling awkward, Ruby pointed to the open door. ‘I think I’ll go...’
‘No, stay,’ Kern insisted. ‘We have plans for tonight.’
‘Yes,’ Jacob drawled. ‘You two go. I’ll stay here and stare at the brickwork. Buy me a pizza on your way home, though. I haven’t eaten in hours. Too busy travelling here to see you.’
Ruby moved towards the door; the atmosphere was suddenly uncomfortable. ‘No, you stay here with your friend. We can go out another night. I’m happy to postpone my revenge for a later day.’
Kern reached for her. ‘But I’m not. Ruby—wait.’
She dodged his hand and after a second’s hesitation placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek, desperately missing their flirtatious and jokey connection. His skin was rough and firm against her lips and she fought the urge to linger against it.
‘Thanks for asking, anyway. Both times. Goodnight, Kern.’
Waving the men goodbye, she rushed from the office and headed back home to her empty caravan. Some things weren’t meant to be, and going out to a restaurant with Kern MacKinley was obviously one of them. The man had friends from his past to help him. Did he really need her to clutter up his time? Someone with just as disillusioned a view on relationships and no real clue how to even be in one?
* * *
‘What the hell are you thinking, returning to this backwater?’ Jacob asked. ‘Did you think I would let you scurry away and be forgotten? After everything you’ve done for me over the years? No trainer would have touched me in the early days without your faith in me. There’s a few even now who’d think twice.’
Awakening His Shy Vet Page 11
