Kern closed the door, wishing he could follow Ruby. The last thing he required right now was an evening listening to his friend harp on about the so-called mistakes he’d made. Not when all he wanted to do was rush after Ruby and convince her to stay and spend the evening with him.
‘You like to win—there’s no shame in that. The best jockeys do. You just need to learn to stay away from unsuitable women. Especially the ones married to trainers.’
‘I’m ruthless. Unfortunately, you’re too nice—otherwise you would have divorced Corinne years ago. Sorry about what happened with her, by the way.’
‘Thanks, but don’t start,’ Kern warned, still furious at having to postpone his date.
Jacob had always had seriously rotten timing, but tonight was his worst offence. Hadn’t he heard of phoning before arriving? Letting a person know he intended to visit?
‘Besides, we’ve not spoken in over a year.’
Jacob shrugged. ‘Had a bit of trouble in Argentina,’ he admitted. ‘Long story. But I met a man out there—a sheikh—and he’s keen to start his own yard. When I heard what had happened to you, I suggested you become his trainer. Have all the fun while he foots all the bills. A perfect way to re-enter the game until you can afford to go out on your own again.’
‘No.’
Kern refused even to consider the offer. It was one thing to deal with owners who thought they knew everything—another to be completely beholden to a rich man’s whim.
‘Just think for a minute,’ Jacob urged.
Kern walked over to the chair behind the desk and sat down. ‘I don’t need to. It’s not for me, thanks. I’m not even sure what my plans are yet.’
‘Well, I hope they don’t include the stable girl who just left?’ Jacob remarked.
Kern stiffened, not liking Jacob’s tone. It was one thing for Jacob to have an opinion of Corinne, because he had known her and their troubles, but he refused to let the man condemn a woman he’d not been polite enough even to acknowledge.
‘Her name’s Ruby and she’s a local vet—not a stable girl.’
Jacob sighed. ‘I’m here for one night and we need to talk over this opportunity properly. It’s perfect for you. It’s the ideal answer to your run of bad luck.’
‘I can sort myself out. I don’t need any help from rich playboys with too much money and too little care for the horses in their stables. All the man would focus on is the prize money and swanning around with royalty and the upper class. We’d soon fall out.’
‘Wrong. The man admires you. And if you want more control over everything, I’m sure you can discuss it with him and come to an agreement which satisfies you both.’
Kern shook his head, keen to change the subject. ‘Why don’t I order that pizza?’
He pulled out his phone from his trouser pocket and searched for the number, though his appetite had diminished now he knew he wouldn’t be sharing a meal with Ruby.
‘So, the woman who just left...?’ Jacob asked, settling on a stool. ‘The vet?’
Kern gripped the phone and glanced up to find Jacob watching him. ‘Ruby? What about her?’
‘Anything serious?’
Kern returned his attention to his phone, flicking through the numbers without seeing them. Common sense dictated that he should halt anything serious from developing between him and Ruby, but he couldn’t ignore the part of him that secretly yearned for it.
Regardless of his reservations about spending more time with her, and the underhand, sneaky way his aunt had manoeuvred them into tonight’s date, he’d started to look forward to it. Had wanted to indulge in one night of her company just for the pleasure of it.
‘No,’ he said. ‘We’re friends. She cares for Enticing Evie.’
‘Good,’ Jacob said. ‘I’d hate another woman to screw things up for you. Last thing you need is another heavy relationship.’
Kern turned away, his thoughts still focused on Ruby. Was she angry with him for not taking her out, or as disappointed as he was that they’d had to cancel? Or was she perhaps secretly relieved they’d had to abandon their date?
As much as he hated to admit it, Jacob was right about one important matter. A relationship was the last thing he should contemplate. He might be slowly piecing his life back into order, but he had nothing to offer any woman. No job, no savings—he didn’t even live in a proper home. All he had was broken dreams, a tarnished reputation and run-down property. Hardly the stuff a woman dreamed of when searching for a man.
For Ruby’s sake he needed to remember just how little he had to offer. He’d already disappointed one woman in his life. Decency determined that he not be selfish and make it two.
CHAPTER NINE
‘HE’S LOOKING MUCH BETTER.’ Kern crouched to rub Dog’s head.
The Wolfhound wagged his tail in reply, but didn’t move from the rug he and Ruby sat on beside the caravan. Ruby tried to dodge the frantic whipping of her pet’s tail as he tried to crawl closer to their visitor in his desperation to lick his face.
She’d not seen or heard from Kern for three days. Not that she’d noticed his absence, thanks to work. And she certainly didn’t daydream about him—much.
‘Hey, Dog...’ Kern continued to pet the large dog. ‘Digging the shaved leg look you’re sporting. Bet all the female pooches give you the canine love-eye. Handsome male like you.’
Ruby sniggered. ‘I’m pretty sure a Labrador cross laughed at him when we left the practice on the day he came home.’
Kern shook his head in sympathy. ‘That, my friend, is women for you. Always ready to mock when we try our best. They’re cruel to us poor, innocent males.’
‘Huh!’ Ruby scoffed. ‘You’re about as innocent as a sinner hanging out in hell. Is this a passing visit, or does your horse need my expertise again?’
‘No, Evie and Mabel Star—’
‘Mabel Star?’ she asked.
‘My aunt’s renamed her horse Mabel Star after some past ancestor she reminds Eloise of. It’s the ears, apparently.’
Ruby shook her head. ‘I see...’
‘The actual reason for my visit is that it’s a beautiful day and I thought you might like to go to the beach with me.’
Ignoring the sudden leap in her stomach, Ruby glanced at her dog with his fresh dressing, knowing she had no choice but to refuse. ‘Dog’s not really able to walk along the beach with his leg the way it is.’
‘My aunt has insisted Dog stays with her for the day,’ Kern explained quickly. ‘There’s a re-run of a murder mystery series she wants to watch on TV, and she figures Dog will enjoy watching it with her.’
Ruby hesitated, torn between staying at home with her pet and going to the seaside with Kern. On such a nice day, the thought of spending time lazing around on the sand sounded wonderful.
‘I’d hate to take advantage of Eloise...’
‘Sometimes it’s good to,’ Kern murmured, kneeling on the rug to rub Dog’s stomach.
Ruby envied the way Kern’s fingers ran back and forth over her pet. How would it feel if the man touched her in such an informal and intimate way?
Leaning back on her arms, Ruby forced herself to focus, and stop contemplating irrelevant questions she would never learn the answers to. ‘It is?’
He nodded. ‘You never know what might happen when you grasp the advantage—what surprises you might discover by doing so.’
Ruby narrowed her eyes, suspicious of his deep, persuading tone. ‘Why do I suspect there’s more to your invitation than just a trip to the seaside?’
He glanced up and chuckled. ‘Because I haven’t told you everything and you’re a very smart woman.’
She crossed her ankles. ‘I’ve found it best to be smart where you’re concerned, Kern MacKinley.’
He sat on his heels and held up his hands in defeat. ‘Okay, I’ll confe
ss. There’s a horse I’ve arranged to look at and I thought you might like to join me.’
‘A racehorse?’ she asked curiously. That made more sense than a sudden urge to go paddling in the sea. Did his friend Jacob have anything to do with it?
‘Does this have something to do with your friend’s visit the other night?’
Kern shook his head. ‘No, Jacob called in for another reason. Someone Eloise knows has tipped her off about a colt being a good buy. And to stop her nagging I’ve agreed to go and check it out. I’m considering him—nothing more.’
‘And you’d like my expert eye?’ she asked, wondering what his friend had wanted.
‘I’d love your company, and although my eye is as expert as yours when it comes to horseflesh,’ he replied easily, ‘a medical judgement is always welcome.’
‘Really? Maybe we should compare notes and see which one of us has the more intensive equine knowledge?’
Kern’s gaze didn’t shift from hers. ‘I’d love to. Perhaps we can reschedule our dinner date?’
‘Sounds possible,’ she said, her heart racing at his closeness and at his offer. ‘You do realise I should charge you for my expert opinion?’
‘Dinner not payment enough?’
‘Oh, no. That’s payback for dumping me in the river,’ she reminded him. ‘Perhaps I should add interest, seeing as you cancelled.’
‘How about I buy you an ice cream?’
‘Done,’ she agreed.
He stood and stared down at her. ‘Eloise will enjoy spoiling Dog and talking his ear off. He’ll be the perfect guest. He doesn’t answer back or argue with her opinion.’
‘You make a convincing argument,’ she said, gazing at him.
‘Then say yes. You want to. I can tell. And you’re already dressed for it,’ he said, taking in her dark leggings and black T-shirt.
‘If you’re sure Eloise doesn’t mind?’ she asked, worried the old lady might.
‘She doesn’t,’ he assured her. ‘You can ask her when we drop Dog off and pick up the basket of food she’s preparing for us.’
‘A picnic?’ she quizzed, delighted at the thought. ‘You were that confident I would agree?’
He grinned and reached to help her up. ‘No. But Eloise was.’
* * *
Ruby stepped onto the soft sand ahead of the man who’d driven them to the secluded cove. The drive in his old horsebox had stirred unsettling memories, but Kern’s constant chatter had stopped Ruby from dwelling on them for too long.
Breathing in the crisp, fresh, salty air, she took in the cerulean blue sky, broken only by a distant faint white line of cloud where Nature had dragged her artistic finger lightly across the horizon in a lax attempt to define between the sea and sky.
Turning from the beautiful scenery, she pushed away a curl from where it dangled in her eyes, thanks to the light warm breeze coming off the water, and asked, ‘I thought we were seeing the horse first?’
The same breeze ran invisible fingers through Kern’s hair, too. Light and playful, like a lover’s caressing touch, ruffling the thick dark strands and causing Ruby’s own fingers to want to follow their curious path.
How would his hair feel against her palms? Soft? Wiry? Perfect for tugging playfully when he kissed her?
Kissed her?
She swallowed and turned to the sea again, her mind suddenly confused and muddled. Playful tugging? Kissing? What was she thinking? Nothing like that would transpire between them, so it didn’t matter what his hair felt like. He was a friend, and friends did not touch each other’s hair. No matter how much they might wish to.
‘We are,’ Kern answered, his eyes sparkling with a trace of secrecy.
The breeze blew his green T-shirt against his body, outlining the muscles beneath, and the black tight-fitting jodhpurs that encased his firm legs created a truly mouth-watering sight. Kern MacKinley was one attractive man.
Not sure what he meant, Ruby continued to stare towards the expanse of deep blue water. The last time she’d visited a beach there’d been ice creams and buckets and spades for sale. The odd donkey might have hung around, but she’d never seen a racehorse.
‘I don’t understand,’ she said, tilting her head to one side.
She was intrigued by Kern’s expression and the mischievous twinkle lightening his eyes. Once again, the sensation that he was up to something raised her curiosity.
Kern rested an arm across her shoulders, immediately enclosing her with his body heat and aftershave. Spicy and light, she liked it. She also rather enjoyed feeling his arm around her.
‘The horse’s owner recommended we meet him here,’ he said. ‘This is a private beach that belongs to his family. What do you say? Fancy a ride along the sand?’
Her distraction at his close presence vanished instantly. Working with horses was one thing, but she avoided occasions for actually riding one where possible. Others carried out the riding and she concentrated on the diagnosing. Just the idea of riding for pleasure alone evoked more memories from her childhood, and not all of them good.
‘I’m not sure...’
Kern frowned down at her. ‘I didn’t think to ask. Can you ride?’
She nodded, then admitted, ‘It’s been a while, though.’
Relief chased his frown away and he tugged her closer. ‘What better location to start again? Come on—say yes. I promise a soft landing if you fall off.’
Insulted at the idea, she snorted. ‘I’m sure I can remember how to stay on, thank you.’
She focused her eyes on the gentle sea foam ripples intimately caressing the sand.
Just her and Kern.
Until the owner and the horses arrived.
‘It’s beautiful here,’ she whispered.
The words were whipped away on the wind. But Kern must have caught them, because he answered. ‘Yes, it is. Truly stunning. Will you ride with me, Ruby? I promise to lend you some sun cream if you do.’
With lingering reluctance, she nodded, and then smiled when he produced a bottle from his back pocket. ‘See—I’m a man of his word and always prepared.’
She laughed and took the sun cream from him.
Kern made her want to do things she normally avoided. All the things she’d purposely denied herself for years.
What would her parents think about her reluctance to do something she’d loved as a child? One of the few things they’d jointly encouraged her to pursue? Would they be horrified that she had taken a different path involving horses, tending to their physical care and well-being, and not the one they’d hoped she would aim for in the show ring? Or would they feel pride that not only had she worked hard to reach her goals, but she was now following her dream career?
‘The horses are here,’ Kern said.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards a man walking along the water’s edge with two thoroughbred horses. One grey and one bay. Their coats gleamed in the sunshine.
‘Good morning.’ Kern shook the man’s hand and they chatted for several minutes about the horses’ general health and personalities.
Ruby moved closer to the bay horse, offering her hand under its nose.
Kern finished quizzing the owner and asked, ‘Need a leg-up?’
She nodded, suddenly shaky. What if she’d forgotten everything her parents had taught her? What if all those riding lessons deserted her and left her bouncing and jigging along like a half-terrified novice? ‘Thanks.’
‘Ready?’ Kern asked, only a second before he grabbed her leg and pushed her upwards.
The strangeness of sitting on a horse after so long hit Ruby hard the moment her bottom settled on the leather saddle. But, like an old pro, she reached for the reins and wrapped them correctly around her fingers. Relieved that she remembered the basics, at least, she waited for Kern to adjust the stirrups, concentrating
on slowing her breathing, not wanting the bay to sense her nerves.
Kern mounted the other horse, and with a quick goodbye to the owner they slowly headed along the wet sand, leaving deep hoofprints in their wake.
For several minutes neither spoke, content to let the horses splash through the water. Seagulls squalled above and sunlight reflected from the sea as though crushed glass floated upon the waves.
Halfway along the cove, Kern nudged his horse closer to hers so they could ride side by side. ‘Having fun?’ he asked.
Ruby couldn’t deny it. Everything about this was perfect. The horse, the surroundings and the man. Especially the man.
‘What do you think of him?’ she asked, nodding towards the grey. By sight alone she couldn’t detect any obvious physical issues in his movements or appearance.
‘He’s nice to handle. Definitely has potential. But he’s going to cost a good chunk of my money. I’ll be eating crackers and cheese for the next few months if I decide to buy him. How’s yours?’
‘Wonderful. Is he very expensive?’
‘No. Between us, he’s ridiculously cheap. But it’s still a lot of money to risk when I’m counting every pound,’ Kern mused.
‘Too much of a risk, then?’
He glanced at her. ‘Life’s a risk, Ruby. But it’s also a reason to get up in the morning.’
‘Why’s the owner selling?’ she asked. If the horse was sound, why didn’t the owner want to keep him?
‘The man has an interest in several horses already,’ Kern answered. ‘He wants to offload this one because his trainer doesn’t think he has the talent or skill to compete against the best.’
The glimmer in Kern’s eyes said differently.
‘What do you think?’ Ruby asked, curious to know how he viewed the horses. What did a racehorse trainer search for in an animal? Was it purely physical? Or was there more to it than just speed?
‘I think with time, proper training and a good dose of luck, this horse has a chance to win some big races. He has talent. It’s his trainer who doesn’t. I found several recordings of his previous races on the internet last night, and instinct tells me there’s more to this horse than he’s shown.’
Awakening His Shy Vet Page 12
