Chapter Nineteen
Faith glared at the text message and cursed under her breath. She couldn’t believe Simone had cancelled. Now she’d have to go Geraldton to see the caterers alone with Ruby. Monty’s love interest had been nothing but helpful since joining the committee, making it difficult for Faith to hold onto her assumptions about her. But how could they be friends when every bit of Faith’s heart ached that Ruby was the one Monty wanted?
She sighed at life’s unfairness and tossed her phone into her bag on the driver’s seat before putting her four-wheel drive into reverse. May as well get it over with. Just as her phone scraped the bottom of her cavernous bag, it started up again. Maybe Ruby couldn’t come either. Not glancing at the caller ID, she almost gasped at the male voice on the other end of the line.
‘Hi, Faith.’
Her knees wobbled at the deep, sexy and oh-so-familiar voice. It took a moment for her to collect her emotions and reply.
‘Hi, Monty.’ They’d barely spoken lately—he’d been too busy with seeding and Ruby—and now she wondered at the reason for the call. ‘Is something the matter?’
‘Only that I haven’t seen my best girl for ages.’
Her heart swelled but she told herself not to read anything into his words. He probably just wanted things back to normal. Whatever normal was.
She forced a laugh. ‘Ruby playing hard to get?’
‘I meant you, silly. I wanted to thank you for ordering those books for me. I’ve read them all cover to cover.’
‘You’re welcome.’
An uneasy silence lingered between them. She wanted to reach down the phone line and pull him to her. It was so obvious he was slowly slipping away, that what they’d done together had caused an irreparable rift, but she couldn’t simply forget.
Perhaps I should tell him how I feel. It couldn’t make anything worse than it already was. ‘Monty, I—’
‘Faith! Faith!’ A rapping on her window startled her.
She glanced sideways to see her father’s face, as red as if he’d just run the circumference of the farm. At first she thought he was angry, but his eyes looked more thoughtful than fuming.
‘I’ve got to go, Monty. Speak to you soon.’ Hoping her father was finally ready to talk, she disconnected, wound down her window and pasted on an encouraging smile. ‘What’s up, Dad?’
‘Well, I … I just wanted…’ He let out an exasperated sigh and then gestured at the shed in front of her. ‘I need to get your mum’s car out, that’s what. And you’re blocking the way.’
Whatever she’d been expecting, it wasn’t that. She raised her eyebrows as she tried to recall the last time anyone had driven her mother’s vehicle—an unassuming, faded red Holden wagon. The rego had expired years ago and it probably wouldn’t even start.
‘Well? Are you going to sit there all day or are you going to move, so I can get on with mine?’
Faith’s eyes prickled with tears at his angry tone, but she didn’t want to him to see how much he hurt her. She turned her gaze to the driveway behind her and revved her four-wheel drive. ‘I’m going.’
By the time she arrived in town, she’d almost forgotten why she’d come. All she could think about was how rapidly her life was going down the gurgler. Only as she zoomed past The Ag Store and saw Ruby waiting did she recall her purpose.
Doing a U-turn, Faith pulled the car to the kerb and couldn’t help noticing how polished Ruby looked. Was there ever a day she couldn’t get her hair and make-up just right? And what was with the flower she always wore in her hair? Today’s was a bright red gerbera that perfectly matched her latest-fashion red jeans. The only jeans Faith ever wore were black or blue, but she had to admit, on Ruby, they worked.
‘Thanks for picking me up.’ Ruby slid into the car and offered Faith a tentative smile.
Faith tried to return it, hoping Ruby wouldn’t notice her red-rimmed eyes or tear-stained cheeks. The last thing she wanted was to discuss her woes with Little Miss Perfect.
Ruby clicked her seatbelt in. ‘Beautiful morning, isn’t it?’ she said, gesturing out the window to the sunny winter day.
‘Sure is,’ Faith managed through clenched teeth. Not wanting to dwell on what might be responsible for Ruby’s chirpiness, she slammed her foot onto the accelerator and swerved the car back out onto the main street.
Town was generally quiet at this time of the morning, but it was just her luck that a car happened to be coming in the other direction. She barely noticed it until suddenly a siren whooped and the blue and red lights on its roof flashed. Police.
Faith’s heart started pounding in her chest as she realised she’d been speeding. She immediately slowed the four-wheel drive, but the cop turned around and tailed her nonetheless. Damnit, could this day get any worse?
‘I think you ought to pull over,’ Ruby said as she peered over the passenger seat.
Ya think? Having vowed to try a little harder with Ruby, Faith swallowed the sarcastic response. ‘I suppose so.’ She stopped the car, hoping her pursuer was Sergeant O’Leary, who likely couldn’t be bothered with the hassle of writing up a ticket.
No such luck. Looking in the rear-view mirror she saw a tall, dark-haired and commanding presence swaggering towards her.
‘Morning, ladies,’ came the cop’s clipped British accent as she wound down her window. His badge confirmed him to be the new constable—Drew Noble. ‘Going a bit fast there.’
‘Sorry.’
‘No excuse?’ he raised his dark eyebrows.
Faith opened her mouth, preparing to bombard him with excuses, but Ruby leaned across her before she had the chance to reply.
She watched in horrified fascination as her passenger smiled, batted her incredibly long eyelashes and looked up apologetically at the new cop.
‘Sorry, constable, it’s probably my fault. Faith and I have a meeting in Geraldton and I slept in this morning, making us late. Faith’s usually a very good driver.’
She hadn’t known Ruby could be such a convincing liar.
‘Is that so?’ He folded his arms, but looked to be battling a smile.
Faith found herself nodding alongside Ruby.
‘I’ll need to see your licence.’ While Faith dug it out of her purse, he asked, ‘You girls from around here?’
‘Yes,’ they replied as one.
He unfolded his arms and studied her licence. After staring long enough to memorise her details, he said, ‘All right then,’ and handed it back. ‘Consider this a warning. I see you speeding again, Ms Forrester, not only will I throw the book at you, I’ll be watching your every move for as long as I’m in town. There’s no room for shenanigans on the road, understand?’
Feeling thoroughly put in her place, Faith nodded and let out a breath of relief as the policeman tipped his head, turned and swaggered back to his vehicle.
‘Geez, he can watch my every move whenever he likes.’
Faith turned to see Ruby fanning her face, which looked like she’d spent a few hours too long in the sun. It was the first time she’d seen this flirtatious side of Ruby, but that wasn’t what bothered her.
‘What about Monty?’
Ruby’s smile dimmed. ‘What about him?’
Faith raised her eyebrows, her heart stilling in her chest at Ruby’s tone. She swallowed but it didn’t alleviate her discomfort. Had Monty told her about what they’d done? She decided to play it safe. ‘I thought you guys were seeing each other.’
‘We had a couple of dates,’ Ruby replied, ‘but it didn’t work out.’
Faith felt as if she’d been holding her breath for weeks and could now breathe. Could she dare to hope Monty’s thing with Ruby was over? If that were true…
‘I’m so sorry’ was on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed the lie. She desperately wanted to know why they had split, which one of them had ended things, but they weren’t really friends and so it wasn’t appropriate to ask.
In the end she said, ‘Monty’s a go
od friend to have.’
‘Apparently.’
But before Faith could ask exactly what Ruby meant by that, the other woman changed the subject.
‘I hope you didn’t have a big breakfast. The caterers emailed me the list of what we’re going to sample today. We might not have to eat for the next week.’
***
Three hours later, Faith didn’t think she’d be able to eat for the rest of the month, let alone the week.
‘That was divine,’ Ruby said as Faith leaned over to sign the contract appointing the caterers for the ball.
‘Sure was.’ Faith grinned as she handed it back to the owner of the business.
Somehow over the last few hours, they’d settled into easy conversation. With the fun of tasting foods and selecting a menu— they’d decided against a buffet in the end—the tension between them had faded and, Faith had to admit, Ruby wasn’t at all like she’d assumed. Although quiet and reserved in most ways, she had a sense of humour much like her own and appeared genuinely enthusiastic about the ball.
They thanked the caterers for a delicious lunch, promised to be in touch, and headed out onto the street. ‘I reckon you stumbled on gold when you found these guys. I can barely walk.’ Faith laughed as they started towards the four-wheel drive.
‘I know what you mean.’ Ruby rubbed her stomach. ‘I might have to buy a new dress for the big night. Lord knows if I’ll fit into the one I planned to wear anymore.’
Faith froze, her keys slapping against her thigh as she halted mid-stride. She’d been so hung up on organising the actual event that the thought of what she’d wear had never even crossed her mind.
‘What’s wrong?’ Ruby asked.
‘I haven’t got a dress yet.’ The confession embarrassed her, not only because it showed she wasn’t as organised as she wanted everyone to believe but because Ruby likely had a whole wardrobe of suitable possibilities.
Ruby’s eyes widened, but she quickly pasted over any shock with a smile. ‘Relax. It’s not the end of the world. There’s still a few weeks to go. Have you got anything suitable at home?’
Faith all but snorted.
‘Okay, I’ll take that as a no. Never mind.’ Ruby squeezed Faith’s shoulder. ‘There are a few good boutiques in Geraldton, and if there’s one thing I do excel at, it’s shopping. Come on.’
Before Faith could argue, Ruby was dragging her past the parked four-wheel drive and into the local shopping precinct.
When her mum and Jenni had taken her shopping for a year-twelve ball dress, she’d frustrated them by insisting on wearing a tuxedo. But within moments of stepping into the first boutique, Faith sensed she wasn’t going to get away with anything like that this time. In her element amongst the rows of bright-coloured dresses, Ruby scoured the racks like a pro. She looked back and forth—at a dress, then at Faith—plucking seemingly random gowns as she went. Faith became a packhorse, heavily laden until a sales assistant asked if she could put the dresses in a fitting room.
‘Okay, that’ll do for a start.’ Ruby grinned as she turned Faith towards the fitting rooms.
‘For a start? That’ll keep us going for weeks.’
Ruby laughed and Faith found her enthusiasm contagious. She couldn’t recall a time she’d gone clothes shopping with a friend. Shopping had just never been her thing, but then again, she’d never had a girlfriend to go with. What would usually be a chore proved to be fun with Ruby there for support and advice.
‘What do you think?’ Faith twirled as she stepped out of the change room for the sixth time, now wearing a strapless golden gown that hugged her at the waist and then fell in ruffles to the floor.
Ruby’s mouth opened but no words came.
‘It’s too long, isn’t it?’ Faith struggled with disappointment. She’d fallen in love with this gown the moment she laid eyes on it, but needed to be sensible. ‘It’s not practical.’
‘To hell with practicality.’ Ruby stood and clapped her hands. ‘You look amazing. I’m dumbstruck, so I can only imagine how the guys will react.’
As good as Ruby’s words made her feel, there was only one man Faith wanted to dazzle, and if she hadn’t been able to do it before now, it’d be silly to pin all her hopes on a ridiculously expensive outfit. ‘Thanks,’ she managed through the sadness that arrived with that thought, ‘although I’m not sure I can justify the expense.’
She trailed her fingers over the silk of the gown, psyching herself up to take it off.
‘How does it make you feel?’ Ruby asked.
For a few brief moments it had made her feel on top of the world. Special, beautiful even. ‘Good. Really good.’
‘Then I can’t let you walk away without buying it. Every woman deserves at least one dress that makes her feel like a princess, and if you won’t buy it for yourself, I will.’
Of course, Faith could never let Ruby do such a thing, which is why, in a sort of daze, she found herself handing over her credit card and accepting a gorgeous boutique bag containing the most expensive and beautiful dress she’d ever owned.
They stepped out of the shop and Faith gasped. ‘I think I just spent the deposit for a small house.’
Ruby threw back her head in unencumbered laughter and linked her arm through Faith’s. ‘I’d say that calls for a celebration. Hot chocolate?’
As they pounded the pavement towards the café, Faith decided maybe she’d been too quick to judge Ruby. Maybe she simply was more shy than most. Faith thought back through their interactions and shamefully realised she couldn’t find any real evidence to back up the assumptions she’d made about Ruby Jones. The closer they got to the café, the more her treatment of Ruby ate at her. By the time they’d ordered and sat down in the plush chairs, she couldn’t hold back any longer.
‘I’m sorry, Ruby.’
Setting her handbag on the floor by her chair, Ruby looked up. Her brow furrowed. ‘What about? You were great back there. I made you try on a zillion dresses and you didn’t roll your eyes once. Well, maybe once.’
Ruby’s light-hearted response gave Faith an out, and she guessed that to be her intention, but her behaviour really had been unwarranted. She thought of her warm-hearted mum. Cassie would never have been so quick to judge a newcomer to town, and that made her more determined to offer a proper apology.
‘I’m so sorry I was such a bitch to you.’
A light red tinge crept into Ruby’s cheeks and she shook her head. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you had your reasons.’
‘I can’t for the life of me imagine what they were,’ admitted Faith. ‘You’ve been a godsend these last few weeks, helping me with the ball. And who knows what I’d have worn if you hadn’t taken the reins today.’
Ruby smiled. ‘I’m sure you’d have chosen something fabulous. And as for why you didn’t like me, may I make a suggestion?’
Faith blinked and nervously said, ‘Go ahead.’
‘I think he starts with M and ends with Y.’
The waitress chose that moment to deliver their hot chocolates. Faith all but snatched hers from the woman’s tray, wrapping her fingers around the mug, drawing warmth and searching for courage. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Ruby’s gaze.
‘I’m right, aren’t I?’ Ruby persisted.
Faith shrugged. ‘Maybe. I was worried you would break his heart. I really can’t explain it, but I feel so protective of him. He’s my best friend in the world.’
‘I think he’s a lot more than that,’ Ruby said. When Faith didn’t say anything, she continued. ‘My guess is you’re in love with him.’
Oh geez. ‘Is it that obvious?’
Ruby nodded. ‘To me, yes. But Monty’s male. He probably doesn’t have a clue. You should tell him how you feel.’
Nausea reared in Faith’s belly at the thought. ‘I don’t know if I can,’ she blurted. ‘He’s never given any indication that he feels the same way.’
‘I think sleeping with you is pretty good indication.�
��
Faith winced. ‘You know about that?’
Ruby nodded, but there was no malice in her expression or her words. ‘Why do you think he and I were over before we even began?’
‘I’m so sorry.’ She bit her lip, shame washing over her.
‘Would you quit saying you’re sorry?’ Ruby laughed and picked up her mug. She took a long sip of her drink.
‘I don’t know what else to say,’ Faith replied. She poured sugar into her already sweet hot chocolate and stirred it vigorously. ‘I’m so embarrassed. I promise I never ever meant it to happen, and I certainly didn’t mean to hurt you. I feel so ashamed. It’s all a big fat mess.’
‘Where men are involved, it’s always a mess.’ Ruby waved her hand as if telling Faith to forget it. ‘And Monty and I were never really together, so technically, you did nothing wrong.’
‘That’s a very generous way of looking at it.’
‘Anyway,’ Ruby mused, ‘what’s happened has happened. The difference between you and me is that I’m not in love with Monty, and right now, I could use a friend a lot more than I could use a man. I’d really like it if we could be friends, Faith.’
‘I—’ The words caught in Faith’s throat. ‘I’d like that.’ And she meant it.
‘Great. Well, now that’s settled. Shall we order a big piece of chocolate cake to share?’ Ruby gestured to the cabinet of cakes behind them. ‘I know we said we couldn’t eat another thing but just look at that selection.’
Faith followed Ruby’s gaze and smiled. Her tastebuds danced in anticipation. ‘I like your thinking.’ She caught the attention of the waitress. ‘Can we have a big slice of that mud cake with ice cream and cream and two spoons, please. Now,’ she said, turning back to Ruby, ‘apart from coping with the town bitch, how are you finding being back in Bunyip Bay?’
This time it was Ruby’s turn to nibble her lower lip. ‘Everyone’s been very welcoming but it’s hard getting used to living with mum and dad again.’
‘So I imagine.’ Faith desperately wanted to ask why she’d moved back to town and in with her parents, but considering their friendship was mere minutes old, she decided not to push it.
Outback Dreams Page 18