‘Yeah, well, life will do that,’ Kern replied, retrieving an empty bucket.
It was the reason he had to keep a distance between him and a certain vet. Ruby merited someone who viewed the future as exciting and worth exploring. He saw it as just something to be lived through.
‘Is there anything else, or can I get back to work?’
Eloise glanced around the practically empty shed. ‘You’re doing a good job. Both here and the barn are far tidier. The stables on the farm are looking better too. When do you plan to make a start on the gallops?’
‘When I earn some extra money,’ he said. ‘They’re on the list of things to be sorted.’
‘I can lend you some—’
‘No, thanks,’ he cut in, before she made a full offer. He still had a few fragments of pride. Besides, how could he take her money when he planned to move on once he’d got the place tidied up?
‘Stubborn—just like your mother,’ Eloise complained. ‘But it’s probably a good thing. Made you strong in mind and nature.’
‘I’m still not driving the cart in any parade,’ he insisted, not trusting his aunt’s compliments or offers of help when she was set on getting her own way. This time he was determined to deny her, no matter what she said or did.
‘Think about it, won’t you?’ Eloise begged. ‘You know how to drive it from when your father taught you as a teenager. I’m sure it will all come back to you.’
The memory made him smile—until he noticed his aunt’s pleased expression and felt a new wave of resolve grip him. ‘No.’
‘It’ll mean you get to spend some time with a certain Miss Ruby Day.’
His heart kicked at the thought, but he busied himself reaching for several boxes of screws. He was glad for another reason to refuse. Less time with Ruby was better for his head—and a couple of other parts of his anatomy. Parts best left in their customary dormant condition.
‘I doubt she wants to see me,’ he said.
‘I think you’re wrong,’ Eloise argued, following him to the shed’s entrance.
Kern really didn’t want to hear any more. He’d already spent far too much time thinking about Ruby, and he refused to do anything further...like develop strong feelings for her. The last thing she’d desire was a man like him in her life.
He sighed and reminded his aunt, ‘Her dog has a broken leg because of me. If I hadn’t rushed after Fin, poor Dog would be running around just fine.’
Eloise shook her head. ‘It was an accident. It’s my fault as much as yours, and Fin’s really the one to blame. If she’s going to be upset with anyone, it should be him.’
‘It’s also less than a year since I lost my wife, and I feel no desire to form any kind of a new relationship.’
So why do those words feel like a lie, MacKinley? Why do you wake up every damn morning aching to hold Ruby? Why do you feel restless each evening when you glance across the river and watch the light in her caravan window? Wondering what she’s doing and how she’s feeling. Wishing you could spend the evening with her.
‘I’m still getting used to the single life. It might be fun to enjoy it for a year or two.’
Liar. That’s how you felt before Ruby. Now you don’t know how you feel.
Kern dropped the screws into the bucket with a thud. Where Ruby was concerned, he didn’t know what he wanted. Though his excuses wouldn’t hold much water with his aunt if she ever knew that he and Corinne had stopped sharing anything meaningful years ago.
He’d offered her a divorce many times over the years, but she’d always refused. Gradually, their relationship and love had faded into monthly sex and a diminishing friendship.
She’d blamed him for their lack of children, even though the doctors had insisted they were both capable of producing them. As the years had passed Corinne had convinced herself it was his fault, even though there had been no logic or evidence to support her accusation.
Shaking off the past, Kern glanced at his aunt. ‘Ruby deserves to spend time with a man who wants a proper relationship. Someone whose heart is still intact and full of love. That’s something mine will never be again.’
Sadness filled Eloise’s gaze and she nodded. ‘I suppose you’re right. She is a delightful young woman. She’ll probably meet someone at work or in town. I’m surprised the Baxter twins haven’t asked her out. They’re both searching for a wife...’
‘Maybe you should tell her?’ he suggested, forcing each word from his mouth. Despite not knowing the men, he immediately hated them—which was neither fair, nor made any sense.
‘I will,’ Eloise agreed. ‘I’m going to put the kettle on. Come on inside when you’ve finished here.’
Kern waited for his aunt to leave before he let the bucket drop to the floor. He meant it. Ruby deserved the one thing he was incapable of giving: love. And he’d sworn the day Corinne died that he’d never risk becoming entwined with that emotion again.
* * *
Ruby hesitated outside the barn, listening to the bickering voice in her head, one of which insisted that this was a stupid idea. She should never have agreed to help Eloise. But the woman had asked in a way that had made it impossible to say no without causing offence.
As for Kern—she’d not seen him in over a week. The poor man was probably keeping out of her way, for fear she might throw herself into his arms and blubber all over him again.
What a fool she’d been, carrying on in such a way and exploiting his kindness. Too much of a gentleman to push her away, or leave, he’d suffered through her crying session with stoic patience. How cringingly embarrassing for both of them.
The poor man had lost his wife and everything important to him—and despite his admitting that his marriage had been seriously troubled, the last thing he needed was someone using his shoulder as a tissue to sob out her all her relief, worries and woes upon.
With a deep breath, Ruby stopped listening to the squabbling in her head and stepped inside the metal shed. Blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dim interior, she saw Kern standing at the far end next to a large, bulky item covered with green canvas.
‘Hi,’ she called out, heading towards him.
She refused to show any discomfort or any sign that the sudden fast beating of her heart was making her slightly light-headed. Maybe it was the way his grubby T-shirt hugged his body and showed off his powerful arm muscles. Why did he have to be so handsome, tall and hunky? Good-looking and nice?
A nice man who allowed a woman to dribble tears and a runny nose all over him. A fatal combination for any woman—including her.
Kern slowly turned to her, his smile unnatural and stiff. Ruby’s heart nosedived in a sickening spiral to splat somewhere around her heels.
Obviously the snot and the ugly tears really were complete turn-offs and all too much for him.
Ruby swallowed and willed her stupid head to stop overthinking.
The man has no interest in you, Ruby, so get over yourself. So what if you’ve lost another friend? It doesn’t matter. You’re used to being alone—deal with it. It’s life. Stop whinging and face it like a woman.
Ruby forced a smile in return, then fixed all her attention on the large object behind him. ‘Is that the reason your aunt asked me here?’
He nodded and reached behind him for the corner of the stiff fabric. ‘This is her latest project. Or should I say ours? Once I pull this cover off you’ll see why I’m not dancing with excitement and joy.’
Ruby lurched forward and placed her hand over his to stop him from peeling back more than a small triangle of the canvas. Warmth rushed over her skin at the contact, and her heart attempted to elevate itself back up to her chest and regain its earlier manic speed.
She blushed at the unfamiliar sensation and at her own unexpected behaviour. When had she become so forward?
‘Won’t you let me try and gue
ss what it is first?’ she asked, her voice husky and rushed.
Kern stared at her for a second, before slowly grinning. ‘Fine—but you’ll never get it.’
‘Bet I will,’ she disputed, relieved that his awkwardness had disappeared and the uncomfortable air between them had gone with it. He might not find her attractive, but they could still be friendly.
‘Okay. You get two guesses.’
She frowned and rested her hands on her hips. ‘Two? Why not three?’
‘Because I like the odds in my favour,’ he said smugly. ‘Shut your eyes and let’s start.’
‘Must I close my eyes?’ she hedged, suddenly unsure.
The man had dumped her in the river before. Could she trust him not to do something just as unscrupulous when her eyes were shut? Though the idea of being in his arms again wasn’t unappealing...
His smile turned wicked and teasing. ‘Many things are far more fun if you close your eyes, Ruby.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Sounds dangerous.’
His lips twitched higher and his playful gaze morphed into a dark smoulder. ‘We all need a little danger sometimes.’
With a murmur, Ruby closed her eyes and tried to calm her pounding heart. Suddenly she was happy to experience a little danger, if Kern insisted on it. Her life was so safe and empty of fun...sometimes she hurt from the loneliness of it.
Watching couples from afar, seeing them laugh and play emphasised how little close physical contact she shared with anyone. There was no one for her to discuss the news with, or talk to about what had occurred in the latest TV drama. It made for a staid existence at times. If it wasn’t for Dog she’d experience no real happiness and companionship at all.
‘Raise your hand,’ Kern murmured close to her ear.
His breath tickled and she bit her lip to stop herself from laughing and squirming on the spot.
She lifted her hand and he gently guided her fingers over the canvas and rested them on top. She wrinkled her nose. ‘Can I ask questions before I guess?’
He shifted until his chest pressed into her back, his body’s heat warming her shoulder blades. ‘If you want to—but only two.’
Stroking her fingertips lightly over the rough fabric, she frowned. ‘Does the canvas have anything to do with what’s underneath?’
‘No.’
She frowned harder, searching for a hint from the hard lump beneath her palm. Conscious of not wanting to waste her last question, she asked, ‘Is there a connection with horses?’
He chuckled, his fingers twitching slightly over her own. ‘Yes, there is. Without a horse this item would be useless.’
Intrigued, she searched her mind for ideas of what it might be. She’d asked about a connection with horses only because of Kern’s and Eloise’s close ties with the equine world. Other than that, she didn’t have any idea.
‘Well?’ he asked.
‘No idea,’ she admitted, irritated that she couldn’t decipher anything from the bulges, thanks partly to his distracting presence. How was she supposed to concentrate when he enclosed her so completely?
‘Do I get a clue?’ she asked hopefully.
He laughed dryly. ‘No. You’ve already asked your two questions. Time to guess.’
‘You’re mean,’ she complained.
Kern agreed. ‘Open your eyes and let me show you what it is.’
She did, and her eyes immediately took in the sight of their hands still connected on the green fabric—his dark and life-worn, hers paler and softer, thanks to the hand cream she used every night before bed. What would he do if she lifted her fingers slightly and linked them with his? Would he pull away or slip his own into hers?
‘Last chance,’ he pronounced against the curve of her ear.
With a final glance over the mysterious item’s length, she uttered the first thing that came into her head. ‘A sleigh?’
‘Close.’ Kern tugged off the canvas covering to reveal a very old and sad-looking Victorian cart.
‘Wow...’ she whispered, taking in the two large wheels. Her imagination immediately pictured a young woman on the wooden seat, driving around town, making deliveries or visiting friends. ‘It’s lovely,’ she declared softly.
Kern grunted. ‘It’s tired and in need of a good clean. Which is what my aunt wishes us to give it. She’s nagging at me to drive it in the town parade. This year’s theme is Victoria and Albert, apparently.’
‘Really?’ Ruby asked, visualising Kern dressed like a Victorian farmer, cantering along the country roads, waving and calling out to passing neighbours or grazing livestock.
‘My father used to compete in cart driving competitions, and he taught me how to drive this thing years ago. I’m surprised my aunt hasn’t sold it.’
Ruby slowly walked around the cart, taking in the large spindly wheels and peeling paint. A piece of wood across the back section had split and required repair, but it was still lovely in a shabby, aged way.
She slipped a hand over one of the long wooden shafts. ‘Is it safe to use?’
Kern regarded the antique vehicle. ‘It used to be—despite its fragile appearance. I’ll give it a good check-over after we brush off the cobwebs and wash it down.’
‘Can we pull it outside?’ Ruby asked, wanting to get a better look at this relic from the past.
She understood Eloise’s wish for her nephew to take part in the parade. She would happily stand on a crowded pavement for a brief glimpse of Kern driving past, looking all dapper and gorgeous.
Kern sighed and handed her the bucket, now minus the screws. ‘You fetch the water and I’ll move it outside.’
Ruby clapped her hands before rushing towards the door, all her earlier worry forgotten thanks to the cart. ‘A new coat of paint won’t take long to apply, you know...’
Kern dragged the canvas farther back, until it folded onto the floor in a heap. ‘It probably needs woodworm treatment first.’
‘Sounds good,’ Eloise declared as she joined them. ‘There’s some black paint in the other shed. You know what else would be good, Ruby?’
Ruby shook her head, her gaze still on the cart. ‘No? What?’
‘Oh, God...’ Kern groaned, convinced he knew where his aunt was heading.
Eloise shot him a glare. ‘If you and Kern dressed as a Victorian courting couple and did the parade together. Oh, how wonderful you’d look, sat together on the seat, clip-clopping along... We could twine real flowers on the sides and dress Star in brasses and ribbons. You’d look spectacular.’
‘No,’ Kern refused, scowling at his aunt.
Until a soft, disappointed ‘Oh...’ from the other side of the shed reached his ears.
Reluctantly, he turned, and saw that Ruby’s expression matched her dejected tone.
‘Don’t be a nuisance, nephew,’ Eloise scolded, sending Kern a triumphant glance. ‘Can’t you see how excited Ruby is to do it? Are you really so selfish as to deny her?’
Kern glanced Ruby’s way again and asked, ‘Do you really want to do the parade? Dressing up and everything?’
Ruby grinned and nodded shyly. ‘It sounds fun. I’ve never taken part in a parade... But if you’d rather not, I understand.’
Still feeling cantankerous, but hating Ruby’s crushed expression, he sighed. ‘All right. I’ll help you paint it and I will consider taking part in the parade—’
‘Wonderful!’ Eloise cried. ‘Why don’t you both discuss it further over dinner?’
* * *
‘B-but—’ Ruby stammered, glancing Kern’s way.
The man’s face had suddenly taken on an expression similar to that of a person suffering painful cramp.
‘Ruby probably has plans,’ Kern said, flashing a glare at his aunt.
Eloise ignored him and asked, ‘Do you have plans, Ruby?’
‘Well
, no...’ she answered, not willing to lie, though it was clear Kern wasn’t keen on the idea of spending the evening with her.
‘Then Kern would love to take you out for dinner tonight. Wouldn’t you, nephew?’
Kern shot another black look at his aunt and cleared his throat. ‘Ruby, would you like to go to dinner with me? I can’t promise to be great company because it’s been a while since I shared an evening out, but I’ll try my best.’
‘I—I—’ Ruby was stammering again, shocked that he was letting his aunt manoeuvre him into asking. But then the woman did have a forceful directness that left a person struggling against her wishes. Feeling sorry for him, Ruby said, ‘That’s very kind of you, Kern. But you don’t have to—’
‘I want to,’ he said, though his expression indicated the complete opposite.
‘Can you afford it?’ she asked, wanting to give him a way out.
This time he glared at her. ‘Of course I can!’
She glanced in Eloise’s direction. ‘I don’t want you to feel you have to because—’
‘I don’t,’ he interrupted, getting her meaning. ‘In fact, the more I think it over, the more I want to take you out. We’re friends, aren’t we? It will make a nice change from eating a pot of tasteless noodles. Unless you’d rather not spend time in my company? If you’d prefer to refuse, then just say so.’
Feeling reckless and a little mischievous, Ruby grinned. After all, she still owed him payback for that dunking in the river the other day. Why not get revenge and a full stomach at the same time?
‘I’d love to,’ she said. ‘But nowhere fancy. I’m not into anywhere with more cutlery on the table than food on the plate.’
He grunted. ‘Good. Because I know the perfect place.’
* * *
She was going out to dinner with a man. No, not any man, but Kern MacKinley. Oh, God, what would they talk about? The weather? Animals? What if she dropped food down the front of her top and spent the whole evening with a large ugly mark on her chest? Though, wearing black, it wouldn’t really show.
Awakening His Shy Vet Page 10