Carly’s details came on screen. “Simon. How is she?”
“Didn’t Tyler call you and tell you not to worry?”
She laughed. “He did but the poor guy gets so tongue tied, you know how it is. It was hard to get anything out of him.”
“We both know how he feels about you. Cut him some slack, please.” He smiled to himself. But right now, all Simon was worried about, was Ruby.
“She’s pretty sick. With the move and all the work she’s been doing, she’s let herself burn out again. Doc wants her on bedrest for at least three or four days.”
“She’s such a hard worker. I don’t know anyone with such drive as she has. It’s so hard to get her to take any downtime.”
“I know. How are you going to cope without her? That’ll be the first question she asks me.”
“Funny you should say that. I have someone working in the shelter now who seems very keen to learn the management side of things. She approached me when we made the move and seems very keen. I wanted to talk to Ruby about her when she’s better. I’m thinking of bringing her in to help in the office anyway because we could always use backup for times like this. Now would be the perfect opportunity to bring her in to help me. If it all works out, we could train her up when we have the time.”
“Not that I have any say in it, but I agree.” He watched the dogs running toward the gate as a new dog came into the park. Ziggy hurried over to him and sat at his feet, scared by the strange animal. Simon touched her head and she leaned into him. “It’d be nice to see her slow down a bit.”
“You haven’t told her what your plans are, have you?”
He stroked the little black ears and got a lick for his effort. “No. I’m not sure how to go about it. She knows we like to do good for the community but I think I need to convince her that the money hasn’t changed who I am first. When she feels better I’m taking her to Mom’s for dinner then I’ll do the final reveal of my place and the hope I have for us as a couple.”
“She’s going to love it, Simon. I really think she will. It’s been so hard not to discuss you with her but I respect your privacy and the way you’re dealing with this. Let’s face it, you haven’t exactly gone overboard showing her the flashy side of life so far.”
He laughed. “Apart from the massive bid I made for her time, you mean?”
“Well, yeah. That. But just tell her the truth. If you didn’t give that money to someone, it would’ve gone to the tax man. She almost did you a favor.”
“I hope she sees it that way.” He wasn’t sure Ruby would buy it but it was the truth. He had to make her see that.
“Anyway, I’d better get back to work. Give her my love and tell her to behave herself. If she comes back to work still sick, I’ll kick her butt.”
“She won’t be if I have anything to do with it.”
“Fingers crossed, Simon. I love both of you but I’ve hated seeing her so sad and not being able to do anything about it. She’s my bestie and I have to side with her no matter how much I still want you two together.”
He hung up and called the dogs. “Let’s go and see if your mom is awake.”
Chapter 16
Ruby opened her eyes and winced. The light was so bright or was it that her eyes were so sensitive?
“Hey, sleepyhead.” Simon’s cheerful voice came from the doorway.
She peeked, with her hand over her eyes to keep out the light. Why did he look so damned cheerful while she felt like hell? “Hey.”
He ambled in and perched on the side of her bed. “Can I get you anything?”
A trip to the bathroom would be good, a new brain because mine wants to explode and a week of sleep might just do it. “Um, I’m not sure.” She pushed the blankets back and tried to sit up. Her head swam and she held her hands out to keep her balance.
“Wow, hang on.” Simon grabbed her around the shoulders and held her against his chest. She slid her arms around his waist, scared her legs would give out on her. She hung on tight as a wave of dizziness washed over her. Her lightheadedness mixed in with the familiar scent of his aftershave sent her emotions skyward. She bit her lip to hold back the tears.
“Okay?”
Her stomach rolled but she managed to hold back the nausea. Ruby had no control over her own body and hated feeling so vulnerable. “Oh my goodness. What’s going on?”
“Part and parcel according to the doctor. You’re going to have to take it easy and let it run its course.” He squeezed her gently. “Now, how about I help you to the bathroom and once I know you’re not going to fall over, I’ll leave you to it?”
“Sure.” Standing and walking on her own was going to be impossible. Besides, it wasn’t as though he hadn’t shared a bathroom with her before. But that was then, not now. She wasn’t feeling that relaxed around him just yet. Almost but there was still a way to go.
Simon helped her up and hung onto her as she swayed on her feet. Once he had her in the bathroom, her hand on the counter beside the toilet, he let her go. “Okay?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
“Yell when you’re done. Don’t even think about trying to get back to bed without help because if you have a fall…”
“I get it. Honest, I do.” He was like a protective lion, guarding
