“You should’ve called me.” He hurried over and put his arms around her. She didn’t protest but leaned into his chest instead, her arms going around his waist. Warmth filled his chest. She didn’t have to snuggle up to him but she had. Progress at last. “Feeling better?”
Her voice was muffled against his chest. “Maybe. I’m standing upright anyway, so that’s got to be good.”
He rubbed her back. “You are but be careful. Do you want me to bring you a coffee in bed?”
Ruby lifted her head to look him in the eyes. “Maybe. I wanted to see that the dogs were okay. They seem to have you organized.”
A scurry of feet sounded on the tiled floor as they came running. “Hey, babies. How are you all?”
She leaned down and patted them but kept one arm around Simon. When she started to falter and gripped him harder, he walked her back to bed.
“Take it easy again today and sleep it off. I’ll give you coffee while I feed the beasts and then get you breakfast, okay?”
“Thanks. I really do appreciate it, Simon. You didn’t have to look after me.”
“Yeah, I did.” He tucked her in and leaned down. “How’s the throat feeling? I can still hear the croak in your voice. Has your headache gone?”
“Still thumping away but it’s not making me feel as sick. My throat is pretty sore but not as bad as yesterday. And I will sleep again today. I doubt I could do much more even if I wanted to.” She rubbed her throat, the talking taking its toll.
“Right. Stay here and I’ll go and make coffee.” He left her bedroom with a bounce in his step. His girl was getting better. And she was his girl. He could feel the change between them. A change he never thought would come.
He put the coffee pot on then lined up the dogs bowls and metered out their allowance according to the plan attached to the refrigerator. Ruby was organized and with so many animals coming in and out of her life, she’d have to be. Getting her to slow down at the shelter would be a major step but he had plans. Hopefully ones that she would be on board with once he’d had a chance to put them to her.
Once the dogs were fed, he poured two mugs of coffee and headed into her room. She lay with her eyes closed, a small smile on her lips. He hoped he had something to do with that look.
“Coffee for you.” Simon placed it on her bedside table and pulled up the chair to the end of the bed. He sat back with a sigh.
“Tough night?”
“I’ve slept in worse places than your couch.”
Ruby wriggled up and reached for her cup. “I appreciate you looking after me.”
A ridiculous wave of pleasure rolled over him. “It was the least I could do. Besides, the dogs needed someone as well.”
She sipped her coffee and her shoulders slumped. “That’s good. I think the reason I have half the headache I do is lack of coffee these last couple of days.”
“Quite possibly. How is the throat feeling now?”
She stroked her neck. “Sore but doable. I don’t think I’ll be eating toast any time soon but I can swallow without feeling like I have hot needles going down.” She sipped her coffee again and smiled at him over the rim of the cup.
“What?”
“Nothing. I just remembered the last time I was sick and you looked after me then too.”
It’d been worse then. Ruby had picked up a virus that had left her vomiting for days. He’d almost been ready to take her to the hospital but she’d protested and cried so he’d given her one more day to pick up and get better. Luckily she had.
“That was pretty rough. Just as well you don’t get sick often ’cause when you do, you go downhill fast.”
She shrugged. “I’m too healthy to get sick all the time.”
“You run yourself into the ground and that’s why it hits you so hard. But I’m not here to argue with you. I just want to see you get healthy again.”
“Keen for the rest of those dates, Simon?” She tilted her head sideways and stared at him.
“As keen as I am for you to get better. I love spending time with you, Ruby.” He paused, gazing into her eyes. Tension sparked between them. How was she so beautiful even when sick?
“I like spending time with you too.” She looked away, breaking the connection. She wasn’t ready yet, he guessed. Okay.
“Mom can’t wait to see you again. She’s missed you.”
“I’ve missed her too. Give me another couple of days and we can make a dinner date.” She put her cup down and opened the drawer, rummaged around for a hair tie and pulled her mass of curls up into a messy knot. “That’s better. I felt like a scarecrow.”
“I think you look amazing. Tired and sick but still amazing.”
“You say the sweetest things, Simon. Can we leave the ‘us’ talk until I feel stronger please?”
“We can do anything you want. I’m happy that you’re even prepared to do it after I stuffed up so bad.”
“Yeah, well. I can only hold a grudge for so long.” She smiled when he lifted Ziggy up onto the bed. The other dogs hurried in and all vied for her attention. Simon lifted up Honey, the old Maltese cross up as well and she huddled against Ruby’s legs. “My babies. Simon has been so good to you. I can tell.”
“They’re a great bunch. Now, Carly told me to pass on her strict instructions for you not to worry. She’s managing fine. Said something about one of the volunteers from the kennels side having great managerial skills and being keen to learn more. She wanted to bring her up to train so now was the perfect time to do that.”
“Lilly. Yes, we spoke about her. I like her a lot.” She lay
