“It doesn’t stop me worrying.”
“I get that, Ruby but we have to face reality. Sooner or later we were bound to lose that land. We need to be able to buy our own. A few more fundraisers like this one and we could probably do it.”
* * *
Simon patted George on the head as they walked upstairs to the bedroom. “Miss me, boy?” George ran ahead of him and launched onto the bed, making himself comfortable while he watched his master prepare for sleep.
Simon pulled off his tie and threw it on the chair inside his walk in wardrobe. Ruby had been so annoyed with him tonight but it was worth it. At least she was talking to him, even if it was angry words. Better than nothing. He undid the buttons on his shirt and walked back into the bedroom, pausing at the window to watch the city lights over the water. This view had always made him melancholy. Maybe because he was here alone.
“I saw her, George. She’s pissed at me now but I’m ready to go in and try to talk her around. You’ll love her. She’d love you too.” He sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped an arm around the black and white Frenchie’s neck. “We just have to convince her that we’re good together.” He glanced at the lights twinkling over the bay.
When he used to walk the beach with Ruby, they’d look over at this grand old mansion and dream about owning it. Neither of them would ever admit to it being an impossible idea. Poor and living week to week as they chased their own careers, this was a pipe dream, nothing more—but it was a nice dream regardless.
Until he and Tyler sold their first program and things had snowballed from there. Now he owned more real estate than he could ever imagine. His parents had a comfortable, mortgage free home, retired and enjoying life while tripping around the world. The only thing they were lacking was the daughter-in-law and grandchildren they were hoping for.
Simon threw his shirt in the bathroom hamper, dropped his trousers and turned back to the bed. He nudged George out of the way, pulled down the top cover and plumped up the pillows before laying down. His faithful friend snuggled in beside him and fell asleep, his snores loud in the large and otherwise quiet room.
Simon had to find a way to bring her here one of the nights she was taking him on the dates. Set something up on the beach for the two of them. It shouldn’t be too hard. He had the means and the money to get what he wanted. He should tell Wes there might be a last minute change of plans and not to tell Ruby.
Then it was up to him. All he had to do was convince Ruby he’d never meant to shut her out. That he’d been stupid and scared of what would happen when they got rich. He hadn’t known if he could handle the kind of money and fame his job would give him. How he and Tyler would cope with public scrutiny or the pressure to perform. The last thing he’d worried about was her spending the money. He’d have gladly let her have it all. It was his own fear of having so much that worried him. Surely she would understand.
The following morning, his phone ran as he was driving into work. He pressed a button on his car’s steering wheel. “Hello.”
“Simon, good morning.” His property developer’s voice boomed over the blue-tooth.
“Hey, Graham. How are you?”
“Fabulous. Listen, that block of land you have out on the other side of the one-o-one highway? Are you interested in selling it to me?”
He’d bought it on Graham’s recommendation years ago. “I don’t know. Tell me why you want it.”
“Well, I was talking to my darling wife this morning. We want to do something lasting in our son’s name. It’s time.” He cleared his throat. “And since I attended the charity last night and met Ruby, I’ve decided the shelter needs a benefactor. You know how much Niall loved animals but it wasn’t possible with his illness. If he’d lived, he would’ve loved to start a shelter and when I see Ruby and Carly struggling to make ends meet, it makes me sad. Laura and I want to help in any way we can. That’s if Ruby agrees.”
“That’s nice. I’m sure Ruby will be thrilled to hear it, especially after what she mentioned last night about their lease being so tenuous.”
“Exactly why I want to help out. My company can buy the property and give them a peppercorn lease for ninety-nine years.”
Simon smiled to himself. It was a deal that Ruby could hardly turn down.
“So what do you think? I want to try and do a deal with you before I mention it to them. Laura is on at me to go and talk to Ruby about our idea and where my wife is concerned, I’m putty in her hands. How long do you think it will take to organize?”
“Don’t you even want to know how much I want for it?” Simon paused at a red light and put a hand on George’s head, stroking his smooth hair.
“I know the value of the land and I’m pretty sure you won’t rip me off. We’ve done too much business together for me to think that would ever happen. I’ll pay market value because I feel that it will tick all the boxes for the shelter. Buildings, space to grow and close enough to town to still serve the community. Listening to Ruby talk last night gave me a fairly good indication of what they need and I want to be involved in any way I can.”
“Accepted. Talk to my legal guy and I’ll sign the papers. I just wish I’d thought of it myself.”
A chuckle came over the line. “I think you were
