Page 24 of Ruby’s Outback Love

“Linda Freemont. I’m Ruby’s friend and work colleague. I haven’t seen you around before.”

I shook her hand; she had a firm grasp. “Phil Thacker. I’ve been transferred back here to take charge of the police station.”

“So, where do you and Ruby know each other from?”

“We grew up here together.”

“She doesn’t appear to like you very much.”

That was an understatement. “She hates me actually.”

“No, that can’t be right. I can’t imagine Ruby hating anyone. She’s so kind, considerate – blunt but compassionate.”

“Trust me, she can’t stand the sight of me and probably wishes I was dead and in Hell.”

“Okay, whatever you say. It’s gonna be hard avoiding each other in a small town like Bourke. Isn’t there some way you can at least be civil to each other?”

“I’ll try and figure out a way to speak with her but I’m not holding my breath.”

Linda placed her hand lightly on my arm. “Good luck. If you need any help, let me know. I’ll help in any way I can but Ruby is my friend first and foremost. I won’t do anything which would make her angry with me.”

“I wouldn’t expect or ask you to. Thanks for the offer but this is something we have to work out ourselves.”

“The offer stands. I’ll probably see you around.”

I nodded. “It was nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

I watched the beautiful woman head off in the direction Ruby had taken and noticed the rays of sunlight glinting off the ring on her left hand. She was obviously spoken for, not that I had a shred of interest in her, or any other woman, as anything more than a friend.

After fifteen years nothing had changed. It was still Ruby my heart ached for and who my body reacted to.

***

Present Day

RUBY

I pushed back from the table and crossed the room to the sink where I rinsed the mug before leaving it to drain.

Glancing up at the clock on the wall, I noted it was a little after 7am, I’d organised to have breakfast with Linda. It was our day off and apparently Andrew had a few things to take care of in town which Linda didn’t seem to be keen on helping with. I knew she was going to pry into what had transpired between Phil and I, she’d been hinting at getting me alone for a ‘chat’ ever since the day of the altercation.

We had become close friends since we’d begun working together. I had no idea what it was about her which made me confide in her the way I did, but I had no intention of enlightening her about Phil. I suspected if I did, she would come to my defence and dislike him almost as much as I did. I would not put her in such an awkward position.

I padded down the small hallway to the bathroom where after brushing my teeth, I applied a swipe of lip gloss and dab of perfume.

I was dressed in blue jeans, bright pink top and wore runners on my feet. My long, sometimes unruly hair was tied up in a high ponytail.

I took a moment to study my image in the mirror. I’d lost weight since Phil had arrived in town – a noticeable amount. I looked tired and stress showed in my eyes.

I was finding it difficult, seeing him around town. Numerous emotions ran rampant through my body every time I caught sight of him crossing a street or talking with kids who were lingering on street corners. He’d filled out and looked, oh so good. Even beneath his police shirt I could see he was all muscle. I itched to trace each one with the tips of my fingers, to be wrapped in his strong arms and feel the beat of his heart as I rested my head against his chest.

My heart ached to go back in time, to change what had happened. No matter how angry I became, how much I denied I cared, the fact was I still loved the man deeply and there would never be anyone else for me.

I swiped at the rogue tear as it slid down my cheek.

Suck it up, Ruby, you never were the type to forgive.