Outback Dreams (24 page)

Ruby's mouth opened but no words came.

‘It's too long, isn't it?' Faith struggled with disappointment. She'd fallen in love with this gown the moment she laid eyes on it, but needed to be sensible. ‘It's not practical.'

‘To hell with practicality.' Ruby stood and clapped her hands. ‘You look amazing. I'm dumbstruck, so I can only imagine how the guys will react.'

As good as Ruby's words made her feel, there was only one man Faith wanted to dazzle, and if she hadn't been able to do it before now, it'd be silly to pin all her hopes on a ridiculously expensive outfit. ‘Thanks,' she managed through the sadness that arrived with that thought, ‘although I'm not sure I can justify the expense.'

She trailed her fingers over the silk of the gown, psyching herself up to take it off.

‘How does it make you feel?' Ruby asked.

For a few brief moments it had made her feel on top of the world. Special, beautiful even. ‘Good. Really good.'

‘Then I can't let you walk away without buying it. Every woman deserves at least one dress that makes her feel like a princess, and if you won't buy it for yourself, I will.'

Of course, Faith could never let Ruby do such a thing, which is why, in a sort of daze, she found herself handing over her credit card and accepting a gorgeous boutique bag containing the most expensive and beautiful dress she'd ever owned.

They stepped out of the shop and Faith gasped. ‘I think I just spent the deposit for a small house.'

Ruby threw back her head in unencumbered laughter and linked her arm through Faith's. ‘I'd say that calls for a celebration. Hot chocolate?'

As they pounded the pavement towards the café, Faith decided maybe she'd been too quick to judge Ruby. Maybe she simply was more shy than most. Faith thought back through their interactions and shamefully realised she couldn't find any real evidence to back up the assumptions she'd made about Ruby Jones. The closer they got to the café, the more her treatment of Ruby ate at her. By the time they'd ordered and sat down in the plush chairs, she couldn't hold back any longer.

‘I'm sorry, Ruby.'

Setting her handbag on the floor by her chair, Ruby looked up. Her brow furrowed. ‘What about? You were great back there. I made you try on a zillion dresses and you didn't roll your eyes once. Well, maybe once.'

Ruby's light-hearted response gave Faith an out, and she guessed that to be her intention, but her behaviour really had been unwarranted. She thought of her warm-hearted mum. Cassie would never have been so quick to judge a newcomer to town, and that made her more determined to offer a proper apology.

‘I'm so sorry I was such a bitch to you.'

A light red tinge crept into Ruby's cheeks and she shook her head. ‘Don't worry about it. I'm sure you had your reasons.'

‘I can't for the life of me imagine what they were,' admitted Faith. ‘You've been a godsend these last few weeks, helping me with the ball. And who knows what I'd have worn if you hadn't taken the reins today.'

Ruby smiled. ‘I'm sure you'd have chosen something fabulous. And as for why you didn't like me, may I make a suggestion?'

Faith blinked and nervously said, ‘Go ahead.'

‘I think he starts with M and ends with Y.'

The waitress chose that moment to deliver their hot chocolates. Faith all but snatched hers from the woman's tray, wrapping her fingers around the mug, drawing warmth and searching for courage. She couldn't bring herself to meet Ruby's gaze.

‘I'm right, aren't I?' Ruby persisted.

Faith shrugged. ‘Maybe. I was worried you would break his heart. I really can't explain it, but I feel so protective of him. He's my best friend in the world.'

‘I think he's a lot more than that,' Ruby said. When Faith didn't say anything, she continued. ‘My guess is you're in love with him.'

Oh geez
. ‘Is it that obvious?'

Ruby nodded. ‘To me, yes. But Monty's male. He probably doesn't have a clue. You should tell him how you feel.'

Nausea reared in Faith's belly at the thought. ‘I don't know if I can,' she blurted. ‘He's never given any indication that he feels the same way.'

‘I think sleeping with you is pretty good indication.'

Faith winced. ‘You know about that?'

Ruby nodded, but there was no malice in her expression or her words. ‘Why do you think he and I were over before we even began?'

‘I'm so sorry.' She bit her lip, shame washing over her.

‘Would you quit saying you're sorry?' Ruby laughed and picked up her mug. She took a long sip of her drink.

‘I don't know what else to say,' Faith replied. She poured sugar into her already sweet hot chocolate and stirred it vigorously. ‘I'm so embarrassed. I promise I never ever meant it to happen, and I certainly didn't mean to hurt you. I feel so ashamed. It's all a big fat mess.'

‘Where men are involved, it's always a mess.' Ruby waved her hand as if telling Faith to forget it. ‘And Monty and I were never really together, so technically, you did nothing wrong.'

‘That's a very generous way of looking at it.'

‘Anyway,' Ruby mused, ‘what's happened has happened. The difference between you and me is that I'm not in love with Monty, and right now, I could use a friend a lot more than I could use a man. I'd really like it if we could be friends, Faith.'

‘I—' The words caught in Faith's throat. ‘I'd like that.' And she meant it.

‘Great. Well, now that's settled. Shall we order a big piece of chocolate cake to share?' Ruby gestured to the cabinet of cakes behind them. ‘I know we said we couldn't eat another thing but just look at that selection.'

Faith followed Ruby's gaze and smiled. Her tastebuds danced in anticipation. ‘I like your thinking.' She caught the attention of the waitress. ‘Can we have a big slice of that mud cake with ice cream
and
cream and two spoons, please. Now,' she said, turning back to Ruby, ‘apart from coping with the town bitch, how are you finding being back in Bunyip Bay?'

This time it was Ruby's turn to nibble her lower lip. ‘Everyone's been very welcoming but it's hard getting used to living with mum and dad again.'

‘So I imagine.' Faith desperately wanted to ask why she'd moved back to town and in with her parents, but considering their friendship was mere minutes old, she decided not to push it.

‘They're great, don't get me wrong,' Ruby said quickly, ‘but let's say life has thrown me a few curveballs lately and I didn't expect to be single and living back at home at twenty-six.'

‘Tell me about it.' Faith giggled wryly. ‘Do you plan to stay in town?'

‘To be honest, I don't know. Right now, I'm taking things one day at a time.'

‘Fair enough.' The chocolate cake arrived, and both their eyes widened at the size of it. ‘I'm thinking if we eat that, we might have to go back to the shop and buy me a bigger-sized gown.'

Ruby laughed and they both picked up a spoon.

Half an hour later, as they headed back to the four-wheel drive, Faith decided that what had started out as a terrible day had turned out to be not too shabby at all.

‘I've had an idea.'

Monty turned to look at Adam as they emerged from the machinery shed. ‘Let me guess. Since seeding is done and dusted for another year, we should hit the pub to celebrate?' He'd been thinking the same thing. This was his last season working with Adam and he was up for a big night. ‘I'll call Faith and see if she wants to come.' Having not seen her since that day in the library, he reached into his pocket for his mobile, welcoming the chance to start getting things back to normal.

Adam held up a hand. ‘Hold your horses, mate. My idea is along those lines but better.'

Monty cocked his head. ‘I'm listening.'

‘Ruby and Mum have finished decorating the cottage and we're about to start taking bookings.'

‘That's awesome. Your mum must be pleased.'

Adam shrugged. ‘She's not saying much, but I'm hoping she'll venture out of the house a bit more when we have guests staying. Anyway, this might be our last chance to christen the joint. What say we have a post-seeding-housewarming-going-away party? Tomorrow night, at the cottage.'

A slow smile spread across Monty's face. ‘Great idea.' The pub was good, but nothing was better than a party on the land. They could turn the music up as loud as they wanted and camp out later if they so felt the need. ‘What about a bonfire?'

‘As long as it's not too close to the house,' Adam said. ‘I'd hate to see it go up in smoke after all our hard work.'

‘We'll have it in the paddock.'

‘Right, so how 'bout you tell Ruby, Faith, Ryan and anyone else you'd like to invite, and I'll round up some folks too. The beer's on me, but if anyone wants Bundy, they bring their own.'

‘Okay.'

‘Maybe you can con Faith into helping with the grub. What do you think?'

For a second, Monty wondered if he was the best person to ask her. Last time he'd tried calling, the morning after his breakup with Ruby, she'd all but hung up on him. But he wasn't about to chicken out. ‘Let's have a barbie. Since you're providing the grog, I'll do the meat and I'll ask Faith to help with salads and make a few desserts.'

‘Excellent.' Adam rubbed his hands together. ‘We haven't had a good party in ages.'

Promising to return the next morning to help collect wood and build the bonfire, Monty climbed into his ute. As he prepared to call Faith, he found his palms getting sweaty and his pulse ticking faster, and he shook his head at the ridiculousness of the situation. It was a bit over a week before the Barking Ball. His parents would be in town next weekend, and Lord knew Jenni would take one look at the pair of them and notice something was up. He'd never been able to lie to her, and as soon as she'd made him spill his guts, she'd make him feel even worse than he already did.

Spurred on by that thought, he dug his mobile out of his pocket and made the call he'd been wanting to make for days.

‘Hey, Monty.' She sounded happier than she had in a long time, as if he'd caught her in the middle of something fun.

‘Is this a bad time?'

‘No, not at all.' Female laughter echoed in the background.

‘Okay, then. Well, I was wondering if you'd like to come to Adam's tomorrow night? He's having a party to celebrate end of seeding and the completion of Old Man Silvey's place. And also as a leaving do for me.'

‘Sounds like a lot to celebrate.'

Did she mean she'd be happy to see the back of him?

He laughed uneasily, pushing that thought aside. ‘Does that mean you'll come?'

‘Since when would I miss free booze? You guys are providing, right?'

His heart relaxed at her teasing tone and for the first time in weeks he thought that maybe things really would be okay between them again. ‘Adam's buying the beer, but there's a catch.'

‘Oh?'

‘Could you make some salads to go with the barbecue? And maybe a couple of desserts as well?'

Faith said something but it was muffled, as if she'd covered the phone. More female laughter followed, and if he didn't know better, he'd say it belonged to Ruby.

‘What's so funny?' he asked.

‘Nothing, nothing. It's one of those have-to-be-here moments.' She took a breath. ‘I take it there'll be more than just us three at this party. Ruby's here now. Do you want me to ask her?'

‘Ruby's with you?' He couldn't keep the surprise from his tone.

‘Yep, we've been plotting together. For the ball.'

More laughter.

‘Sure. Ruby's invited, and Ryan if he wants. Do you need any help with the cooking?'

She snorted. ‘You're offering to help cook? Don't worry, I suspect Ruby will be far greater help than you. See you tomorrow.'

‘Sure,' Monty replied to nobody as he stared at the blank screen on his phone. On the one hand, that conversation had been as close to normal as any they'd had in a long while, but on the other it almost felt like she didn't need him anymore.

Don't be stupid
. He shook his head as he tossed his phone down on the passenger seat and started the ute. Faith was allowed to have friends aside from him; he wanted that—yet as he drove back to his place, all he could think about was the fact he was supposed to be on that Barking Ball committee too. Neither Faith nor Ruby had bothered to inform him about this afternoon's meeting. Logically, he knew it was because they didn't want to bother him during seeding, but it still hit a nerve.

He hadn't even wanted to be part of the stupid committee in the first place.

Trying not to dwell on the Faith-and-Ruby situation, he headed for the shower the moment he got home. He scrubbed hard and fast, ridding his body and mind of the tension that had built up during the last few strenuous weeks. It was the end. In less than a fortnight, he'd be heading south to Clancy's Breakaway, where he'd spend the rest of his days working for himself. His house was half-packed, the moving truck booked. There was no turning back.

The thought should have made him feel better than it did.

Determined to pull himself from this funk, he turned some music up loud while he dressed. The thought of seeing Faith tomorrow both excited and terrified him. He didn't think he could handle it if he lost the best friend he'd ever had.

No. He wouldn't let that happen.

***

At three o'clock the following afternoon, country music blared from Adam's iPod docking station on the cottage's verandah and Monty and Adam sat back with their first beers.

‘Man, that tastes good.' Adam stared at the bottle like it was some kind of god.