Page 30 of Strictly Friends
She chuckled at Ruby’s obvious discomfort and then said kindly, ‘So if you’re not here to talk about Mac, sweetheart, how can I help you?’
Ruby was more than ready to change the subject and she leaned forward, her voice quickening with excitement. ‘Well, actually, it’s more like how I can helpyou!’
MissIda looked bewildered, and Ruby quickly outlined her idea for a website for Paradise Inn, relaying the gist of her conversation with Fi the previous day. ‘I’ve just got off the phone with Nick – he’s our guru for all things digital – and he’s totally on board to design the site. He’s also going to incorporate a room booking system and design an app and everything!’
Ruby’s triumphant smile faded as MissIda’s face clouded over. This was definitely not the response she had anticipated.
‘What’s the matter, MissIda? I thought you’d be pleased,’ she asked hesitantly. ‘It will be a lot easier to attract more visitors if you have your own website.’
‘It’s so kind of you to want to help me, darlin’, but...’ MissIda tailed off and, instantly remorseful, Ruby jumped in.
‘I’m so sorry! It was presumptuous of me, and I’ve overstepped, haven’t I? I didn’t mean to offend you. I honestly just wanted to help you keep your home and—’
MissIda raised her hand to cut her off. ‘No,no, Ruby! I’m not offended at all! It’s just that I don’t have the kind of money to spend on everything you’ve just described. I’m just about getting by as it is. Although I do thank you for trying to—’
‘But wait, there’s absolutely no charge for doing this!’ Ruby interrupted, mentally kicking herself for not leading with this crucial piece of information.
When MissIda still looked dubious, Ruby took a deep breath and continued more calmly. ‘I’m so sorry, MissIda, I should have made myself clearer. The thing is, I told Fi – my boss – about how you’ve been taking such good care of us and about your beautiful home. I also shared your concerns about needing more guests so you didn’t have to sell Paradise Inn, and she agreed to my idea straightaway. The thing is, wewantto do this for you, and you don’t have to pay a penny! If you’re happy about it, we can share a little bit about you and Marty’s story on the website to add a more personal touch, and we can even write about the Sorrel Island love-magic legend stuff you talked about. It’s the sort of thing that will have guests flocking over here.’
‘Now, I don’t want too many folks all coming at one time.’ MissIda frowned, looking alarmed at the prospect of visiting hordes.
‘Don’t worry about that,’ Ruby said firmly. ‘Nick will set up the site so you can control the availability of bookings and decide the number of guests you want to accommodate at any one time.’
As MissIda absorbed Ruby’s words, her frown disappeared, and her eyes sparkled. ‘Ohmy! Why, Ruby, that’s thenicestthing anyone has ever done for me! I don’t know much about the internet, but Narita’s always on the computer and she can help me.’
Suddenly energised, she jumped up from her chair and clapped her hands in delight. ‘If we get more guests, I can afford to give her a full-time job so she doesn’t have to leave the island and break Zeke’s heart. Goodness, Ruby, if this works, it will makesucha difference!’
Ruby grinned, only just restraining herself from breaking into her happy dance. MissIda’s face was glowing, and Ruby felt an unexpected lump in her throat. She swallowed hard, finding it hard to believe she had only known their lovely hostess for a few days.
Ruby cleared her throat and stood up. ‘I’d better go upstairs and check on Jake. Kenny’s taking us out this afternoon and Ipromised Mac I’d sit for him for a bit first. Is it okay if I come and find you later and share some of my ideas for the website?’
MissIda stood and came around her desk with her arms outstretched. When Ruby obligingly bent to embrace her, MissIda kissed her gently on the cheek.
‘Mac was right,’ MissIda said softly as she gazed up at Ruby with suddenly moist eyes. ‘The gods reallydidbring you to Sorrel Island.’
21
Mac’s eyes remained fixed on Ruby’s face, with only the occasional glance down at the sketch pad in his hand. Every so often, he would flip over a page and his pencil would once again fly back and forth over the paper. They were in the same patch of clearing high above the inlet where Ruby and Jake had stumbled across him the previous day, and while Mac sat on his folding chair, Ruby reclined on a grass-covered mound, enjoying the cool breeze wafting through the light fabric of her long, floaty skirt. Her initial anxiety about posing had long since been replaced by the tedium of sitting in one place under stern instructions not to move. Even Jake had eventually grown bored of watching the artist at work and wandered off to explore their surroundings, leaving Ruby alone with Mac.
‘So, tell me about yourself, Ruby.’
‘Why?’ she demanded, and then, realising she sounded rude, added in a more conciliatory tone, ‘I mean, what do you want to know? I’m not particularly interesting.’
‘On the contrary,’ Mac chided. ‘Here you are with your kid, thousands of miles away from home on an island most people have never heard of. You don’t seem like a regular tourist, so what’s your story? And just so you know, I’m not trying to butt into yourbusiness, but the more I know about you, the better I can capture your spirit and the essence of your personality in the portrait.’
Her sceptical expression was met with one of wide-eyed innocence. ‘C’mon, Ruby,’ Mac murmured persuasively. ‘Think of me as your priest – or your shrink, if you prefer. Look, if you’re on the run after pulling off a bank heist or whatever, you can tell me. I promise your secret will stay safe.’
He winked at her, and Ruby rolled her eyes, trying not to laugh. Much to her surprise, she felt far more relaxed in Mac’s company than she had expected, although she still found herself taking the odd surreptitious peep to confirm he really wasn’t George Clooney.
‘Why do you need to make so many sketches?’ Ruby queried after a few minutes of silence. Mac’s process was confounding her vague assumption that he would draw an outline on the untouched canvas and then colour it in.
Mac pursed his lips as his hand moved swiftly over the page. ‘I want to test different angles of your face. It’ll help me figure out the best approach and a pose that captures you the way I see you.’
‘And how do you see me?’ The words spilled out before she could check them, and she felt a flush of heat rise into her face.
Mac paused and looked at her for a long moment. This time the scrutiny felt different from the earlier, impersonal glances, and instead of dropping her eyes, she returned his gaze boldly, feeling her heart suddenly beat faster.
‘I’m not sure yet,’ he said slowly. ‘On the outside you’re this stunning, statuesque woman with an amazing physique and incredible facial bones. You look like a strong woman who doesn’t take any crap, but... I also get the sense that behind this magnificent brick wall is another Ruby you’re hiding who isn’t quite so tough.’
