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Ruby pushed the confusing thought away as Cal walked back into the room accompanied by another man who approached her and offered his hand.
‘Rye King, Maddy’s husband. Welcome to Trewan Manor.’
With sunstreaked blond hair, a lean, athletic build effectively displayed beneath board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and the sort of striking male beauty that could grace the cover of a glossy magazine, the man’s uneven gait only added to his rugged, masculine appeal.
‘Hi,’ Ruby said, shaking his hand. Then recognition hit.
She actually had seen him on the cover of a glossy magazine. A glossy business magazine to be precise. She’d read an article on the phenomenal growth of his sporting goods empire a few months ago. After re-reading it twice, she’d gained some useful tips about how to grow a fledgling idea from the ground up.
‘King Xtreme,’ she whispered in awe, naming the company he had founded after giving up a successful career as a champion surfer.
He ran his hand through his shaggy hair in a charmingly bashful gesture. ‘Guilty as charged.’
‘I was in one of your shops last week debating whether to buy a mountain bike.’
‘So did we convince you?’
‘I’m afraid there aren’t enough mountains in Camden to justify letting me loose on an unsuspecting public.’ She grinned at him. ‘But I was very tempted.’
‘I’ll have to arrange a discount so we can tempt you more,’ he said, slinging his arm around his wife’s waist and nudging her hip against his.
The casually possessive gesture brought with it a poignant memory. How often had she seen her father hold her mother that way?
‘Is Mia still asleep?’ Maddy asked her husband.
‘Are you joking? She’s practically in a coma,’ he said, leaning down to kiss his wife’s hair. ‘I’m betting we’re going to get our first lie-in in three years tomorrow.’
‘On her birthday?’ Maddy laughed. ‘How much do you want to bet?’
Ruby observed the conversation. Rye and Maddy’s shared intimacy was a tangible demonstration of how much they loved and respected and desired each other.
The pang under her breastbone sharpened. And she studiously ignored it.
‘Ruby happens to be lethal enough on four wheels,’ Cal mentioned wryly as the four of them seated themselves round the table. ‘So I wouldn’t recommend trying to sell her a bike, Rye.’
‘Hey, that accident was your fault, pal,’ she said, glad to see that Cal seemed to have loosened up a little. ‘My vehicle was stationary.’
‘You two had an accident?’ Maddy asked, passing the salads round.
‘Not an accident. More like a fender-bender,’ Ruby said. ‘It’s how we met yesterday,’ she added slicing into the fragrant pastry. Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth when she saw Maddy’s eyes widen to saucer size.
‘You only met yesterday?’
Ruby felt the blush stain her neck. Oops. Looked as if she’d blown her stunt girlfriend cover. She lowered her fork. ‘Actually, yes.’
She heard a low groan from Cal but refused to look at him. She’d never agreed to lie. And having met Maddy, she was glad the other woman knew the truth. Cal’s sister was warm, generous and remarkably friendly and she wouldn’t feel right pretending to mean more to Cal than she did.
‘But that’s terrific!’ Maddy laughed. ‘You only met my brother yesterday and yet he brought you down with him.’ She handed Ruby the salad bowl. ‘You two must have really hit it off.’
Cal coughed strategically. ‘Maddy, do me a favour and don’t start picking out the wedding china just yet.’
‘But, Cal, you’ve got to admit this is significant.’ She patted Cal’s cheek, obviously enjoying teasing him. ‘Ruby’s the first woman you’ve agreed to spend six hours in a car with. Which means you must have actually talked to her.’
Ruby relaxed, intrigued by the mention of Cal’s love life and amused by his sister’s assessment.
Maddy sent Ruby a conspiratorial wink. ‘I think it’s great. Do you know you’re the first girlfriend he’s ever brought to meet us?’
Cal scowled over his dinner and Ruby felt the swell of pleasure. He’d been her first one-night stand, it was good to know she’d have some significance for him too when they parted. She smiled at Maddy. ‘So how many girlfriends has Cal had?’
