The Dangers of Dating Your Boss by Sue MacKay

Author:Sue MacKay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE following morning, package in hand, Jack wandered through Ruby’s front yard towards the back of the house, wondering why he was bothering. It was obvious from last night that Ruby had a life that had no place in it for him. Had she been on a hot date? He fervently hoped not.

But he’d seen that glint of excited anticipation in Ruby’s eyes yesterday when Julie had handed over the parcel and knew she’d want it. Yeah, right. Any excuse to see her. Whether he’d be welcome was a very different story.

But today he felt oddly ready to take some chances. Nothing he could explain, but it was almost as though he had unfinished business with Ruby. When she’d headed to the States he’d believed their break-up was final with no chance of a reunion later on. Any time someone had left him it had been final. Like the day his sister had died. That had been a cold day in hell even for a seven-year-old. A cold day followed by a cold week and an even chillier year. He’d missed Beth so much. Her cheeky grin, the way she’d hung around her brothers all the time.

Then there’d been his mum. Distraught beyond belief with the loss of Beth, she’d gradually fallen apart right before his eyes. The laughter and fun that had been her trademark had never returned. Then there’d been the day he’d woken to silence. Trotting through the house, he’d found every room empty. Mum had gone. Out in the garden his father sat hunched over, a forlorn figure with nothing left inside him to console his frightened son.

Some time in the following days and weeks Jack had learned to make himself indispensable to his father and to Steve. No one else would ever leave him behind again.

Until Ruby.

Her departure had been agony. Even as an adult he’d struggled to deal with it. Oh, he’d told himself he understood, but beneath his bravado he’d hurt badly. No matter how he’d cushioned the truth, Ruby had left him. And he hadn’t put up a fight, any more than he had for Beth or his mum.

But now Ruby was back. Not for him. But she was here. And it was wonderful to see her. A living, vibrant Ruby. A calmer, happier Ruby. But his fledgling hopes of maybe spending time with her dived to his toes. She had history. History she was working hard to fix. But he’d seen the doubt float through her eyes when she’d hit problems with the kitchen. If Ruby didn’t believe in herself, didn’t trust that she’d make it, how was he supposed to?

Voices penetrated his dismal thoughts. Children? Surely not. Jack rounded the corner and Zane tore at him, barking crazily. Jack took the impact in his legs and leaned down to scratch behind the dog’s ears. ‘Hey, boy, slow down.’

‘Who are you?’ a young voice demanded.

Jack lifted his head and found himself staring directly into the quizzical faces of three boys.

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