Page 31 of Ruby’s Outback Love

“No, they’re done,” I assured him. They’ve been embarrassed enough. They won’t risk having me break them apart again, not in front of their families.”

Drew nodded. “Okay, let’s get the afternoon started.

I shot a warning glance in the direction of the two warring men, their return glare gave me assurance that I’d spoken the truth. They wouldn’t risk being embarrassed again.

***

PHIL

I knocked lightly on the door and seconds later it swung open. Ruby’s aunt – Mavis Waters stood gazing up at me. Leaning down, I kissed her cheek. She stepped back and invited me inside before ushering me through to the dining room. The table was set with fixings for coffee and tea. A plate of freshly made Anzac biscuits had me salivating. I knew they were freshly baked from the aroma which wafted through from the kitchen.

Tommy Waters – Ruby’s uncle was seated at the table but when I entered, he stood and shook my hand. I was then instructed to take a seat.

“Tea, coffee?” Mrs Waters asked.

“Coffee please – black.”

Once coffee was poured for me, tea for the couple, I helped myself to a biscuit. When I took a large bite and the goodness melted in my mouth, I groaned.

“I swear you make the best Anzac biscuits I’ve ever tasted, Mrs Waters.”

“You used to always say that before you left here all those years ago. We’ve missed you,” Mrs Waters admitted.

A heavy silence filled the room as the past stepped in to join us.

I placed the biscuit beside my mug of coffee. “I’m sorry about what I did, for how I hurt Ruby.”

Mrs Waters nodded; sadness shadowed her eyes. “She loved you deeply, Phil. She still does even though she would never admit it. I’m worried about her. She’s not coping since you’ve come back.”

“I know, I still love Ruby dearly. I’ve never stopped loving her.”

Mr Waters, who’d been sitting sipping tea quietly, his eyes studying me, asked the questions I’d expected. “Why did you hurt our girl, Phil, and why are you here now?”

“I need your help,” I admitted.

During the following half an hour, my voice thick with regret, I explained about Francine and I and what had happened so many years before. Both Mr and Mrs Waters asked questions which I answered honestly.

Mrs Waters placed a hand on my arm when I stopped speaking. “You could have avoided so much hurt and anger by being honest with Ruby and explaining it all to her. She would still have been hurt and angry, but it would have left the door open. Ruby is one of the most forgiving people I know and she would have taken you back after you and Francine parted. By not explaining, she became convinced you’d used her, and thrown her away when you were done. You almost destroyed her, Phil.”

Tears burned my eyes and I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat. I knew what Mrs Waters said about me almost destroying Ruby was true. It was the reason I hadn’t attempted to contact her when Francine and I decided against marriage. I couldn’t face the woman I truly loved, knowing how badly I’d treated her.

I didn’t deserve a second chance with a special woman like Ruby, but after speaking with her at the river and seeing the love for me which still existed in her eyes, I wanted one.

“How do you expect us to help you?” Mr Waters asked.

I told them about my conversation with Ruby at the river two days ago.

“I saw the hurt, the despair but I also saw the love. Despite everything, I saw how much Ruby still loves me. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be hurting as badly as she is.”

Mr Waters rubbed his hand over his mouth and jaw. “I still don’t see how we can help.”

“I need a chance to explain everything to her. It might not make any difference, but at least she’ll understand. I hoped, if you asked her here and I came over, you could maybe convince her to at least stay and listen to me.”

The couple glanced at each other. Relief flooded me when Mrs Waters nodded.

“We’ll help because Ruby needs to know the truth so she can move on with her life, BUT, if she still turns you away, you have to give me your word you’ll leave her alone.”

“Mr Waters, I give you my solemn word. I just need a chance to be the man I should have been from the beginning and tell her everything.”