He cleared his throat. “Yeah, ah, Mum used to pack us a lunch like that.”
Sadness battled her reserves. “She taught me what to do for her men.”
He didn’t answer, simply turned away, but she noticed the slight tremble in his hand when he picked up his mug. She wanted to stay angry at him for rarely answering Beth’s emails or phone calls, but looking at him now, she couldn’t. Whatever had kept him away was eating at him. He didn’t deserve her judgement.
“If you want the rest of your campers to leave, we’ve got room at our place,” Danielle said.
“They’re actually no trouble,” Amy told her. “They’ve both been here a while and know where they’re allowed to go.” She’d pop out a bit later to clean the bathroom. “Do you have many at your place?”
“Not at the moment.”
Amy had heard from other campers that Danielle’s place wasn’t very welcoming, and she’d checked the reviews, wanting to figure out what Retribution Ridge could do better. She’d proposed they have regular communal dinners to Beth last week, and she’d said she would run it past Bill. Not going to happen now. Later, if Darcy kept the campgrounds open, Amy would suggest it again. She had a long list of ideas she’d been working on, but she hadn’t wanted to overstep her role.
Bennet barked as another car pulled in and Danielle stood to say her goodbyes. Amy walked her out. “Do make sure you call if you need help,” Danielle reiterated as she climbed into her four-wheel drive. “Beth and Bill wouldn’t want you struggling.”
Amy nodded, unable to speak. She waved and then braced herself to greet the women from Beth’s bridge club. They all had red eyes and signs of tears on their cheeks. Amy smiled a little harder, because if she let it slip that would be the end of her. “Thank you for coming.”
The three women hugged her.
She held the kitchen door open for them. “Tea, anyone?” Her stomach protested at the thought of more tea. By the end of the week she might never drink the stuff again.
But if that’s what she had to do to help the Stokes, then she’d do it. Anything to make it easier for them.
She remembered with sharp clarity how she’d prayed for someone to help her when her mother had died.
But the help had never come.
***
Forget about water torture, tea torture was far worse. If Brandon drank another cup he would be sick. Amy had kept the teapot full and the cakes coming as friend after friend arrived to offer their condolences and see if they needed any help. Both Ed and Amy were amazing, chatting to the guests and answering questions. Amy was particularly adept at distracting people from their inevitable questions about where he’d been. It was almost as if she anticipated the question before it could be asked and changed the subject. It was fascinating to watch, and he was immensely grateful. He’d have to thank her later.
Darcy passed through the kitchen. “Pumpkin, I’ve got to go out for a couple of hours. Are you going to be all right here with Amy and Ed?”
Lara grabbed her father’s hand. “You’re not going into town.”
Conversation died as Darcy crouched beside his daughter. “Yeah, I am. I’ll be careful though.”
Tears glistened in her eyes and the fear shining in them ripped through Brandon’s defences. “I’ll go with him,” he volunteered. “Keep an eye on him. Two sets of eyes are better than one.”
Lara studied him and some of the fear faded. “OK.”
Darcy shot him a look which was part annoyance, part thanks and then hugged his daughter. “I’ll be home before dark.”
“Could you get a few groceries?” Amy asked.
Darcy nodded and she scribbled a list and handed it to him.
Brandon followed him out. “Where are we going?”
“Into town.”
Well duh. He didn’t bother questioning further. Hopefully he’d be able to convince Darcy to stop at the crash site so he could get a better look at it in the light. “Let me grab my wallet.” He jogged over to his room, uncertain if Darcy would leave without him. His bed had been made, and would pass any military inspection. Amy must have come in here while he was at the sand dunes.
He shoved his wallet and phone in his pocket, and when he returned, Darcy had the ute’s engine running. Apparently his promise to his daughter was more important than his dislike for his brother.
Brandon got in. Hoping to stop some of the awkwardness he asked, “What have you been up to this morning?”
“Going through Mum and Dad’s papers. They’ve got wills somewhere in the mess.”
