He grinned and reached into the fridge to get a jug of cold water, placed it on the table and then set out the cutlery. Brandon entered and helped without being asked.
Beth had raised her children right.
“Is Matt staying for dinner?” Amy asked as she turned off the slow cooker. He usually did unless he had plans in town.
“He went out to his room,” Georgie said. “I’ll go tell him it’s ready.”
Amy ladled the soup into the bowls. When she finished, Ed still hadn’t arrived. “Lara can you tell Ed dinner’s ready? He’s in Grandfather’s study.”
She nodded and trotted out of the room.
Amy set the soup in front of Darcy and Brandon and then at the empty places around the table.
“It’s pea and ham soup.” The shock in Brandon’s voice surprised her.
“Yes. Your mother’s recipe. Is that OK?”
He was still a moment before he nodded. “We spoke about it today. Did you hear us?” The accusation in his tone made her step back, her heart racing.
“No,” she answered carefully. Any wrong word might cause him to lash out. She forced a smile. “Beth always said it was her comfort food and I figured you’d all need some today.” She waited for his slight nod of acceptance and then turned to get the loaf of bread that had cooled, willing herself to be calm. He wasn’t her father. Punishment wouldn’t follow angry words. Brandon was simply finding his way through his grief. She closed her eyes. They all were.
Lara returned with Ed and Georgie entered with Matt. Amy finished serving, placing butter on the table for the bread and pouring herself a glass of water before she sat next to Brandon.
Beth would want her to be patient with him, to get through to him. She had mentioned how serious he always was, how he felt the weight of responsibility for everyone. Perhaps he felt responsible for finding who killed his parents. Still, she wasn’t sure what to say to him.
Lara spoke. “This soup is just like Granny’s. It’s like she’s still here.”
Amy’s cheeks flushed and she ducked her head. “I’m glad you like it.” Beth had taught her how to cook after she’d discovered Amy lived on salads and sandwiches. With only herself to feed, it was cheaper and easier. But she’d been surprised to find she enjoyed cooking for more people, loved the satisfaction which came from feeding people who had been working hard all day. There was something a little primal about it.
“It is good,” Brandon agreed. The compliment surprised her, but he smiled and gave a small nod as if apologising for his earlier snark. The smile hit her right in the gut and she blinked, not liking the warmth it brought with it. He was still someone who had hurt Beth deeply.
“Georgie, tell me about the boat you’re working on,” Brandon said.
Ed groaned. “You’ll never shut her up now.”
Matt flashed him a grin and Darcy smiled but both were too smart to comment. Amy leaned forward. Georgie’s work was fascinating.
Georgie ignored them all. “I’m on a tour boat which runs whale shark, manta ray and humpback whale tours,” she said. “Part of my job is taking the required statistics of the animals we swim with. I’m hoping a job will come up with Parks and Wildlife or the Aussie Institute of Marine Science though.”
“It’s a foot in the door,” Brandon said.
“Yeah. We’re learning more about the whale sharks in particular every year.” Georgie continued to tell her brother about the majestic animals found off the coast for several months each year.
Amy had heard the spiel on her first tour. She’d saved for months to afford it and it had definitely been worth it. They’d found a whale shark almost as soon as they’d cleared the reef. Amy had been nervous getting into the ocean so far from land, but Georgie had encouraged her and they’d swum side by side to the location where the shark would swim past. Amy had stared into the blue and slowly the huge animal had appeared, gliding slowly through the water towards her. She’d gripped Georgie’s arm as awe filled her. So majestic, so amazing.
Afterwards, Amy had sat with Georgie as they motored to a snorkelling spot, peppering her with questions. She’d hoped to get a job on one of the boats, but she’d been too late. Georgie had been filled with knowledge about the creatures, and had invited her for a drink at the local brewery where she’d met other locals, including Faith who was Lara’s pony club instructor. She’d been so welcomed that when Georgie had mentioned the job at the Ridge, she’d jumped at it.
After dinner while Ed and Brandon did the dishes, Amy helped Lara put her monster chocolate cake together. Then they all sat down with a hot drink and had a slice.
“Pumpkin, this is amazing,” Darcy said after he tasted a bite.
“Would Granny have liked it?” she asked.
He sobered. “She would have loved it. I would have fought Grandfather for the last piece.”
Lara beamed at him.
Amy’s greatest wish was to have a dad like Darcy. He cared about Lara and was genuinely interested in what she did. Amy couldn’t remember a time when her father had complimented her on something she did, or asked her how school was. If he called while he was deployed, he only had time to speak with his wife, and when he was home there’d been no hugs, no reading bedtime stories and no encouragement to do anything creative. No, if there wasn’t a purpose to it, a goal to further your standing in life, then it wasn’t worth doing according to Major Hammond. She ignored the sting, which was more like a mozzie bite than a major hurt these days. Her life might not be the regimented routine her father had expected of her, but she enjoyed it.
