Georgie shrugged. “Of course I do. Everyone likes Matt. He’s likeable.”
“No, youlikehim.”
She scowled. “You mean like how youlikeBrandon?” She raised her eyebrows.
Amy pressed her lips together. Did she like Brandon that way? “Yeah.”
Georgie’s defiance vanished. “Ames, I’velikeliked Matt since I was about ten, but I’ve resolved myself to the fact he doesn’t see me as anything but a kid sister. It’s a hopeless cause.”
Amy hugged Georgie. “Matt might surprise you one day.”
“Doubtful.” Georgie opened her car door. “You, on the other hand, might have better luck with my brother. Maybe you can convince him to move back home. Having him back at the Ridge would be awesome.”
Amy laughed. “I don’t think I have that much influence.” Though the idea of Brandon staying shot a thrill through her.
“Give it a shot.” Georgie started the car’s engine. “Take care of everyone for me and call me if you need anything.”
“Will do.” She waved as her friend drove away and then went to clean the bathroom. When she was finished, she wandered over to Lee’s tent where he sat under the shade with his laptop on a table. “How’s things?”
He smiled. “Great. I’ve got some fantastic photos while I’ve been here.”
“I’m pleased for you. There’s a gymkhana in town tomorrow if you want to get some action shots.”
He straightened. “Sounds like fun. Where is it?”
She explained how to get there while he wrote down the details.
“Thanks, Amy. I’m sorting out my photos from the past few days, so I’ll send you any good ones I’ve got of the station, and those of the funeral.”
“That would be great.” The others would appreciate them as well. She waved and headed inside where the aircon was blasting. Someone had cleared the table and Brandon and Lara were hunched over the homework outline, debating which topic she should choose. Ed had her laptop open and looked up as she walked back in.
“I don’t know how you handle the speed of this thing. I could process the information faster.”
She smiled. “Patience is a virtue.”
She didn’t quite catch his grumbled response. Darcy, Matt and Sam were heading out the door, all looking like they were on a mission. Everyone had things to do. “I guess I’ll organise dinner,” she said. “You got any requests Lara?”
“Can we have a barbecue?”
“Sure.” Though that meant there was nothing for her to really prepare. Amy retrieved some sausages and steaks from the big freezer and set them on the sink to thaw. She’d make a couple of salads closer to dinner time.
She hovered at the sink. Brandon and Lara were deep into something to do with Australian history, and Ed muttered to himself over her laptop. She wasn’t needed. The reminder that she would have to find a new job soon was unwelcome and painful. How would she leave this place without her heart being broken?
Brandon looked up and his smile made her heart beat faster. “Why don’t you take a couple of hours for yourself?” he suggested. “You still look tired and we’ve got everything here under control.”
The idea was appealing. With Ed using her laptop, she couldn’t do any promotional work for the Ridge. “All right. Come get me if you need me.”
His eyes darkened. “I will.”
A shiver of lust ran through her. Was he thinking about their kiss too?
She licked her lips and headed back to her room.
Chapter 14
It took a few minutes for Brandon to block thoughts of Amy from his head after she left. He’d wanted to follow her to her room and resume their kiss, but he wasn’t going back on his promise to help Lara.
In the end, he had far more fun than he expected helping Lara with her history project. She was smart and creative and her opinions were well considered for one so young. Occasionally Ed added his two cents but mostly he swore over Amy’s laptop. His frustration was kind of amusing and Brandon debated for a while whether he should mention he had a much better laptop in his own room, but after another muttered curse from Ed, he took pity on his brother. “Do you want to borrow my laptop?”
