“I thought we were a team.” She turned on the tap to fill the cooler.
This was going to be harder than he realised. “We are a team, but I like Faith a different way from the way you like Faith.”
“Do you want to get into her pants?”
He cursed Natasha to the ends of the earth and back. Reaching over Lara, he turned off the tap and pulled her around to sit at the table next to him. “Remember when you told me Jordan made you feel all warm and funny in your tummy?”
Her cheeks reddened and she nodded.
“That’s how Faith makes me feel. I like her and she likes me. It’s completely different from the way I love you to the moon and back. That won’t ever change no matter what happens between Faith and me.”
“Will Faith stop teaching me riding if she stops liking you?”
“I don’t think so, pumpkin. Faith’s not that kind of person. She liked you before she even met me.”
Lara pursed her lips and then nodded. “OK.”
Darcy breathed out a sigh of relief. “Are we good now?”
“Yeah. I’d better get this water out to everyone.” She hefted the cooler out of the sink.
“I’ve got this, pumpkin.” He took the cooler from her and together they walked back out to the haystack.
Chapter 12
Faith’s back and arm muscles ached by the time the salvaged bales had been transferred to a new pile and the wet bales had been turned. With so many people helping it took only a couple of hours and Darcy told his camp guests he’d give them the night free of charge as thanks.
“Here you go.” Lara held out a cup of water to Faith.
“Thanks, Lara.” The cold water relieved her parched throat. What had Darcy said to Lara about them? All he’d said when he’d come back from talking to her was that they were all good. Not helpful.
A police car rumbled into the yard and they both turned to watch Dot and Nhiari get out of the car.
“What’re they doing here?” Lara asked.
Faith had the same question. “I don’t know.”
Amy wandered over. “Why don’t we go inside?” she suggested. “I don’t know about you two, but I need a shower and something more substantial to eat.”
“Sounds good,” Faith said, still watching Darcy and Brandon greet the police, her gut churning. The fire must have been deliberately lit. It was the only reason they would have called the police. Someone really had it in for the Stokes. Could Stonefish be responsible? If so, they were odd tactics for a large company to resort to.
“Dad?” Lara called.
Darcy waved at her. “It’s all good, pumpkin. We’ll be inside shortly.”
Lara harrumphed but followed Amy and Faith back inside. Amy popped the kettle on. “Do you want the first shower, Lara?”
“I’ll wait,” she said. “I need to talk to Dad when he comes inside.”
Faith smiled. She liked the girl’s determination.
“All right,” Amy said. “I won’t be long.” To Faith she said, “Help yourself to anything.”
Lara got out a tin of chocolate chip biscuits and offered it to Faith.
“Thanks.” She grabbed a biscuit and sat at the table, too tired to stand. This was her first real taste of farm life. Having to get things done whether or not you had the energy for it. “Did you have a nice morning with your mum?”
Lara nodded. “The boys rode Starlight, and then we went to the beach. Mum doesn’t like the farm, but I’m going to teach her to crochet.”
