Faith nodded.
“It doesn’t sound the least bit like your father. Firstly he wouldn’t consider licences and insurance until after he’d bought the business and I don’t think he even knows what market research means. Horse riding is your passion, you know far more about it than Rob ever knew about whale sharks or running a boat.”
“It seems just like Dad to throw away one good job because something else caught my interest.”
“No.” Her stern tone made Faith sit a little straighter. “Your father changed jobs because he was bored, yes, but it was because he’d worked through all the challenges. We never, ever sold a business for a loss. He always increased the profit.”
Faith sat back. “Really?”
“Absolutely, and I’m sorry you didn’t realise that. Your father has restless feet because he’s smart. You get your intelligence from him. And if you’re not following your heart because you are worried about being like him, then you should be ashamed.”
She gaped at her mother.
“I brought you up better than that,” Milly continued. “I thought you loved and respected him.”
“I do love him.”
Milly waited for her to continue. Perhaps she hadn’t respected him. She’d considered him flighty and with no drive. She sighed. “I’m sorry. He never stuck with anything for long.”
“That’s because he’d achieved everything he wanted to achieve.”
Hell. It appeared as if she was wrong about both of her parents. She closed her eyes. If she’d asked questions about their constant moving, and about the businesses, perhaps she would have realised it earlier. Foolish that she assumed she knew everything. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Rob asked as he returned with his laptop.
“For making assumptions.” Telling her father would only upset him. “I was just telling Mum, I’m thinking of moving here permanently.” The words made her shiver with anticipation. She was really going to do this.
“And do what?” Rob asked.
She smiled. “Law and horses.”
***
By Wednesday Faith had crunched her numbers and booked an appointment with a real estate agent to look at the vacancy in the main shopping complex. She hadn’t mentioned moving here permanently to Darcy when she’d seen him at the pony club the night before. What they had was too new, and she didn’t want to put any pressure on him. She was staying in Retribution Bay for herself first and foremost.
Cindy waited for her outside the office. “Lovely to meet you, Faith.” Her handshake was firm, though her skin was soft.
“Likewise.”
Outside, the space was nothing to rave over. Simple large glass windows in the brick frontage. Cindy struggled with the lock. “I’ll make sure it’s fixed if you decide to lease the premise,” she said.
Inside the walls were an ugly grey and covered in picture hooks. The carpet might have been beige sometime in the eighties but was now a dusty red-grey colour and there was a single door leading to another space.
“The air conditioning is reverse cycle,” Cindy said, going over to the panel on the back wall. “Not that you’ll need heat much up here.” She switched it on, and it groaned to life before settling into a relatively quiet hum. “Through here is a small kitchenette with running water, but you’ll need to provide your own equipment. You’ll share the bathroom around the back with the other tenants in the building, but it’s kept locked, so the public doesn’t get in.”
Faith slowly turned, examining the space. It wasn’t likely she’d have any drop-in clients, but people valued their privacy. They may be put off if shoppers walking past could see them inside. Then everyone would wonder why they needed a lawyer. “Can I erect a wall here?” She indicated where she wanted it.
“I have no issues, as long as it’s removable when you leave.”
“Is there anyone in town who could do it?”
“I can give you the name of a builder,” Cindy said. “Otherwise you’ll need to look at Carnarvon or Karratha.”
Would she need a receptionist? Maybe not at first while things got started, but she’d leave space for a desk. “Who pays for new flooring?”
They negotiated the details until both were satisfied. Faith’s skin tingled as she shook Cindy’s hand. “I’ll take it.”
She left Cindy to sort the contract and ducked into the bakery where she’d promised to meet her mother for lunch. Milly sat at a table with a cup of coffee in front of her.
