He helped Lara with her homework while Amy finished making dinner.
A car arrived as Lara returned her school things to her room. Darcy strode outside and was at Faith’s door before she’d switched off the engine. Opening it, he pulled her into his arms and breathed in her scent. “You’re all right?”
“Yeah. A scrape on my palm is all.”
He turned her hand over and pressed a kiss against the red scratches. “How are your parents?”
“Dad didn’t want me to stay, but Mum and Dot convinced him. I told Dot about the email we’ve drafted to Stonefish and though she doesn’t like it, she wants to be included.”
He nodded. “Sure.” He retrieved her overnight bag from the back seat and then slipped his hand into hers. “I told Lara you’re here to help Amy with trail ride ideas.”
“That works.”
Inside the kitchen, Amy was dishing up dinner. Lara came back in and grinned. “Hey, Faith! Dad said you’re staying a few days. We can plan our expedition.”
“Sounds like fun,” Faith agreed.
“What’s this?” Darcy asked.
“We’re going treasure hunting,” Lara said, a huge grin on her face.
It would keep her distracted and if a few of them went, they should be safe, especially if Brandon sent the email this evening telling Stonefish he was considering selling. That might be enough to keep them from trying anything else until after the meeting.
Matt kicked off his boots outside and came in, his face a thundercloud.
Now what?
“What’s up?”
Matt shook his head. “Nothing. Just my folks.”
Odd. Matt normally had a solid relationship with his parents. “They OK? No one’s sick?”
“Nah, nothing like that. It’s fine. Just community stuff.”
“The bush tomatoes should be ripe soon,” Lara piped up.
“Sure will,” Matt replied. “We’ll go looking for some on the weekend if it doesn’t rain.”
“Yes!”
“What are bush tomatoes?” Faith asked as she sat at the table.
“I was wondering the same thing,” Amy said.
“A native plant which grows out here,” Matt told them. “Used to live on them as kids.”
“Could I go with you?” Faith asked.
“Sure,” Lara said, sitting next to Faith and hugging her.
Darcy smiled. He would be screwed if Faith and Lara didn’t like each other. They kept the chat light until it was time for Lara to go to bed. “Which book are we starting today, pumpkin?” he asked as he tucked her in.
She pressed her lips together. “Do you think Faith would like to listen too?” she asked. “If she’s staying a few days, she might like a story.”
“How about I ask?” At her nod, he returned to the kitchen and said to Faith, “Lara asked whether you’d like to join us at story time tonight. We’re starting a new book.”
Faith smiled. “I’d love to.”
