Faith blocked the image and glanced at the sky. Still blue skies despite the forecast for rain over the weekend. She couldn’t imagine it eventuating. “We’ll have to check with Darcy, but I can’t see any issues.”
Lara stood on tiptoes to see Jay around her horse. “Do you want to come, Jay?”
“I’d love to, Lara. Maybe you can point out some of the edible plants you were telling me about.” He retrieved a gadget out of his pocket similar to a swiss army knife and flicked on the light to have a closer look at something on Wesley’s coat. “There’s a cut here.”
Faith came closer. Nothing too bad, just a scratch, but she’d put some antiseptic on it.
“That’s neat,” Lara said, pointing to the gadget.
“It’s been a lifesaver on more than one occasion.” Jay showed her the knife and other tools it contained. “I don’t go anywhere without it. You never know when you might need a light, or a knife, or a flint.”
It would be handy on a farm. Perhaps Faith should get one for herself if she started trail rides. She finished brushing Fezzik and turned him loose in the yard. After her riding lesson tomorrow, she might bring Spirit out. Georgie and Dot were taking turns feeding her at the pony club, but she’d have more opportunity to ride here.
She said goodnight to Jay and then walked back to the house with Lara. “Have a shower and then you’d better do your homework,” she said.
“Yes, Mum.” Lara slapped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide, cheeks red. “I mean, Faith. Sorry.” She hurried from the room.
Faith had no words. The warmth spreading through her was as unexpected as it was pleasant. It didn’t matter that it was a slip of the tongue, or that Lara had her own mother, suddenly Faith could see herself as a mum and she’d never really considered that.
“You all right?” Amy asked. She opened the slow cooker and stirred the soup.
Faith nodded. “That got me right in the gut.”
“Lara is the loveliest kid,” Amy agreed. “How are things going with you and Darcy?”
“It’s easy,” she said. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but it’s like he’s always been part of my life.”
“I’d say it was good. Have you told him you’re staying in Retribution Bay?”
“Not yet. I’m nervous. I don’t want him to freak out. I’m staying for myself first.”
“I get it, but I don’t think it will bother him at all.”
Faith sighed. Amy was right. Faith was more nervous that he wouldn’t care either way. She’d talk to him tonight.
“It would be nice having another woman around here again,” Amy said and winked.
Was that an option? They hadn’t discussed how long she would stay at the farm. At least until her parents got back from Perth, but afterwards? It might not be wise to be so far out of town for her law firm, though she could always work school hours and take Lara to and from school.
She was getting too far ahead of herself.
The kitchen door opened, and she spun around, hope in her heart. As Darcy walked in and hung his hat on the hook, a grin spread over her face. She hurried over and kissed him. “How was your day?”
“Better now you’re here.” His expression was weary.
“What happened?”
“A bore stopped working. It took us most of the day to fix it. Looks like more sabotage.”
She swore. “I thought Brandon’s email would have put a stop to that.”
He shrugged. “Might have happened before it was sent. We haven’t been out there in a few days.”
Brandon and Matt followed him in.
“Dinner’s about ready,” Amy said, kissing Brandon.
Faith moved back to let them go wash up and heard Lara greet her father enthusiastically. She set the table, and when Darcy returned, he arranged drinks for everyone. It wasn’t long before they were eating, and Lara was regaling everyone about the trials and tribulations of Year Five.
