Faith grinned. Everyone was so supportive of her and each other. Matt might work for the Stokes, but he was family too. She was struck by how comfortable and casual it was. Amy might do most of the cooking, but the others helped either by setting the table, getting drinks or cleaning up afterwards. She felt as if she was one of them, part of the family almost. Would this be what it would be like if she moved here? Would she tire of sharing a house and want her own space?
“Dad, can I go treasure hunting with Jay and Faith tomorrow?”
“Depends on the weather, pumpkin. It’s still supposed to rain.” He glanced out the window. “But if it’s fine, you can.”
She cheered.
After dinner, Lara got ready for bed and came back to the kitchen to say goodnight. “Faith, will you read with us again?”
Faith smiled. “Absolutely.” It was such a simple thing, but the inclusion warmed her.
The moment she and Darcy returned to the kitchen, she knew something was wrong. Brandon, Amy and Matt all looked tense and unhappy. “What’s happened?” Darcy demanded.
“They’ve responded.” Brandon gestured to the open laptop. “They want to meet tomorrow morning in town to discuss terms.”
Nerves clashed with relief. Maybe now they could put this behind them. “What did they say?” She leaned over him to read the email. Very basic, spoke about the terms they wanted, but nothing that caused alarm. “Have you called Dot?” The café in town was central and there were plenty of places where the police could monitor comings and goings.
“Not yet,” Amy said.
“Let’s start with that.” Darcy put his phone on speaker as he called the sergeant and they discussed options.
“I can’t arrest them unless we get proof they’re behind the incidents,” Dot said. “Wanting to buy a property isn’t a crime.”
“I’ve got a recording device I can wear,” Brandon said.
Both Faith and Darcy looked at him. “From where?” Darcy asked.
“Friend sent it up.”
Dot sighed. “It won’t be admissible in court but might give us a lead to follow.”
“I’m going with you,” Darcy said.
Brandon shook his head. “There’s no need. If they see you hanging around, they’ll know it’s a set up.”
“I want to put a face to the son of a bitch who is threatening us.”
“I’ve got the keys to the office space I’m leasing,” Faith said. “It’s opposite the café. You could park around the back and watch from there.”
“You’ve leased an office?” Darcy said.
She winced. Way to break the news. “Yeah. I’ll tell you about it afterwards.”
“That would be perfect,” Dot said. “Brandon, you could bring the keys in and drop them somewhere for me to pick up.”
“I’ll bring them,” Darcy insisted.
Faith wouldn’t try to change his mind. The Ridge was his lifeblood, and he needed to feel as if he was doing something.
Dot sighed. “Fine, but I want you in place an hour before the meeting.”
“Will do.”
They finished making plans and then hung up. “Do you think we’ll get anything useful out of them?” Matt asked.
Brandon ran a hand over his hair. “I hope so. We can’t keep going on like this.”
Amy got up to put the kettle on and Darcy turned to Faith, his expression serious. “Can I have a word with you?” He nodded towards the door.
