“Sure.” Her heart beat a little fast as she followed him outside. She slipped her hand in his as they strolled away from the house. “What’s up?”
“Are you staying in Retribution Bay?”
She couldn’t read his tone. Perhaps he wasn’t excited about the news. She braced herself. She’d decided to stay for herself first. “Yeah. With all that’s been going on, I haven’t got around to telling you. I’ll practise law, part time initially because I’m not certain how much work there will be. I’ll probably offer home visits to people who are isolated and look at nearby towns like Onslow and Tom Price to see if they need my services.”
“I’m glad you’re staying.” His words were heartfelt.
All her nerves disappeared. “This place has captured my heart.”
“I hope that’s not all.” Darcy turned to her. “Because you’ve captured mine.”
Her pulse skipped a beat. This all-encompassing, overwhelming love was crazy. She pulled him close, caressed his cheek. “You’re one reason I want to stay.”
His kiss took her by surprise, drawing her in, bringing her passion and joy. When they finally separated, Darcy said, “I can’t explain what it means to me that you want to stay.”
She could guess. Happiness buoyed her and words fell from her lips. “I want to help the Ridge grow and thrive for more generations to come.”
“I never thought I would find a woman who would want to stay here.” He kissed her again and then sighed. “I love you, Faith.”
Her whole being sang. She didn’t care how fast this was happening. When something was right, you knew it. “I love you, too.” She kissed him. “And I love Lara. I would protect her with my life.”
He drew her into his arms and held her for a long moment. “You know, if you want, you can stay here as long as you like. You don’t have to find a place in town.”
The idea was far too appealing, but was she rushing things? “Let me think about it. Would Amy and Brandon mind?”
He shook his head. “No, but I have been thinking of building my own place, if we can get Stonefish off our case. I started before Sofia left, but there was no point continuing.” He gestured to the frame before them. “With Brandon and Amy getting married next month, I want them to have the main house to themselves.”
“Is that what they want?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t asked, but the oldest always inherits, which means they get the house.”
Amy was pretty settled there, and Faith was almost certain she’d want to stay. If she sold her place in Perth, she could afford to build them their own house. The idea was thrilling and scary at the same time. “We’ll work something out.”
“I like the sound of that.” Darcy tucked his arm around her and they started back to the house.
It felt like a new beginning.
Chapter 15
The next morning, Faith sat in the kitchen nursing a mug of coffee as she waited for Darcy, Matt and Brandon to return from their morning chores. It was still early, but her stomach churned in a mass of nerves about the upcoming meeting with Stonefish. She checked the time. If Darcy didn’t get back soon, he wouldn’t have enough time to get into position before the meeting. She heard the ute outside as Lara wandered into the kitchen. “Morning,” she chirped, going straight to the pantry to get a box of cereal.
“Morning.” Before Faith said anything else, Darcy strode in.
He kissed Faith. “I’ve got to get going. Can I have your keys?”
“Where are you going, Dad?”
Darcy froze, then slowly turned. “Morning, pumpkin, I didn’t see you there. I have to go into town.”
Faith handed him the office key. “It sticks a little.”
He nodded.
“Can I come?” Lara asked.
“Aren’t you going treasure hunting?” He leaned over to kiss Faith.
“We can go later.”
