“No.” But both sounded exciting though a little scary.
“We could teach you while you’re here,” Ed said, coming into the room, his light hair still damp. He motioned Georgie to make room and sat across from Tess. “Faith’s a horse-riding instructor.”
“She’s great,” Lara assured Tess. “You’ll be riding in no time.”
Warmth filled Tess at the conviction and encouragement. Her mother would be horrified at the idea of Tess riding a horse.
Ed grabbed two slices of bread and made himself a sandwich. “Where are we at with wedding prep?”
The conversation moved to the wedding, and Tess ate her food, taking it all in. Amy was remarkably calm as she went through her lists of what was left to do. Brandon lost his military stiffness as she spoke, his gaze softening and a smile playing at his mouth as he watched her. Darcy reached for Faith’s hand and squeezed it when Lara remarked they would have to do something similar for her father’s wedding. Georgie kept glancing at Matt, who seemed unaware of her attentions. Next to him was Dot—who stared at Tess, interest and speculation on her face. Tess forced a smile. They had a lot to discuss. Had Tan’s restaurant been searched?
After lunch, the men were tasked with setting up seating and shade for the ceremony, while Amy, Lara and Faith were putting together the flower arrangements. “Do you want to help, Tess?” Lara asked.
Tess glanced at Ed.
“I was going to get her to help me,” he said.
“All right.” Lara followed the others out of the kitchen, which left only Georgie and Dot with them.
“There’s an empty room in the shearers’ quarters where you can chat to Dot,” Georgie said.
Ed nodded and held his hand out to Tess. “Come on.”
She slipped her hand into his, grateful for his support. They walked across hard-packed red dirt, the sun beating down and a brief gust of wind blowing dust into her nose. She sneezed.
“Bless you,” Dot said.
She smiled, but before she could go any further, a movement caught her eye. A small kangaroo hopped towards them. She gasped.
“That’s Maggie,” Ed said. “Dad rescued her when her mum was killed by a car.”
The kangaroo stopped next to them and watched them steadily. After a night full of fear of kangaroos, it was so different seeing Maggie up close. She was much smaller than the kangaroos that had bounded across the road last night.
“Come on,” Dot said and led them up the steps and into one of the rooms. Inside were a couple of chairs, a desk, and an unmade single bed. Ed pulled out a chair for her.
“Did the police find his car?” Ed asked.
Dot nodded. “But no guy.” She held the door open. “Ed, you have to leave while I get Tess’s statement.”
Tess’s heart leapt. Why? She felt safer with Ed around.
“You going to be all right?” Ed asked, his brown eyes gazing with concern into hers.
He trusted Dot and Tess trusted him. She could be brave. “Yes, but you should interview Ed first. He’s barely slept in two days.”
Dot’s gaze softened. “I can wait for Ed’s statement. Go, sleep for a couple of hours,” she ordered him. “No wedding stuff.”
Ed chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.” He gave a half salute and strolled back to the house.
Tess clasped her hands and waited for the sergeant to ask her first question.
It would be a while before she got any sleep.
Chapter 8
Tess spent over an hour giving her statement to Dot. She’d half expected the woman to go through the motions, not caring about what Tess said, but the sergeant was meticulous, making her explain every step of that night, and then every moment since then. When she was satisfied, she asked questions about Tan himself.
“How did you come to work for him?” Dot asked.
