Amy and Faith lived in the house, his parents weren’t there to greet him, and he literally didn’t have a bed to lie in anymore. Ed rubbed his chest. He didn’t begrudge Amy and Faith’s presence. He liked them both and loved how happy his brothers were. It would simply take some time to adjust.
People laughed at something Sam said, and Brandon shoved him playfully. Ed blinked, bringing his attention back to the speech, but it was too late. Sam stepped off the verandah and Georgie took his place as maid of honour. He studied his sister, her blue hair freshly dyed, and a cheeky grin on her face. No one would know she was struggling with the loss of their parents, but he knew the signs—her ragged nails from biting them, and he’d caught her twisting her hair into knots. He’d have to spend some time with her before he flew home.
With the speeches done, the cakes came out, little cupcakes with bright yellow icing. Amy and Brandon cut one in half and fed each other, and they passed the rest around to the guests. Tess hadn’t returned. If her mother freaked as much as Tess expected, it would take some time to explain the situation, but maybe he could check how she was, and try to overhear some of the conversation. As he moved towards the house, Dot intercepted him.
“Lee is related to Tess’s brother-in-law,” Ed told her.
She nodded, as if satisfied. “And her parents?”
“She’s still talking to them.”
“Let me know how she goes.”
Before she could walk away, Ed touched her hand. “Thanks, Dot. I appreciate everything you’ve done for my family.”
She smiled and patted his arm. “Just doing my job.” She strode away.
Someone turned on music, and the country tunes got people dancing. Amy and Brandon danced arm in arm, though the beat was fast.
Now was his chance to check on Tess. Ed headed inside. He found her sitting on the couch, staring at his phone. “Everything OK?”
She looked up. “Ah, yeah. All good.” She glanced away.
Why wouldn’t she look at him? He sat next to her, drawn by the uncertainty on her face. “What’s wrong?”
Tess hesitated. She glanced at the door and then back at him. “Nothing. We should get back to the wedding.” Tess handed his phone back to him. “I’ve logged out in case it can be traced.”
Unease filled him. He deleted the app and then tucked the phone into his pocket.
They could hear the music from here, but Ed didn’t have a great desire to return. Not now that suspicion had entered his mind. If Tess was working for Tan, the less she saw, the better. “There’s no rush.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you missing your brother’s wedding.”
“Brandon and I aren’t close.”
Tess hugged him. “Thank you, Ed. I feel safer with you here.”
Surprised, he hugged her back. Warm and soft, she fit so perfectly against him, and he closed his eyes trying to keep hold of his neutrality. Could this all be an act to make him trust her? Tan might have identified him as the weakest link of the Stokes family.
He stepped away, the thought leaving him cold.
Outside, the music level rose to blaring and then cut off.
Tess jolted, and they both turned towards the silence.
Someone tapped on a glass. “It’s time for us to go,” Brandon called. “Check-in’s at two.”
A couple of whistled cat calls and Amy laughed.
“Amy and I want to thank you all for coming,” Brandon continued. “We’ll see you in a couple of days.”
Ed turned his attention back to Tess, trying to see her as a potential spy rather than a beautiful, uncertain woman. She bit her lip, her cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry you missed the rest of the wedding.”
Damn, it was difficult. She was sweet. “Let’s go into the kitchen and put on the kettle. Everyone will want a cup of tea and a chat when they come inside.” She slipped her hand into his, and it felt right holding her hand and walking with her through the house.
He needed to be certain she wasn’t working for Tan, but he had no idea how to prove it. He should have checked who she had called before he’d deleted the app from his phone.
Tess sat at the table while Ed filled the kettle and took a jar of biscuits out of the cupboard. He doubted people would be hungry after all the food at the wedding, but it was a habit.
