Matt and Dot were the first to wander in as the kettle boiled. Matt filled the coffee plunger and the tea pot Ed had readied and placed both on the table. So easy, so familiar.
Faith and Lara were next. “That was the best wedding, ever,” Lara declared.
Ed chuckled. “It’s the only one you’ve been to, La La.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Still counts. I’ve got so many ideas for Dad’s and Faith’s wedding.” She faced her soon-to-be stepmother. “It’s going to be epic.”
Faith grinned. “Don’t get too carried away. It’s not the wedding that matters, it’s the vows we make to each other.”
Lara nodded, her expression serious. “I’m going to help Dad with his, because he doesn’t have a clue.” She turned to Ed. “He wasn’t even going to propose properly!”
Ed had heard the story several times already. “I’m sure you’ll sort him out.”
“Another man down,” Heath announced as he strode into the kitchen.
“No rescue mission will succeed,” Dobby said.
Sam laughed. “Brandon doesn’t want to be rescued. He’s exactly where he wants to be.” He held the door open for Georgie and Darcy.
Georgie poured herself a mug of coffee. “One down, one to go,” she declared, raising her glass to Faith and Darcy.
“Have you set a date yet?” Ed asked.
Faith shook her head. “Sometime later in the year,” she said. “I want to set up my businesses and move all my stuff from Perth, sell my apartment…” She sighed. “Too much to do without worrying about organising a wedding.”
“Besides, it’s just a day,” Darcy said, slipping his arm around his fiancée. “Faith’s here with us and that’s what matters.”
Did anyone feel that way about him? Tess drew Ed’s gaze. Stupid. She was still a potential threat.
Georgie stretched, as if preparing for some exercise. “Right, I have a rare afternoon free. Who wants to go to the beach?”
Ed shook his head. “Don’t you get sick of the ocean?”
“She’s got gills,” Matt said. “I’m sure of it.”
Georgie rolled her eyes. “These guys aren’t up here for long. We need to show them how amazing Retribution Bay is.”
“You’re taking them out on the boat tomorrow, aren’t you?” he retorted.
“Actually, they’re going out with my dad.” Faith glanced at Sam.
“Yeah, I wanted to talk to him about the business,” Sam said. “I’m thinking of buying it.”
Ed’s eyes widened. “You going to move up here?”
“Maybe.”
Tess shifted beside him and he explained. “Faith’s father is selling his whale shark tour business and retiring. Georgie works on a different boat.”
“I can ask Dad if there’s room for more tomorrow,” Faith said. “If you want to come.”
“What about the other sharks?” Tess asked.
“Don’t see many of them,” Georgie said. “Plus they’re not interested in us. They get plenty of food on the reef.”
Tess glanced at Ed, and he nodded. “It’s pretty safe.”
She hunched her shoulders. “I can’t swim.”
