Did that mean she should go for the easiest shot? It was kind of awkward to get the stick sitting right, but with a bit of effort she managed it. Her strike barely budged the white ball, and it didn’t hit anything.
Heath chuckled and reset the ball. “Try again.”
Ed brought over her beer and set it on a nearby table. “I’m going to keep Sam company.” He kissed her cheek, and she watched him go, a smile on her face. She couldn’t believe she’d kissed him on the boat. She’d just been so full of joy that she’d thrown caution to the wind and channelled her inner Da Lim to take the chance. And he’d returned the kiss, rather than rejecting her. She hadn’t imagined their mutual attraction. Her smile grew wider.
“Come on, lovebird. Pay attention,” Heath said.
She screwed her nose up at him, and both men laughed. Tess focused on Heath’s instructions, and it wasn’t long before she sunk her first ball. When Dobby took his turn, she sipped her beer, the taste pleasant and cool. Over by their table, Sam studied her as Ed spoke to him.
She stiffened. There wasn’t animosity in his gaze, just alertness. As if he was watching her, waiting for her to do something. Why?
“Your turn.” Heath handed her the cue, and she caught Dobby glancing at Sam and shaking his head.
Goosebumps leapt on her skin. “What’s going on?”
Heath frowned. “Dobby’s had his shot, it’s your turn.”
She shook her head. “No. Why is Sam watching me?”
“Habit,” Dobby said. “Hard to shift after years in the military.”
Tess glanced at Heath. She didn’t buy it. “But why me? Why not others in the brewery?” Something was going on. “Why are you being so nice to me?” Was it some kind of game to them?
Heath tried to shift the cue away from her, but she gripped it tighter. He held up his hands. “I don’t know about the others, but you’ve been through a shit situation and you remind me of my little sister. She’s living in the UK, and I hope if she was in a similar situation, people over there would help her.”
The honesty on his face broke through her paranoia, and she squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry. I’m a little on edge.”
“Understandable,” Dobby said, “But we’ve got your back.” He smiled.
“Yeah. I dub thee our honorary sister,” Heath said, touching her shoulders and then her head. “Under our protection.”
She smiled, warmed by the gesture. Her gaze went to Sam and Ed.
“And Sam’s a suspicious git by nature,” Heath whispered. “Now, are you going to play, or what?”
His banter released the remaining tension. She couldn’t blame Sam for being suspicious. She’d brought trouble to his best friend’s family.
On the journey back to the Ridge, fatigue hit her. Her head nodded several times, and each time she jerked awake. Next to her, Ed chuckled. “Rest against my shoulder.”
She needed no further prompting, glad Sam had wanted to drive home. Ed smelled of saltwater, and his shoulder was the perfect height for a headrest. Her hand brushed his knee, and he covered it with his own. The movement and his warmth vanquished some of her fatigue, making her skin tingle in awareness.
It was about seven-thirty when they arrived at the homestead. She followed Ed into the kitchen, where he went straight to the kettle and switched it on.
“We’re going to hit the showers,” Sam called, and the guys headed to their quarters.
Darcy entered the room. “Did Dot get a hold of you?”
Ed scowled. “We had a great day, thanks for asking.”
“Sorry.” Darcy smiled at Tess. “Did you enjoy it?”
“It was the best thing I’ve ever done,” she told him. “And yes, we stopped at the police station on our way back.”
“What did she have to say?”
Tess let Ed explain as she got out the mugs and tea for the drinks.
Darcy sighed. “It’s good they’ve got a name now.” He turned to her. “You can stay here for as long as you need to. Stonefish have to be stopped, and you can help us.”
