Sam turned back to the computer. The only thing that bothered him was the website, but he had no idea how hard it was to edit, so he called Brandon’s youngest brother, Ed.
“Sam, have you moved yet?”
“On the weekend. Got your brother hauling furniture for me.”
Ed laughed. “Good to hear. What can I do for you?”
“I need a new website, but I’ve got no clue.”
“What’s the name of the business again?” Ed asked.
Sam told him and heard keys clattering in the background. “Branding is a bit off and it’s messy but wouldn’t be hard to fix.”
“Know of anyone good?”
“Amy’s great, but if you want a graphic designer, I’ll send you links to a couple I’d recommend.”
“Thanks, mate.”
“No problem. Say hi to everyone for me. I’ve got to get back to work.” Ed hung up and Sam shut down the computer. Stacey came to the door. “Do you want me to lock up?”
He nodded. “I’m leaving too. Did we have a good sales day?”
“Yeah.” Stacey swung her bag over her shoulder. “A few bookings for next week and a bunch of people in to buy new snorkelling gear.”
“Great.” He waved goodbye as Stacey got into her car and then he glanced towards the ocean. Six more days until he’d be allowed to take people out on it.
The start of his new life had been a complete failure.
Sam huffed out a breath. If he went home, he’d only dwell on it. He wanted company, wanted to moan about his suspension and figure some way around it. Only one person came to mind. He called Retribution Ridge and when Amy answered, he said, “Got room for one more for dinner?”
“Sure. The town getting you down already?” she asked.
“Need some friendly faces.”
“That doesn’t sound good. Dinner’s at six-thirty, but come out whenever you’re ready and bring some milk and bread.”
“See you soon.” Sam grinned as he hung up the phone. Brandon had found himself a gem in Amy. She was so welcoming and friendly, sensible too, not like a certain redhead. Sam didn’t bother going back to his house. He stopped by the supermarket to pick up the groceries Amy wanted and continued south out of town towards the sheep station.
An hour later he pulled into the driveway, passing a sign of an angry ram on the gate post. Retribution Ridge. Red dirt, scrubby trees and grasses surrounded him. Nothing like the lush farms he had flown over on his way here. He didn’t understand why Brandon loved this place, but perhaps if he’d grown up here, he’d view things a little differently.
The campground was full. It held rooftop campers, twenty-five foot caravans and everything in between. Flotsam and Jetsam, Lara’s pet sheep, wandered through the grounds, attracting the delighted attention of children. Sam parked outside the kitchen door of the quirky homestead and got out, breathing deeply and stretching. Maggie, the kangaroo the Stokes had nursed from a joey, lay in the shade thrown by the machinery shed. Across the way, the horse yard contained five horses nibbling on hay.
The tension in his shoulders released and he embraced the peace.
He trotted up the steps and rapped on the fly screen frame as he toed off his shoes.
“Sam! You’re here!” Lara’s delighted shriek made Sam smile and before he could react, the door flung open and the ten-year-old threw herself in his arms. “Welcome home.”
Sam’s heart clenched. “Hi, La La. What have you been up to?”
“Just school.”
“Competed in any more gymkhanas?”
“There’s one coming up next month.” She tugged him into the kitchen. “Faith. Amy. Sam’s here,” she bellowed.
Sam chuckled, rubbing his ear. “Could you yell a bit louder? I don’t think your dad heard you out on the station.”
