Good to know she wasn’t being paranoid. She’d get the details later and try not to worry now. Both men were highly trained and knew what they were doing.
“Presents!” Georgie called and handed Dot a brightly wrapped box.
Dot held up a hand. “I don’t need presents.”
“Too bad.” Georgie raised her palms so she couldn’t take it back. “You can’t refuse.”
Dot tried her glare, but Georgie laughed. With a large sigh, the sergeant unwrapped the package and opened the box. Dot shook her head, but her lips curved in a smile. “Georgie!”
“It was Amy’s idea,” Georgie said.
Nhiari took the box and picked up what was inside. A stress ball shaped like a stonefish and a hammer. Penelope grinned, but Gretchen looked confused.
“What’s the significance?”
“An annoying case,” Dot said.
Penelope handed over the envelope she’d brought with her. “Mine next.” She hadn’t known what to get her so had bought her a voucher for the beauty salon in town. Dot could do with some relaxation time.
“Thanks, Pen,” Dot replied.
After the presents were unwrapped, Penelope asked Gretchen, “Were you out on the boat today?”
“Yeah, it was a fantastic day. Sam’s taken to it really well, for his second time out.”
Penelope winced, but no one seemed to notice.
They ordered and the conversation turned to Faith’s pony club. “Jordan’s enjoying his lessons,” Gretchen said.
“He’s doing really well,” Faith said. “He’s my best student, after Lara.”
“I think Lara might be part of the reason he’s putting in so much effort.” Gretchen smiled.
“Oh, he likes her?” Georgie asked. “Lara likes him too.”
Gretchen sighed. “He’s growing up so fast.”
“Why don’t the two of you come out to the Ridge on the weekend?” Amy invited. “You can go riding, or you can stay with me while Faith takes them out.”
“Jordan would love it. We’re free on Sunday.”
“It’s a date,” Amy said.
“Are you working on Saturday?” Georgie asked.
“No, I promised to take him and Dylan snorkelling,” Gretchen said. “I’m working the weekend after and he’s asking if he can stay home alone rather than going to his friend’s place.”
“He’s welcome at the Ridge at any time,” Faith said. “Call me if you need a backup.”
“Thank you. That would be great.” The relief on her face made Penelope wonder how hard it had been for Gretchen being a single mother with no family support.
Why had she chosen to move up here in the first place?
Maybe she was like Penelope, trying to get as far away from memories as she could.
Their meals arrived, and the conversation flowed to books and movies, and then gossip in town. Penelope excused herself to go to the bathroom. On her way back to the table, she noticed Gretchen arguing with a man close to the kitchen door. Gretchen shook her head and backed away, anger and fear on her face.
Penelope’s heart leapt, and she headed towards them, taking in the man; mid-thirties, dark, close cropped hair, broad build, but short, with a tattoo of a rose on his upper shoulder and a name scrawled underneath. Penelope couldn’t quite make out the name from the distance. Before she could reach them, Gretchen strode away.
