Relief swept through him at Sam’s instant acceptance. They were OK. Sam didn’t blame him or hate him. Arthur suppressed his smile and instead rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine.”
He sipped his coffee. At least he’d get to talk to Gretchen today. A highlight in his otherwise monotonous day. Speaking to her about his leg would allow him to get to know her better. Maybe find out who was contacting her, who put fear into her eyes. He’d told himself it was none of his business after she’d shoved her phone in her pocket at pony club, but later he’d remembered her reaction to the phone call after she’d fished his leg out of the marina. She had no family in town to help. Perhaps he should ask Amy if she knew what was up. He didn’t want Gretchen to feel as if she was on her own.
Sam put his copy of the journal on the bench and Arthur picked it up, flicking through it. Stonefish Enterprises had triggered the whole event. They often used people in the community to do their dirty work. Gretchen was scared about something. “How much does Gretchen know about what’s been going on?”
Sam frowned. “Nothing. She hasn’t been involved.”
Warning bells triggered. “She’s friends with Amy, isn’t she?”
“Yeah. They all go out together sometimes; Penny, Georgie, Amy, Faith, Dot and Nhiari.”
“Could they have told her?”
“I don’t know. What’s this about?”
“It might be nothing.” He didn’t want to get Gretchen in trouble if he was making the wrong connections. “I’ll look into it.”
Sam finished his coffee. “OK. Let’s get to it.”
It didn’t take long for them to get ready for the day and get to the boat. Arthur settled into the routine and the rhythm soothed him. Today, he’d packed his board shorts and a towel in his backpack. It felt like a huge, scary step forward over an abyss. He was yet to go out in anything other than long pants, not ready to face the questions and stares. The shorts were there if he was brave enough to swim. He’d be baring his soul and opening himself up for derision or pity.
Gretchen arrived, breathless as always. “I’m sorry. Jordan would not get moving this morning.”
“It’s all done.” Finally, he could be useful.
“You’re amazing,” she gushed, slipping past him, a sweet, enticing fragrance like vanilla following her as she put her backpack in the cabin. “Thank you.”
A warmth built inside him. He enjoyed helping her.
“I’m not usually this late,” she continued. “Jordan’s going through a rough patch, which I’m hoping won’t last long.” She screwed up her face in apology.
“It’s fine.” But here was his opportunity. “It must be difficult without family in town.”
A tiny flinch, but then she nodded. “It can be.”
Maybe he could gain her trust by asking for something first. He considered his words. “Could you…maybe… help me with something.”
“Sure.” She raised her eyebrows in question.
“My leg didn’t hurt much this morning. I thought maybe because I did more exercise yesterday.”
She frowned. “How long have you had the prosthesis?”
“A couple of months.”
“How much have you used it?”
He flushed. “Not much after I left the hospital.”
“Didn’t your therapist give you instructions?”
His face heated. “I didn’t pay attention.”
She smiled in understanding. “I’m not qualified to give advice yet, but I could write a schedule with some exercises and you could ask your therapist to approve it.”
“That would be great.” Not that he would go back to his therapist. He’d treated her poorly. But maybe he should call and apologise.
“When we get off the boat, I can look at your gait as well,” she said. “Make sure you’re walking the correct way.”
