Bastard.
Jordan glanced between the two of them, uncertain, but he shifted a little closer to Arthur.
“I need Jordan’s help,” Arthur said, placing a hand on Jordan’s shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I don’t get around as easily as I used to.”
A brief smirk as Kurt glanced at Arthur’s leg.
Jordan nodded. “Sorry, Dad. I promised Mum I’d help him.”
Kurt smiled, though it barely reached his cheeks, let alone his eyes. “Fine, maybe tomorrow then.” He pivoted and strode back to the car.
They all watched him drive away, and then Cody clapped Jordan on his back. “Your dad is kind of scary.”
Jordan nodded and glanced up at Arthur, worry and sadness in his eyes.
Arthur smiled and squeezed his shoulder again. How much had the boy shared with his friend?
“Hey, Sherlock,” Cody said. “What’s that over there?” He pointed to a plaque in the centre of the park, which was surrounded by a small brick wall.
“Probably an ANZAC memorial,” Arthur replied. “Most towns have them. They engrave plaques with the names of their men who fought in the wars to honour them.”
“Can we go look?” Cody asked.
Jordan was still subdued. “Maybe tomorrow. Let’s get home.” Kurt had escalated quickly. He needed to prepare Jordan.
They had a lot of training to do.
Chapter 15
Gretchen waved to the last passenger and sighed in relief when they finally got on the bus. This lot had been chatterers, and it had been difficult to get them off the boat, because they’d wanted to rave about the tour. Normally she loved talking with them, but today all she could think of was Jordan with Arthur. She wasn’t worried Arthur wouldn’t take care of her son, but she didn’t want to miss out on the time they spent together.
Arthur had sent her a text to say they were home and Cody was with them. She liked the idea of them all playing in the backyard.
She finished tidying the boat in record time.
Sam pulled her aside. “Are you all right?”
She stiffened, though she’d been waiting for this conversation. Gretchen nodded. “I will be.”
“We’ll help you,” he said. “You’re not on your own.”
The relief was instant, and she smiled. “I know. Thank you.”
“Arthur’s good at what he does. He’ll be able to protect you.” He sounded almost as if he was trying to convince himself.
She frowned. “I know he can.” Was it simply doubt about Arthur’s leg, or his mental state? “We’ll help each other.”
Sam nodded. “This will be good for him. It will give him a mission.”
Gretchen gathered her things. She didn’t want to be just a mission to him.
“Tell him to call if he needs anything,” Sam added.
“I will.”
“Good. We should be right for the tour tomorrow. The storm isn’t due to hit until tomorrow night and the swell should be reasonable.”
“Great.” She honestly didn’t care about the weather at the moment, but she understood his concern. He’d have to cancel the tour and disappoint a lot of people if the storm arrived early.
