“You want to talk about it?”
His lips curved. It was one thing he loved about Nhiari. She didn’t push. She would wait until he was ready, she wouldn’t demand he tell her.
“She was distraught.” An understatement considering she’d lost her whole family. “I didn’t know what to say. She blames me for not protecting Andrew, and she wanted me to tell her that what the police were saying was untrue.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t.” She vehemently refused to accept anything he said. “Maybe her friends can offer her some comfort.” He’d hung up knowing his last tie with his family had been forever severed. He was on his own now.
“None of this was your fault.” Nhiari reached for his hand and squeezed it. “They all made their own decisions. You did the best you could.”
He didn’t bother pointing out Clark’s deathwashis fault. “I thought I’d be relieved when all this ended, but I feel hollow.”
“It’s consumed your life for almost a year,” Nhiari said. “You’ve lost all your family. You might not have been close to them, but it takes its toll.”
She was right. He closed his eyes. “Thanks.”
“I know it’s not much of a consolation, but you’ve got me now,” she said. “I’m here for you.”
His eyes flashed open as incredulity filled him, and he shifted to look at her fully. “You are not a consolation. You’re the jackpot. I feel like I’ve won the life lottery with you, Nhi. I’m so damn thankful you forgave me.” How could she even think she was anything less than everything to him?
She smiled as she drove through the gate of the Ridge, her eyes a little glossy. “You’re my jackpot too.”
Everyone’s cars were outside the farmhouse and the campsites were empty. It was getting to the off-peak season, and he’d overheard Amy saying they would close the campsites until the new year, when tourists started travelling north again.
Nhiari met him at the front of her car and hugged him. “Are you ready for this?”
He nodded. “If you’re with me, I can face anything.”
The sounds of voices, dishes clanking and the scents of something roasting came floating out of the kitchen doorway.
Lee braced himself. “Let’s go.”
The first person he noticed when he walked in was Amy. She was at the oven, checking the contents and then switched off the gas, satisfied the food was ready. She turned and spotted him. Her smile was a little hesitant, but she walked over to him and held out her arms. “Welcome. I’m glad you came.”
A lump formed in his throat. This woman had welcomed him from the minute he’d arrived as a camper at the beginning of the year. She’d drawn maps to show him where he could go and had invited him in for a cuppa whenever she’d seen him. His vow to stop Stonefish had strengthened after he’d met Amy, if that was even possible.
Swallowing the lump, he moved into her arms and hugged her. “I don’t deserve this, Amy. The things I’ve done to your family… The way I’ve lied to you… I’m so sorry.”
She shook her head and stepped back. “You helped stop Stonefish. We’re all safe now, thanks in part to your help.”
She was being far too generous. He suddenly realised the kitchen was silent. He looked up, met Brandon’s gaze first. He nodded in approval. Perhaps he’d heard Lee’s apology.
“It’s my turn.” Georgie hip-bumped Amy out of the way. “I always said Lee was helping us.” She grinned at Lee. “I’m glad I was right.” She squeezed him.
Lee chuckled and winced as his wound pulled. “You didn’t know when to keep your nose out of trouble.”
“I’ll second that,” Matt murmured.
Georgie spun. “I heard that!” She screwed up her nose and stalked towards Matt in mock outrage. He grinned and snagged her around the waist, kissing her objections away.
Tess was next. She was a little shy, but far more confident than the woman he’d met back in July. “Thank you for saving my life.” Her hug was quick, but the smile she gave him filled his heart. These women were going to kill him with their kindness.
“Can we continue my photography lessons now you’re good again?” Lara asked, coming to stand next to him.
“I’d like that. You’ve got a good eye.” He glanced at Darcy, who had his arm around Faith. The man nodded his permission.
“Maybe I should go with you.” Jordan stepped next to Lara. “Though he was a bit of a shit kidnapper.”
Lee laughed then, placing a hand over his chest. “I didn’t expect you to be so well-trained,” he admitted.
“Sherlock’s the best,” Jordan declared.
