“Thank you.” Cassie checked on Manu and saw his gaze had narrowed. Without amusement painting his features, he appeared stern and imposing. When he noticed her watching him, he relaxed, but he focused on his father and the two seemed to communicate without words.
“I suppose you want to say hello to Emma and Jack and my grumpy cousin,” Manu said.
“Hone isn’t grumpy.”
Manu swiveled in Emma and Jack’s direction. “Could have fooled me.”
“You didn’t tell me you were coming with Manu,” Emma said as Cassie and Manu joined them.
“He persuaded me.” Cassie studied her surroundings. A large wooden deck extended the living area and took advantage of the view. Trees grew along fences, giving the illusion of privacy and directing the eye toward the estuary. She’d bet the sunsets from here were stunning. With luck, she’d see one later.
A strange growl sounded—the warning of an animal about to attack. Cassie froze and scanned the area for a dog.
Manu removed his arm from her shoulders and the growling faded, leaving an uncomfortable silence.
“How is the motel?” Emma rushed the words, and the tension retreated.
“It’s comfortable. It won’t be a hardship to stay there while I’m fixing up the house.”
Manu and Hone were talking quietly together. Both studied her and the hackles at the back of her neck rose. Too far away to eavesdrop, she was certain they were discussing her.
“Jack said he’d install an alarm system for you—if you’re okay with that.”
Jack wrenched his attention from Hone and Manu to focus on her. Every muscle in his body rippled with tension.
“Which alarm would you recommend?” she asked.
“I thought you’d prefer uncomplicated. Something you can set when you go out and reset at night while you’re at home. We can organize a firm to monitor your alarm and ring the local police in the case of problems.”
“That sounds perfect. Are you sure it’s no trouble? You and Hone helped so much today.”
“You’re Emma’s friend,” Jack said. “That makes you our friend too.”
“Oh.” His intense brown gaze left her groping for understanding. She turned to Emma and found her friend pensive as she glanced from Manu and Hone to Cassie.
“What?”
“Nothing. You’re in for a treat. Can you smell the garlic bread? June makes it with loads of garlic and adds cheese. It’s delicious.”
“I considered bringing a salad or dessert, but I didn’t have enough time to grab anything.”
“Don’t worry. If June wants you to do something, she’s not shy in asking. She rang me to make a salad.”
“Emma. Cassie. I need help in the kitchen,” June called.
“Told you.” Emma spread her hands in a see-what-I-mean gesture. “She’ll want us to carry out salads and the rest of the food because Samuel is pulling the steaks off the barbecue.”
Emma guessed right, and June organized them to ferry food from the kitchen to the wooden tables outside on the deck.
“Okay, ladies. Grab a plate and get your dinner before my sons decimate the table and leave nothing for us to eat.”
“But there’s so much food.”
Emma grabbed two plates and handed one to Cassie. “Watch and learn.” She headed straight for the platter of garlic bread.
With her plate loaded, Cassie followed Emma and sat at a long table with bench seats.
June arrived minutes later, carrying a bottle of white wine to top up their glasses.
