The call disconnected, and the screen turned black. Josh closed the app on his phone, appalled and terrified at his friend’s request. Had Frog been playing him? Nah, his mate never joked about his family.
Well, he’d wanted something to do. He’d wait for details and go from there.
His phone rang. “Yeah?”
“Ella and I are coming into town for dinner. Meet us at the pub?” Dillon asked.
“What time?”
“Seven suit you?”
“I’ll see you there.”
Three hours later, Josh walked into the pub, and after getting a beer, claimed a table. His brother ambled inside with his arm curved around Ella’s waist, their heads close together. Ella patted his cheek, and Dillon laughed at their private joke.
Josh took pleasure in his brother’s happiness, and he genuinely liked his new sister-in-law. Ella had pink hair today, although the color changed from week-to-week. Yesterday, she’d had electric-blue. She wore what she’d informed Josh was a vintage dress and a swing coat. See? He was learning.
If he could learn about clothes and hair, politics shouldn’t prove difficult.
“Hey.” Josh rose to hug his brother and then Ella. “What can I get you to drink?”
“I’m driving,” Dillon said. “Low-alcohol beer for me.”
“A glass of Sauvignon blanc, please.” Ella pulled out a chair and sat. She swept a lock of pink hair away from her eyes. “I’m exhausted. Your brother had me helping to shear the alpacas this afternoon.”
“You should’ve called me,” Josh said. “Dad has everything in hand, even though he’s been away. All I had to do was shift the stock to a fresh paddock and check the water supply.”
“I wanted to help,” Ella spoke in a firm, no-nonsense manner. “It’s fun to see the entire process of growing the wool to shearing and spinning.”
By the time Josh returned with drinks, Ella and Dillon were perusing the menu and checking out the specials’ board.
Dillon stood. “I’m having the roast beef. Ella wants salmon. What will you have, Josh?”
“Roast beef works for me,” Josh said.
While Dillon stood to place their orders at the bar, Josh chatted with Ella about alpacas and the increasing number of native birds in the Eketahuna region.
“We’re pleased the populations are recovering so well.” Ella’s head tilted slightly, her cheeks flushed with pleasure. “The poaching ring decimated some species, but they’re bouncing back.”
Dillon returned and claimed the seat beside Ella. “The kitchen orders are backed up. Our meals will be half an hour.”
“That gives me time to tell you about my call with Frog,” Josh said.
“How is he?” Dillon asked. “Problem?”
“He wants me to act as personal security and fake fiancé for his younger sister.”
Dillon spat out a mouthful of beer, spraying the table.
“Did you say fake fiancé?” Ella dabbed at the beer with a napkin, her eyes rounded with astonishment.
“Not too loud. This is on the down-low, but I figure Frog won’t mind you knowing. His sister has attracted a stalker, and the cops can’t help much at this stage. The notes keep coming, but no one sees who delivers them.”
“Have you met his sister?” Ella asked.
“No,” Dillon said.
“No,” Josh agreed. “I’ve seen photos. Until he told me, I had no idea Frog had such high connections.”
