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‘It’s all a mystery to me.’
‘Tarni? What did Cy mean about overdoing it? Tell me if it’s none of my business.’
‘It’s fine. I’ve been a bit off-colour this week. I had to go to the hospital and get some stitches. Now there’s a story for you. Being stared at by a giant rat and putting a drill through my hand. I’ve been off-colour ever since, and Cy’s been great. I feel good today, though.’
Dee’s cheeks held a pink flush. ‘Just as well I didn’t say what I was thinking.’
‘What was that?’
‘That’s what Ryan used to say to me when I was pregnant. “Don’t overdo it”, that is.’ Dee filled another mug from the coffee machine and brought it to Tarni. ‘You pair suit each other, and I saw how Cy looked at you. I haven’t ever seen him like that before.’
This time Tarni coloured up. ‘He’s a kind guy.’
The silence was slightly awkward until Tarni broke it. ‘This coffee is divine. I'm enjoying it.’
‘I love my coffee. Only the best here. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?’
Tarni tensed a little bit. ‘Depends what it is.’
‘Do you think Cy is okay?’ Dee looked concerned.
Tarni didn’t want to reveal the conversation Cy had with her on the way in. He’d opened up, and she sensed that he’d told her some pretty personal stuff. She looked up at Dee, seated opposite her.
‘I suppose being family, you know that his dad passed away recently,’ Tarni said.
Dee’s face set in a blank expression. ‘Yes, Ryan told me that Joe died last weekend.’
‘Well, I guess he’s a bit upset about that. He was a bit quiet over the last couple of days.’
‘How long have you been seeing each other?’ Dee asked.
Tarni lifted her head in surprise. ‘Seeing each other?’
‘Oh, sorry, I just assumed you were a couple. You seem so easy together,’ Dee said. ‘I guess it’s wishful thinking. I love Cy like a brother, and I’d love to see him happy. He’s had a very tough run the last few years.’
‘We’ve only known each other just over a week.’
Dee's eyebrows rose. ‘A week? Wow, you’re really comfortable with each other.’
‘We are. To be honest, I enjoy his company, and like I said, he’s been more than kind to me.’
‘Tell me a little bit about yourself, Tarni,’ Dee said.
‘Well, I’m pretty boring. I worked at the university for the last six years, immersed in my work, but sadly, my partner was killed in an industrial accident. I’ve been slow to move on. When the opportunity was offered to work on Kane’s farm, I saw it as a new start.’ She smiled. ‘And, do you know what? I love it so much I’m even thinking about staying up this way for a little while.’
‘That would be so good. I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I do hope you think about staying on. It would be nice to have a little bit more company around here. Although it is a fair way out here from the mango farm. You’ll have to come out and stay a whole week rather than just a weekend,’ Dee said.
‘I’d like that,’ Tarni said. ‘I’m only working at the farm until Kane and Ellie come back.’
‘Ryan’s family is lovely. I’m sure you’ve met Ellie and Kane.’
Tarni chuckled. ‘Would you believe I was late getting there, and they were actually in the car ready to go to the airport? I felt so bad.’
‘Kane and Ellie would take it in their stride. Have you met the rest of the family? But I guess you haven’t in a couple of weeks.’
‘No, I really don’t know a lot about them. Cy did mention Ellie has a couple of sisters and Ryan is their half-brother.’
‘They’re the most incredible family. They’ve been through so much. One day, over a coffee, I’ll fill you in on the details. I don’t want to overwhelm you now, but just let me say that when Ryan discovered he was a half-brother to those three girls, it completed him. We were together by then, and I will never ever forget the look on Sandra’s face when she realised that Ryan was her deceased husband’s son.’
