“I try myself.” He then plonked his arse down on the gravelly ground and tried his hardest to open the banana, with fairly decent success since none fell in the puddles of mud littering the space.
Seeking distance from Nick, I headed over to Alan, George, and Hazel. Once at the bonnet, I paused next to Alan. “How’s it looking?” Car mechanics wasn’t part of my general skillset. I could change the oil, and that was about it.
“George seems to think the car may not be totalled.” Alan winced as he spoke and side-eyed his wife.
“Maybeing the key word here. The water rose high, so it may have got into everything. If it has, I expect the insurance company will write it off. But I can check properly tomorrow, so at least you get a better idea of what to expect.”
“That’d be great, thanks, George.” Alan bobbed his head in appreciation.
Curious, I asked, “You know a lot about cars?”
He offered me a friendly smile. “Mechanic.”
“In that case, I imagine you’re going to be seriously busy over the coming weeks,” I responded with a chuckle. A thought pulled me up short. “Can you get home?” Dread stirred in my gut that they lived on the other side of the creek.
“We’re not too far away, over on Larkson Valley Road.”
“That’s a relief, especially with Murphy.”
“Definitely. It’s a lot easier now he’s potty trained. That’s a time I never want to live through again.” Amusement creased his eyes.
So many questions burned in me about Nick and his happy little family, but I swallowed each and every one down, moving my attention to Alan. “Why don’t I get you and Hazel settled in?”
“Sounds good. Thanks for putting us up.”
“No worries. Hardly going to turn you away, am I?”
At my words, Hazel appeared at my side, her arm sliding around my waist where she squeezed lightly. “I think there’s a lot to catch up with.” Her face tilted up, and she beamed at me.
“How about you leave the third degree to Dan,” I said with a polite chuckle. It didn’t matter that I knew both of them super well; with Dan and me being together and this the first time seeing them since, this was weird.
“Please, that son of mine doesn’t tell me anything. If I want to know the details, it’s best I go to the source.”
George shifted, closing the bonnet. When I glanced at him, I saw curiosity in his expression and wondered whether his husband had mentioned me at all. I had little doubt that Nick hadn’t spared me a thought for years, though with his apparent unease since he started school, I imagined he would have shared at least something about our awkward reunion.
“Ross is dating our son, Dan,” Hazel offered, I expected reading the unasked question in George’s eyes.
“I didn’t realise it was Dan Madison.” Nick’s voice appeared from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to where he stood just a few metres away, his son by his side.
My brows dipped low. I pulled my lips into my mouth, not sure how to respond to that or even if I needed to.
That first time we’d seen each other in the library, I’d mentioned my boyfriend, Dan, in hearing distance, never mentioning his last name, and why would I?
“You guys were tight in high school.” Pink spread up his neck when he spoke.
Hazel answered before I could. “All three of the boys were always together, and it’s so wonderful that Dan and Ross are finally a couple.” Her gushing was sweet, and she was utterly oblivious to Nick’s discomfort.
His husband, however, not so much. George moved to Nick’s side immediately, and I turned and saw him catch his husband’s attention. While I couldn’t see George’s expression since his back was to us, Nick bobbed his head a moment later. It was a minute movement, but with my focus so intent, I didn’t miss it.
George then held Nick’s hand before turning his focus back to us. “We’re going to head off, unless you need help with anything.”
“We’re all good, thanks. And thank you for helping and the tow,” I offered, my relief renewed that they were leaving so I didn’t have to engage in a conversation with Nick.
“No worries. I’ll stop by in the morning.”
“Thanks,” Alan said, his arms filled with some of the items Hazel had removed from their car.
Just as they headed towards their vehicle, a loud bleat echoed, snagging my attention immediately. Remembering about Bessie, I jerked my head in the direction of the sound, only to groan when it clearly wasn’t Bessie.
