“And now he’s staying for good,” Lara declared.
“They’re letting him out of the army a couple of months early because of the circumstances,” Amy said.
Faith’s mother’s friend, Lindsay had spoken about the army son who had returned in time for the funerals. “Do you work out there too?”
Amy laughed. “Only when they need me to. My role is taking care of our campsite guests and dealing with marketing and promotion.”
“The campsite looks full,” Faith said.
“It is. We’re going to expand to a few more sites in the next month. It’s a good revenue stream.” She poured boiling water into a teapot. “Though it will become more work the more we offer our guests. That’s why I asked about the trail rides. I’m investigating other activities to draw tourists to stay with us rather than one of the other station stays in the area.”
She liked that Amy was considering options, and the work involved. Faith’s father jumped into a new project without so much as a thought about what it truly entailed. “The biggest cost is the horses,” she said. “You can’t put them in a shed and forget about them like you could if you offered quad bike tours.”
Amy nodded.
“Then you’ve got the tack plus food and vet bills and maybe a truck for transportation.”
“Sounds like you’ve thought about it.”
Faith shrugged. “It was an idea I had once.” She wasn’t ready to seriously consider it.
“How’s the pony club going?”
She smiled. “That’s more a labour of love. Most people are like Lara, a joy to teach.”
Lara grinned at her.
“But there’s always one,” Amy muttered.
She was right. Lara’s nemesis Natasha was one of the brattiest children she’d ever come across, not that she’d say it in front of Lara. She caught sight of the time on the clock behind Amy. She had borrowed her parents’ car and promised to pick them up from the boat ramp this evening. “I’d better go.” She placed her glass in the sink and Lara and Amy walked her out.
“Visit any time,” Amy said. “The guys won’t mind if you bring your horse and ride, but check in with me first so I know where you’re going. It’s easy to get lost, and you want to make sure someone knows where you are.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the offer.”
“You can also visit for a cuppa any time too,” Amy added.
“I will.” She was enjoying the opportunity to socialise with people her age in Retribution Bay. “Make sure you drop by when you’re in town. I’m having dinner with Georgie and a few others on Wednesday night if you want to join us.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know.”
Faith loaded her horse and then checked all the latches on the float. With a final wave, she drove out of the Ridge. Aside from the matter of the sheep, today had been one of the best days she’d had since coming to town.
If she had more like it, she could see herself staying. Imagine having the time to ride regularly, to build close friendships and live in a community that supported each other.
It was definitely something to consider.
***
Sergeant Dot Campbell took one look at the dead sheep and swore ripely. “Someone’s got it in for you.”
Darcy appreciated her honesty, but it snuffed out the minute hope he had that there could be another explanation. “Did you ever get any information from the guy who broke into the farmhouse?”
She shook her head. “He swore he’d heard about the funeral and thought it the ideal time to break in and steal some stuff.”
Which made him a complete asshole anyway, but they were certain Stonefish was behind it. And the company had to be powerful for someone to go to gaol for it.
“Whoever it was brought their own dogs.” Matt pointed back towards the gate. “Paw prints appear near the tyre marks by the gate, as if they jumped out of the car.”
