“All right.”
He closed his bedroom door behind them and stripped off his shirt. Faith ran her hands over his chest. “You look exhausted.” She led him over to the bed. “Lay down and let me take care of you tonight.” She undid his jeans, and he helped her slide them off. Then she showed him just how much she cared for him.
Chapter 13
The next morning, Faith’s shoulders were tense as she prepared coffee in the kitchen. Her ears strained for sounds of Darcy and Lara’s conversation, but she heard nothing. Darcy had decided it was best if he explained to Lara that Faith had stayed the night when he woke her. That way he could answer any questions she might have like where Faith had slept.
What if Lara was upset about it?
Faith couldn’t wipe the memory of Lara’s uncertainty from her mind. If Natasha hadn’t said nasty things, Lara probably wouldn’t have thought Faith could have ulterior motives for befriending her.
“Morning, Faith!” Lara’s cheerful greeting wiped Faith’s concerns away.
“Morning. Would you like a hot chocolate?”
“Yes, please.”
And just like that, everything was fine. Lara got her own cereal while Faith made hot drinks and Darcy made lunches, not only for Lara, but for him and Brandon and Matt to take out on the station.
“Want me to drop you at school, Lara?” Faith asked. She’d already discussed it with Darcy.
“That would be great.”
When they were done, Lara hugged Darcy and gathered her backpack. Faith hesitated, but Lara was already out the door, so she kissed him. “I’ll call you tonight.”
“Looking forward to it.”
On the drive to school, they discussed the supposed buried treasure. Faith suspected Darcy was right, and it was all a figment of Lara’s imagination, but it was still fun to plan.
“We should go on an expedition this weekend,” Lara declared as Faith pulled up in front of the school.
“Sounds like fun. Count me in.”
Lara jumped out and waved. “See you at pony club, Faith.”
“I can’t wait,” Faith called back and then drove the short distance to her parents’ house. Her father’s raised voice sailed out of her parent’s front door. That wasn’t good. He should already be on the boat by now. Fear gripped her, and she ran inside to find her father pacing and her mother sitting calmly on the couch. He whirled around and gestured wildly towards her. “And here she is.”
“I told you she would be home,” her mother said. “I’m perfectly capable of being alone, Rob.”
“She should be looking after you, not having her pipes cleaned,” he growled.
Faith gasped. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Don’t think we don’t know you’re sleeping with Darcy.”
Outrage filled her. How dare he judge her relationship? “What I do in my own time is none of your business.”
“Your time should be spent with your mother.”
No, that was it. She’d had enough. Her mother might like the subtle way, but it didn’t work for Faith. “Sit down.” Rob stumbled back at her tone, landing on the couch, his mouth open in shock. Her hands shook, and she clenched them. “So you’re telling me I’m not allowed to have any free time?” she asked. “I have to be glued to Mum’s side whenever you’re not here?”
His nod was a little uncertain.
“It’s not enough that I put my very well-paid career on hold, moved several thousand kilometres from my home and have entirely given my life over to helping her rehabilitate?” He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. “While you’ve continued your life, business as usual, with Mum’s stroke being barely a speed bump in your life.”
“Now, Faith,” her mother said.
“No, Mum,” she said. “It’s time someone pointed out how hypocritical Dad is being.” She turned to him. “Mum said you’re thinking of selling the business and buying a café. What will you do then? Am I expected to move with you, or will you prop up Mum at a corner table so you can keep an eye on her?”
