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Someone was lighting fires in Ballydoon.
We drove in silence until Mum took the turnoff from the highway.
“Just need to pop into the Shed, love.” Mum paused. “Can you come in, too? Give your mum a hand?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Must be picking up some stuff for Ryan or something. I followed her to the back door and walked in.
“Surprise!”
I startled, taking in the trestle tables laid with tablecloths, party plates and glitter, surrounded by my family and brigade members.
Mum gave me a quick hug. “They wanted to do something special for you, love.”
Everyone began to clap. A huge slab cake was decorated with ‘Well Done Stacey!’ in pipped letters.
Even Amanda was there with Stuart. Someone stared singing ‘For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow’and my eyes pricked with tears.
I couldn’t help but think, as I looked around the room, meeting the eyes of each crew member, was the arsonist here right now.
I shook myself out of my dark thoughts as Ryan pulled me in for a bear hug. Mum joined in, then Tom and Amanda, and soon the Turners were a crying, laughing, hugging beautiful mess.
Whoever it was who lit the fire, they would not beat family, community and love.
Love.
I couldn’t help thinking I hadn’t given love a chance.
* * *
I woke up with a snort. My room was dark. A sheep bleated in the distance. Something made scratching noises in the roof.
I was not in the hospital. I was home.
My water glass was empty. I padded softly down the hallway, noticing a light was on in the farm office.
I quietly moved to the door.
Ryan was asleep; his arms crossed, a crocheted blanket over his lap, his head against the bookcase. Reggie was at his feet. He lifted his head with a gruff noise, followed by a yawn.
Ryan startled awake. “What is it, boy?”
“Hey.”
Ryan jumped, swearing, and then we both laughed softly.
“You scared the beejesus out of me,” he grunted. “Need anything?”
I shook my head. “Just getting water. Saw the light on.”
Ryan stretched, cracking several joints and we stared at each other for several beats. The old mantel clock said it was 2.35 a.m.
His jaw muscles twitched. It was Ryan’s tell when he was thinking about something that made him unhappy.
Now was as good a time to settle something and I sure as hell wanted some answers.
“Go on. Spit it out.”
