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Three hours later, most of the guests have departed. Dana’s husband is entertaining old work colleagues and close friends by the bar. Dana, Faith, and I are at a table with a fresh bottle of champagne and are in a ‘deep and meaningful’ meeting.
“I’m glad you’re working at Monte in HR?” Dana says to Faith. “When I leave and your dad employs a random, I assumed he’ll groom Ethan to take over Monte.” Dana glances at me and flutters her long lashes. “I know he’s changed…” she draws out, “… but he’s not family.” She points a finger at me, then Faith. “You’re family,” she stammers.
I stare at Faith. “This is true.”
“And why did you leave again?” It’s a rhetorical question, and Faith sits back and folds her arms. “I agreed, and then you both resigned. Feed me to the wolves, why don’t you?”
“The wolves,” I say and giggle. “It’s not a courtroom. Besides, I haven’t resigned. I’m working part-time and with you.”
“When are you both coming to visit me?” Dana whines. She snakes her arms over Faith and my shoulders and pulls us close.
“Whoa.” I balance my drink from spilling over our designer gowns.
“You know the Daintree Rainforest is right on our doorstep.
Dana looks fuzzy, and I have trouble focusing. “On your doorstep? How?”
“We bought a house in Cow Bay in the Daintree and can stay on weekends. During the week, the small apartment in Cairns is for the convenience of work. Selling our house covered both mortgages.”
I lean my head on her shoulder. “It sounds dreamy.”
“I’ll visit, except if there’s any sign of snakes or a freaking spider, I’m out of there,” Faith warns.
“I imagine it agreeing with Samuel,” Dana murmurs.
There are hidden messages in her words.
The three of us remain silent in the unspoken words of Samuel’s health.
After a few minutes, I say, “Yeah.”
29
SAMUEL
“One night,” Samuel says when they’re on the open road driving toward Berri. “Tomorrow we get up and drive back so I get the day with Rose.”
Eden smiles at him as if he gave her a million dollars. Being together on a road trip and exploring a new place is more exciting to her than a wad of cash.
Eden intended to bring Rose and have a mini family getaway until her mother suggested Rose stay with them overnight to give Eden and Samuel time together. Samuel is desperate to have quality time with Eden, only partying with Amy isn’t what he had in mind.
“Thank you for doing this for me.” Eden places a hand on his thigh.
With one hand, he releases the steering wheel and squeezes her hand. “As long asweget alone time.”
“We will, I promise.” Eden leans over and kisses his cheek.
He recognizes the gleam in her eyes.
“We could pull over here. Tinted windows.” He winks.
Eden giggles. “Keep driving, Dr. McMahon.”
On the outskirts of town, orchard farms line the road and toward the horizon.
Eden stares out the window. “The Riverina is best known for its citrus and stone fruit, and personally, I believe the best apricots in the world.”
