“I’ve spent most of my adult life worrying about it, Belle. I doubt that’s going to change now.”
She laughed softly. “No. But at least we’re not alone.”
I couldn’t help smiling. “No, because Monty will definitely use any excuse, big or small, to stand by your side.”
She took a swipe at me, and I jumped back with a laugh. Whiskey sloshed, threatening to spill over the sides of the glass. “Hey, careful, we can’t waste good booze on the floor.”
“If you’re not careful,” she said, her expression severe but her eyes filled with amusement, “I’ll tuck the bottle on top of the highest cupboard possible, where you’ll never reach it.”
“There are such things as ladders, you know.” I took another drink, my smile fading. “I know we can’t avoid what’s coming, but I really would like to get some warning of it.”
The last thing I wanted or needed was to walk into the café one morning to find my father or husband waiting for me.
“That’s not likely to happen, given they definitely mean us harm.”
I waved my free hand around. “And do you really think these spells will stand up against the combined might of two of the strongest witches in Canberra?”
“If it was just our magic, no. But it’s not, is it?”
“True.” I finished the remnants of the whiskey and held out the glass for a top up. “As much as I know Monty will pass on any information he has, I seriously doubt he’ll be informed of either my father’s or Clayton’s movements.”
“No.” Belle pursed her lips. “You know, now might be an ideal time to come totally clean with Ashworth. He and Eli have a lot of contacts in Canberra that aren’t related to either of our families, and they could just be the eyes and ears we need up there.”
I took a deep breath and released it slowly. “You’re right, but after so many damn years of hiding—”
“It’s nice to have people to confide in,” Belle said softly. “Nice to have people we can trust.”
It was. “I guess if the shit does hit the fan and we come out the other side okay, you can finally contact your mom again.”
“Yes.” She paused. “I do miss her.”
I knew, and felt guilty about that, even though I was well aware Belle had never regretted any of the choices she’d made. Not then, not now.
I finished the second glass of whiskey. “I’ll ring Ashworth and see if they’re available for a chat tonight.”
Belle squeezed my arm. “It’ll be all right. Really, it will.”
I smiled and nodded and didn’t believe a word of it. Ashworth answered on the fifth ring. “If you’re calling for an update, I’ve got squat. You need to talk to your ranger rather than me.”
A smile touched my lips. “That’s a statement I’ve heard before.”
“Monty?”
“Yes. And it may just be that there is no more information for Aiden to share.”
Ashworth grunted. It was not a happy sound. “To what do I owe this honor, then?”
I hesitated, and then said in a rush, “I was wondering if you and Eli were available after dinner. I need to talk to you both about something.”
“That sounds serious.”
“It is.”
“Wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with that stray tracer witch I saw Monty with, would it?”
“You don’t miss much, do you?”
“I may be getting old, lass, but there’s nothing wrong with either my eyes or my senses.”