Even so, we entered cautiously, senses on full alert. Once again, there was nothing but the echoes of happiness.
I hoped those echoes made it through the oncoming night.
Business was brisk, which at least took our minds off the upcoming confrontation. Monty called just after midday, stating he’d drive by at five-thirty to pick us up, with no explanation as to why.
“I’m guessing they don’t want us hanging around here too long alone,” Belle said as she slid an order across the counter. Penny whisked in and picked it up. “We can’t rely on Clayton or your father keeping to the set time, and we’re basically sitting ducks here.”
“True, but that does leave the café open to assault.”
“Better they assault it than us.”
“Also true.”
I sent a message to Aiden to update him on what was going on, and told him I’d contact him when we were all heading back
here.
His reply was a quick and abrupt You’d better or we will have words.
“The man definitely does care,” Belle commented.
“That has never been in doubt.”
“To you, me, and the world in general, yes. But I’m afraid he is in utter denial as to the depths.”
“Maybe, but there’s nothing I can do but accept it and move on when the time comes.”
Belle smiled. “I like this new attitude.”
“The new attitude is a product of realizing that, compared to what we are about to face, a broken heart is but a minor blip in the radar.”
My tone was light, but it wasn’t fooling Belle. She hugged me fiercely and told me it would all work out. I could only hope her instincts were right and mine were wrong.
The deeper into the afternoon we got, the more time appeared to slow. By the time we closed the café and shooed the staff home early, it was fair to say I was only a couple of strands away from falling to pieces.
We grabbed the backpack and our athames, threw additional layers of protection across the top of the stairs—more to know whether anyone went up there than to actually stop them—and then, at five-thirty, went out.
Monty pulled up right on time in an old Ford sedan. Belle grabbed the rear door and jumped inside, leaving me to take the front.
He’ll take it as a step forward if I sit in the front, she said. We may be in grave danger, but his marrying plans are never far from his mind.
Even Monty isn’t that shallow.
I wouldn’t bet on it.
I smiled and did up the seat belt as he took off. “Where are we going? And where did you get this car?”
“Borrowed it from a neighbor, with the promise to replace it if I wrote it off. Which I won’t, unless Clayton and Lawrence do something totally off-piste. As to where we’re going—” He paused to take the corner and headed out of Castle Rock. “I thought I’d shout you ladies a meal at a pub.”
“I’m not entirely sure my stomach is up to eating,” I said. “I gather the others are going to meet us there?”
He nodded. “I’ve booked a small function room so that we can talk and prepare without alarming anyone.”
“Have you had any luck in tracking either of the men down?” Belle asked.
“No, nor did I really expect to.” He glanced at me; there was something in his expression that had my breath stuttering in my throat. “I did contact a friend in Canberra, though. Your mother hasn’t left.”
My breath whooshed out. “I guess that’s something.”