I turn to James, giving him my full attention. ‘Are you heading to Kingscliff tomorrow to see your kids?’
‘Sure am. I’m going easy too. I need to be able to drive in the morning.’
I rest an arm on the table. ‘Plus you wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself in front of your employees.’
He laughs. ‘We couldn’t have that.’
‘Thank you for being so kind and patient the other day.’
His eyes move over my face. ‘You’re very welcome. Honestly, you’ve been such a breath of fresh air around the place.’
I can see he means that.
My phone rings, and I look down at Hunter’s flashing name. I shoot up and step away from the table.
‘Hey.’
‘Hey,’ he replies.
He sounds different. Tired, maybe.
‘I’ve been trying to reach you. Is everything okay?’
There’s a long pause—much too long.
‘Not really.’
I wander farther away from the noise, blocking my other ear to hear him better. ‘Where are you?’
‘Chirnside.’
I think I misheard him. ‘Did you say Chirnside?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is your dad okay?’
There’s a long silence. ‘He was in an accident, but he’ll live.’ He pauses. ‘The person driving the other car didn’t survive.’
I press my eyes shut. ‘Had your dad been drinking?’
‘Yes. Annie… the driver of the other car was Maggie Phillips.’
I suck in a breath and slap a hand over my mouth. Maggie. Big-hearted Maggie. Dead. And Kevin Reed killed her.
How do I process that?
‘I’m sorry,’ Hunter says, like it’s his fault.
I peel my hand from my mouth. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Well, I’m neck deep in sheep and debt, waiting for my dad to leave hospital so he can be remanded. So…’
My heart squeezes. ‘I’ll fly down.’
‘Don’t you dare.’ His response is immediate and firm. ‘You just got out of this place. You’re free.’ He pauses. ‘Honestly, the best thing you can do right now is lose my number.’
I wasn’t expecting that. ‘What? Why would I lose your number?’