Page 29 of A Chance to Believe

Shayne forced himself to focus on the steaks. No-one would thank him for singeing the tender beef Jordan had supplied.

The back door opened and his mother came out with a bag of bread rolls, followed by Grace and their husbands. The men chivvied into transporting bowls of salad. Nana was already ensconced in her favourite old squatter’s chair on the verandah, brought over from the homestead by his parents when they were furnishing the house.

Dawn stood at the top of the steps. ‘Celie, Kimberley. Time to get everyone out.’

There was a rumble of discontent from the pool, but he could see them scrambling out of the water. The little ones were herded inside by their mother and Kimberley. Edward Cavanaugh hadn’t bothered to dry himself before coming to inspect the food. His sister Gabby, wrapped in a bright pink beach towel, wasn’t far behind, followed by Cassie and Becca.

She dodged past Jordan, who was busy with the bread rolls. ‘Are the sausages ready? We’re starved.’

He knocked her inquisitive fingers away with the tongs. ‘No, they aren’t cooked yet. What they are is hot.’

Gabby screwed up her face. ‘You are such a spoilsport.’

He wiped the tongs with a paper towel before starting on turning the sausages. ‘Morgan would never forgive me if you burnt yourself under my watch.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘I bet you’d let Kimberley have one.’

‘If Kimberley liked sausages, she would have to wait until they’re cooked like everyone else.’

‘She hasn’t gone vegetarian again, has she?’

‘No. It only lasted a week.’

Cassie was smiling down at Gabby, who looked at her with narrowed eyes. ‘Are you the one from the city? The one who did a Courtney on Shayne.’

‘Gabby!’ Shayne’s reprimand came out synchronously with the horrified exclamation from Grace.

‘I was only repeating what everyone else is saying.’

Shayne looked at Cassie, anxious about the girl’s words hurting her, but she was still smiling, though her eyes were serious.

‘I’m pleased Shayne has someone in his corner, but you shouldn’t say it in a way that would be hurtful to Kimberley.’

The girl looked stricken, glancing around as if to search for Kimberley. ‘I didn’t think about it. How Kim might feel. I’m sorry.’

Grace snagged the girl by one arm. ‘You can come and explain to me why you’re repeating scurrilous gossip without considering people’s feelings.’

Jordan stared after them. ‘Does Gabby even understand what scurrilous means?’

Becca joined the group, her hand supporting her back. ‘I imagine she learned it at Grace’s knee.’

Shayne could see Cassie was confused. ‘Don’t worry, Gabby and Grace understand each other.’

‘Too well,’ Becca inserted. ‘I’m on Gabby’s side where the food is concerned. Is it ready?’

The group broke up at her words, falling on the food.

Cassie waited for him to finish piling the steak and sausages onto a platter and tugged his sleeve. ‘Where’s Ben?’

Jordan took the platter. ‘He’s gone to pick up Beth and Hope so they can join us for dinner. It was Beth’s father-in-law who Morgan had to go sort out.’

‘Is he okay?’ Shayne had a lot of respect for the man.

‘Maybe Beth will know.’

Cassie was looking worried again, so he pulled her aside. Everyone else was busy with the food. He was pleased to see Kimberley helping with the youngest Taite child. Both Jordan and Celie were looking strained, though that was par for the course these days.

He turned his attention back to Cassie. ‘Is anything wrong?’

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