Page 38 of Beneath the Sapphire Sky

“Ecstatic,” she replied, tongue firmly in cheek.

Light chuckles smattered through the small group. He really needed to thank his brothers later; they’d managed to lighten the sombre mood that pervaded the Davises.

That alone was worth everything to him.

Leo clamped his large hand on Callum’s shoulder. “What do you need us to do?”

Chapter Thirteen

Belle wiped herforehead with the back of her hand. She leaned on the broom she’d been using to scrub the concrete floor while Raphael threw buckets of hot, soapy water in front of her.

The pink-tinged mess flowed to the six-inch-wide grate in the middle of the floor that ran the length of the shed, then led to a drain tank outside. She scrunched up her nose. It still stunk to high heaven.

Raph saw her face. “Not particularly pleasant, is it?”

She shook her head. He’d been such a wonderful help. The Casellatis had hung around yesterday, helping out with what they could, while the forensic team did their thing. Dante had been the most helpful—for her at least—keeping her company and sending her smiles and small touches when she most needed them.

Even something as simple as a squeeze on her arm when he walked past had bolstered her spirit.

He’d come over with Raph and Leo again this morning, but had to leave soon after. Her heart had sunk as she’d watched him walk down the driveway, loneliness and a stark melancholy overtaking her as his figure disappeared around the slight bend.

She glanced over at Mr C, who was talking with her father. He’d brought a basket of food, ranging from Angel’s amazing baked offerings to sandwiches and cold drinks.

A wave of love for the old man washed over her. He’d treated them all like family ever since she and Dante had been friends. Jack had hung around with Leo and Raph occasionally, but hadbeen closer to the O’Brien boys than the Casellatis. Still, they felt like extended family.

Others had shown up, too. Cat had brought cupcakes, and Darby from the bakery had arrived to drop off supplies of bread and rolls, with offers to bring out anything they needed. She’d lost count of the messages of support and offers of help she, her father, and Jack had received between them.

It was one reason she loved living in the Crossing. When bad or good things happened, people showed up in droves to help.

Raph came back with another bucket and put it down. He held out his hand for the broom.

“Give it here. I’ll have a go at the scrubbing for a while if you like.”

Belle considered arguing, then handed it over. Who was she to refuse help on the physical stuff?

She looked past Raph at her brother, still grim-faced and quiet after the events of the past two days. Sadness at his loss threatened to drown her. He looked so unhappy. He’d worked on the award blend for so long. It was his pet project, much like Dante with his naked wine that he’d been nursing along.

Jack hosed behind them with the pressure washer, the intensity of the spray mixed with her scrubbing and the soapy water solution removing any colour from the concrete, and all trace of what had occurred.

Three years of work, literally down the drain.

The rumble of their tractor engine brought Belle’s head around. A motorbike followed close behind. The O’Brien twins—Gerry and Joe Junior—walked into the shed. Gerry took off his hat and shoved a hand through his hair.

“Slashing is done. Joe Junior here”—he motioned to his twin brother—“set the pump timers and added the fertiliser like your dad wanted. It’s all done, buddy.”

Jack nodded and tried to smile. “Thanks, guys.”

“There’s food in the office if you’re hungry,” Belle added. “We’ve had quite a few people stop by with stuff, so help yourselves. We’re going to be buried in egg and lettuce sandwiches!”

They grinned at her, their smiles almost identical. The usually sombre Joe Junior had perked up, his attempts at cheering Jack up noticeable.

Jack turned off the pressure washer and followed his friends into the office, which also acted at times as a staff room. Raph came up behind her.

“I know the timing is dreadful, but would you like to grab dinner with me sometime? Or, if not dinner, even a coffee somewhere that’s not home?” he added after seeing her surprise.

Belle picked up the bucket and sloshed the hot soapy water over the next section. Raph took the hint and started to scrub.

“That’s a really nice offer.”

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