Page 44 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

‘Yes. She came by to check the herd and the expectant mothers.’

‘She’s very good. It’s such a shame about that scar on her face. Rodeo bull did that.’

‘Oh.’ Bree was slightly taken aback. She’d read about how badly rodeo bulls were treated at times, and she couldn’t really reconcile that with the gentle and caring woman she’d met.

‘Yes. She got hurt while trying to rescue the bull when it was trapped in an overturned truck. Terrible thing, it was. She was such a pretty young woman. Cake? Or a lamington?’

Bree blinked at the abrupt change of topic. ‘Cake, thanks.’

The cake was good. She sat chatting for a few minutes, watching the townsfolk visiting the library. Some she knew, others she didn’t. But the way things were going, she probably soon would. She felt comfortable, sitting her in her casual clothes, chatting to people who seemed genuinely friendly. Far more so than most of the people she’d met in the course of her legal work. Many of those friendships had been centred on position and influence. Perhaps she was being too harsh. Not everyone was like her parents.

And speaking of parents.

Four people were approaching from the direction of the pub, Matt and Vicki with the older couple she’d seen before. Vicki’s grandparents.

‘Bree!’

Vicki’s excited voice carried across the distance between them. Bree got up from the table as the little girl skidded to a stop in front of her and then flung her arms around Bree’s waist.

‘Well, hello to you too.’ Bree hugged her back, then looked up at Matt. ‘Hi, Matt.’

‘Hi, Bree. I don’t think you’ve properly met Vicki’s grandparents. Sally and Brian Holden. Sally, Brian, this is Bree Johnston. She owns the alpaca farm just outside of town and was kind enough to let Vicki visit to meet her animals.’

‘It’s nice to meet you.’ Bree remembered what the postmistress had said about Matt’s in-laws, and while she didn’t like to judge based on gossip, she also remembered their rudeness that day in the pub. But that might have been a bad day. She smiled in a friendly fashion, but Sally’s face was cold. Almost hostile.

‘When can I come and see Digby again?’ Vicki asked.

Bree looked at Matt and raised an eyebrow. He nodded slightly. ‘Soon,’ she promised. ‘Your dad and I will arrange a time. We’ll have baby alpacas soon. I know you’ve been reading about them. Do you know what they are called?’

Vicki shook her head.

‘A baby alpaca is a cria.’

‘Baby horses are called foals.’

‘That’s right. Well, it’s sort of the same.’

‘Cria.’

Vicki tested the word so carefully, Bree had to smile. She glanced at Matt, who was smiling too. Behind him, she saw two women whispering and looking their way. One was Val. More gossip was likely to come from this meeting.

‘Well, I’d better take my turn finding something to read.’

‘I’ll come too,’ Vicki said.

As they made their way towards the library truck, Vicki put her hand into Bree’s. After a moment of surprise, Bree decided it was nice that the little girl felt confident with her. But as they climbed the folding metal steps, she happened to glance at Matt and his in-laws. Sally’s face was thunderous.

Librarian Lou greeted them both warmly. ‘I was wondering when I’d see you, Vicki. I managed to find a very special book for you.’

While Vicki collected a new book about alpacas, Bree perused the crime shelf, selecting a couple of unfamiliar books by a favourite author.

‘So you’re a crime reader,’ Lou said as she noted the titles. ‘Good to know. I get first dibs on the older books from a couple of the official libraries. I’ll keep my eye open for any newer crime I see.’

‘That would be great. Thanks.’

‘And if you’ve got any books you don’t need any more, we’re always open to donations. Particularly any unwanted books on alpacas.’ Lou nodded to where Vicki was now sitting on the floor, her head buried in the book. ‘I suspect I’m going to start getting more requests for those.’

‘I don’t doubt it. I’m going to offer to have the school kids out one day soon. I was going to give some books to the school.’

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