research of her own.
Tash couldn’t tell her the truth. Not when Isla’s father was plastered across the internet. She’d ditched the habit of following his career online years ago, around the time he’d won his umpteenth award. Tash had achieved what she’d set out to do—set Kody free to find success—and while following Kody’s every step as Rock Hard Place took the world by storm had been the only bright spot in her lonely existence as a struggling single mother, she’d eventually stopped torturing herself with what might have been.
She’d anticipated help from her parents upon her return to Brockenridge. She’d been wrong. They’d heard her out, glowered at her still-flat belly and announced they were moving hours away. So much for religion fostering acceptance and forgiveness.
‘Hey, what’s taking you so long?’ Ruby pushed out the wooden chair opposite with her foot. ‘Take a seat so we can get started.’
‘You’re much bossier than Clara ever was,’ Tash said, glad they’d all reached a place where they could mention Ruby’s mum, the original owner of the roadhouse, without awkwardness. It was a year since Clara had died and Ruby had returned to Brockenridge to discover she’d inherited the roadhouse. In that time, Ruby had convinced her high school boyfriend not to tear the roadhouse down in favour of a fancy-schmancy country club and Alisha, the roadhouse hostess, had hooked up with Harry, the roadhouse’s chef. It was a regular love-fest around the place and, while Tash was happy for them all, she couldn’t help but feel like a spare wheel at times.
‘My bossiness is what’s making this place thrive, so you should be grateful,’ Ruby said, with a smile. ‘Okay, first up—Harry, why don’t you give us a rundown of the new menu?’
Tash tuned out when Harry started listing his latest culinary creations, most of them a unique blend of Indian and Aussie tucker. With Alisha being Indian, he’d adopted some of the recipes she’d taught him, and while Tash loved his curry beef pie and chilli scrambled eggs, she drew the line at his baingan bharta nachos: corn chips covered in a spicy eggplant stew.
‘Thanks, Harry.’ Ruby ticked off a few points on her list. ‘Alisha, why don’t you give us a rundown of the bands for the upcoming theme nights?’
Tash stiffened at the mention of bands as she inevitably did and forced herself to relax. Nobody but Alisha knew the identity of Isla’s father and she’d like to keep it that way. Thankfully, her friend never brought up the subject, not since Tash had burst into embarrassing tears several years ago when Alisha had suggested she tell Kody the truth. The thought had crossed her mind, several times, but with every album release, every hit song, every award, Tash’s resolve waned. Kody had endless funds to fight a lengthy custody battle and losing her precious daughter was one thing Tash wouldn’t gamble on.
‘We’ve got three local bands lined up for the regular blues nights, but no rock band for the gig in eight weeks,’ Alisha said, with a grimace. ‘I’ve tried reaching out to a few managers and event coordinators, but nada.’
‘Thanks, keep trying.’ Ruby ticked off another task and circled ‘rock band’ on her list. ‘Tash, have you found extra staff for the theme nights?’
Feeling like the failure of the group as always, she shook her head. ‘I’ve advertised in town and moved further afield to Echuca, but no luck. Plenty of teens want to apply but they can’t work here because of the liquor licensing rules. I’ll keep looking.’
‘Okay,’ Ruby said, running an orange highlighter through the ‘find wait staff’ task on her list. ‘Anyone have anything else to raise?’
Alisha stuck her hand in the air like a kid in primary school.
‘What is it, Lish?’ Ruby asked.
‘Uh … well … the thing is …’ Alisha trailed off, a faint blush staining her cheeks.
‘For goodness’ sake. We’re engaged,’ Harry muttered. ‘And we’re not mucking about with any big wedding hoopla, so we’d like to hold the reception here, if that’s okay with you.’
The initial shocked silence gave way to an excited whoop as Ruby leapt from her chair to hug the happy couple. ‘Congratulations, you two. Of course you can have your reception here.’
Ruby hugged Alisha, then Harry, and Tash followed suit, murmuring, ‘About bloody time,’ in Harry’s ear, and, ‘I’m so happy for you, sweetie,’ in Alisha’s.
Alisha and Harry had been her best friends for years. They’d supported her through her pregnancy when she’d started waitressing at