Page 24 of Stockman's Sandstorm

‘So the family reunion must have been good?’

Again, Bree shrugged. ‘I think watching their youngest brother, Jonathan, buy Sandlot Station made them want to work for themselves, too. Jonathan wanted them to stay close, he was the one who was keen for Pop to agree to meet the boys. Which Charlie did, and those four brothers bought Elsie Creek Station almost a month now.’

‘Did they factor in their constant arguments?’ It was relentless, the snarls, grunts, and snarky snaps she’d hear from the outdoor table.

‘Dex and Ryder, right?’

Harper nodded. ‘I ignore them. Or they ignore me. But right now, I don’t care about the Riggs brothers … Is that wrong?’ She’d never talked badly about her boss to someone she’d just met. Where was the filter for her mouth? She was usually good at keeping secrets and being guarded with her reactions.

‘No.’ Bree giggled. ‘Listen, what’s said in this yard stays in this yard.’

‘Thank you, Bree. For everything, the shower time, lunch, conversation and just …’

‘Settle, petal. It’s obvious you’ve been living a pretty stressful life for a long time. Take a beat while I clear the table.’

‘I should—’

‘Sit and finish your iced tea and see how long you can sit still without doing anything.’

‘I’ve never …’ Harper stopped at Bree’s knowing expression. It was if Bree could see right through her, dishing out whatever Harper needed, even if she was clueless about what she needed for herself.

Bree swiftly cleared the table, leaving Harper to nestle back in her chair. She admired the large sunflowers bigger than her head swaying in the breeze. It was like she was enjoying a European summer, not the outback’s winter without a cloud in the sky that was so endless it was like looking into a deep ocean that floated above her. She’d never seen a sky so big and so clear.

Bree returned with a fresh jug of iced water with cucumber slices and a plate of sliced fruit and assorted nuts. Pouring a tall glass of water she handed one to Harper. ‘Did you meet the prime minister?’

‘Not the current one.’ The water was so crisp and the cucumber refreshing. It was the perfect palate cleanser. ‘Do you know why Cap is camping on the verandah?’

‘He’s training Sarge to be the guard dog. Cap’s demountable is airing out, and he wants to paint it before he moves in. Unlike Dex, who is squatting in the stockman’s shack, sleeping on his swag inside his tent.’

‘I’m glad Dex is out of the house. He’s betting on me to not last the week. Arsehole.’ She slapped her hand over her mouth. ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’

‘Listen, cucumber, just so you know—I’ve bet a hundred against Dex on you to make it.’

‘What? Why?’

Bree leaned in closer, her green eyes so clear. ‘Because I know you will.’

‘You don’t know me.’

‘No. But I can see it …’ She tapped on her ears.

Harper remained perfectly still, desperate to not react or give her situation away.

‘I won’t ask, and I won’t tell. Especially since Ryder told me to butt out of their business. And really, that’s your secret to share.’ She sipped her water, keeping her eyes on Harper. ‘The Riggs brothers are not dumb, so don’t ever underestimate them. Especially Ryder. He’s already suspicious of you.’

‘Ryder doesn’t talk to me. None of them do.’ She fiddled with her fingers in her lap. ‘I don’t know what to talk to them about.’ So maybe it was her fault, too. ‘I suck at this—conversation.’

‘No, you don’t.’ Bree scooped up her cane basket, sliding on her hat and gardening gloves. ‘In the meantime, let’s go shop for dinner, then we can go find you a dining table and some chairs to set up the farmhouse kitchen.’

‘Where? Not like there is a furniture warehouse out here.’

‘Close. We’ve got sheds. But you should take a hat, I have a spare one inside for you to try.’

‘I-I-I’m just helping them out.’

‘Who?’

She shrugged, unable to answer Bree.

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