Page 47 of Stockman's Sandstorm

He checked the calendar on his phone, where he’d marked the date. Sixteen days to go.

‘Hi, Bree.’ Harper strolled out in her shirt and long shorts, tightening her ponytail. ‘What brings you here?’

‘Is it true that you’ve agreed to go on this muster?’

Ash smiled, his chest rising with his posture. ‘She did. Harper’s going. So is the boy.’ Even if he wasn’t so sure of the deal he’d made with Harper, who was trying so hard to push him and Mason together.

‘He has a name, Ash.’ Bree held the kid on her hip while he played with one of her long red curls. ‘What’s your name, little man?’

‘Me. Mason. Me.’ The kid grinned wider.

‘You bet it is.’ Bree tickled his belly, and he cackled so loudly it was infectious.

It was the most Ash had ever heard Mason speak, who obviously adored Bree. Pity the woman didn’t like any of the grown-ups at the table.

‘It seems I’ve been talked into going,’ replied Harper. She narrowed her pretty eyes at Ash, and he grinned like a fool, and waited.

There it was, that shy smile creeping across Harper’s kissable lips. Another one of the good smiles from her smile file.

‘Ash, huh?’ Bree glanced back at Ash, then at Harper. ‘Well then, go get your purse, blossom, and put on some shoes, we’re going shopping.’ She then faced the table. ‘Does anyone have any food allergies?’

‘Me. To all things vegetable.’ Dex held his hand up.

‘Well, that explains your cauliflower ears, pumpkin head … Oh, please, do keep rolling your eyes, Dex. Maybe you’ll find a brain back there. But I’m talking peanut allergies et cetera.’

‘No, none of us have any allergies,’ replied Ryder. ‘And we’re not fussy eaters. But we truly appreciate you coming with us, Bree.’

‘I’m only doing it for Charlie.’

‘We know.’

‘I don’t work for you boys.’

‘We know.’ In a rare moment, Ryder willingly dragged out his wallet and removed a credit card. ‘Here … Use this for supplies. Bring back the receipts.’

Bree fanned herself with the plastic, her evil grin widening. ‘Is there enough credit on this for a ticket to Tahiti, then some VIP tickets to a private booth for the Stanley Cup.’

‘The what cup?’ Cap asked.

‘I’m ready.’ Harper burst through the front door, hair brushed, in a summer dress, her eyes brightened with a touch of make-up, and shiny lips.

Harper looked so excited that Ash sat back in his seat, dazzled by the dramatic change in her. She was stunning.

‘Good, let’s go. FYI, I’m driving, so it’s my playlist for music choices.’ Bree seemed as eager as Harper to go shopping.

‘You’ll need the baby seat for the car, Bree.’ Ash may not have bonded with the boy, but he didn’t want the kid hurt either.

Bree carried Mason to the driver’s side. ‘I have my own, thanks. Oh, and Ash …’ Bree peeked over the roof of the bright yellow Kombi van.

‘Oh, man, you’re in trouble now, brother.’ Dex ducked his head to avoid eye contact with Bree.

‘Yeah …’ Ash braced himself for it, while racking his brains for what he’d done to bear the brunt of Bree’s attention.

‘I’m lending my spare saddle to Harper. Charlie’s getting it ready for you now. She might do with a refresher in riding if she has the right horse?’

‘Good idea.’ Ryder nodded at Bree, it was rare for those two to agree on anything. ‘Dex is collecting our horses today. We’ll make sure Harper gets the quieter ones.’

‘Outstanding. And my job is done. Now play nice and don’t burn the house down, children.’ She tooted the horn and the yellow Kombi van steadily churned through the dirt like an old tugboat in a red sea.

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