Page 89 of Stockman's Sandstorm

‘Did you bother to find out who she was?’

He couldn’t even look at her, only now realising how selfish he’d been. ‘I’m afraid I’ll muck it up … all of it. The station. Fail my brothers. Fail my son.’

She grinned.

‘Why are you grinning at me like that? I don’t like that grin.’ It was positively evil.

‘That’s the first time I’ve heard you call him son.’

He blinked at the realisation.

‘Seeing as how we’re on the verge of swapping friendship bracelets with this heart-to-heart chat, you do realise that your brothers are the same as you. They’re afraid they’ll fail and lose this station, especially with that mine chasing your water.’

‘I wish there was a way to help them somehow.’

‘Did you talk to Harper?’

‘I did.’

‘And?’

‘She asked to see the letter …’ He turned towards home.

‘Look at you …’ Bree leaned over in her saddle, her green eyes narrowing at him. ‘Did something happen between you two?’ Her eyes widened as she pointed at Ash. ‘It did, didn’t it? You’re pining for her. You, the guy who can’t wait to leave a woman’s bed is—’

‘Nothing happened, just a kiss.’

‘Snowflake, why are you lying to yourself?’

‘Cap told me to stop seeing Harper.’ But there was no escaping the truth over how deep his feelings were for Harper.

Bree just blinked at him. ‘Why are you listening to relationship advice from a bunch of beer-belching bachelors? Is that because they want you to join their outback monkhood or something?’

‘No. But Cap said I shouldn’t expect Harper to be part of an instant family. I haven’t even taken her out on a date, and Harper is not the type of lady to take to the pub.’

‘Pfft.’ Bree dismissively waved her hand at him. ‘Harper and I had lunch at the pub just the other day. She was fine. And they have a Michelin-star chef.’

‘You know what I mean …’

‘Oh, you mean a date date. Like romance and candlelight.’ Again, that grin of hers grew.

Ash shrugged. Normally he didn’t bother dating, he didn’t need to. But if that’s what Harper wanted, he’d do it for her.

‘Well, when you decide you want to take Harper out on a proper date, let me know. I’ll help you with that.’

‘Won’t you be breaking the rules of getting involved in our business?’

‘I live my life stuck under so many rules I either forget them or break them routinely. Remember, I don’t work for you guys, so you can’t sack me.’ She sat back in her saddle and shrugged. ‘If you want to date Harper, date her. I know she’s got a soft spot for you.’

‘Really?’ Hope filled his chest.

‘Snowflake, you talked Harper into being a nanny when she’s never even babysat a pot plant in her life. She followed you from the supermarket when you’d just met, and you talked her into going on a muster. Do you want me to set up a billboard with flashing neon signs saying Harper likes Ash, as much as you like her?’

The redhead was right. ‘When I get back, I’d like to do something for Harper, like go on a date. Will you babysit?’

‘No. I’m not ready to babysit. Get Cap to.’

Again, he looked back in the direction of home.

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