Page 101 of Stockman's Stowaway

Mia touched her smooth silky hair. ‘I could do with a cap.’ Missing Cap, hoping Atlas was okay. She’d heard Fern was fine. But sadly, Atlas was still getting treatment.

‘For this event, you get a new town hat to add to your wardrobe.’ Bree carefully placed it on Mia’s head like a tiara. ‘Perfect. You’re ready. And so is Willow.’ She touched the dog’s nose. ‘You look good in your new dog collar.’

‘I chose the mustard colour because it reminded me of Cap’s Tojo.’ Harper adjusted the collar that was like a minimalist rope bracelet. ‘I think the tiny charms on it are a cute touch. And I’ve ordered a special name tag for Willow with Mia’s number on the back for when they come to town. My dogs are getting one, too.’

‘I think you should become a personal shopper, Harper, for both human and canines,’ said Bree.

‘Willow needed to look as good as her new owner to celebrate their participation.’ Harper’s phone pinged, and she read the message. ‘Ash says they want Mia at the arena now.’

‘Let’s go.’ Bree hooked her arm through Mia’s, hustling her out the door and into the bright sunshine.

‘Do I have to do this?’ Mia swallowed hard, while the dog trotted beside her, with her tail up, her coat gleaming, and her new collar all sparkly.

‘You said you’d do it.’

‘But do I have to get dressed up?’

‘This isn’t dressed up, it’s smart casual,’ said Harper. ‘I have plenty of ball gowns and cocktail dresses if you want to get dressed up. Hey, we should do that at our next cooking lesson and make cupcakes while wearing ball gowns and tiaras.’

‘Oh, I’m in,’ said Bree with a bright smile. ‘Mia, didn’t your mother dress up when she did her dog shows?’

‘Um, yeah… I should call her.’

‘Give me that.’ Bree snatched the phone. ‘You can call her after the events. In the meantime, I’ll take photos you can send to your parents and Cap.’

‘Cap knows I’m doing this?’ She licked her lips, that felt foreign from the lipstick.

Harper nodded. ‘I can’t wait to watch. Ash is filming it with the drone.’

Mia stumbled.

‘I’ve got you.’ Bree clutched her arm tighter.

‘Do you think I’m going to run away?’ Which is what she wanted to do.

‘I think when you give that first command to Willow, the crowd will disappear, and it will be just you and the dog having fun out there. You’ll forget we’re even here.’

‘Can we forget I said yes?’

Bree gave a wry smile as they approached the arena. ‘You can back out. Anytime.’

‘Really?’

‘But then you’ll suffer with crippling guilt for quitting, and end up with stomach ulcers—’

‘Bree!’ Harper motioned with her eyes at Bree to stop.

Bree laughed. ‘Let’s put it this way, precious, it’s just the fear talking. Look, let’s picture your fear as black mould that grows in dark, stagnant places. We try to conceal it, ignore it, yet sometimes that fear compounds into something like a phobia,’ Bree said, brushing some lint off Mia’s shoulder. ‘With your fear of standing in front of a crowd you can either trample on it like a weed to make room for the pretty native wildflowers, or you can go hide in a dark corner again. But I know you’ll be disappointed in yourself for not trying. Now, get out there and have fun. We’ll be here supporting you.’

‘One last gift. A bottle of water for you, and this is a portable water bowl for the dog. It matches her collar and lead.Go Team Willow.’ Harper gave the thumbs up, just like she did at the drafting yards.

They left Mia on the edge of the arena with Willow beside her, holding a lead, a bottle of water, and a portable dog bowl that folded away like a compact grocery bag with a clip.

Ryder approached, carrying a large piece of paper in his hand, it was like a running bib worn by marathon runners with large numbers on it. ‘Mia, I’m going to pin this number to your back.’

‘Isn’t that Cap’s number?’

‘It’s yours too. I’ve put your name beside Cap’s as the team representing Elsie Creek Station.’

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