Page 103 of Stockman's Stowaway

Mia felt the world fall away. The breeze grew still, as a bird flew past, and a fly flirted with her shoulder.

‘Willow, steady.’

The dog crouched down, her eyes alert and shining, focused on the cattle.

The buzzer went off and the three steers were released.

‘Away, Willow.’

With speed, the kelpie ran in a wide, arching circle towards the cattle.

‘Come round.’

Willow rushed around them on the right, pushing the trio towards the first rails. One steer lowered its head and Willow barked, getting close enough to almost nip at its nose. Would they lose points for that?

‘Easy, Willow.’

The dog backed off, weaving back and forth like a western line dancer to push them through the first gate.

But Mia still couldn’t breathe, the sun scorching down on her, twisting her fingers, as the time seemed to stretch into hours.‘Come round… Push them through… Steady… Walk up. Walk up.’

Willow ran side to side, herding the cattle just like she did in the drafting yards to walk them through the open gate. Mia closed it behind them. Five minutes and sixteen seconds, with forty-four seconds to spare.

It wasn’t fast like Atlas or Fern would have done, but it was steady, the cattle were calm, and it’s what Cap would calla good clean close.

‘Well done, Willow, well done.’ She patted the dog heartily as her reward.

A buzzing noise hovered overhead. She looked up to face Ash’s drone. Normally she’d duck and hide, but today she waved, then she waved at Bree and Harper holding Mason where they cheered loudly with Dex and Ryder clapping beside them. Mia had nothing to hide.

Why should she?

After all, there was nowhere to hide in front of everyone in the arena. So what if she mucked up, she was having a go. She even shyly smiled at the crowds who were clapping for them.

Bree was right—Mia might not have won, but this was a win for her. It was also a win for all those who called Elsie Creek Station home.

Forty-three

It was late in the afternoon as Cap steered his trusty Tojo through the wide-open gates of Elsie Creek Station. Willow and Fern gave barks of joy from the back cage. He felt it too. ‘It’s good to be home.’ Especially after the day they’d had.

‘When can we pick up Atlas?’ Mia asked from the passenger seat.

He liked the way she saidwe. ‘Tomorrow. Ryan’s giving him another treatment tonight, to be on the safe side.’ The dog needed sleep and Atlas wasn’t doing that with everyone, including his furry playmates, in the same room.

‘Atlas is going to be okay.’

‘I know.’ It still hurt. ‘What about you?’ He gave her a gentle smile, his eyes roaming over her face. In make-up, new shirt, and her hair back, showing the world how truly beautiful she was. ‘Look at you.’

‘I got attacked by Harper and Bree.’ She dropped her head humbly.

‘You look amazing. If we weren’t so beat, I would have taken you out to dinner. But we’ll do it soon. Like a date?’

How slack was he, when Mia deserved to be spoiled? He was going to speak to Ash about the romantic stuff. His baby brother was always spoiling his lady, organising with Cap to babysit for their weekly date nights.

‘That’d be nice. I’d like that.’

His eyes narrowed at her. She seemed different, more confident. ‘Something happened to you, didn’t it? During the trials?’

Mia nodded. ‘I think I found my confidence again. Did that sound foolish?’

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