Page 15 of Stockman's Stowaway

Bree shook her head.

‘Not far from Murray Bridge.’

‘Oh, I’ve driven through there. Feel free to call them anytime.’ She pointed to the open front door.

‘I don’t want to worry them.’ Again, she dropped her head in shame.

‘Hey.’ Bree dropped to her haunches, her eyes level with Mia’s. ‘You have nothing to be ashamed about. But your ex sure as hell has a lot to answer for. He’s the one who did wrong by you.’

‘Gavin’s never done anything like that before.’

‘Once is too many times, Mia. But I bet it’s been building up for a while.’

Mia shook her head. ‘Not true. But he was drinking.’

Bree narrowed those green eyes at her. ‘That’s no excuse.’

‘He was—’

‘Stop sticking up for the guy.’

Mia gasped at the realisation that Bree was right.

‘Hey…’ Bree grabbed her hands, holding them to her heart, as her voice softened. ‘You are so much more than that. Don’t let this one incident define you, when you deserve only the good, living in a world where no man hits you. Unless you’re a boxer like Dex.’

‘Is that one of Cap’s brothers? I haven’t seen Cap today.’

‘I told Dex and his brothers to stay away and let you heal in peace.’

Aw, bless Bree for being so considerate. It had also surprised Mia when Bree had asked permission to share her story. ‘So, you told them I’m here?’

Bree nodded. ‘I gave them the brief version. And Cap told them you’re staying as long as you need and they’re okay with that.’

‘What are they like? The brothers.’

‘Oh, is this where I get out the good crockery to drink gin from teacups while we pretend we’re high society, gossiping abouteveryone as we spill the tea on all their inappropriate family secrets?’ Bree grinned, plonking herself down in the next chair, leaning back, to casually cross one leg over the other.

A giggle slipped out of her. If it wasn’t for her fat lip, Mia could almost match Bree’s wolfish grin. ‘I meant—’

‘I know what you meant, because I’d want to know too, if I were in your situation.’ Bree inhaled deeply to peer over the bobbing flower heads towards the farmhouse that stood in the distance as if dumped onto the red dirt like a forgotten child’s toy.

‘So, who is the oldest?’

‘Ryder. He’s hot to look at—all the Riggs’ brothers are in their own way.’

Mia didn’t want to think about Cap and his good looks, she couldn’t. Yet…

‘Ryder’s hard and cold as steel,’ continued Bree. ‘Some days I swear he’s got ice in his veins, he’s that cold. He’s also the business brains who can spot a con within a millisecond, and the bank out of their little quartet of brothers who own Elsie Creek Station.’

‘Bank?’

‘Ryder paid for this place with cash, and the others put in their deposits. I think he’s a self-made millionaire or something?’ Bree shrugged. ‘And then there’s Dex.’

‘The boxer?’

‘Bareknuckle boxer. Dex does the hardcore street fights.’

‘Oh, that sounds scary.’ Mia wriggled in her seat uncomfortably, thinking of hiding back inside. Which was so wrong when she lived for the outdoors as a soil sister. Maybe the sooner she got back to work, the sooner she could forget this nightmare of bruises. ‘Is this Dex, um…’Safe?

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