Page 29 of Stockman's Stowaway

The lines in the middle of Ryder’s brow deepened, as did his voice. ‘When?’

‘While we were looking over the demountable.’

‘We, huh?’ Dex smirked behind his beer, while rocking on his chair’s back legs.

Cap frowned at his brother. ‘Harper was there too, with Bree.’

‘What the flip?’ Dex grimaced as if tasting something horrible in the air. ‘Did you have some all-female intervention this morning?’

‘I wanted their opinion on the place.’ Cap was so glad he had asked for Bree’s opinion. He could picture the new deck, the new rooms, the roof, the outdoor kitchen, the Mexican heater, everything. It was as if Bree knew exactly what he needed.

‘It’s brilliant what Bree suggested.’ Mia wriggled on her seat beside him, the grin growing with the excitement he could feel himself.

He’d never bothered with a house before, but he was keen to start by getting Mia settled first.

‘You’ve seen the place?’ Dex pointed his beer towards the kennels. ‘I’ve heard Bree call it the dogbox.’

‘At least I’m not squatting in a tent.’ Cap glared at his snarky brother.

‘So. I’ve been busy.’

‘Me too. And well, bro, I’m hoping you’ll do some grading for me. Bree warned me that the area has a major run-off problem in the wet.’

‘Bree said Charlie called it Kennel River.’ Mia’s hands were so small around the beer stubby she timidly sipped from.

‘How bad?’ Ryder’s deep voice was loaded with concern, shutting up Dex’s smart-ass responses, which was normal for those two. Ryder was the only one to take Dex head-on and beat him, because of some sneaky military moves.

‘The water looks like it runs right under my place and through the kennels. Dex, I’ll pay you a carton to create a channel towards a new reticulation pond.’

Dex shrugged. ‘I don’t mind playing with the grader.’

He grinned, glad his brother was on board.

‘I heard those dingoes again last night.’ Dex lowered his forehead, as a sign of trouble, which was dangerous coming from Dex, who wasn’t scared to fight or load his rifle to deter wild dogs. ‘How long before we get those guardian dogs?’

‘They’re at the vets, getting checked over. Hey, do we own the tractor? Or does Bree?’

‘What tractor?’ asked Ash.

‘Big sucker. Bree used it as a forklift to drop off some steel girders and dig holes for the framework of my new deck.’

‘Hold up.’ The front legs of Dex’s chair landed with a thud, as he leaned closer to point his beer at Cap. ‘Are you saying that you’ve talked Bree into building a deck? For you?’

‘I think she’s doing it more for Mia. Bree is suggesting we have a working bee on Saturday to do the floorboards for the deck.’

‘We have the drafting to do first. And without Bree—’

‘Who’s agreed to help with the mustering, and she can get us a stock agent, too. And no, Bree didn’t laugh in my face.’

‘Bree laughs in my face all the time,’ mumbled Dex behind his beer. ‘I’d really like that woman if she didn’t scare me so much.’

‘I thought Bree didn’t want to get involved in our business,’ said Ash.

Cap shrugged. ‘I practically begged her to help with the mustering. But I don’t know how we’ll get her to do the drafting; I don’t think she likes that job.’

‘We’ll talk to Charlie. He’s the one who suggested we enlist Bree’s help in the first place,’ said Ryder.

‘Or you can ask her, Ryder. Oh, wait, she’ll tell you to rack off, too.’ Dex chuckled behind his beer.

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