Page 50 of Stockman's Stowaway

Cap dropped his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. ‘Willow’s got this. Tell her.’

‘Steady…’ Mia tried to keep her voice steady as she swallowed hard, the fear creeping up her spine.

But Willow held her ground.

‘Put ‘em in.’

Willow dashed around those large hooves, barking at the beast, and eventually it moved through the chute as if to escape the pesky canine.

‘She did it.’ Mia clapped, all jittery with joy, and patted Willow.

‘Good job, Willow. Now, let’s do the rest.’ Cap pointed at the rest of the herd. ‘You’ve got this; both of you have.’ He even took away her poles.

Mia adjusted her hat, feeling the responsibility of the job, but also the fun, and the pure joy of Willow responding to her commands as they worked as a team in a whole new way. ‘Willow, look back.’Mia pointed to the herd that was still there. ‘Go round and bring them in… Steady.’

Willow’s little paws and sleek body ducked, weaved, rounded and danced among the hooves of the heavy beasts. Her eyes kept an intense focus, but the doggy smile was undeniable. Willow was a natural at this, even with a few muck-ups from Mia’s commands. ‘Go back. Wait…’She’d look at Cap as the dog looked at Mia with confusion, after she’d split the herd into two groups.

‘Where do you want the dog to go?’ Cap gently coached her, standing behind her, offering loads of encouragement, while letting Mia have control. ‘Start small, go for that one.’

Cap pointed at a beast, and Mia sent in Willow to single it out, and escort it to the chute. From there Cap had her commanding Willow to do groups of two, then three, even five.

‘Dammit!Gate’s jammed.’ Bree’s voice rose over the dust. ‘Cap, I need to borrow a dog to hold them back.’

‘No worries. Call for Willow. She’s ready to try, like you said.’ He grabbed Mia’s arm. ‘Hold on the commands, let Bree run her for a bit.’

‘What’s going on?’

‘Bree will use Willow to help keep the cattle back in the chute while she works on the gate,’ explained Cap. ‘Bree has to watch her back especially while the beasts are nearby.’

‘Willow, come.’ Bree whistled like Cap did for the dog. ‘Harper, use your pole to stop the flow in that chute.’

‘I’m trying,’ cried out Harper from the rails.

‘Want me to help, babe?’ It was Ash, ripping off his gloves.

‘Harper can do it,’ said Bree, giving Harper an encouraging nod.

‘Hello, girl. Ready to earn your dog biscuits.’ Bree patted the kelpie, then pointed. ‘Willow. Block.’

The dog got low, barking as it approached the chute.

‘Low, Willow. Hold.’

Willow followed the simple commands and kept the cattle still.

‘Keep an eye on them, Pop.’

‘I will, kid. You fix that gate.’

‘Ash, I could do with a bit of muscle.’ Together Bree and Ash worked on the gate, as Cap and Mia held back the cattle from entering the chute, while Harper managed the cattle inside the chutes to a standstill where their assorted lowing were raised in complaint.

Finally, the gate swung free.

‘We didn’t fix it right,’ said Ash, giving it another swing.

‘Listen, snowflake, we’ve almost done three-quarters of the herd. It’s been a dream run until that jam.’ She playfully tappedAsh’s hat brim. ‘It’ll hold for today, but you can add it to that whiteboard you boys have up at the farmhouse, to fix later.’

‘We will.’ Ryder gave a firm nod, watching on with Dex by the fire pit.

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