Page 60 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘Well, Ryder’s the one runnin’ the show. They call him the bank. But they’re good lads, all of them. Elsie Creek Station is in good hands.’

Charlie chuckled, as he pointed to the wall where three metal branding irons hung like swords over a mantelpiece. ‘But they’re ticked at me for taking back the Station’s brand after the drafting.’

‘How was the drafting?’ Craig asked.

‘Good. The brothers are going all high tech with drones, and data whatnot with their fancy cattle tags, apps, and now the dogs. Anyhoodle, what do I owe you for bringing this lot out?’

‘Nothing. Bree asked me to come.’

‘That I did.’ Bree slipped off her welder’s boots at the back door, sliding off her skullcap and gloves to leave them on the side shelf as a beagle trotted inside with Willow.

‘Morning, Willow.’ Mia eagerly patted her furry friend with her wagging tail.

‘There’s my favourite redhead.’ Craig gave Bree a hug and a kiss on the cheek. ‘What’s with the dogs? That’s a nice-looking kelpie. Don’t see many this far north.’

‘I was going to ask if you knew of anyone who uses kelpies on their stations.’

Craig shook his head. ‘Just heelers, the odd border collie or two, some bull Arabs as pig dogs, and the usual Territory Special camp dogs. What are you doing with a beagle? I’ve never seen one out here.’ It sniffed all around Craig’s boots, then the hat, nose down, tail wagging.

‘That’s Scout. She was one of Caps dogs, a retired police dog, but now she’s Harper’s pampered house dog. Aren’t you, girl.’ Bree tickled the beagle’s ears as it plonked itself down, lapping up the attention.

‘Why is Scout here?’ Charlie asked. ‘Are we running a doggy day care or something, kid?’

‘I thought Scout could come along for a drive when we check the boundary fence.’

‘Besides getting me out here for my good looks and charm, is this your way of asking me to help you do some fencing?’ Craig slid on his hat, standing tall, to tuck his shirt into his thigh-hugging jeans. If Mia had been standing, she would have fainted in a female swoon!

Dayum!

‘Don’t worry, my friend, I have a job for you, too. Ooh, cupcakes. I love a good cupcake.’ Bree plucked a tiny cupcake with cream frosting and inhaled deeply, as if savouring its aroma. ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these mixed groups of sugars in the holy art of cupcake heaven. May our cholesterol and blood pressure remain steady for another day.’ Bree bit into her frosty cupcake, her eyes rolling with pleasure. The men chuckled as she ate her cupcake, then arched an eyebrow at them. ‘Well, what are we waiting for? I’m hoping we’ll be done early enough to enjoy a long liquid lunch.’

‘Want me to come with, kid?’

‘Always, Pop.’

‘Quick, let’s go get the Razorback before the granddaughter changes her mind.’ Charlie shuffled out the back door with the cowboy following. Mia couldn’t take her eyes off that denim-clad butt.

Bree cleared her throat, wearing a cheesy grin.

Busted!The heat rushed to Mia’s face.

‘Do you want to come with us, Mia?’

‘I don’t know. My bum was sore from those metal seats the other night.’

‘Because Pop didn’t put in the cushions I had made. Come on, I could use your professional opinion today, too.’

‘Really?’ Didn’t that make her liven up. A job.

Bree nodded. ‘Did you just wake up?’

‘I did.’

‘Well hurry up, get ready.’ Bree grabbed a small cooler from the wide shelf that held their boots and assorted hats by the back door.

Mia scooted over to the couch and folded up the sheets and blanket. ‘Should we tell the brothers what we’re doing? It is their station.’

‘We’re just doing a boundary run.’

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