Page 75 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘To talk about this weekend’s campdraft.’

‘Why out here, and not at the table?’

‘This conversation is for partners only.’ Ryder might not have said it, but he was talking about Harper and Mia.

‘Hey, I don’t keep secrets from Harper—’

Ryder raised his hand, cutting off Ash. ‘This is a business meeting. Straight and simple.’

No, it wasn’t. It showed Ryder didn’t approve of the women at all, especially Mia, who’d done so much for Cap.

‘I don’t think you lot realise what an opportunity this is for us.’

‘It’s not our first campdraft. Relax, Ryder.’

‘That’s what I said.’ Dex turned and leaned his back against the rails. ‘I’m going to drink beer, look at the cars, the occasional cow, and score a buckle bunny. So I’ll be getting a ride in with you, Ryder.’

‘Ash? What do you plan to do?’

Ash shrugged. ‘I’ll be checking out the horses, like I normally do, and drinking beer. I’ll get Harper to drive.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’ Ryder shook his head. ‘Your cattle tags and water tech is now patented, so while you’re still running your trials, it’s time to see if there is a market out there—which we know there is. And the local campdraft would be a good place to learn how to talk about your products.’

‘Do you really think so?’ Ash rubbed the back of his neck.

Ryder plonked a heavy hand on their younger brother’s shoulder. ‘I believe in your products. It’s why I’m financially backing them all.’

‘I agree,’ said Dex.

‘Ditto.’ Cap held his beer up in a toast.

‘What about you, Cap?’

‘I’ve entered Fern and Atlas for the muster dog trials, under the name of Elsie Creek Station.’ He’d been practising with them daily, alongside Mia and Willow.

‘To do what?’ Ryder crossed his arms, waiting.

Cap removed his hat and raked fingers through his hair. ‘I want to show how easy it is for new farmers to use a muster dog and their benefits such as cutting down on labour costs. They’ve saved us stacks.’

‘Weren’t you looking at doing some puppy school?’ Dex smirked behind his can.

Cap narrowed his eyes at Dex being a dick. ‘Look, cattle dogs aren’t new. But I want to be known as the go-to person for re-training those problem dogs, so that farmers can come to me, and not shoot or discard their dogs. Nearly all of my muster dogs were like that, where now I could sell them back to those farmers if I wanted to.’

‘But we know you won’t sell them,’ said Dex, for once not being a dick as he patted Cap’s shoulders. ‘They’re part of your pack that is an asset to this place, brother.’

‘And the Maremma’s?’ asked Ryder.

‘As much as I’d like to show them, I’m not ready yet. Even if those guardian dogs have easily proven themselves to be a success, I’ll show them next time.’

‘Harper wants one of those dogs for the house,’ said Ash.

‘Like hell.’ Ryder frowned. ‘There are enough pampered dogs crowding the farmhouse now as it is. What else, Cap?’

‘Um…’ He scratched at his neck. ‘Mia’s nursery is doing well.’

His brothers may have said nothing, yet he knew what they were thinking: Mia wasn’t a partner. Harper wasn’t either, but she worked for the vet in town, had her own money, and did a day in the office while helping on the station like a trainee stockwoman.

Mia was their only full-time employee.

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