Page 79 of Stockman's Stowaway

He’d fallen so hard for her it was terrifying at times.

How could he not be terrified? This was his once-in-a-lifetime kind of love—where you knew instinctively that you’d met your other half, that perfect half of yourself that made you whole. And it was her. All of her.

‘Got a sec? I, ah, want to show you something.’ He was hoping it would help her understand how big a deal she was to him.

‘Sure. Where are we going?’ With Willow following close on their heels, Mia tightened her ponytail. These days she kept her hair away from her face, rather than using it to hide, but she was still hiding at this station.

‘It’s this way.’ He headed around the back of the sheds where he kept the empty beer cans and other recyclables that contributed to the cost of caring for the dogs.

‘You don’t have to like it, or anything.’ He unlocked a solid wooden door, twisted its rusty handle, and used his shoulder to force it open. ‘I’ll oil that later. But I did make sure there’s nothing hiding in here.’ No snakes or nasty spiders, that’s for sure.

Mia wiped the dust off her button nose that only highlighted the smattering of freckles. She was never afraid of getting dirty, and he liked that about her. He especially liked how dirty she got with him after dark in ways that didn’t require clothing, with the body she hid beneath those baggy overalls. It was like unwrapping his Christmas present every night of the week, and mornings had never been more glorious.

‘What is this place?’

‘An old storeroom. Now it’s yours.’ He hoisted some boxes onto the dusty bench.

She peeked inside. ‘Is it for the nursery?’

‘No. It’s for your hobby.’

‘Huh?’

From the box, Cap pulled out a handful of beer bottle caps. ‘I’ve been collecting these ever since we moved onto the station.I had no idea why I was saving them, but I did. And Charlie scored you a box of caps from the local pub and now they’re all yours.’ They had so much in common that he truly believed that meeting her was fate, as if they were made for each other. How could he not when her favourite hobby involved bottle caps, which was the reason he ended up with his nickname, Cap.

‘You said you enjoyed making art with these beer caps.’ He laid out the tools he’d scrounged across the old workbench that sat in the centre of the room. ‘I got you some hammers. I’m not sure if this glue is any good, but we can get you some next time we’re in town.’ If she ever left the place. ‘And I got you some scrap wood to use as bases.’ He pointed to the stack he’d leaned in the corner.

‘I also got you this bar fridge and filled it up with your favourite drinks.’ He opened the small fridge full of colourful cans and a large plastic container. ‘In here, I filled it up with all of your favourite chocolate treats you like but won’t let me bring into the house.’ He didn’t understand that bit. If you liked something, you ate it, right?

Mia remained still, holding a few bottle caps, with her mouth open, wearing an expression he couldn’t read.

Had he gone too far?

‘All of this space?’

‘Is for you.’ He uncurled her fingers and placed a thick key in her hand. ‘I want you to have your own space, to make as much noise as you want out here. You won’t bother anyone. And if, at any time, you just need some space to breathe, this is here for you. As yours.’

‘You made me a safe room.’ Her brow ruffled, and it twisted his guts.

Had he done the wrong thing? ‘You said you liked to do bottle cap mosaics. Right?’

‘I do. Did. I mean… You did this for me?’ Her eyes widened as she turned around in circles.

He nodded. ‘I want you to feel safe, Mia. If it’s too much—’

She grabbed his wrist. ‘You made this for me.’

He nodded. ‘I know it’s not romantic, but I wanted to show you how much I appreciate all your hard work and because I want you to be happy.’ He liked her smile and it had taken her a long time to find it after what her ex had done. Cap just wanted her to keep smiling.

And there it was. That beautiful, glorious, chin-lifting, nose-wrinkling, sparkly smile that plumped her rosy cheeks. He was such a sucker for that smile.

Mia flung herself at him, hugging him around the neck to shower his face with kisses. ‘This is amazing.’

‘So, you’re okay with this?’ He held his breath.

‘Thank you, Cap. Seriously, though, you didn’t have to do this for me.’ She opened the small fridge again, full of her favourite treats and drinks. ‘No one has done anything like this for me. You shouldn’t have.’

‘I wanted to.’ Now it had him thinking of other ways to spoil her. ‘It’s my way of thanking you for helping me achieve my dreams.’

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