Page 80 of Stockman's Stowaway

These past few weeks working side by side with Mia had become a part of his daily joy. Sharing lunch together, sitting on the roof of his Tojo, their legs swinging over the edge as they’d eat sandwiches and talk of plans for the paddock they were working on. They’d spend afternoons planting seeds in the nursery, and some days they’d trample through the fresh morning dew, foraging for seeds together. Then at the end of the day they’d sit on his deck to silently watch the sunset, with the dogs at their feet. It was his kind of paradise because Mia was a big part of it.

‘Won’t your brothers want this space for something?’

‘No. They know this is your office, or art room, or whatever you want to call it.’ Dex had warned him it may backfire, while helping Cap to find some tools and the key for the door. It was Ash who had recommended the sugar stash, while hunting for new ideas to do something special for Harper. As for Ryder—he just nodded and went on his way when Cap asked about giving this space to Mia. But Ryder’s silent message was loud and clear about not getting too attached.

But Cap was attached. Big time.

It also scared him that Mia could leave at any time.

‘Are you sure? I, um…’ She twisted her fingers. Mia only did that when she was worried about something. ‘I, we should, um— I should tell you something.’

‘Sure, go ahead. You can tell me anything.’ He waited.

And he kept waiting because he was a very patient man.

She sighed. ‘Forget it. What were you going to say?’

‘Hey, are you worried about my brothers and this room? Don’t be.’ He covered her hands with his. ‘It’s a gift, Mia. You’ve helped us all out, especially with the data. It wasn’t easy teaching us how to use those sampling kits.’ Mia had taught all his brothers how to test the water and soils, where each of his brothers kept a testing kit in their vehicles, collecting data to give to Mia.

Mia had helped Harper simplify their data reports using her templates, and the two women were now a big part of their nightly discussions at the outdoor table, and on their cooking roster making hearty meals that they all enjoyed.

With the bruises long gone, Mia’s personality truly shone through. She was a part of this place, and he wanted her to feel like she belonged.

Although, he hadn’t quite plucked up the courage to say the L word yet, but he’d fallen deeply, madly in love with Mia. He just didn’t know how to say it when Mia only wanted to take it day by day.

Bree was right. He didn’t know how to communicate his emotions with words, but with actions like this room, he hoped she’d got the message.

He just didn’t want her to leave.

Well over a month ago, beaten, bloodied and bruised, he’d found her hiding in the dog cage, and tomorrow they were going back to the town Mia had fled from.

Fate may have brought them together, but it was fear that might tear them apart. Mia might have arrived with nothing, but if she left, she would be taking his heart.

Twenty-nine

Excitement filled the air as people of all ages arrived in trucks and assorted four-wheel drives, towing trailers and horse floats. Sturdy stockhorses nickered and neighed, cattle lowed, and dogs yipped and barked as the aroma of barbecued meats scented the air to create a carnival-like atmosphere for the annual Elsie Creek Campdraft, held at the rodeo end of the local sports grounds.

‘Have you ever been to a campdraft?’ Cap asked Mia, as they unloaded their many trays of seedlings from the Tojo, while Atlas, Fern and Willow waited obediently inside the large cage. Ryder’s big ute was parked on one side of the Tojo, and Harper in her Audi was parked on the other.

‘No. Are cowboy hats part of the uniform? I’ve never seen so many hats.’ She tugged on her overalls, feeling underdressed. But it was all she had.

‘Careful saying the C word with this crowd.’ Cap chuckled, loading up the trolley with their best seedlings. They had hundreds, along with the Elsie Creek Station brochures about their various patented products and native nursery, it also included instructions for seedling care while outlining the benefits of native windbreaks, to share with their neighbours.

‘Why can’t I saycowboys?’ The place was wall to wall cowboys of all ages. ‘Do I call them cowgirls, too?’

‘In this region, cowboys are what we call the boys, or girls, who do minor jobs around stations before they train to become stockmen.’

‘Oh, so it’s…’

‘An insult to a stockman.’ He nodded.

Tugging on her ponytail, again she felt severely underdressed. ‘Maybe I should’ve brought my hat out.’ But it was dirty, and they were supposed to be in a tent all day.

‘Feel free to pinch any of my caps, if you want.’ He pointed to his vast collection of hats that covered the entire dashboard of his Tojo. The sun sparkled to catch the buckle on Dodge’s old dog collar. It made her pause, to realise she’d been through worse and shouldn’t worry about the little things.

‘I’ll be fine.’ She then playfully patted his amazing butt in his good jeans. ‘But you look nice.’ More than nice, her man was sweet sassy malassy hot and sizzling.Dayum.

‘It’s for the show events.’ Cap smoothed down his necktie over his checked shirt, in clean jeans, and polished boots. ‘I’ve got a lot riding on today.’

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