Page 97 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘We didn’t want to worry you none. I was hoping them nasty shenanigans were done and dusted when you mob bought the place. But it isn’t, is it?’ Charlie’s grey eyes were as pale as hisskin, sick with worry. ‘Now you lot blocked his mine, Leo’s still gunning for the station, isn’t he?’

The acid rolled again, sending hot sparks to rise like a bad case of indigestion. Cap picked up his phone and started texting Ryder to alert his brothers to protect their family. They had to protect their home.

Ryder was right again: Leo was a lot more dangerous than Cap realised.

Thirty-nine

‘What now?’ Mia patted Willow as Dex, Ryder, and Bree returned to the empty dog pen after testing all the water troughs inside the dogs’ tent, even the tanks and troughs for the horses. None of them came back positive for any toxins. Only Atlas and Fern’s water bowls had, that Policeman Porter had taken for evidence.

Mia fingered the keys to the Tojo in her pocket, keen to drive around to the vets already.

‘We pack up and go home. Ash and Harper are packing up our displays in the tent as we speak.’ Ryder scowled as he read something on his phone. He glanced up, narrowing his eyes at Bree, collecting Cap’s dog supplies.

‘Even you, Bree?’ Mia asked.

‘I sold out hours ago, and was planning on partying, but I’m not in the mood now. Pity, I was really hoping to see Cap and his dogs. You’ve both worked so hard for this.’

‘You know, we have one more dog.’ Dex nodded at Willow, lying quietly on her lead near Mia. ‘You could go in Cap’s place in both the agility and the muster dog trials.’

‘Dex, sometimes your brain amazes me with your ideas.’ Bree patted Dex’s shoulder and faced Mia. ‘One of Cap’s goals was to show how easy it was to connect rehabilitated muster dogs, with people who have never used them before, like new farmers.’

‘And we know you’ve only been doing it what, three weeks?’ Dex nodded along with Bree.

Mia had to step away from Bree and Dex ganging up on her. ‘Yeah, but in fun. Only when Cap was training his dogs. And Cap was going to compete against others who have been doing this for years and years. I’m only learning.’

‘Yeah, but Willow has been training right alongside Atlas and Fern,’ said Dex. ‘I saw you train with Cap. You two have been inseparable since my brother brought you home. You both walk in sync and talk your own language even when you’re not speaking.’

Was that true?‘I don’t do public events. I’m a behind-the-scenes kind of person. I hate being in the spotlight. I don’t do confrontations.’Like this!

‘Let’s put it this way,’ said Ryder, taking a step closer, his presence powerful. ‘If Cap were in your position, I know he’d do it for you. No questions asked.’

‘I-I-I… I can’t. I’m barely holding it together after seeing Gavin—who might still be out there.’ She pointed to the car park. ‘I just want to see Cap and the dogs.’ But the guilt trip they were laying on her was like hot steel pressing across her shoulders for not having the courage to face a crowd.

‘Can I tell you a story, Mia?’ Bree took her hands.

‘Does it come with a happy ending?’ She could do with one about now.

‘Now, let me see if I remember it correctly.’

‘Bree?’ Ryder frowned. ‘It’s not the time for stories.’

‘Cupcake, please. This matters.’ She playfully rolled her eyes at Mia, and said, ‘Once upon a time—’

‘Are you flippin’ kidding me?’ Dex groaned, dragging a hand over his face.

‘There was this little princess.’

‘Right, next it’ll be dragons and castles and white knights who can’t see squat out of their ridiculous tin helmets. Have you been sneaking into my goodies stash, Bree?’

‘Dex, let it play out.’ Ryder nodded at Bree to continue.

‘As Pop would say, Anyhoodle...’ Bree bobbed her eyebrows up and down, making Mia smile a little. ‘This princess, who had her own white horse, found her prince and moved to a faraway land.’

‘Seriously,’ mumbled Dex under his breath.

‘They got married, had a child, and all was blissfully perfect. Until…’ She paused.

‘Until?’ Mia grinned at the game.

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