Page 108 of Stockman's Stowaway

Ryder peered down the empty barrel. ‘This shotgun is a mess. It looks like it’s been buried in the dirt somewhere.’

‘So what, if it has? It would’ve worked.’

‘What are you worried about, kid? You’ve got plenty of shotties stashed all over the place.’ Charlie grinned at his granddaughter, as the Riggs brothers raised concerned eyebrows at each other. ‘But I reckon you boys have earned yourself another invite to pizza night. We can celebrate Mia’swin.’ Charlie hooked his arm through Bree’s. ‘What do you lot say?’

‘I’m in,’ Dex said. ‘I’ll get the beer and we can spend the night convincing you to give us our cattle brand back.’

‘You can try.’ Charlie gave a coy grin, his grey eyes sparkling.

‘Harper, get Mason. It’s pizza night over at the caretaker’s cottage.’ Ash jogged after Dex and Ryder, heading for the farmhouse.

Beside his Tojo, Cap hugged Mia, admiring her lively aroma of orange blossoms. ‘You do realise you told me you loved me, in front of everyone?’

‘I did. I’ve never done that before.’

‘Are you sure it’s not too soon for you?’

‘I knew the second I saw Gavin earlier today that I didn’t love him. I never loved him. Not like I love you. I settled for him because Gavin desired me, when I didn’t think I deserved better, and then I came to fear him and that fear made me fear everything. But since coming to Elsie Creek Station, I’ve learned to push past my fears to find true love, like I have with you. Because of you I found my courage to try to do more, live more, and to take the centre stage in my own personal arena.’

‘I’m sorry I missed your event.’

‘Maybe next year?’ She grinned at him. ‘And we’ll see which one of us gets the higher points.’

‘You’re on.’ He cupped her cheeks and lovingly kissed her. He might not know how to be a romantic, but he sure as hell knew how to show her how much he loved her in one kiss.

As the sun set over Elsie Creek Station, the campdraft might not have gone to plan, but in the end, he got the girl. And that’s what mattered to him.

Forty-six

With her heart hammering in her throat, Mia used the sleeve of her crusty work shirt to wipe away the sweat stinging her eyes.

‘Hit it.’ Dex held the punching bag, and Mia swung hard with the cumbersome boxing glove.

‘Come on, harder than that. You hit like a girl.’

A giggle escaped, sapping all her energy she barely managed to give the punching bag a feeble tap. ‘I am a girl and I’m done for today.’ She removed the gloves that had been a gift from Dex, who’d set up the punching bag beside a proper boxing ring, complete with assorted gym equipment that was part of the stockman’s shack, where Dex lived.

‘Your turn, brother.’

‘Nah, I’m a lover, not a fighter.’ Cap showed his knuckles that were almost healed. Atlas, Fern and Willow lay near his boots, with the rest of the muster dogs stretched out under the shade of the nearby tree.

‘Nothing wrong with getting fit.’

‘I dig holes and plant trees for cardio.’

‘Who’s been digging holes?’ Mia wiped down her sweaty face with a towel and guzzled on some water.

‘I wanted to, but you wouldn’t let me.’ Cap hadn’t held a shovel for days, not after punching out Mia’s ex. She’d told himshe didn’t want his grazed knuckles to get infected. And he told her he wasn’t a wimp. But he could never refuse her requests.

From the farmhouse, the shepherd gave a deep bark, warning them of an incoming vehicle.

‘Oi, it’s Porter.’ Ash waved from the back of the sheds that stored their various vehicles.

‘What is Porter doing here?’ Cap waited to walk beside Mia.

‘He’s probably going to charge you with assault for recalibrating the bone structure on Gavin’s face.’ Dex smirked at him.

‘That sounds like something Bree would say.’

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