Page 19 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘Did you come for Willow?’ Mia’s voice was so bright and cheery.

He hesitated. ‘Bree was telling me you and Willow were doing okay together.’ Sadly, the canine and female shared something in common, both recovering from a brutal past. Bree called it trauma-bonding. ‘You can keep her.’

‘As much as I adore her,’ she said, tickling her nails across the dog’s snout. ‘Willow is yours and she needs a good run. I don’t live on a property.’

‘Where is your home?’

‘Um…’

Hold on, if she was running from her boyfriend then she probably didn’t have a home anymore. To run like that, with nothing, and to hide in fear like she’d done these past few days, he couldn’t imagine it.

What sort of man hurt a woman like that? It only fuelled the anger bristling inside his chest. When normally, Cap was the peacemaker who never got angry over anything. But this was different.

Cap cleared his throat, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. ‘I was wondering if you’re up for a drive?’

‘Where to?’

‘I’d like to show you the paddock I get to play with.’

‘Seriously?’

‘We all have one. Ash has one he’s trialling for his water system and drone work. I’ve taken the paddock next to it to build the first wildlife corridor, which will also act as a windbreak.’ To finally start on his dream was intimidating, but to have someone like Mia with her skill set practically land on his doorstep was fate. And he believed in fate working in mysterious ways.

‘And you want my opinion?’

He nodded. It was rare that he sought out the company of strangers like this, particularly female ones, but this might help Mia too. ‘You can just sit in the car. I’ve got coffee in the thermos and some lunch. Nothing fancy, like Bree makes when on a muster, but it’s edible.’

‘So, a day trip?’ She took a few timid steps outside while still keeping within the verandah’s shade.

From around her legs the kelpie surprisingly trotted towards him and sat at his feet.

‘Hello, Willow. Let’s take a look at you.’ Cap squatted low to inspect the beautiful animal. He was never shy around animals—just women. ‘She looks like a purebred.’

‘I know.’ Mia squatted next to him. Her aroma was a lively scent of summer mixed with exotic orange blossom. It matched the shine in her eyes, which he took as a good sign considering what she’d been through.

‘My dad would kill for a dog like Willow.’ Mia’s gorgeous grin grew as she patted the dog. ‘Look at her stance, it’s so square and solid. Her muscle structure is sound. Her ears are perfectly pointed, and her coat is super glossy. Besides a few scars here and there, she’s perfect.’ Mia frowned. ‘Bree told me that Willow was…’

‘Hurt. Yeah.’ He patiently let the dog sniff at his hand until she allowed him to pat her. Her fur was like silk. ‘Porter did a good job in looking after this animal, it had to hurt to give her up like this.’

‘The policeman looked like he really hated leaving her behind.’

‘Sometimes you have to do what’s right for the animal and what’s in their nature, and Porter knew Willow is a working dog. Reckons she’ll make a good muster dog.’ He adjusted his hat to look over the dog’s stance. ‘How do you know about dogs and their stances?’

‘My mother used to do the local dog shows for fun. Nothing too fancy. But she won a few trophies, some dog food and all of these canine accessories. But she was happy.’ Mia sighed, dropping her head to let her hair fall over her eyes to hide her bruises.

‘Well, come on then.’ He stood, dusting his hands, as both dog and Mia flinched from him.

That hurt. There’s no way he’d hurt them.

But he understood their trust had been broken, and that would take time to heal. With Willow, he knew how to help her. With Mia, he had no idea, but he was hoping this day trip would be a step in the right direction.

‘Let’s go. Willow can ride in the front until she meets the other dogs at our first stop.’ He opened the passenger door of the Tojo. ‘Willow. Up.’ He tapped the bench seat, and the dog jumped with ease. ‘Hmm, you’ve had training.’ So why was she dumped?

‘I’d love to see what she can do.’

‘Yeah, I’m keen to find out, too.’ Especially all about Mia. ‘Ready for a drive?’

‘Count me in.’ Her little button nose lifted, and her grin grew as she climbed into the passenger seat. Not only did it have him grinning as he closed her door, but his stomach was rolling with warmth, too. Fate was smiling today.

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