Page 26 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘Wow, you two speak your own language.’ Harper covered her mouth to giggle.

‘Told you so,’ muttered Bree.

Mia felt the heat brush her cheeks, because she’d forgotten Bree and Harper were there. She had to stop this attraction to Cap, because she was nothing but a load of red flags for a guy like him—who deserved so much better. Besides, Cap wasn’t interested in her, he was just being helpful, which was his nature.

No way would she take advantage of him. But she could help him with his land, which wouldn’t be hard when it was her dream job. She also had to do something to forget her heated dreams of her and Cap—when she should be healing and forgetting all about men.

She needed to get back to work. And there was nothing better than a girl covered in dirt to scare away any man.

‘With your permission, Cap, there’s a stash of steel girders around the back shed we could use to make a start.’ Bree extended her tape measure against the demountable.

‘What about timber?’

‘You’ll have to order treated timber from town. But if we do this right, you could sweet-talk your brothers into a working bee on Saturday afternoon.’

‘That’s a lot of work.’ Cap arched his eyebrows at Bree as she wrote down the measurements in her notebook.

Bree shifted to the next area, again extending her tape measure. ‘I’m talking about building the deck and painting Mia’s room. The rest you’ll have to plan for, and Dex has the skills to be your builder.’

‘We’ll be drafting the cattle we brought back from Wombat Flats soon. My brothers and I are hoping you’ll help us, Bree.’ Cap shifted the toddler on his shoulders.

‘Bree-Bree help?’ Mason asked.

‘Always, for my little big man.’ Bree playfully tickled the little boy’s knee, as he squirmed on Cap’s shoulder. ‘But I don’t work for your uncles.’ Bree stared at Cap for a beat before returning to her measuring.

‘I already told Ash I’m in. But he said we won’t need the horses this time. But I’m still in.’ Harper raised her hand. ‘I’ve never seen the drafting process.’

‘Me neither. If you need my help, I’m in.’ Mia was keen, too.

‘I think that’s why Bree had me get you that hat.’ Harper playfully tapped the brim of Mia’s new hat.

‘If it’s okay with you, Mia, I’d like to see what Willow is capable of.’ Cap nodded at the kelpie sitting beside Mia.

‘Me too.’ Out of habit she tickled the fur on the bridge of Willow’s nose. ‘I can’t ride a horse, but I can ride a motorbike.’

‘We’ll have to give you horse riding lessons in the future, as we’re trying to use horses more if we can.’

‘I have riding lessons,’ said Harper, again playfully nudging Mia like a long-lost friend. ‘Ash bought me a stock horse.’

‘Oh, I’m definitely in.’ She was in farmer’s heaven.

‘I know Charlie’s keen to help,’ he said, facing the redhead busily taking measurements and scribbling notes down in her notebook. ‘We could really use your help, Bree.’

‘I’m not a stockwoman.’ Bree’s tape measure wound back with a snap.

‘Come on, Bree. You’re a thousand times better than all of us on a muster.’

‘Behave, buttercup. As much as you all may want me to drag out my Wonder Woman costume from the back of the cupboard, I’ll be busy working on your new deck. Wait—’ Bree narrowed her eyes at Cap. ‘Are you using me to get to the brand?’

‘The one your grandfather is holding hostage.’

‘Are you talking about a cattle brand?’ Mia asked.

Cap nodded. ‘Somehow, Charlie has the Elsie Creek Station’s cattle brand registered in his name.’

‘That he does.’ Bree laughed, closing her notepad and sliding it into her pocket. ‘So, you’ve finished fencing the drafting yards, then?’

‘They’ll be finished today, and the paddock’s fence, too.’

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