Page 39 of Stockman's Stowaway

Ryder slid on his hat while trotting down the front steps to the Razorback. ‘Move over, Charlie, I’m driving.’

‘Oi.’

‘Don’t argue with me. I’m not leaving Bree out there alone another second. And I drive a helluva lot quicker than you, old man.’

BOOM!

‘Damn that woman.’ Ryder mumbled an explosive set of expletives under his breath. ‘Ash, stay with your family. Car is full.’

‘No worries. You lot be safe,’ said Ash. ‘I’ll put the coffee on.’

More lights flicked on inside the farmhouse to the sound of Mason crying.

Dex rushed back out with his arms full of weapons. A hessian bag swung off his shoulder. ‘Let’s go.’

‘Take my seat, Charlie.’ Mia scrambled into the back. Ryder slid into the driver’s seat as Charlie scooted over, and Dex and Cap jumped in the back. The sturdy vehicle dropped from the weight of all the men and their weaponry.

‘Are you up for this, Mia?’ asked Cap, doing up the buttons on his shirt hiding another toned torso—it stopped her ability to speak.

‘I told Mia she could man the spotlight while you boys play with the guns,’ said Charlie from the front passenger seat. ‘I might not have the eye for shooting like I used to, but I can help you mob load up.’

‘Done.’ Shoving a handful of bullets into his pockets, Dex passed the heavy hessian bag to Charlie who handed out headlamps and handheld radios, while Dex started loading up the assorted guns, he’d laid across the floor.

Ryder gunned the deep rumbling engine as Ash waved from the well-lit verandah, and they were on their way.

In between working his way through the gears, Ryder flicked on the CB radio embedded in the dashboard of the Razorback. On the front by the bull bar, its long thick radio antenna flexed against the wind. ‘Bree? Ryder, here.’

‘Didn’t you take your sweet time to join the party, cupcake.’ Bree’s voice had the same teasing tone as always, but she was out there on her own.

‘Where are you?’ Ryder steered them past the sheds where nothing but dark open country lay before them.

‘Wrong question, cupcake. You’ll want to know where the—’

‘Where. Are. YOU. People come first.’ Ryder was adamant.

Bree huffed over the radio. ‘I’m by the herd. They’re safe.’

‘See, Bree’s in mother-bear mode. Of course, the herd is safe.’ Dex chuckled from his seat, only for Ryder to turn around and glare.

‘Look, if you’re coming from the back of the sheds,’ Bree said over the CB radio’s speakers, ‘I’d suggest you change course. Sorry, but they got one of your heifers. I’ve sent the pack running, so you might want to go after them.’

As if barely containing the anger at the loss of their livestock, Ryder gripped the CB radio’s microphone in one hand, while steering the Razorback with the other. ‘How big is the dingo pack?’

‘Listen, Ryder…’ All traces of humour as well as the nickname disappeared as Bree said, ‘They weren’t dingoes. It’s a pack of six wild dogs. Big bastards, too. I’ve scared them off towards the drafting yards.’

‘Dammit.’ Ryder cursed again, planting his foot heavily on the accelerator and the Razorback tore to the right at breakneck speed down the bumpy dirt track, sending a plume of dust high into the night skies.

‘Aw, crap.’ Cap shut his eyes, shaking his lowered head.

‘Why is that different to dingoes? They’re a wild dog, too. Right?’ Mia asked Cap.

‘Traditionally, dingoes are solitary hunters that prey on smaller forms of wildlife, like wallabies and possums. Unless they’re training their pups before they leave to become solitary hunters, then they’ll hunt in loose packs and will take our calves,’ explained Cap.

‘These aren’t dingos, brother. You heard, Bree.’ Dex held the butt of the shotgun to his leg and fed large plastic casings down the magazine tube.

The Razorback hit a pothole forcing it to drop, making Mia’s bum lift off the seat. She lost her grip and had nothing to cling onto. ‘Oh, no.’ She latched onto Cap’s chest, gripping his shirt in her fists.

‘Gotcha.’ Cap wrapped his arm around her as if cocooning her in his aroma of outdoors and sultry male. ‘Why don’t you sit in front of me while Ryder’s racing to catch the pack. Hold onto Charlie’s seat.’ His large hands were warm on her back as he effortlessly picked her up and put her down beside him. ‘There.’

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