Page 52 of Stockman's Stowaway

Ryder began unclipping the straps of his chaps, his eyes narrowing in on Bree riding away. ‘Charlie, please tell Bree thanks for us. And when she won’t snap my head off, I’ll go see what she wants for her time and effort. That woman worked her arse off for us, fellas, and she’s not even on our payroll.’ He shook his head, annoyance showing in his frown. ‘Come find mewhen the stock agent shows up.’ He tossed the chaps over his shoulders and sauntered off to the waiting helicopter.

The helicopter’s engine started with a whir, the blades began spinning, the dust stirring, and with a lazy salute, Ryder steered the helicopter for the homestead.

‘Come on, Mia, we’re nearly done, then you can have a nice hot shower.’ Cap tugged on her shirtsleeve, and they set about packing up for the day.

In a small convoy of vehicles, they left the drafting yards with Ash leading the way on his ag bike. Charlie, Harper and Mason were in the Razorback carrying the bulk of the muster dogs on the back. Mia had Willow with her on the quad, riding beside Cap who had Atlas and Fern with him. And bringing up the rear was Dex in the truck carting the stockhorses and calves that they all helped deliver to the new paddock, before returning to the homestead.

Ash pointed while riding his ag bike. ‘Visitors.’

It was the police paddy wagon, parked out front of the caretaker’s cottage.

Mia slowed her quad down. She wanted to hide in the shed, where Charlie parked the Razorback alongside Ash’s bike, and Dex’s truck.

Cap rode over to her side. ‘Look, it’s Porter. He’s bringing out the guardian dogs for me. Come on.’ His grin was wide as he rode the quad to the cottage, parking near the front fence that contained the flower garden. Ryder and Bree were out the front talking to the policeman.

‘Willow,’ the cop called out.

The dog gave a bright yip. With tail wagging, she raced over and jumped straight into Porter’s arms.

‘Look at you, girl.’ Porter gave the dog a hug, as she eagerly licked at his face, then did circles of joy at his boots. ‘How has she been, Cap?’

‘Brilliant. Willow was incredible in the drafting yards today. It proved she’s had some training or came from a farm. Any ideas over who owned her?’

‘No. She wasn’t microchipped or anything when I found her. We put up notices around town, but no one claimed her. That’s when Ryan microchipped her for me, and I’ve brought the paperwork to sign her over.’ Porter looked so sad handing the file to Cap.

‘You can give that to Mia. It’s her dog. You’ll be happy to know that Willow chose Mia, and they make a great team together.’ Cap grinned, his teeth so white against the dirt and dust from a very long day.

‘What the hell!’ Porter ripped off his sunglasses and peered at Mia. ‘Are you okay, miss?’

‘You’d better tell him your story,’ said Dex, leaning against the paddy wagon with Ryder beside him. ‘Or Porter’s gonna think we’re the animals who did that to you.’

‘No, they didn’t.’ Mia tried to hide the bruises on her face with her hand. She’d been having such a great day that was now ruined.

‘Pull up, Porter, stop being a policeman for a sec and listen,’ said Bree, leaning over the fence of the cottage garden. ‘Mia has been staying on my couch and before you lecture me for not calling you—’

‘It’s mandatory to report any form of domestic violence in the Northern Territory. You and Charlie know this, Bree.’ Porter glared at Charlie.

‘Of course I do!’ Bree shoved open the gate, wagging her finger at the cop with her eyes dark and dangerous. ‘None of us were witnesses to the event, because Mia showed up like that. And before you say anything, Porter, I asked Mia many times to call you to report the sociopath who dared to treat her like that. Believe me when I say I want you to lock the prick up, but onlyafterI’ve performed my special brand of dental work on that prick’s teeth!’ Her angry words echoed over the compound.

‘Easy, Bree…’ Ryder’s deep voice may have been low, but somehow it got through to the angry redhead.

Bree took a deep, calming breath and stepped back. ‘Mia declined to report the incident. It’s her body, it’s her choice. And now that you’ve met Mia, who is taking good care of Willow, you should give her one of your fancy police cards in case she changes her mind.’

‘Cranky much.’ Porter removed a notebook as he approached Mia. ‘Hi, I’m Senior Constable Porter, but everyone calls me Porter. And you’re Mia who?’

‘Mia Dixon.’

‘Don’t tell him that. The copper will do a name search now,’ muttered Dex.

‘Mia isnota criminal.’ Cap thumped Dex’s shoulder.

‘I’m okay, Constable. Really, I’m fine.’ Mia hoped the policeman understood. ‘Everyone at Elsie Creek Station has been amazing towards me.’

‘I know they’re good people.’ Porter’s brown eyes were filled with a genuine concern as he looked over the bruises Mia wished she could hide. ‘Here’s my card if you ever change your mind. I’m here to help people. I can help you, if you let me.’

‘Save yourself the paperwork, I’m sure my ex is long gone by now.’ There was nothing keeping Gavin here, not now the new lithium mine’s plans were scuttled. As an experienced diesel fitter for the mines, Gavin could get work anywhere.

She also realised this was the first time she’d thought of Gavin and not shudder in terror. She was not going to let her ex ruin a perfectly good day. ‘I’m fine, I swear it.’

---