Page 91 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘But you’re so good with Mason.’

‘As his uncle, and I like babysitting him.’ He stepped back, rubbing his palm down his face. ‘That’s why you’ve been holding back from me.’

She couldn’t tell if he was mad with her or not. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.’

‘Why didn’t you?’

‘Because I didn’t want you to...’ She struggled to swallow past the thick knot in her throat. ‘To reject me.’

He dropped his head low, hands on hips.

‘I’m sorry.’ Hot stinging tears trickled down her cheeks. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Why? Because of something that you were born with that was beyond your control?’ He tilted his head at her. ‘Most of my muster dogs were rejected because they weren’t purebreds or had a fault. And how do I treat them, Mia?’

She sniffed hard, the tears trickling off her chin as she wiped her runny nose with the back of her hand. ‘Like family.’ That only spurred on more tears.

‘Family comes in many shapes and forms, especially when least expected.’ He tapped the Tojo’s cage where she’d found him, or he’d found her. ‘With those dogs, I don’t see their faults or imperfections.’

Yet she felt full of imperfections.

‘I only see perfection.’ He dropped his head, using his finger to lift her chin. ‘And I see you.’

She lifted her eyes to meet his, and her world was full of the handsome man, with his warm malt-whisky eyes.

‘I see your happiness when I see your heart fill with hope. I see joy when you’re kinder to yourself, learning to love yourself for who you are and not at the hands of others, but you. And I see you. For you.’ His hand tenderly stroked her hair. ‘I love you, Mia Dixon. And if you want, I’d love for you to be a permanent part of my family. I don’t expect you to say anything, yet. I know you’ll need time.’

Her lips trembled, desperate to stop blubbering at the words spoken by this perfect man.

‘Hey, I told you from the beginning, I’m a patient man who’ll wait for you until you are ready.’ He hugged her, swallowing her in his arms, and she felt safe there, where the outside world’s ugliness fell away to the soothing sounds of his heartbeat.

‘Cap? Oi!’A huge whistle ripped through the air. It came from Dex standing at the far end of the car park. ‘There’s something wrong with your dogs.’

Thirty-five

‘What happened?’ Cap raced over with Mia and Willow hot on his heels.

‘Charlie said something’s not right with Atlas,’ said Dex. ‘It’s got the old man worried. He told me to find you, Bree, and Harper.’

‘Why?’

‘Charlie said Bree’s got her witch’s bag with her, and I want Harper to call her boss, the vet. I wish I had their numbers to call them. Have you got their phone numbers, Mia?’

‘No.’ She patted her overall’s pocket. ‘I only switched my phone on today.’

Cap didn’t have Mia’s number, either. They didn’t need them at the station, only using shortwave radios. ‘I have Ryan’s number. But I’m not calling him until I see what’s wrong.’

‘When this is over, we’re all swapping numbers.’ Dex ran off towards the show displays.

Cap led Mia by the hand into the large display tent where they passed the other assorted animal pens. On one side, half a dozen dogs paraded on leads in the shady arena for the judges. It was the show dog category.

‘Shouldn’t your dogs be a part of that presentation?’ Mia pointed. ‘That’s what my mum did.’

‘No. Atlas isn’t pretty enough for that. He’s enrolled in the agility trials, and then him and Fern are doing the muster dog trials.’ He looked at his watch. ‘We’ve only got an hour.’

He spotted Charlie inside the pen, squatting down to pat the dogs.

‘Charlie, what’s wrong?’ Cap flicked back the handle to swing open the gate, as an icy wash of dread trickled over his scalp. Atlas was on his side, panting as if short of breath. ‘What happened?’

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