Page 52 of Stockman's Stormcloud

‘How about I just give you a couple of cases that are safe to drink? That way you can share them with your little blonde nurse.’ She went back to dismantling her still.

‘It’s really hard to be your friend right now.’

‘Ha.’ She pointed the wrench at him. ‘Never forget who you’re talking to, when we both know you don’t do friends, because friends talk, and you talk to no one.’ She then undid the bolts around the base of the copper pot while he could only scowl at her.

‘But I’m serious about this being a suitable space for Ryder. This hidden room could become his armoury. That way Harper won’t need to worry about having guns in the farmhouse with baby Mason around. And Ryder could tinker in the murder room with all his televisions playing the stock market and business news, along with his wall of whiteboards for his notes and stuff.’

The copper still was cool against his shoulder as he peered back out to the main rectangular room. ‘Sounds like a good plan. But Ryder won’t use it.’

‘Well, when I’m done with your place, I’ll do a makeover on this one. He’ll use it then.’

‘Why?’ Dex didn’t get it.

‘Because you have your place. Cap and Mia have their place. The farmhouse has an adorable young boy named Mason living there, with a young couple still in their honeymoon phase, and they’ve got your big brother crowding their space.’ She pointed to the far end of the shed area. ‘You guys gave Mia a panic room for her arts and crafts, so why not do this for Ryder and give him a man cave?’

‘I get it. But he’d love a bar.’

‘You all would.’

‘Sure. But Ryder’s got cases of fancy bourbons from all over, stashed in his room. I think he sleeps on them to stop us from drinking the good stuff.’ Then he had a thought. ‘When can I see my place?’

‘I don’t want the paint to upset your lungs. So, hopefully tomorrow or the next day. It’s airing out.’

‘I’ll move in tonight.’ He could see it in the distance.

‘I just told you why not. Why do you insist on torturing yourself? I just don’t get it.’ She shook her head, as she tossed the tool back into the toolbox and shoved the floor bolts into a cloth bag for safekeeping. ‘You have a great family. Your parents are amazing people. I really liked your mother, and Charlie and your father were like instant best mates.’

‘So I heard.’

‘Your brothers were worried enough to be there for you in the hospital. We all were.’

‘I heard you stayed there all night, holding my hand when I was in the ICU.’

‘Ryder was there, too.’

‘That I find hard to believe. He’d be too busy bossing everyone around.’

She grabbed his arm. ‘Hey, for the record, it was Ryder who talked me into letting you camp on my couch.’

‘See, taking control of my life.’

‘I only agreed because you’re my friend, numbskull. Anyway, what do you have against Ryder?’

‘I can’t believe you’re sticking up for him.’

‘Me neither. But I saw how much Ryder was worried about you. And hey, in case you don’t realise it, your big brother is busting his butt for all of you.’ She stabbed the air in front of his chest. ‘Ryder is the one who’s invested heavily in this place. And he’s the one who’s paying for your daily nursing visits. So cut Ryder some slack.’

He took a step back from the fiery redhead and repeated, ‘I can’t believe you’re sticking up for him.’

‘For the record, I will completely deny this entire conversation ever happened. But I won’t deny that Ryder and I were there at the hospital while you were on that breathing machine. I kept waiting for you to wake up and give me lip. But that took days.’ Then she looked up at the ceiling. ‘Ah, now I get why your little nurse thinks we’re…’ She shuddered.

‘Am I that bad?’

‘You’re not my type. I am not attracted to you, at all. And the only reason we give each other so much hell is that we’re way too alike. It’s not chemistry. It’s our wickedly devious criminal minds that have a lot in common.’ She tapped on the illegal still to make her point.

‘Sophie seems to think we have chemistry.’

‘Oh, please, don’t make me barf before breakfast. We’re two people who occupy the same parcel of land where I’m used to being surrounded by men in this industry. I grew up being one of the guys. So, I will repeat this for the crowd in the back of the room who may not have heard me earlier:I am not attracted to you. Full stop.’

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