Page 66 of Stockman's Stormcloud

‘Well, why not do all of us a favour then,’ Ryder’s voice was low as he spoke through gritted teeth, ‘and ask Bree where the hell she was last night, so I can tell the cops before she hits them and gets done for assault.’ Ryder wiped at his red cheek—where a clear red handprint was forming.

Ryder pushed past Dex and headed for the farmhouse. ‘Cap, Ash, the vet will be here shortly. We still have those vet checks to conduct. Don’t even think about it, Dex, your nurse is here for a reason.’

‘Don’t tell me what to do. You’re not the boss of me.’ Dex grabbed Ryder’s large arm.

Ryder shrugged off his brother to spin in the dirt and face him. ‘You’re not well enough to suck yard dust into your lungs.’

‘The hell, I’m not.’ Dex threw down the oxygen tank and ripped off the plastic cords. ‘I’ll still kick your arse.’

‘And I’d kill you with one punch and you know it.’ Ryder snarled at Dex, both big men standing face to face, ready to slug it out any second now.

‘STOP.’ Cap got between them, while Ash pulled Dex back. ‘What the hell, man? Normally it’s Dex who comes out swinging, not you, Ryder. We get it, we’re as frustrated as you.’

Ryder brushed fingers through his hair, then adjusted his hat. ‘Do you blame me? In one night, we’ve just lost almost a million dollars’ worth of stock! You bet I want heads to roll.’

‘You didn’t need to take it out on Bree.’ Dex stabbed his finger at Ryder. ‘Bree would never have stolen those cattle. Remember, Bree was out there, on her own, in the middle of the night to defend the herd when those wild dogs attacked. And just a few days ago she was droving another herd to protect them from that swamp puppy.’

Now Sophie was dying to know what a swamp puppy was.

‘Well, find out where the hell she spent last night.’ Ryder turned his back on them and marched towards the farmhouse.

‘Sophie, you can drive.’ Dex headed for the passenger seat.

She picked up his oxygen tank, keen to leave this madhouse, but she was dying to know what happened next. ‘Where are we going?’

‘To the caretaker’s cottage.’

Twenty-one

As Sophie drove Dex across to the cottage the silence was deafening. She couldn’t bear it any longer and asked, ‘Rough morning?’

‘Why did you bring the cat?’ It had jumped into Dex’s lap for a scratch, his noisy purr echoing inside the vehicle.

‘Mr Purrington likes the drive, and you.’ She parked behind a ute standing in front of the cottage. It must be Lenny’s—whoever Lenny was. Reminding her how strange this world was. She didn’t belong here with these people, and she most certainly wasn’t here to get involved with anyone.

The handbrake creaked into place, as she gazed at the soft flowers gently waving through the wrought-iron fence out front of the cottage. It was so peaceful.

‘Will it be safe for us to go inside, if Bree is angry?’ She was still reeling from how protective she felt over Dex, and from the whole family drama. Sophie didn’t do family drama, ever. But when it came to Dex, she forgot herself.

‘We’re about to find out.’ Dex opened the passenger door.

‘I shouldn’t.’ She didn’t want to face the angry redhead. And Dex was crazy, too. Wondering if she too was crossing into crazy land herself, for not turning this car around and leaving.

‘Bring the cat. You can’t leave it in the car, you’ll kill it with this heat.’ He climbed out.

‘Take your oxygen bottles.’

‘No.’ He stormed to the front gate, only to stop and heave for air.

‘Please, take them.’ She quickly jumped out, rolling the handmade oxygen trolley over to him.

‘I’m sick of this, Soph, I really am.’ Dex lowered his head, leaning against the fence as if in defeat. ‘I couldn’t get on a horse, or ride the bikes, to search for our cattle. All I could do was sit at the table, like some old man, left behind with the women and children.’ He then lifted his head, revealing a raw vulnerability worn across his face, that had her heart falling for him.

She tenderly rubbed his shoulder, then let her fingers entwine with his and held his large hand. ‘You’ll get there. In fact, it won’t be long, and you’ll be leading the charge.’

‘Can you promise me that?’ He narrowed his eyes at her as if watching for signs of a lie.

She swallowed hard under that intense gaze. ‘If you keep up your breathing exercises and finish your course of meds, I don’t see why not. You have the willpower to want to do it. So now, can I please give you an examination to see how you’re progressing? It’s my job.’

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