Page 77 of Stockman's Stormcloud

Another inside joke. And another secret.

Dex was looking at the place with pure admiration. It was a modern man cave, with its stylish blend of retro masculinity. It was all things Dex. Which clearly demonstrated how well Bree knew the man, who was still practically a stranger to Sophie.

It reminded her that she had no right to judge Bree, or anyone on this station. This wasn’t her world.

‘What did this place look like before Bree…’Got her claws into it.

She pinched herself, to stop being such a mean girl. She hated being like this about Bree, and that Dex was bringing out the worst in her.

Dex checked out the dark curtains framing the windows, then gazed around the room, which reminded her of the house inspection the vultures from the bank conducted when they’d foreclosed on her house against her will.

‘It was a mess. I couldn’t use the kitchen. The plumbing was buggered, and the doors were rotten. At least the fridge worked enough to keep my beer cold.’ His hands slid into the pockets of his jeans, as he took in the details of the room decorated just for him. Dark, mysterious, and sexy.

‘When I moved in, possums were nesting in the bathroom. The front door was off the hinges, so I used an old bedsheet to cover it. There was a lot of junk, some broken furniture and a stack of old newspapers were stashed in here.’ He pushed open another door. ‘It was a lot like that.’

She peeked into a hot musty room where the walls were a grimy, dirty red brick. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling, and a torn curtain hung from one side.

Why would he choose to live like that?

‘Where did you sleep?’ Not in that room, she hoped.

‘On my swag, on a camp bed in a tent so the bugs didn’t bother me.’

‘Shower?’

‘There’s an outdoor shower at the farmhouse where I’d take a dip before dinner.’

Dex poked his head into a small corridor that led to the back door. ‘Huh. I’ve got a washing machine and a back door.’ He pushed open another door in the hallway. ‘Hello, I believe I found the bedroom. Come and check this out, Soph.’

Commanding attention was a low, king-size slat bed covered with the softest of charcoal grey linens. They complemented the headboard made of sturdy rust-coloured iron, which ran from floor to ceiling, giving it an industrial appearance. There were more exposed brick walls, this time whitewashed, leading to a cupboard made with steel doors. She loved the thick rug under their feet.

‘Now this is me.’ He lay back on his bed.

‘You should have had a shower before you lay down.’

‘Shh, I won’t tell anyone.’ He dragged her by the hand to lie next to him.

‘Is this your furniture?’ Was this where he was going to kiss her?

‘Nope. All I have is some boxes with my tools, swag, tent, and my ute. I’ve already unpacked my gym equipment to work out.’ He looked out to the main room. ‘Bree did a good job.’

‘Why? It’s a lot of work.’

‘Bree enjoys doing makeovers. She did a good job at Cap’s place, so Mia could move in there. Mia was crashing on Bree’s couch for a bit, too. Bree said the only reason she did up my place was to get me off her couch. And I approve.’ He patted his stomach, as if fully satiated after a big Christmas feast.

‘So where did all the stuff come from?’ They were in the remote outback that didn’t have a shopping mall anywhere, and everything took two weeks before it got delivered by mailplane, train, or truck.

‘Bree said there’s furniture stored in one of the back sheds from people who’ve come and gone over the years. And I’m pretty sure my brother paid for some of it, too.’

He frowned, struggling to sit up on his elbows. ‘I’ll have to see Ryder about paying him back. He’s the type to just hand his credit card over to Bree, and she’ll give him the receipts.’ That made him frown harder. ‘Ryder really stuffed up with Bree.’

‘Do you think she stole those cattle?’

‘Hell, no!’

‘But there is a secret between you and Bree, isn’t there? Something happened last night.’

Dex pushed off the bed. ‘I’m not ready to give up all my secrets, when I know nothing about you.’

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