Page 96 of Stockman's Stormcloud

Dex had fully recovered. And for the last five days he was running in the mornings, then working out in his carport gym, getting all hot and sweaty. It was worth the watch when she’d come visit after working the night shift.

She licked her lips, remembering the feel of his skin that was like smooth warm marble under her palms, and the way his body fit perfectly with hers. He was a heartbreaker who was somehow coaxing out the bad side of her she didn’t know she had—especially in the bedroom.

Brushing the curtains aside, she took in the view of the sheds where Dex worked. With a few hours before she’d leave for work, she grabbed her camera.

‘Please, don’t get up, Mr Purrington.’ The cat just glanced at her, while stretched out across the couch he’d claimed, only to return his attention back on the TV. He’d really made himselfat home.

Admittedly, she wanted to stay and explore every inch of Elsie Creek Station while taking photos and hanging out with Dex. But she had her own job, her own place, and her own responsibilities. She’d also vowed to never get caught out like she’d done with her ex.

Inside the large workshed, music played in the background, barely disguising some male voices. It was Dex in another room with Ryder at the far end.

‘Don’t do it, Dex. Your health is worth far more than cattle,’ said Ryder, examining the walls of a large empty rectangular room.

‘I have to,’ snapped back Dex, with his back to her.

‘No, you don’t.’

‘Bree’s doing it.’

‘She shouldn’t, either. I wish that woman had talked to us before planning this out with Finn. What sort of husband puts his wife at risk like that?’

‘You don’t trust Finn?’

‘No.’ Ryder’s voice was so deep. ‘I only trust my family.’

‘Do you trust Bree?’

‘You do. I can see it.’ Ryder pointed at Dex. ‘Something happened between you two. I know it.’

‘We’re just friends.’

Yet it still made Sophie frown to hear Dex say that. She shouldn’t be jealous of Bree, who was married. But it made her tiptoe closer to the open doorway to listen in on the brothers.

‘You and Bree are like twins sometimes,’ complained Ryder. ‘And Bree has so many secrets, while going off and doing her own thing all the time, when she should talk to us. To me.’

‘Why should she, when you accused Bree of—’

‘I know what I said,’ snapped back Ryder. ‘And I’ve been kicking myself ever since. But I have questions. And I’m pretty sure it’s to do with this room.’

Dex crossed his arms over his chest. ‘I can’t tell you.’

‘You know that’s spying, right?’ Bree had snuck up on Sophie.

Sophie squealed, and both Dex and Ryder turned around to frown at Sophie. ‘I just got here.’

‘Yeah, right.’ Bree’s chuckle was positively evil as she brushed past Sophie and entered the large room. ‘So, what are we doing at the crime scene? Oh, wait. You want to see if it’s worth doing a makeover in the murder room?’

‘You said you wanted to.’ Dex approached Sophie. ‘How long were you standing there?’

‘Not long.’ Technically, she wasn’t lying.

‘Pfft, and I’m a blonde too.’ Bree tossed her thick red plait over her shoulder, before leaning against the wall.

‘There’s something wrong with this room.’ Ryder began pacing the floor as if taking measurements of sorts.

‘Of course there is. A man got murdered in here.’ Bree shrugged.

Sophie gasped.

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