Page 40 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Monet.’ He gave his little cousin a brotherly peck on her cheek. ‘What did you say about the neighbours?’

‘The prick shot at me. I’m taking Leo and his station off my Christmas mail run this year.’

‘What the flip!’ Dex scowled with open anger.

While Ryder’s well-trained defence mechanism kicked in, protecting him from feeling the fear and concern that he didn’t allow himself to show easily. It’s what earned him the title of having ice in his veins. ‘Are you sure it was Leo who shot at you?’ Leo wouldn’t be stupid enough to take pot shots like that, wouldhe? It was so unlike Leo to do this.‘You actually saw Leo raise a weapon?’

‘I know Leo Travers. He’s the sweet-talking, Armani suit–wearing, black-hatted mongrel who shot at my plane.’ Monet tenderly patted the body of the red plane as if walking around a horse. ‘I was cutting through on my way back home after doing mail deliveries—’

‘And you thought you’d check out the neighbour’s yard?’ Dex cocked an eyebrow at their cheeky cousin.

Monet ripped off her glasses. ‘I knew it.’ She pointed to the edge of the wing, where the shattered carbon-poly fibres splintered like timber. ‘That prick shot me.’

‘You could have beenkilled!’ Dex’s voice echoed around the plane.

It was enough for the blood to pump a little harder inside Ryder’s chest, even while outwardly he remained tightly controlled. Yet his body became tense, with his jaw clenched, to avoid a rare explosion of emotion.

‘I’m okay. Don’t sweat it guys. I’m just looking for a quick patch up and a cup of tea?’ Monet seemed completely unbothered by it all.

It was enough to simmer the edge off Ryder’s temper. But it didn’t stop his mind from channelling that unwanted emotion into formulating a plan, by leaning into his military training—that was calculated, efficient, and protective. It made it easier to keep his emotions at bay, by focusing on a strategy to defend or attack.

‘I’ve got some epoxy in the shed to fix that,’ said Dex, looking at the damage.

‘No. It’s not a car, it’s a plane. Grab the foam gap filler, duct tape, a couple of clamps, sandpaper and that bathroom sealant we used for your place,’ ordered Ryder, inspecting the wing. ‘We’ll patch it up enough to get you home.’

‘I’ll be right back.’ Dex ran back to the shed with the same easy gait. Even though he’d retired from professional street fighting, Dex still trained in the mornings, keeping in fighting shape.

‘I’d better ring Tim and tell him I’m going to be home late.’ Monet dragged out her mobile phone.

Ryder leaned in closer to check the plane’s underbelly. The wing might not have much damage, but they could’ve hit the fuel tank, or damaged one of the propellers, making her lose control.

On the landing gear, he pulled out a thick bunch of leafy twigs.

‘How low were you flying, Monet?’ Fully aware of her daredevil antics in the sky.

‘Um, you know…’ She shrugged. ‘And before you ask, I didn’t see anything. I heard the shots and got out of there quick.’

‘How many shots were fired.’

‘Two.’

‘A warning shot and then this.’ He tapped on the wing. Again, rage bubbled inside, urging him to confront Leo.

But Ryder never allowed his temper to take control. The only time he’d ever reacted with heat that he could barely contain, was when he’d learned Bree had been attacked by a crocodile. In that instance, he was ready to load up his assault rifles and go hunting with a grenade launcher. Even though his brother Dex had assured him Bree was fine, it was then Ryder had realised how deeply he cared for Bree.

Oh, and then there was the time he’d accused Bree of stealing their cattle. He deserved that slap that had stung for hours. At the time, he’d been so furious about losing his stock, overwhelmed by helplessness, and Bree, who’d been out all night, and not knowing where she was, the worry hit him harder than expected, forcing him to realise just how deeply he did care for her. Accusing her of stealing their cattle had been a dumb move. Not telling her sooner how much she meant to him—evendumber. But what really stung was how long it had taken him to figure it out.

‘Don’t stress, cousin, I’m good. I swear it.’ Pushing her sunglasses higher through her short blonde hair, Monet gave him a cheeky smile, raising her phone in the air. ‘No bars… Your intranet isn’t set up yet?’

‘Soon. It’ll be fully functioning before the wet season—we’re just waiting on the steel to build the towers. Then we’ll have internet through the system, but mobile reception is still a no-go out here.’ Ryder continued to inspect the red plane’s outer shell to ensure there was no other damage. ‘Harper has a landline in the house you can use to call Tim. And you’re more than welcome to stay for dinner? Or overnight?’

‘Is Charlie and Bree home? Charlie makes the best cuppa and Bree’s always good for a chinwag and some cake.’

‘It might be best to leave them be for a bit.’ Ryder peered back to the silent cottage. No smoke filtered from the blacksmith’s forge.

‘Why? What’s going on? Are they okay?’

He slid his hand into the pockets of his jeans, and sighed, successfully putting a lid on his temper. ‘We found Charlie’s brother yesterday.’

---