Page 67 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Yes, people like fancy fire pokers with their initials on them. It’s the must-have gift for the person who has money to burn,’ she said to the self-made billionaire who’d bought this cattle station with cash.

‘Dex told me you make swords.’ He wandered over to her workbench, where a sword waited for her to finish setting the faux jewels on the hilt and its matching shield. ‘Is it true you go jousting?’

She shrugged. ‘Not for a while.’

‘Hmm… So where ismyspecialised fire poker? Because we both know your grandfather is holding Elsie Creek Station’s branding iron to ransom in the caretaker’s cottage.’

‘That’s between you and Charlie. And as you’re not on my Christmas list for handmade goods, you should know there’s a four-month waiting list. I’m a girl in demand.’

‘Aww, that hurts.’

‘We both know you’re made of tougher stuff than that, Captain Cupcake.’

‘Hmph. I see you extended the nickname,’ he grumbled.

‘Just because I pretend to be a grown-up, doesn’t mean that I should stop expanding my vocabulary.’

He flashed her a grin, as he rubbed a hand over his jaw, his eyes all sparkly as they reflected the sunshine.

‘Now that is cool.’ He approached the back brick wall, charred from years of use from the blazing furnace. And on that wall hung a large, sculpted bull’s head. ‘Dex told me you made that for Charlie?’

Dex had a big mouth.

‘How old were you?’

‘Twelve.’

‘Young. How old were you when you started on the tools.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘I had to help my dad and grandfather as a small boy. You?’

‘Um…’ Her brow ruffled, pulling back on her snarky attitude. ‘Ever since I came to live here, I’ve been working in this shed after school and school holidays, learning the trade that very few people need anymore.’

‘But you’ve found a way to be booked out for the next four months. Clever.’

‘Ooh, that’s high praise coming from someone like you. I’ll be living off that compliment for a month, you know.’

‘Better than you biting my head off,’ he mumbled, walking around the blacksmith’s shop. ‘Can you make me one of those bull heads? A longhorn?’

‘For where?’

‘You left a big space on the boardroom wall, that’ll be perfect for it.’

‘I’m busy.’ She grabbed the handle of the trolley, tucking the rolls under her arms.

‘Here, let me take that trolley.’

‘I can do it.’

‘Listen, lady, I happen to have a particular way of loading up my ute, if you don’t mind. I’m sure you’re the same with your Kombi.’

She shrugged, readjusting the weight of the packaged rods where some of the bubble wrap popped in her hands.

‘Here.’ He tucked the blanket over her shoulders. ‘I like you in this.’

‘Why?’ Her question made his eyes flare slightly.Hello.‘What is the deal with this blanket?’

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