Page 102 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Just wanted to say g’day. Being neighbourly and all. We could talk about musters, but we all know you have little to muster at that station of yours.’

‘What’s it to you?’ asked Dex. ‘Do you muster any cattle? Or do you just like to pretend you’re a stockman, wearing that hat like the rest of the concrete cowboys in the city?’

Leo grinned again. ‘We all know wherever Charlie is, Bree isn’t too far behind. I’m going to ask her to dance with me later.’

‘Leave Bree alone.’ The growl was more heated than he’d realised, with Dex putting a hand on his shoulder.

‘As Bree will tell you, she’s her own boss. I’ll let her tell me herself and make my night with her sassy comebacks that always make me smile.’ With a chuckle, the smarmy bastard met up with his two men to grab his beer and join the crowd.

‘Leo’s right.’ Dex nodded in Leo’s direction.

‘About what?’ Ryder sculled down the rest of his beer. It didn’t even touch the sides to control his temper.

‘Bree will tell Leo to get nicked, she always does. But I think Leo’s doing that to stir you up. You looked like you were going to rip his head off, which means you’re in deep, brother.’

Ryder scrubbed a rough palm over his face. ‘I am.’ He wasn’t going to deny it. He’d suspected that he’d been falling in love with Bree since the beginning, though he hadn’t recognised it for most of that time—and once he did, he’d fought against it for as long as he could.

He spotted a rodeo rider, shaking hands and patting backs, with that white toothy grin and golden tan, highlighting thatblond hair. The lights caught on his super shiny champion rodeo belt buckle, that went with the rodeo rider’s vest, and chaps.

Dex swivelled around. ‘Oi, look out, it’s Cowboy Craig, looking all shiny with that belt buckle.’

‘G’day, Dex.’ Craig shook hands with Dex like old friends, giving Ryder a cordial nod.

‘So why all dressed up?’

‘For the parade they have on first, then the bulls begin.’

‘Do you ride the bulls?’

‘Nah. I’ve heard Charlie’s story, and I’ve had my close call with a bull to know not to play with those horns.’ Craig peered around at the crowd. ‘I’m looking for Charlie and Bree. Have you seen them?’

‘That way.’ Ryder pointed to the bleachers.

‘Are you two going to have a shot at the bulls?’ Craig had a definite swagger, his leather chaps swishing with each step, along with thetinktinkof his spurs on the dusty ground.

‘The only bull I ride is the mechanical one,’ said Dex. ‘The one they have close enough to the bar.’

‘Like my mate, Ryan, the vet. Except he’ll only ride that thing if it’s unplugged. If you guys want a shot at bull riding, they’ve got plenty of spaces available.’

‘I’m good.’ Dex rubbed his ribs, in particular the one that caused him lots of trouble a few months back.

‘How is Charlie, after finding out his brother is innocent?’ Craig asked, concerned.

‘Good.’ Ryder nodded. ‘Charlie had everyone dancing last night, except me and Dex. We were holding up the bar.’ It was the best spot to keep one eye on the monitors, and on Bree’s smile as she danced. ‘When did you find out?’

‘Bree called. She wanted help organising something special for Charlie.’

Ryder never got jealous, and he trusted Bree. Even so, Craig was a single man. If it’d been Porter, it wouldn’t have bothered him. But Cowboy Craig had the reputation of being a ladies’ man. And why hadn’t Bree asked Ryder for help? ‘What sort of help did Bree need?’

‘You’ll have to wait and see. And there she is.’ Craig pointed to the crowd that parted. ‘Wow!’

Bree was turning heads among the rodeo crowd in a town where there were never enough women to go around.

Ryder’s scowl darkened.

‘Easy, brother.’ Dex patted Ryder’s shoulder. ‘Craig’s a mate. Bree and Craig are just platonic friends, since school, like a brother and sister. It’s the same type of friendship I have with Bree.’

‘Ah huh…’ It still didn’t make him breathe any easier.

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