Page 12 of Stockman's Showdown

‘I know all about the history of dot paintings. Remember, I’m from the Territory, too. One of our local Elders told me when I was a kid that the original purpose for dot painting was to paint dots on their bodies for ceremony only. It gave them a shimmering appearance when they danced. So, this…?’ He pointed at the rock art.

‘It’s just a painting by a guy who liked to paint on rock. He was an Aboriginal stockman from lower New South Wales.’ She sighed at their somewhat cosy surrounds, before stretching her neck to greet the skies. For once she seemed at peace.

One of the horses nickered, breaking her trance, and she turned to unsaddle Black Hand, and lead the horses to the watery edge where they eagerly waded into the chest-deep water.

With her saddle resting on an altar-like rock, Bree removed her boots, shirt, and jeans. ‘Staring much.’

How could he not? Her figure was all curves of creamy skin, with plump breasts perfectly cinched by a sports bra that made him want to inhale that cleavage, and the way her smooth-fit matching briefs cupped her arse, she was good enough to eat. ‘What are you doing?’

‘I’m wearing a ball gown for dinner, so I’m searching for a tiara to match my outfit. What do you think?’ Pulling a beer bottle from her saddlebag, she waded into the water and began washing down her horses.

He peeked into her saddlebag to find a sixpack of icy cold beer. ‘That’s my girl.’

‘Hey! That’s mine.’ She paused from washing down a horse to scowl at him.

‘I’ll pay you back later.’ Popping the cap, he took a deep mouthful of beer. ‘Ahh. That hit the spot.’

He then quickly unsaddled his horse, stripped down and waded into the crystal-clear water where soft sand and smooth pebbles made up the floor. ‘This is a good idea.’

‘Who invited you to my private pool party?’ Something had ticked her off so much it made her eyes glow.

‘Is this the part where I tell you I own this land?’ Again.

She scowled at him with such heat, it was a struggle to not grin at her.

Then he realised why she was so angry with him.Dammit.‘Who told you?’ They were now wearing matching scowls, which was normal these days.

‘Who do you think?’ Her sneer was lethal.

‘Dex.’The dick!

‘You’ve got over a million acres to choose from. You could have picked another paddock. Why there? Drover’s Rest is Charlie’s. I’m pretty sure it’s still covered under the caretaker’s caveat.’

‘I told Charlie I’m not doing anything with it.’

‘And the caretaker’s cottage?’

‘Charlie told me he’s got a spare room at the cottage.’ Her scowl deepened, making him grin wider.

‘You have the farmhouse.’

‘That’s getting crowded with a toddler and a younger brother determined to break the wall or his bed. That couple need their space.’

‘Get a caravan and park it next to the boardroom where you spend all your time.’

‘How do you know that?’

‘I know nothing.’

‘I don’t believe that, Bree, you know everything.’

‘Do not.’ She swam away from him to the far side of the falls.

He had to follow.

‘This place reminds me of the waterfall at Grass Tree Creek.’ That waterfall was only a shallow rock pool. This place was a massive brightly lit cave with a hole in the roof where the water filtered down into a deep pool, to become part of Koala Creek.

‘Have you ever climbed to see where the water comes from?’ He pointed his beer to the ceiling that was raining sweet, fresh water that sparkled like diamonds under the dying sunlight.

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