Page 121 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Hey…’ Ryder’s arms snaked around Bree’s body, holding her closer as he snuggled up to her in bed, early the next morning. ‘Are you okay?’

‘You?’ Of course, she didn’t answer.

‘My hand is sore from signing all that paperwork for the police. At least we can sleep in.’ Why move? He didn’t have to sneak out like he used to.

She sighed into the pillow. ‘You don’t hate me or think I’m weird?’

‘Sure. But for which part.’ His lips curled against her soft skin, that was warm like summer morning, soft like silky cream, and smelled of heaven.

‘For shooting Leo.’

‘No.’ He rolled her over to brush away her hair, to read her eyes. ‘You don’t scare me. You never did.’

‘But I shot Leo. I think we broke the rules of murder club.’

‘It wasn’t murder, Bree, it was self-defence. Leo would have used that gun if he’d gotten the chance, he kidnapped you, and he would’ve been slippery enough to get away with what he’d done to you, Charlie, and my family. You said he’d never stop.’

‘That’s true.’

‘But you stopped him, and you slept so well you snored all night.’

‘Pfft, I don’t snore.’

‘You do. Which means you have no guilt for your actions. You understand that feeling of guilt, right?’

‘I do. I used to feel so guilty over not believing Charlie about Harry.’ She paused, with her brow ruffling. ‘Is that why you were always walking around the homestead at night, worrying?’

He rolled onto his back to stare at the ceiling. ‘I used to suffer nightmares. Snatches of things from missions I’d hoped to forget. I haven’t slept well in years, not until I began sleeping with you.’ He tenderly stroked her nose, her worry and the open vulnerability so clear.

She sat up, tucking in the surrounding sheets. ‘Are you sure you want to be with someone who shot a man?’

‘Hey.’ He tapped her thigh, sitting up beside her. ‘I get why you did it.’

‘Are you sure? Because I’m having trouble trying to work out why I’m not upset over it.’

‘Because you never got the chance to protect your mother. But you are protective of Charlie, even me and my brothers. You’re very protective of your family, Bree. It’s one of the many things I love about you.’

Her eyes flared.

‘Yes, I love you. You weren’t the only one who shot him. I’d do it again in a heartbeat if anyone dared to harm you. But right now,’ he said, kissing her forehead. ‘I need the bathroom. I’ve never used the bathroom in this house before. Where is it, again?’

‘It’s the last door on the right.’

He wasn’t expecting a response from Bree for saying he loved her, because she would need time. But he’d do it again just to keep her safe. Although he’d give Dex some training on guerrillawarfare for the future. With Ash the late-night gamer also keen to learn more, it wouldn’t hurt to build a firing range one day.

From inside the bathroom, he heard the kettle whistling in the kitchen.

At the sink, he splashed water over his face, taming down his hair that was everywhere. Drying his face on a towel, he checked out the showerhead. It was massive compared to the outdoor shower he used, avoiding the farmhouse bathroom for fear of disturbing Harper’s various bottled products. Dex had told him that Bree had made this shower herself, with a tub big enough to hold two people, which had a grand view of the garden and paddock. Now that’s a bathroom! One he’d love to share with Bree.

‘Morning, son.’ Charlie was at the island bench, the aroma of his billy tea warming, blending with the other herbs hanging from the kitchen window.

‘Charlie. How are you?’

‘Can’t complain. How’s Bree?’

‘She’s a little unsure about what she did yesterday.’

‘Killing Leo?’

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