Page 127 of Stockman's Showdown

‘When is Bree going on that holiday? What was it?’ Cap asked. ‘Some beach…’

‘To drink gin on a beach with no crocodiles while she waited to go watch the Stanley Cup,’ said Ash. ‘Bree’s got Harper watching ice hockey now. I had no idea how brutal and quick that game is.’

‘Does anyone remember where Bree’s first stop was?’ Cap asked.

‘To drive to the nearest international airport and catch the first plane out to Tahiti.’ Dex grabbed Ryder’s arm. ‘Brother, Bree always said she was going to do that as soon as Charlie’s affairs were in order.’ Dex pointed to the branding iron that hung from the wall. ‘That looks like finished business to me.’

The yellow Kombi van puttered down the long driveway.

‘Bree wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye, would she?’ Ash headed to the window.

‘She’d better not.’ Tossing the green blanket over his shoulder, Ryder stalked out the door to find Bree’s horse, Black Hand, patiently standing by the water trough. Without a second thought, Ryder swung into the saddle and gave chase after that yellow Kombi van disappearing in a cloud of red dust.

Fifty-one

Behind the steering wheel of the yellow Kombi van, Bree drove towards the main gate, while busily skipping through the songs on her playlist, searching for something loud to drown her thoughts.

‘What the hellfire!’She slammed her foot on the brakes as Ryder galloped up on Black Hand, the stallion rearing in front of the vehicle. ‘Are you crazy? I could’ve hurt my horse.’

‘Where are you going?’ Ryder leaped off the saddle. With the green blanket in one hand, he tied the horse’s reins to the front bull bar.

‘Town.’

‘And?’

‘I’m going through Charlie’s to-do list.’

‘No, you’re being sneaky is what you’re doing.’ Ryder tossed that green blanket over his shoulder, then ripped open her driver’s door and snatched the keys out of the ignition. ‘Get out.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I’m scared that you’re about to disappear out of my life forever and go on that holiday.’ He peeked into the back of the Kombi full of suitcases and assorted boxes. ‘That’s what you’re doing, isn’t it? You’re leaving me.’ Pain etched across his face. It was heartbreaking.

‘Listen, the caretaker’s caveat is over,’ she said, slinking out of the driver’s seat. ‘I will not take advantage of you.’

‘No, Bree. Dammit.’ He ripped off his hat to rake fingers through his hair. ‘The caretaker’s caveat is not over.’

‘It is—’

‘No!’ He grabbed her hands. ‘The reason I nominated Drover’s Rest as my paddock and the cottage as my house was to give them to you.’

‘Excuse me?’ Did she hear that right? Or was her foggy brain still stuck in the grief cycle where she chose to shut off completely. It was easier that way than to deal with what life kept throwing at her. It would have been easier if she’d never met Ryder, too.

‘It’s yours.’

‘Nooo.’ Oh, she was wide awake now.

‘I haven’t told my brothers yet, but I have gifted you that area, so that no matter who owns the station, it’s yours as part of thenewcaretaker’s caveat.’

‘Why?’

‘Because we were never your bosses. You never worked for us. You workedwithus, always for the good of Elsie Creek Station. You were more than an overseer, more than a head stockman, Bree. You are Elsie Creek Station. And if you leave, not only would it break me, it would break all that is good and worthy about what we’ve been fighting so hard to protect in this place.’

Yet, she’d been fighting so hard to leave. This was her chance. Her responsibilities to everyone were over. ‘This is not my home. It was Charlie’s.’

‘That is simplynot true!’ His words echoed around them as he stepped in closer. ‘You’ve fought bushfires to protect the crops, you drove the herd not only along the long paddock, but to the hidden lands of Wombat Flats, and hid another herd in Scary Forest, that you’d check on regularly. You’ve ensured allthe water was safe with the water filters in our houses to keep not only us but the muster dogs safe within their kennels. You captured and made us relocate a salt-water crocodile into the wild not only to preserve its life, but to protect the freshwater crocodiles in our waterways that are an endangered species. As well as orchestrated the preservation of certain wildlife corridors for the native animals who share this land.’

‘Nah. I—’

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