Page 32 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Hmmm…’ That sneaky redhead never let on. She refused to call herself a stockwoman, even though she was a bloody good one who never interfered with them running the place. But running a station meant a lot more than just managing men and herd.

All of Ryder’s brothers had consulted with Bree more than once when it came to the station—it had irritated him that Bree knew more about what was going on than he did, when he was the one paying the bills!

‘Darcie and I figured the reason Bree came back that last time was because she was having marriage problems, is all.’ Charlie shifted easily in the saddle as his horse navigated the thick leaf litter along a wallaby track that crossed yet another creek bed. The place was like a maze, with each turn looking the same as the last one. ‘We only saw Finn a coupla times, showing up on that noisy bike of his. But whenever he did make an appearance, he always got that big hug and kiss that’d make a grown man blush.’

Ryder had hated seeing Bree kiss another man—only to later learn it was her husband. The sight had put him in a foul moodthat lasted a week, until he found out she was actually divorced from Finn. But that still didn’t explain the reunion scene he’d witnessed.

‘Why do you hate Finn?’ Which was rare, when Charlie liked everyone and got on with everyone—except their neighbour Leo, and Finn.

‘I never used too... But when their son got sick, Bree left Finn countless messages, that bugger never answered.’

‘Some jobs you can’t call people or up and leave. I know from my time in the Army, I was restricted from contacting anyone outside the mission.’ It was a reminder that he needed to make time away from work to take in the places that his property had to offer. Except jungles. He wasn’t keen on jungles. And he had the Army to thank for that.

‘Yeah, nah.’ Charlie shook his head, wearing a deep scowl. ‘Finn wasn’t in no Army. He was a Queensland stockman, who was gone for almost a year in Victoria. What job stops a fella from contacting his family for a year?’

‘Finn knew Bree is an independent woman who is quite capable of looking after herself. Most military wives are the same.’

‘But he left Bree to deal with little Liam’s illness all on her own, with no word from him for ages. And when my great-grandson passed away, that mongrel finally shows up three weeksafterthe funeral.’ Charlie huffed, his jaw locked as if seething with anger. ‘But I saw it that day my granddaughter buried her son, she buried her soul with him, and Finn knew it, too.’

‘You know Finn was away for work.’ Ryder couldn’t help but defend Finn, who’d been working undercover. But because Charlie couldn’t keep a secret, no one had told him. ‘And sometimes work—’

‘No man should ever put their career before theirfamily!’ Charlie’s stern words echoed around the forest, once again silencing the birds and the buzz of insects, leaving only the soft tread of their horses on the leaf-littered path, which released a rich, earthy aroma. ‘I understand a man has to work to provide for his family. But they should always remember it’s only a job. A man should never put their job, or money, before their family, especially when they needed them the most.’

As a self-made billionaire, Ryder fully understood how money changed a person, having seen it in those around him. It’s why he never showed off that he had money, and why he never talked about money or how he made his money with his family. But he sure as hell made sure he provided for them. No matter the cost.

‘But then the idiot gets so angry, he punches out this high-ranking copper and ends up in prison for assault. When Finn, that flamin’ fool, should’ve been helping Bree get through her grief, or at least go through it with her.’ Charlie wore such a pained expression as he tapped at his chest. ‘That’s what family does. Even if it’s just to put the kettle on to make a cup of tea, while you sit quietly in the corner, you’re there. Like Bree is always there for me, tinkering in the garden, helping me to go riding in the mornings, or stoking up the forge for me, or agreeing to come on this muster with me. When I lost my grandson, I know I grieved for that boy, just like Darcie did, because that small boy brought so much joy into our world, but I don’t think Bree ever fully dealt with it.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Bree never packed up Liam’s room in the cottage. She locked it up and went straight back to work, choosing to let our guests crash on the couch instead.’

‘So, the caretaker’s cottage has three bedrooms?’ Even though Charlie had offered him the spare room, Ryder had never set foot inside the place he owned.

But then it clicked—that spare room must’ve been Liam’s!

No wonder Bree was furious at the thought of him taking over the cottage.

‘The caretaker’s cottage has three-and-a-half bedrooms. The smallest room was a nursery, when I moved in with my wife. I made it into a walk-in storeroom for my rodeo gear. Now it’s full of junk. I think Bree would love to turn it into a pantry and renovate the kitchen.’

Again, Charlie sighed, craning his neck at the leafy canopy where the sun sent down it’s rays in between the gaps. ‘Not long ago, right before he left, Finn was in Liam’s room. You could see the fella was broken over it. Bree let him take what he wanted as a keepsake, then waved off Finn, locked the door to Liam’s room again, and went back to work.’ Charlie shook his heavy head once more, with his voice softening as he said, ‘Bree might be tough, but that kid is worried about me leaving her.’

‘Bree is very protective over you.’ It was admirable.

‘Because I’m the only one who’s never abandoned her. That kid got abandoned by her father, who did the most terrible thing to a child. No child should ever witness their mother getting murdered by the person who was meant to show her love and protection. Then, as a grown-up, Bree’s husband abandons her for his career and then prison, and then her son. When I go, well…’

The silence was as heavy as the thick humid air that clung to the sturdy tree trunks entangled with vines, as their horses criss-crossed another series of creek beds.

‘I’ll be there for Bree, Charlie.’ Even if Bree wanted nothing from Ryder, he was damn well going to be there if she needed him. He would have done that anyway, without question.

‘Thank you.’ Charlie gave an affirmative nod. ‘It’s all a fella can ask.’ Their horses climbed a steep sandy track to break through the trees and into open daylight. In the distance thesolar panels lining the roof of the caretaker’s sheds sparkled under the sun. ‘We’re home.’ And they raced across the field to phone the police.

Fourteen

It had taken all day for the police to conduct their investigation inside the cave hidden at Cattleman’s Keep. They had taken photos, methodically boxing and bagging up all the items, before finally zipping the skeletons into a pair of black body bags and taking them away in the town’s one and only ambulance.

By the time Ryder drove Charlie back to the homestead, the sun was long gone. The deep rumbling engine of the Razorback announced their return to the sheds behind the caretaker’s cottage, where he parked it beside Bree’s bright yellow Kombi van.

A rich, savoury aroma of something baking filled the air, releasing hints of butter and herbs that blended beautifully with the subtle smokiness of roasting vegetables. Together, the scents created a mouth-watering medley, that was enough to make Ryder’s tummy rumble.

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