Page 79 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Why not?’

‘Because too many remember.’

Ryder parked his ute in the pub’s dusty car park. Behind the pub stood a long stretch of green lawn with an empty rodeo ring at the far edge.

Surprisingly, it was a full-sized rodeo arena with an announcer’s booth, the calf chute, two bucking chutes, turnout pens, even a small grandstand complete with empty stadium-style bleachers to seat a decent enough crowd. It had been a long time since he’d been to a rodeo.

But what he couldn’t understand was why would Charlie, a retired national champion, avoid going to the rodeo in his own hometown?

Ryder unloaded the assorted brands from the ute’s back tray. They were heavy. ‘I’ll carry these in for you, Charlie.’ No wonder Bree was strong, if she worked with these daily.

‘Did you help Bree do that thing with the fingers?’ Charlie hitched up his jeans, and with that bandy-legged swagger he headed for the pub’s doors.

‘We did. Bree even said a nice prayer, too.’

‘She’s a good kid, that one. I know she did that for me.’

‘I think Bree did that more for Harry and Penelope.’ Especially those words Bree had said about love. He’d never heard anyone speak from the heart like that. It had been an honour for him to be there, to finally see that true inner beauty beneath the sassy redhead’s outlaw attitude, to see the tender woman with a whole lot of love to give.

‘Harry would have liked that, for sure.’ Charlie gave a stiff sniff, with his grey eyes blinking as if ridding some grit that made his eyes all glassy. ‘Come on, let’s go have a beer and then skedaddle before the rodeo mob comes into town.’

? ? ?

Half an hour later, Bree made heads turn when she walked into the front bar. The din of conversation among the all-male crowd died down as she made her way to Charlie. A few stockmen nodded at her, a few even kissed her cheek, but more than a few of the younger male patrons watched her walk past with their heads tilted at the way her hips shifted with that outlaw swagger only highlighted by those long red tresses of a temptress in cowboy boots.

Bree was stunning as she leaned against the bar like she’d done it a thousand times, holding up her finger and with a nod at the barmaid she ordered her beer without saying a word. ‘Pop. Did you do the deliveries?’

Charlie sipped on his cold schooner of beer, then wiped over his frothy lip. ‘Yep. All done. Got Mean Rene looking after it. Even paid her a tip for her troubles. You were gone a while.’

‘Mrs Sternston sayshi. And Tess, and Molly, and—’

‘Cor blimey, was there a sewing class happening?’

‘It is a sewing store, Pop.’ She took a sip of her beer, casually glancing around the room. ‘Have you ordered lunch yet?’

‘I’m not hungry.’ Charlie then mumbled something over his beer, plonking his elbow on the bar. ‘Rodeo mob got here early, they had a meeting on.’

‘So?’ She shrugged. ‘You like Lenny’s cooking.’

Charlie scowled, with his tone harsh. ‘Order our meals as a takeaway, coz we’re not staying, kid. And that’sfinal.’

‘Fine.’ She cocked her head at her grandfather as if reading more than Charlie’s foul mood. ‘Do you want some lunch, Ryder?’

‘I thought I’d shout lunch.’

‘Bree will pay, son. It’s only fair we pay for you driving us around today.’

‘Back soon, I’ll get us dinner too, because I’m not cooking when I get home.’

‘Wait up, Bree…’ Ryder followed her to the far end of the noisy bar. ‘Where are you ordering?’

‘From the chef himself.’ She pushed on the side door to enter the quiet corridor.

‘Well, if it isn’t my favourite redhead.’ It was Cowboy Craig, with his blond curls and cocky smile, strolling towards them, giving Bree a hug. ‘Charlie here?’

‘In the bar, and he’s not happy. The rodeo crowd is here.’

‘Damn, I didn’t think of that. The committee were having their meeting about the rodeo next weekend.’

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