Page 90 of Stockman's Showdown

‘If he did, why didn’t he take that gold?’

She shook her head. ‘He couldn’t have realised what it was. At first you guys weren’t sure it was gold until I told you. They looked like rocks to you.’

‘That’s true. But I also don’t want you getting ahead of yourself.’

Ahead, ha! She was about to break the land-speed record with her mind leaping off the edge of a cliff and into a paraglider’s paradise. ‘So, what if—’

‘Bree?’

‘Hey, you wanted me to talk, so I’m talking.’ She was also quite impressed at how thick and fast this conversation flowed. ‘My theories have been panning out so far.’

‘True…’ He leaned against the bench beside her to sip his bourbon while she drank her gin. ‘You came up with the elastic—’

‘And the rock that was used to write out his dying words. I bet if we found a geologist, they’d know about the rock type. We should also look for someone who knows about dynamite for mining.’

‘Know of any?’

‘Mia might know someone from her mining days.’

‘Good point. I’ll ask Mia in the morning.’

‘Hey, about your cameras spying on the neighbours,’ she said, pointing at the wall of monitors, ‘you didn’t see Mia’s ex, by any chance?’

‘The one you threatened to feed to the crocodiles?’ Ryder smirked behind his bourbon glass. ‘No. He’s gone.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Because I had Marcus chase after Gavin on the highway.’

‘To do what?’

‘To make sure he escorted that mongrel out of town towards Alice Springs, so he had no excuse for coming through our district again.’

‘Marcus agreed?’

‘Porter had already filled him in about Mia and her bruises, back when he’d given up his dog, Willow. Remember, Marcus was there when Mia officially became Willow’s owner at the campdraft.’

‘Yeah, but—’ It seemed weak to her.

‘Marcus’s pet hate is violence against women. Especially in his town.’

Okay, that sounded fair. ‘What’s your pet hate?’

He pushed off the bench to stand directly in front of her. ‘Fighting with you.’

Her breath caught in her throat.

‘Why do you hate me, Bree?’

‘I don’t hate you.’

‘But you fight with me more than any of my brothers.’

‘You called me a cattle rustler and were so close to calling me a liar, too.’

‘I’m sorry. Jeez, how many times do I have to apologise?’ Ryder raked a hand through his hair, frustration lacing his voice. ‘I’ve felt guilty every damn day since I did that. I stupidly accused you because I was scared—scared of losing everything I’ve worked for, and I was scared of how much you already meant to me. I got it wrong.’

She stared at him for a long time.

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