Stockman’s Showdown (The Stockmen #4)

Seven

That kiss had surpassed anything he’d ever imagined. Now Ryder wanted more.

Following Bree back from The Veil to their stock camp, it was like landing back into a land of chaos, reminding him of how home used to be when he was growing up. All his brothers and their partners were gathered around the campfire where the aroma of fried onions had his stomach grumbling.

Pity the rest of the feed wasn’t up to snuff. The damper was dry and burnt. The spuds were crispy on the outside and raw on the inside. And he couldn’t decipher what they’d done to the other vegetables.

‘Bree, help us. Please?’ begged Ash.

‘What did you do now?’ Bree, all clean from her dip beneath the waterfall, peered at the mess.

‘We’ve stuffed up somehow.’ Harper held up the egg flip, wearing white flour on her cheek with her hands covered in clumps of glue. ‘I followed the recipe, but a campfire doesn’t come with a temperature dial to control the flame.’

Bree giggled. It was a sweet one.

She had so many laughs and spoke differently to each family member, as if curving to their personalities.

Charlie waved his hand at his granddaughter. ‘Have a gecko’s gander at saving dinner, or we’ll all be havin’ a dingo’s dinner, kid.’

‘What did he say?’ Harper gathered the dirty dishes together. ‘I need a dictionary just for your sayings, Charlie.’

In a matter of minutes, Bree had something cooking on the campfire where they’d gathered around as the sun left tangerine-coloured streaks across the sky, before it sank deep beyond the plum-coloured horizon.

This is what Ryder loved about being a stockman, the great outdoors where the views were better than anything money could buy. For a billionaire, it was humbling to enjoy moments like these that didn’t revolve around wealth, just time spent with family and friends, and for the rarity when his mind became still, as he watched Bree effortlessly prepare their meals. The entire moment felt like a slice of heaven under the stars.

Of course, Bree ignored him as she bantered with his brothers. But he preferred to sit back and watch over them. Ryder didn’t need to talk. They talked enough that he didn’t need to add to their fray of nonsense. But they were all having a good time.

Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea bringing the other girls along after all, it was rare they all got together like this.

‘I’m thinking of going for a walk under the stars later,’ said Sophie. ‘To take some photos.’

‘I wouldn’t do that, girlie.’ Charlie pushed up the brim of his stockman’s hat that had seen many Sundays under the sun. ‘We’re in Travellers’ country. Home to the Mimih spirits.’

‘Whose country?’ Sophie peered back at the old man.

‘They go by many names.’ Charlie’s voice was low and serious. ‘Some call ‘em Travellers. Others reckon they’re shadow folk, spirits that walk the land when the sun’s down. You must’ve heard the stories.’

‘Are you for real?’

‘Well, you’d better listen and learn, missy, if you’re gonna live out here, ‘coz we’re in Travellers’ country. It’s best to show respect.’ Charlie plonked himself down on one of the logs that were set out around their campfire, where sparks crackled and popped to float towards the ceiling of countless stars. With his scuffed-up tin mug in hand, the steam from his billy tea curling above the rim, you could tell he was brewing another story.

‘What are the Travellers, Charlie?’ Harper asked.

‘They’re a dark spirit of sorts. Some stockmen used to say you could sense them or get that funny feeling that you’re not alone. Or that feeling of something out of the ordinary. It’s difficult to explain, and impossible to forget when you do come across one of ‘em.’

‘Have you seen them?’

Charlie nodded. ‘Plenty of times. And it’s best to always be polite, nod your hat at ‘em and move along.’

‘What are they?’

‘Some say they’re from the spirit world trying to warn you about something. Mostly, they just protect the land.’

‘No way.’ Mia hugged her knees tighter like a child, wriggling closer to Cap on their blanket. Before them, their working dogs stretched out in the dust, with their shadows lengthening before the campfire. ‘Where did you see them?’

‘They usually take a stickybeak when we’re out hunting or camping in this area. It’s a tradition now, that we call out whenever we enter Emu Plains to let them know we mean no harm. So never build here. Leave it for the cattle to graze. They don’t mean no harm, coz they’re like the unseen guardians of the land keeping an eye on you.’ Charlie leaned closer to the three females, the newcomers to their family, and said with wide eyes, ‘And you wouldn’t even know they were there.’

Harper swallowed, clutching her necklace. Mia moved closer to Cap, with Sophie doing the same to Dex.

‘W-w-what can we do to avoid them?’ Harper asked, with Mia nodding with wide eyes.

‘If you are being peaceful and respecting the land, they’ll leave you be, sure enough. Some will come out to warn you if you’re about to enter a place that’s not meant for you—especially around them Aboriginal ceremonial grounds. And some play tricks to lead people astray in the bush at night.’

‘What do they look like?’ Sophie’s voice was so frail.

‘Shadows. Tall and slender, with no faces. They’re fleeting—dark figures you catch moving out of the corner of your eye.’ Charlie tapped the corner of his eye, then pointed out to the darkness that hung heavy around them with no sign of civilisation, just the vast and empty outback that had the knack of making a person feel infinitesimal.

‘I don’t worry about them, because we’re not here to harm the land. But sometimes…’ Charlie’s voice was hushed, yet loaded with warning, as he leaned in closer and said, ‘they trick you. So, if you ever hear your name being called in the dark and don’t see anyone, it’s a Traveller calling. And…’ Charlie leaned back, as the girls’ leaned forward as his voice lowered even more, ‘if your dog or your horse stops on you for no reason and refuses to move, it’s because a Traveller is nearby warning you to stay away from that space.’

‘But-but-but…’ Sophie sat huddled with crossed legs. ‘What if I need to pee?’

‘Take someone with you, just never go on your own in case they pinch you. Heed the warnings of an old man who’s lived his life in the outback, where many spooky things happen after dark. Be mindful of the Travellers, I’d hate for you to get on their bad sides because—’

‘BOO!’ Ash jumped out from the shadows with his son Mason, also doing the same. The girls screamed, with Charlie and the rest of the brothers laughing.

That’s when Ryder noticed Bree was gone.