Twenty
The next morning, the brothers were back at the table that lived on the corner of the front verandah. Ash sat opposite Dex, with Ryder and Cap seated on either end as they worked on their plans for the upcoming muster.
Waiting for his turn to report in, Ash sipped on his morning coffee, admiring another pink sunrise chasing away the straggling stars of the night. Dex reported on his jobs of collecting horses and stockfeed, then he was going to help Ryder fix the front gate and set up the real security cameras. Cap was doing the dogs and the stable, then helping set up the real security cameras. Then it was Ash’s turn …
‘The poles are up for the fake cameras. I had to wait for the cement to settle overnight. And, before you ask, I checked on the troughs while doing the rounds.’
‘Good.’ Ryder nodded.
Yet it irked Ash, as if he’d been patted on the head like he was a boy. Why couldn’t they give him something decent to do? ‘I’m not putting up the fake cameras yet.’
‘Why not?’ Dex’s typical scowl deepened behind his coffee cup.
‘I’m leaving it to the last moment, so they don’t deteriorate too fast with the weather—especially while we’re away. Unless the new cameras show up …’ He glanced at the head honcho commanding the end of the table.
‘The cameras won’t be here for at least six to eight weeks, minimum.’ Ryder scrolled through his tablet’s screen, sipping on his coffee.
‘What is that ?’ Cap pointed his coffee cup in the direction of the sheds.
They all craned around in their seats to spot a bright yellow van puttering towards them. It was such a bright lemon colour it’d have to glow in the dark.
‘Is that a Kombi van?’ Dex wiped his nose as if he’d smelled something rotten, while Ryder arched an eyebrow.
Cap grinned. ‘I’ve never seen a yellow Kombi van before. Not one with all-terrain four-wheel-drive tyres either.’
It was like the vintage van had been dragged into the modern world with some slick-looking rims, chrome detailing, and dark tinted windows.
It pulled up at the porch steps, where Bree hopped out from the driver’s side. This time she wore no work pants, or long leather vest, with that black skull cap that barely contained her curls. Bree was in a summer dress that showed off her curves and her generous cleavage.
‘Figures that the Kombi belongs to the potion-brewing hippy you are,’ called out Dex, tilting his head at Bree. Even Ryder, the man colder than a snake, was watching her with keen interest.
‘Dex …’ Bree walked up the steps, her hair like a fiery halo, but her green eyes sparkled. ‘Shoot, punch or maim anyone today?’
Dex frowned at her.
‘Don’t worry, stormcloud, the day is still young.’
Ash chuckled with Cap at the rarity of someone putting Dex in his place.
‘Can we help you, Bree?’ Ryder asked.
‘I’m looking for Harper.’ She knocked on the glass door before pushing it open. ‘ Hello, Harper?’
‘BWEEEEEEEEEE. Bwee. Bwee. Bwee. ’ Mason’s little feet pounded down the corridor before he leaped into Bree’s welcoming arms.
‘Well, hello, little man.’
Ash frowned, with a stab of jealousy hitting his chest.
‘Has that kid ever greeted anyone else like that?’ muttered Cap to his brothers, who all shook their heads.
It only made Ash frown deeper. ‘Not me.’ The father! No, wait. How many days did Ash have left for that welfare check?
He checked the calendar on his phone, where he’d marked the date. Sixteen days to go.
‘Hi, Bree.’ Harper strolled out in her shirt and long shorts, tightening her ponytail. ‘What brings you here?’
‘Is it true that you’ve agreed to go on this muster?’
Ash smiled, his chest rising with his posture. ‘She did. Harper’s going. So is the boy.’ Even if he wasn’t so sure of the deal he’d made with Harper, who was trying so hard to push him and Mason together.
‘He has a name, Ash.’ Bree held the kid on her hip while he played with one of her long red curls. ‘What’s your name, little man?’
‘Me. Mason. Me.’ The kid grinned wider.
‘You bet it is.’ Bree tickled his belly, and he cackled so loudly it was infectious.
It was the most Ash had ever heard Mason speak, who obviously adored Bree. Pity the woman didn’t like any of the grown-ups at the table.
‘It seems I’ve been talked into going,’ replied Harper. She narrowed her pretty eyes at Ash, and he grinned like a fool, and waited.
There it was, that shy smile creeping across Harper’s kissable lips. Another one of the good smiles from her smile file.
‘Ash, huh?’ Bree glanced back at Ash, then at Harper. ‘Well then, go get your purse, blossom, and put on some shoes, we’re going shopping.’ She then faced the table. ‘Does anyone have any food allergies?’
‘Me. To all things vegetable.’ Dex held his hand up.
‘Well, that explains your cauliflower ears, pumpkin head … Oh, please, do keep rolling your eyes, Dex. Maybe you’ll find a brain back there. But I’m talking peanut allergies et cetera.’
‘No, none of us have any allergies,’ replied Ryder. ‘And we’re not fussy eaters. But we truly appreciate you coming with us, Bree.’
‘I’m only doing it for Charlie.’
‘We know.’
‘I don’t work for you boys.’
‘We know.’ In a rare moment, Ryder willingly dragged out his wallet and removed a credit card. ‘Here … Use this for supplies. Bring back the receipts.’
Bree fanned herself with the plastic, her evil grin widening. ‘Is there enough credit on this for a ticket to Tahiti, then some VIP tickets to a private booth for the Stanley Cup.’
‘The what cup?’ Cap asked.
‘I’m ready.’ Harper burst through the front door, hair brushed, in a summer dress, her eyes brightened with a touch of make-up, and shiny lips.
Harper looked so excited that Ash sat back in his seat, dazzled by the dramatic change in her. She was stunning.
‘Good, let’s go. FYI, I’m driving, so it’s my playlist for music choices.’ Bree seemed as eager as Harper to go shopping.
‘You’ll need the baby seat for the car, Bree.’ Ash may not have bonded with the boy, but he didn’t want the kid hurt either.
Bree carried Mason to the driver’s side. ‘I have my own, thanks. Oh, and Ash …’ Bree peeked over the roof of the bright yellow Kombi van.
‘Oh, man, you’re in trouble now, brother.’ Dex ducked his head to avoid eye contact with Bree.
‘Yeah …’ Ash braced himself for it, while racking his brains for what he’d done to bear the brunt of Bree’s attention.
‘I’m lending my spare saddle to Harper. Charlie’s getting it ready for you now. She might do with a refresher in riding if she has the right horse?’
‘Good idea.’ Ryder nodded at Bree, it was rare for those two to agree on anything. ‘Dex is collecting our horses today. We’ll make sure Harper gets the quieter ones.’
‘Outstanding. And my job is done. Now play nice and don’t burn the house down, children.’ She tooted the horn and the yellow Kombi van steadily churned through the dirt like an old tugboat in a red sea.
Ash narrowed his eyes at the van, taking away Mason and Harper. He ground his teeth, unable to explain the strong urge to chase after them, to tell them to be safe, to make Harper promise to come back.
He scrubbed his hand roughly over his face. This wasn’t happening. He was not getting attached to any of them.
He had to remember Harper was only here on a holiday, because she lived and worked on the other side of the world. She was only here temporarily, just like Mason.
Yet, his eyes followed the van’s dusty trail. Bree would bring them back. Right?
‘Why would someone like Bree have a baby seat in her van?’ Cap asked.
‘Who cares. Bree’s coming and that’s all that matters, boys.’ Ryder tossed back the last of his coffee, swapping his empty coffee mug for his hat. ‘Let’s go, we’ve got a muster to prepare for.’