Eighteen
‘Bush. Bush. Pit. Bush. Bush. Heifer. BLOCK UP—fat cow! ’ Charlie’s voice was loud from his place high above the rails, where he carried Mason in the baby carrier strapped across his chest, as he looked over the condition of each beast that entered the pound.
‘ Bush. Heifer. Pit. Bush .’
‘No. Look at him, Pop. His hindquarters are crooked.’ Bree and her grandfather would haggle over the condition of certain animals before she let them through the correct gates. ‘He’s a fat that’s due his day at the markets.’
‘I taught you well.’ Charlie tipped his hat to Bree, who was using the levers on the far side shutting the gate from the high boards. Charlie turned his pencil to erase his tick on the clipboard. ‘Keep ‘em coming, Harper.’
Harper waved the long sticks to urge the cattle to move along the narrow chutes and the drafting process continued.
‘So let me get this straight,’ Mia asked Cap. ‘They’re sorting cattle into separate holding pens, the paddock, or into the pit where Ash, Dex, and Ryder are busy branding and tagging.’
‘What my brothers are doing will take weeks to finish. Bree and Charlie are sorting this herd into groups.’
‘They move so quickly.’
‘That’s what we call the coachers. They’ve been here before and know what to do. That’s the group we used the dogs to hold them back because they’re keen to get back into the paddock.’
‘Oh, that’s the first group?’
Cap nodded. ‘You’ll notice,’ he said, pointing to the nearby paddock, ‘they’ve got ear tags, and are already branded.’
They were also very calm as they walked through the railed corridors to end up in one of the nearby paddocks that had a few large bales of hay waiting for them.
‘What happens to them?’
‘They’ll get walked back to another paddock in a week or two.’ Cap gave a satisfied nod. ‘The others will need a little more hands-on animal husbandry and they’ll be set aside for the vet’s visit.’
‘For what?’
‘Castration, spaying, pregnant testing. It’s a process that prevents unwanted breeding traits in livestock, and to control some unruly bulls. We’re after quality in our herds.’
‘It really is a process, isn’t it.’
‘It is. But the bonus is, Bree and Charlie are super quick in their calling. Come on, I’d hate to keep them waiting.’ Again, Cap whistled for the dogs, the cattle flowed down the railed chute, the gates clanged and the drafting calls continued.
‘Heifer. Heifer. Fat cow. Pit. Bush. Bush…’
‘ BULL COMING .’ Cap’s voice was loud. It made everyone take pause as they watched the massive beast barely fit through the narrow chutes. Even Dex, Ryder and Ash paused to lean over the fence as the proud beast entered the main arena.
‘Hello there, big fella.’ Charlie poked up the brim of his hat, leaning his boot on the rail, holding Mason to his chest in the baby carrier. ‘Are you ready to retire yet, mate?’
‘Should we?’ Dex asked his brothers.
‘He’s a good-looking animal.’ Even Ryder removed his sunglasses to look at the proud beast.
Bree fearlessly jumped down into the pen and held out something in her hand.
‘ Bree! ’ Ryder and Dex both started to climb the rails.
Mia gasped, grabbing the nearest thing—Cap’s arm, which was all muscle.
‘Settle, cupcake. This fender bender and I are old friends. Hello, Freckles.’ With a dusting around his nose that looked like freckles, the bull sniffed at Bree’s hand, then his tongue flickered out to eat the treat she’d offered.
‘I remember when Bree brought Freckles home from school one day. He was a sickly-looking poddy calf she had to bottle-feed,’ explained Charlie. ‘Flamin’ weakling he was.’
‘Not so small now.’ With arms leaning over the rails, Ash pointed at the bull. ‘How did you manage to keep him around, when those contractors came through the place?’
‘You can thank Bree for that.’
‘Pop, you don’t need to tell all our secrets.’
‘It’s true. Bree refused to let that big boofhead get taken by the contracting mob that was stripping the place bare. It’s what gave me the idea of selecting this mob and taking them out to Wombat Flats. We could only do a few at a time so they didn’t notice.’ Charlie sheepishly shrugged from the high boards, to adjust Mason on his chest.
‘Bull,’ said the boy.
‘That’s right, mate,’ said Charlie. ‘An old bull.’
‘No, he’s not.’ Bree tickled the bull’s chin while she looked over his stance; he arched his neck and groaned as if she’d hit some secret spot. ‘He’s got a few more seasons yet before he retires. Sorry boys, I’m making an executive decision on this one… Straight back to the bush paddock you go, Freckles.’ Bree swung open the wide gate and patted the beast’s massive rump. ‘You go play nice with the ladies, ya hear.’
The bull snorted, and with his wide horns he casually ambled through the open gates to head for the large bale of hay waiting on the other side. And the drafting process began again.
‘ Bush. Bush. Heifer. Pit. Fat cow… ’
‘We’ll pick that one. It’s had long enough to polish the rails.’ Cap pointed to the massive beast. ‘But it’s your turn to start telling Willow what to do.’ Cap gave her an encouraging nod. ‘ Rest up, dogs. Willow, stay.’ He handed Mia the long and light poles to help her guide the dog and beasts. ‘I don’t think you’ll need these poles for long.’
The confidence he showed in not only Willow, but Mia, made her heart bloom for the man. It was an intoxicating emotion she could easily get addicted to.
But she needed to focus. Mia gripped the thin rods, not expecting any miracles, not when she feared for the dog’s safety.
Yet Willow was eagerly looking up at her, then at the cattle, then up at her, obediently waiting for the command as her sweeping tail created a small dust cloud.
‘ Away, ’ Mia said to Willow.
The dog bolted, lightning fast.
‘ Take time… ’
And she lowered her lithe body as if stalking the beast.
The other cattle shifted aside, and it wasn’t long before Willow had the beast singled out.
Mia hesitated. ‘What now?’
‘Point to where you want the dog to push the beast.’ Cap’s breath was so warm in her ear, his hand ever so lightly rested on her waist, that even though he wasn’t touching skin, it felt like it.
‘In the beginning, muster dogs will follow seventy per cent of your hand signals and the rest by voice. Just use the simple commands I taught you. It’d be good if you can whistle.’
‘Nope. Never could.’ Not like Cap, who could control a dozen cattle dogs at once like magic.
‘All yours.’ He stepped back, giving her room.
She swallowed hard, as a nervous bead of sweat trickled from her forehead, and her stomach swirled with the fear of doing something new. What if she stuffed up? What if Willow got hurt? What if—
‘You’ve got this, Mia.’ The simple pat on her shoulder gave her the courage to try.
‘ Come round. ’ She pointed towards the open chute where the beast hesitated to go through.
Earlier, when the holding pen had been full, the beasts pushed through so willingly. But now the herd was thinning, the ones left were more cunning, they were what Cap called the ferals , the cattle who hadn’t seen a human before.
Mia was learning quickly about the process and knew to react fast whenever Cap would shout Run! And she’d run for the nearest fence to climb. The first few times, Cap gripped her rump to hoist her fast over the rails, where they’d land in the dirt with a thud, laughing at each other, while the beast stood on the other side of the fence, snorting at them.
‘Come on, my little dirt bunny,’ he’d say to her, holding his hand out to help her to her feet, where they’d dust themselves off, adjust their hats and climb back inside to do it all over again.
The adrenaline rush was intoxicating, and through Cap, she’d learned to love the game. He’d given her the confidence, yet treated her like an equal, even though he was teaching her the process of using the muster dogs.
Willow ran in semicircles back and forth, yapping and nipping at the beast’s heels, then it dropped its head and huge horns at the edge of the open chute, dragging its front hoof as if to charge.
‘Oh, no.’ She wanted to scream at Willow to run.
Cap dropped his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. ‘Willow’s got this. Tell her.’
‘ Steady… ’ Mia tried to keep her voice steady as she swallowed hard, the fear creeping up her spine.
But Willow held her ground.
‘ Put ‘em in. ’
Willow dashed around those large hooves, barking at the beast, and eventually it moved through the chute as if to escape the pesky canine.
‘She did it.’ Mia clapped, all jittery with joy, and patted Willow.
‘Good job, Willow. Now, let’s do the rest.’ Cap pointed at the rest of the herd. ‘You’ve got this; both of you have.’ He even took away her poles.
Mia adjusted her hat, feeling the responsibility of the job, but also the fun, and the pure joy of Willow responding to her commands as they worked as a team in a whole new way. ‘ Willow, look back. ’ Mia pointed to the herd that was still there. ‘ Go round and bring them in… Steady. ’
Willow’s little paws and sleek body ducked, weaved, rounded and danced among the hooves of the heavy beasts. Her eyes kept an intense focus, but the doggy smile was undeniable. Willow was a natural at this, even with a few muck-ups from Mia’s commands. ‘ Go back. Wait…’ She’d look at Cap as the dog looked at Mia with confusion, after she’d split the herd into two groups.
‘Where do you want the dog to go?’ Cap gently coached her, standing behind her, offering loads of encouragement, while letting Mia have control. ‘Start small, go for that one.’
Cap pointed at a beast, and Mia sent in Willow to single it out, and escort it to the chute. From there Cap had her commanding Willow to do groups of two, then three, even five.
‘ Dammit! Gate’s jammed.’ Bree’s voice rose over the dust. ‘ Cap, I need to borrow a dog to hold them back. ’
‘ No worries. Call for Willow. She’s ready to try, like you said .’ He grabbed Mia’s arm. ‘Hold on the commands, let Bree run her for a bit.’
‘What’s going on?’
‘Bree will use Willow to help keep the cattle back in the chute while she works on the gate,’ explained Cap. ‘Bree has to watch her back especially while the beasts are nearby.’
‘ Willow, come .’ Bree whistled like Cap did for the dog. ‘Harper, use your pole to stop the flow in that chute.’
‘I’m trying,’ cried out Harper from the rails.
‘Want me to help, babe?’ It was Ash, ripping off his gloves.
‘Harper can do it,’ said Bree, giving Harper an encouraging nod.
‘Hello, girl. Ready to earn your dog biscuits.’ Bree patted the kelpie, then pointed. ‘ Willow. Block. ’
The dog got low, barking as it approached the chute.
‘ Low, Willow. Hold. ’
Willow followed the simple commands and kept the cattle still.
‘Keep an eye on them, Pop.’
‘I will, kid. You fix that gate.’
‘Ash, I could do with a bit of muscle.’ Together Bree and Ash worked on the gate, as Cap and Mia held back the cattle from entering the chute, while Harper managed the cattle inside the chutes to a standstill where their assorted lowing were raised in complaint.
Finally, the gate swung free.
‘We didn’t fix it right,’ said Ash, giving it another swing.
‘Listen, snowflake, we’ve almost done three-quarters of the herd. It’s been a dream run until that jam.’ She playfully tapped Ash’s hat brim. ‘It’ll hold for today, but you can add it to that whiteboard you boys have up at the farmhouse, to fix later.’
‘We will.’ Ryder gave a firm nod, watching on with Dex by the fire pit.
Mia noticed they were all ready to jump in. Just like Harper had said: the brothers would drop everything to help.
‘Are we ready?’ called out Charlie from the high boards.
Bree dropped to one knee to give the dog of hug. ‘Good job, Willow. Go back to Mia. Let’s do this…’ Bree adjusted her hat, and climbed back up the rails, as Willow zipped under the rails with her tongue lolling to the side, eager for more.
‘Well done, Willow.’ Mia had never been so proud of a dog. She now understood why her dad loved the kelpie breed so much.
But she also had respect for Cap’s cattle dogs, too. The heelers were a barbed-wire-tough type of dog breed. They were fearless enough to tackle anything, especially when Willow shied away, and Cap would send in Atlas and Fern, where the trio of dogs worked as a team.
As the sun trekked its path across the sky, the dust rose, and time flew until Charlie gave the last command, ‘ Bush. Bush. And that’s beer o’clock everyone.’ Charlie waved his hat in the air as the final clang of the gate sent the last beasts to join the rest of the bush herd, who were happily grazing.
‘ Take a swim, dogs. ’ Cap gave the command and Atlas, Fern, with Willow following. The dogs eagerly jumped into a nearby cattle trough to splash in the water.
It was the best place to be at the end of a long day under an outback sun. Mia now understood why Bree had her own trough to slip into at the end of the day at the back of the caretaker’s cottage to watch the sunset.
‘Well done, you mob. Bloody good job, all of you.’ Charlie clambered down the steps with Mason still strapped to his chest to pat the kelpie. ‘Oi, that Willow is something special, for sure, Cap. You’ve gotta good one there.’
‘I agree. Except Willow’s Mia’s dog.’ Cap winked at her. ‘Stop denying it. Willow listened to you.’
‘And Bree. Especially in the pound. I was so worried they’d both get hurt.’ A few times Bree threw herself over the fence, only to scowl, then jump straight back in. Her long rod sang like a whip and her commands were fierce and sharp. ‘ Get in there or you’ll be lunch meat. ’
‘I know that feeling,’ said Harper, joining them. ‘There’s no way I could jump the rails like Bree did.’
‘And that will be the last time I do it, too.’ Bree flipped herself over the rails and tore off her gloves. ‘I’m too old for the pound, Pop.’
‘No, you’re not, kid.’
‘I’m in my dirty thirties. It’s a young mug’s game to jump in the pound and hike those fences. I ache all over, my shins are bruised, I’ve got a whopping big lump on my thigh, I’m covered in cattle slobber, and I’m sick of wiping yard dust off my teeth. For what? It’s not our cattle, Pop. We don’t get a share in the profits, remember that.’ She then turned to Cap. ‘Next time you lot can train a jackeroo in the pound. I’m done. I’m officially retiring from the drafting yards. Here, now and forever.’
‘Aw, come on, kid.’
‘Stop, Pop.’ Bree glared at her grandfather, wiping hard at the dust and dirt from her cheek. ‘My social battery needs a decent recharge, and all my empathy pills have well and truly left my bloodstream, which leaves me in a bad mood that needs some serious cooling off. I’m. Done.’ Her boots kicked up the dust as she headed for her horse and quickly set about resaddling it.
Ash sauntered over. ‘Where’s Bree going?’
‘Kid needs to blow off some steam,’ replied Charlie.
‘But we were going to have a few beers and a barbecue to thank you guys for your help. Harper made salads.’
‘We’re always having a barbecue. What’s the difference?’ asked Harper.
‘Only until you can use an oven and not burn the house down, babe.’ He kissed her cheek.
‘Ugh, you reek.’ Harper screwed up her nose, pushing Ash away.
‘We all do. And look at little Miss Snooty, all dirty as well.’ He went to hug Harper. When she squealed and ran off he gave chase, their laughter making Mia smile.
‘Where’s Bree going?’ Ryder pointed to Bree climbing onto her horse.
‘Home.’ Charlie narrowed his eyes at her. ‘Best we steer clear of her for a bit. Bree’s tired and cranky. But she did a good job. You all did. Over a thousand head got sorted today it’d almost be a record.’ Charlie adjusted his hat, with the toddler still strapped to his chest. ‘You’ve got a good-lookin’ herd, with a few fats this time round.’
‘To sell, right?’ Cap asked his brothers.
Ryder nodded as he spoke to Charlie. ‘Cap mentioned you might know of a stock agent.’
‘Bree’s got somethin’ sorted for you mob. I reckon they’ll either be here tonight or tomorrow.’
‘I hope tomorrow.’ Dex dragged off his hat and wiped at his brow with his sleeve. ‘I’m beat. You must be too, Ryder. You and Bree have been up all night.’
Ryder began unclipping the straps of his chaps, his eyes narrowing in on Bree riding away. ‘Charlie, please tell Bree thanks for us. And when she won’t snap my head off, I’ll go see what she wants for her time and effort. That woman worked her arse off for us, fellas, and she’s not even on our payroll.’ He shook his head, annoyance showing in his frown. ‘Come find me when the stock agent shows up.’ He tossed the chaps over his shoulders and sauntered off to the waiting helicopter.
The helicopter’s engine started with a whir, the blades began spinning, the dust stirring, and with a lazy salute, Ryder steered the helicopter for the homestead.
‘Come on, Mia, we’re nearly done, then you can have a nice hot shower.’ Cap tugged on her shirtsleeve, and they set about packing up for the day.
In a small convoy of vehicles, they left the drafting yards with Ash leading the way on his ag bike. Charlie, Harper and Mason were in the Razorback carrying the bulk of the muster dogs on the back. Mia had Willow with her on the quad, riding beside Cap who had Atlas and Fern with him. And bringing up the rear was Dex in the truck carting the stockhorses and calves that they all helped deliver to the new paddock, before returning to the homestead.
Ash pointed while riding his ag bike. ‘ Visitors .’
It was the police paddy wagon, parked out front of the caretaker’s cottage.
Mia slowed her quad down. She wanted to hide in the shed, where Charlie parked the Razorback alongside Ash’s bike, and Dex’s truck.
Cap rode over to her side. ‘Look, it’s Porter. He’s bringing out the guardian dogs for me. Come on.’ His grin was wide as he rode the quad to the cottage, parking near the front fence that contained the flower garden. Ryder and Bree were out the front talking to the policeman.
‘ Willow ,’ the cop called out.
The dog gave a bright yip. With tail wagging, she raced over and jumped straight into Porter’s arms.
‘Look at you, girl.’ Porter gave the dog a hug, as she eagerly licked at his face, then did circles of joy at his boots. ‘How has she been, Cap?’
‘Brilliant. Willow was incredible in the drafting yards today. It proved she’s had some training or came from a farm. Any ideas over who owned her?’
‘No. She wasn’t microchipped or anything when I found her. We put up notices around town, but no one claimed her. That’s when Ryan microchipped her for me, and I’ve brought the paperwork to sign her over.’ Porter looked so sad handing the file to Cap.
‘You can give that to Mia. It’s her dog. You’ll be happy to know that Willow chose Mia, and they make a great team together.’ Cap grinned, his teeth so white against the dirt and dust from a very long day.
‘What the hell!’ Porter ripped off his sunglasses and peered at Mia. ‘Are you okay, miss?’
‘You’d better tell him your story,’ said Dex, leaning against the paddy wagon with Ryder beside him. ‘Or Porter’s gonna think we’re the animals who did that to you.’
‘No, they didn’t.’ Mia tried to hide the bruises on her face with her hand. She’d been having such a great day that was now ruined.
‘Pull up, Porter, stop being a policeman for a sec and listen,’ said Bree, leaning over the fence of the cottage garden. ‘Mia has been staying on my couch and before you lecture me for not calling you—’
‘It’s mandatory to report any form of domestic violence in the Northern Territory. You and Charlie know this, Bree.’ Porter glared at Charlie.
‘ Of course I do! ’ Bree shoved open the gate, wagging her finger at the cop with her eyes dark and dangerous. ‘None of us were witnesses to the event, because Mia showed up like that. And before you say anything, Porter, I asked Mia many times to call you to report the sociopath who dared to treat her like that. Believe me when I say I want you to lock the prick up, but only after I’ve performed my special brand of dental work on that prick’s teeth!’ Her angry words echoed over the compound.
‘Easy, Bree…’ Ryder’s deep voice may have been low, but somehow it got through to the angry redhead.
Bree took a deep, calming breath and stepped back. ‘Mia declined to report the incident. It’s her body, it’s her choice. And now that you’ve met Mia, who is taking good care of Willow, you should give her one of your fancy police cards in case she changes her mind.’
‘Cranky much.’ Porter removed a notebook as he approached Mia. ‘Hi, I’m Senior Constable Porter, but everyone calls me Porter. And you’re Mia who?’
‘Mia Dixon.’
‘Don’t tell him that. The copper will do a name search now,’ muttered Dex.
‘Mia is not a criminal.’ Cap thumped Dex’s shoulder.
‘I’m okay, Constable. Really, I’m fine.’ Mia hoped the policeman understood. ‘Everyone at Elsie Creek Station has been amazing towards me.’
‘I know they’re good people.’ Porter’s brown eyes were filled with a genuine concern as he looked over the bruises Mia wished she could hide. ‘Here’s my card if you ever change your mind. I’m here to help people. I can help you, if you let me.’
‘Save yourself the paperwork, I’m sure my ex is long gone by now.’ There was nothing keeping Gavin here, not now the new lithium mine’s plans were scuttled. As an experienced diesel fitter for the mines, Gavin could get work anywhere.
She also realised this was the first time she’d thought of Gavin and not shudder in terror. She was not going to let her ex ruin a perfectly good day. ‘I’m fine, I swear it.’
‘If Mia says she’s fine, it’s enough for me.’ Cap gave her one of his sly winks that always made her smile. ‘So, did you bring the dogs out?’
‘I did.’ Porter juggled his keys and unlocked the back cage.
‘Listen, everyone,’ called out Cap, holding the cage door. ‘No offence, but I’d rather there weren’t too many people around for this. How would you feel having all these strangers gawking at you.’
‘Point taken,’ said Porter. ‘Charlie, while I’m here, I was hoping you’d show me the car you found in the Stoneys.’
‘Did you learn something about my brother?’ Charlie’s grey eyes filled with hope.
‘No. But I have paperwork you can fill out to claim the money he left in the bank.’
‘I’m not after the money. I just want to know where Harry is.’
‘Pop, think about it,’ warned Bree. ‘Harry ran away for a reason. Do you really want your older brother to face murder charges and the possibility of spending his last days in prison?’
Mia’s eyes widened with surprise at the reminder that Charlie’s brother was a murderer on the run. Did she dare ask the details?
Charlie hesitated, dragging his hat off his head as if it weighed a tonne. ‘I didn’t think about that.’
‘Charlie, I’m only working on a missing person’s report, like you asked me to.’ Porter gently patted the old man’s shoulder. ‘And I’d like to check out the car for clues as part of my preliminary enquiries. That’s it.’
‘Well, okay then, Harry’s car is this way. You can tell me what you think of the work these boys did in restoring it. And Cap can settle in his new dogs.’
‘Want me to come with you, Pop?’
‘Nah, I’m good. You take a shower, kid, and get your jug of gin. You deserve it. This way, Porter.’ Charlie patted the police officer’s back as he led him off, his bandy-legged walk seemed weary.
‘Psst, Dex? Do me a favour and go play babysitter for me until I get my jug of gin and play catch-up?’ Bree angled her head at Charlie and Porter.
‘No worries. Don’t forget to bring me a glass.’ Dex trotted after them.
‘Bree, before you go?’ Ryder held open the gate. ‘Thank you for today.’
‘I didn’t do it for you.’
‘I know. But I’d like to give you a bonus for your work.’
‘I don’t work for you. You don’t own me, and you can’t buy me. I’m here for Charlie. What I did today was for Charlie. But that was the last time I’ll do the pound again for anyone. And you can forget putting me near the pit, I’m no one’s dogsbody in the drafting yards.’
‘But your skills in cattle selection were spot on. I heard you correcting Charlie.’
‘Because I was on the ground, wiping the yard dust off my teeth. Charlie is and will always be the king of the drafting yards to me. I may correct him, but the man taught me.’
‘Just know we appreciate—’
‘Stop sucking up to me, cupcake, when it’s Charlie you need to thank.’ She turned away, closing the cottage door with a bang.
‘The cranky, irritating, pig-headed, redhead! I wasn’t sucking up.’ Ryder scowled at the closed door.
Cap gave a low chuckle from the back of the paddy wagon. ‘Mia? Now that the crowd has thinned out, can you put Willow inside the cottage yard with Atlas and Fern while Ryder and I get these dogs out?’
‘Sure.’ Mia hustled the three dogs into the front yard filled with assorted flowers, closing the chest-high gate she peered over to watch.
Ryder opened the heavy cage door at the back of the police paddy wagon and out jumped two massive, white and woolly dogs.
‘Now I know why Harper kept calling them bears.’
‘They’re big enough to scare off a dingo, I hope,’ said Ryder, inspecting the dogs. ‘At least they’re bigger than those wild dogs we saw.’ He frowned, standing tall to face the farmhouse. ‘Which reminds me to check on those cameras.’
‘Do you think there’s any truth to what Dex said about those wild dogs being deliberately brought out here?’ Cap asked.
‘Last night, Bree told me they’ve never had wild dogs before, just a few dingoes that never bothered them because they kept the poddy calves close.’ He leaned down and patted the big dog. ‘How soon before you can put these dogs to work with the calves we’ve brought in?’
‘I’ll start training them tomorrow. You can help me, if you want, Mia’
‘Really?’ She loved how Cap included her in his adventures.
Cap looked like a kid with some shiny new toys. ‘What do you think? They’ll make an excellent addition to the pack.’
‘They’re gorgeous cuddly bears. They’re coats match the colour of the calves, they’d blend in well.’
‘That’s the plan.’
‘Won’t the heat bother them?’ Considering how thick those coats looked she couldn’t tell if they were male or female. But she itched to hug them to see how thick that fur was.
‘No. It’s a self-insulation. They’re from the Top End and are used to our climate.’
‘Are they soft like a bear?’ She reached out to touch the pelt, but Willow nudged her leg. ‘Don’t get jealous, girl.’ She patted the kelpie instead.
‘I’ll get these two settled and come back for Atlas and Fern.’ Cap walked the dogs towards the kennels.
Ryder leaned his elbow over the gate, watching his brother. ‘How long are you planning on staying, Mia?’
‘Um…’ She swallowed. ‘I don’t know. But I can help. Seriously, I can.’ Now she was the one doing the sucking up. ‘I understand what Ash wants for the data. I’ll train Cap and Ash to do the soil and water samples, and—’
‘We do have plenty of work for you, and you will be fairly compensated for your skill set.’
‘I’m not here for the money.’
‘No, you’re using this station as a place to hide.’ Ryder’s brutal words were cutting. Yet, he was right. Cold, but right.
Ryder removed his sunglasses to give her a steady glare. ‘Just don’t break my brother’s heart. And don’t abuse Charlie and Bree’s generosity, either. They’ve been through enough.’
He left Mia stunned, holding the card of a police officer, alone with three dogs, standing in the yard of a stranger who had given her a couch to crash on, feeding her and even clothing her.
Hold the phone—did Cap like her enough for his big brother to warn her off?
Was it too soon for her to face the fear of falling for someone new, when the marks across her skin had yet to fully heal?