Thirty-one
Mia could feel Cap’s nervousness. For a man who was normally so calm, it wasn’t often she saw any nerves. She had no doubt it was about the dog events they’d been practising for. She was a little nervous herself, hoping it all went perfectly for them.
‘Stop searching, the party has arrived.’ Bree pushed up her sunglasses as she dragged her large cart into their tent. Her long loose curls had a glorious shine. Dressed in a cute summer dress and western boots, even wearing make-up and jewellery.
‘You look so different, Bree,’ Ash said.
‘Town clothes. But I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you.’ She propped a hand on a generous hip. ‘Aren’t you meant to be somewhere, Cap?’
Again, Cap hesitated as he turned to Mia.
‘I’ll watch over the girls. You boys go do what you do while we set up. You’ll just get in our way.’ Bree shooed them away.
‘Thanks, Bree.’ Cap squeezed her upper arm before leaving. Cap went left, Ash and Mason went right, leaving the three women to organise the tent.
‘Right, ladies, let’s do this.’ Bree rubbed her hands together. ‘We’ll set it up to suit the crowd. If I know Territorians, they like to chase the shade and will come inside just to get out of the sun. And when they find a suitable spot,’ she said, dragging a large floor fan from her cart, complete with extension cords, ‘they tend to stay and have a chat as they cool off. Which gives you more time to talk the talk. There should be a plug back here.’ She lifted the tight back of the tent flap that had no room to wriggle under. ‘Stop looking. I found it.’ And in a matter of minutes, they had a fan circulating the air, plus a water station with a stack of paper cups cleverly placed near their glossy brochures.
‘You’re a genius, Bree.’ Harper with her immaculate polished appearance, nodded with approval. ‘What are you selling?’
‘The usual cattle brands, fire pokers, and some of my herbal products.’ Bree snapped out a black cloth over her table, pushed to the far side of the tent, where she pulled out her laptop and a very comfy camping chair.
‘I hope you brought your sunscreen,’ Harper said, helping Bree with the corners of the tablecloth to make it perfectly symmetrical. ‘I love that stuff, as well as your hair products.’
‘I did.’ Bree pulled out some boxes and started sorting out the small bottles. ‘The way that kelpie looks, I should have brought some dog shampoo, too.’ She patted Willow’s nose. ‘Don’t you look pretty, Willow? We should talk your owner into buying you a new collar.’
‘Cap is with the dogs,’ said Mia.
‘I wasn’t talking about Cap.’ Bree rolled her eyes as she sorted out the small vials that Dex called her witchy potions.
‘Did you bring out any of your cooking oils?’ Mia asked. ‘Everyone loved your chilli oil when I used it the other night.’
‘I make them for the Station Hand’s Daughter. It’s the brand name for Lucy’s food van parked near the grandstand. Normally she has it parked by the train station in town.’
‘But it’s your oils.’
‘Lucy provides the herbs, and she pays me to do the distilling. If I didn’t need a liquor licence that gives the government a chance to steal tax from me, I’d be selling my gin, too. I like how you did your displays, Harper.’
‘Dad would drag us out to all the local shows in his electoral district to listen to the locals’ concerns. Normally, we’d have balloons for the kids to entice the people to come near us. And buttons and stickers.’
‘We’re not chasing votes, Harper.’
‘Well, not exactly…’ From her laptop bag, Harper removed some paperwork. ‘I’ve still got this petition for the government, to protect farmers’ water rights and our zoning.’ She held up the paperwork. ‘Is it okay, if I put this out today? I don’t want to step on any toes.’
‘We’re selling to the same people, the landowners and those involved with the industry.’
Mia brushed down her overalls, really feeling underdressed now. ‘Is the station going to be okay? With all of us here today?’
‘Yep.’ Ryder strolled in, scrolling on his satphone with one hand while carrying a tray of coffees in the other.
It was another reminder for Mia to deal with the messages on her own mobile phone, which she’d been avoiding.
‘I can see our cameras. Ash can, too, on his new satphone. Sarge is on duty. Besides, Leo and his cronies are here. Grab a coffee each, my treat.’
‘Where is Leo?’ A chill brushed over her scalp, sending a squirrel of goose pimples down her spine.
‘At the beer tent. Bree, don’t go stirring up any trouble.’
‘Cupcake, it’s not my fault that trouble tends to want to cosy up to me.’ She clipped up her wide banner that said Master Brand Maker—built to last lifetimes . ‘This isn’t our first campdraft.’
‘But it is our first as station owners.’
‘Want me to move away and pretend we don’t know each other? I’m quite happy to set up shop closest to the ladies’ loos. I’ll sell out in an hour and can hang out in the beer tent for the rest of the day.’
In a rare moment, Ryder grinned at her. It was brief, but it was surprising enough to Mia, she looked at Harper suppressing a smile.
‘If you play nice,’ he said, passing Bree a coffee, ‘I’ll buy you a beer later.’
‘I always play nice, cupcake. And you’re on.’ Bree’s focus switched to three middle-aged cattlemen walking along the main thoroughfare. ‘Hey, Jimmy Anders, has your lovely wife let you out to play? And you’re hanging out with these two troublemakers? Barney and Mike, aren’t you two on probation or something?’
‘Bree, always a pleasure.’ Jimmy removed his hat to kiss Bree’s cheek, as did the other men, positioning themselves near the fan, just as Bree had predicted.
‘Have you guys met the Riggs brothers? They’re the new owners of Elsie Creek Station. Ryder, this is Jimmy from Amber Downs Station, and Barney and Mike are partners in The Lazy N Station.’ This was a whole new Bree, who played the perfect hostess, introducing Ryder to other cattle station owners.
Throughout the morning it became obvious that Bree knew everyone. She would call out to people as they walked past the tent and they would stop to say hello, stand in the shade, and soak up the cool fan and drink some iced water. That gave Ryder and Ash the opportunity to talk about the newly patented cattle tags and the prospects of muster dogs and revegetation processes.
It was a hustle in a whole new way.
Then Willow started whimpering as she hid behind Mia’s seat.
‘What’s wrong with Willow?’ Harper straightened up their presentation table for the thousandth time, always ensuring it was perfect.
‘I’m not sure. It’s okay, Willow.’ Mia crouched down to hug the dog, who was visibly trembling when a shadow came over them, as if someone had blocked the sun.
‘Where the hell did you get that dog?’ It was Leo, towering over them. Leo with his jet-black hair and fine flecks of grey, a three-day growth peppered across his strong jawline, without wearing a suit and tie. He was handsome, rich, but he also had that whole dark dangerous mobster vibe to him that was enough to render Mia helpless.
‘Hello, devil’s spawn. Kill any babies today?’ Bree shifted from her table to stand in front of Leo.
Leo’s lips tugged into a devilishly handsome grin, as he stepped back. ‘Wow, Bree.’ He patted his hand over his heart, but his eyes had a dark, sinful look focused entirely on Bree and her generous curves. ‘Don’t you look exceptionally fine today. Best in show. How about a private—’
‘Careful, Leo.’ Bree’s tone was loaded with warning, as she narrowed her green eyes at him.
He held her gaze for a beat too long before giving a deep, low chuckle. ‘You know, that offer to have dinner with me still stands. We’ll fly to Melbourne to do dinner and a show much bigger than this one. Or we could do a private show.’
‘I’ve already told you, I’ve cancelled my subscription to romance. But if you’re here to steal our oxygen, may I suggest you get some fresh air at the stables?’
‘I’m not a horse person, but I know you look good in the saddle.’ Leo had a hard and hungry glint in his eyes aimed at Bree, where the air between them held a blend of tension and electric chemistry.
To Mia, it was unclear if Bree and Leo hated each other or liked each other.
‘Are you spying on us again?’ Bree asked Leo.
‘I have cameras, just like the Riggs brothers. And you do check our boundary fence regularly.’ His eyes crawled inch by inch over Bree’s curves. Mia felt for Bree under that intense scrutiny, which only got worse when his voice got low, husky, and heavy. ‘I’d happily watch you all day—’
‘About that.’ Bree wiggled her finger at him. It only made him smirk more as if enjoying their game. ‘Lose any dogs lately?’
‘I did. That one.’ Leo narrowed his ink-black eyes at Willow then at Mia. ‘That’s my kelpie. You stole it from me.’
‘No, I…’ Mia shook her head, her eyes wide, and looked to Bree for help.
Bree stepped in. ‘Oh, please. You’re more suited to carry a purse pooch in your man bag than keep a working dog. It’d destroy your furniture and your fancy city suits from boredom.’
Leo's lips curled into a grin, keeping those dark and sultry eyes on Bree. He should have been insulted, but he seemed to enjoy this game. ‘Bree, my darling, I’m more than happy to buy you one of those dogs, and the entire wardrobe to go with it, anytime. But that is my kelpie.’
‘Prove it.’ Bree blocked his path with her chin raised.
Mia couldn’t escape. With the dog cowering in the corner, she had to do something to defend them. But Mia hated any form of confrontation. She just couldn’t bring herself to do anything, except cower in the corner with the dog.
‘Ash, go find Porter.’ Ryder’s deep voice was a much welcome presence as he entered the tent with Ash carrying his son on his shoulders.
Ash passed Mason to Harper. ‘Back in a second.’ He turned and bolted.
‘How can you tell it’s your dog, Leo?’ Ryder asked, casually tucking his phone into the pocket of his jeans.
The two men made their tent seem small.
‘Kelpies in this town are rare, and that one has no white on her.’ Leo scowled at Mia. ‘Where did you get that bitch from?’
‘How did you lose her, is what I want to know.’ Bree crossed her arms over her chest, still refusing to budge, effectively blocking Leo from going anywhere near Mia and Willow.
‘I didn’t lose her. That farm girl stole her.’ Leo pointed at Mia.
‘Says the man who’s taken up the occupation of playing water thief.’
‘It’s just business, Bree. And I’m a man who knows how to keep business and pleasure separate. But I’ll take my dog back first, and then I’ll ask you for a dance later.’
‘I’ve told you my dance card is full, cow boy . Especially to you.’
And there it was. Finally, Leo’s eyes flared with annoyance.
‘What’s going on?’ Policeman Porter rushed in with Ash.
‘That farm girl stole my dog.’ Leo pointed at Mia.
Again, Bree blocked him. ‘If you’re going to point fingers at anyone, why not point them at me?’
‘Well, the way I’d heard it, you and Charlie were rather upset over losing your cattle dogs, swearing to never take on another dog.’
Bree’s eyes went dark, and her hands curled into fists, while gritting her teeth. ‘I know your balding gorillas did that.’
‘Easy, Bree.’ Ryder held her back.
‘Good luck controlling your caretaker, Ryder. Bree’s all fire, it’s one of the things I admire about her, and her outlaw attitude.’ Leo chuckled. ‘Now that Charlie is no longer the caretaker, what is your job title these days, Bree?’
‘Chief shitkicker. Allow me to demonstrate with my boot and your butt!’
‘Bree, calm down.’ Ryder physically corralled Bree to the other side of the tent and held her there. ‘Let the police do their job. Think about it…’
Bree glowered at Leo, shrugging off Ryder as she stepped back, only to pace like a wild animal trapped in a cage.
‘Officer, that dog is mine.’
Porter adjusted his police cap, his expression calm while he spoke with a deep formality, ‘Can you prove ownership of the animal, sir?’
‘I brought her up from Adelaide. The breeder owns a sheep station, and I paid eight hundred for that kelpie.’ Leo scrolled through his phone. ‘I can call him up and I’ll email you the details.’
‘Do you have any breeding papers, or microchip details?’
‘Who’s got a microchip wand out here?’
‘The vet does, some stock inspectors have them, and I carry one in the police van to use whenever I pick up strays. So, I’ll ask again, can you prove the dog is yours?’
‘And I said I’ll email you the papers.’ Leo looked bored talking to Porter. ‘I’ll have to search my office first.’
‘Giving you enough time to create a set of dog papers over the internet,’ called out Bree from the side. ‘Want me to show you my internet qualifications as a brain surgeon, before I offer you a full lobotomy?’
Ryder grabbed her arm to hold her back. ‘Bree, let the police deal with this.’
Again, Bree shook him off, stepping towards Leo. ‘You can’t have the dog. She’s not yours.’
‘It’s my dog. She stole it from me. And I detest anyone stealing my stuff.’ Leo’s dark eyes, along with his tone, made Mia shiver with fear. Gavin may have scared her, but Leo was terrifying.
Their raised voices, and the police presence, had drawn a crowd. There was no way Mia could scoot past them with Willow. They were trapped.
‘Here’s an idea…’ Bree became eerily calm, while effectively blocking Leo from getting anywhere near Mia and Willow. ‘Why don’t we ask the dog who her owner is?’
Leo stepped back, arching an eyebrow as if coolly calculating Bree’s next move.
‘That’s a good idea.’ Ryder stood beside her. Now both were protecting Mia and Willow. ‘What do you say, officer?’
‘What’s going on, Porter?’ A large police officer, with the arms of a bodybuilder, entered the tent. He wore two pistols strapped into his chest holsters the same way the Riggs brothers wore their radio harnesses. This was a cop who meant business. ‘ Back up, you lot . Give us some space.’
The crowd did, but only a few steps; they weren’t going anywhere, killing any hope of Mia sneaking past them.
‘Sarge, it seems we have a dispute over the dog’s ownership. The kelpie.’ Porter pointed to Willow.
‘I can prove she’s mine. I’ve got the papers, and I can call the breeder for photos. Porsche? Porsche, come here, girl.’ But the dog only cowered from Leo, with her tail tucked under as she hid behind Mia.
‘Don’t dog breeders usually have a way to identify them, like the cattle?’ The beefy sergeant pointed to Bree’s cattle brand display.
‘The local vet told me they’ll either have a microchip or a tattoo, some both, but puppy farms don’t like to have any id,’ said Porter. ‘Sarge—’
‘I know, Porter.’ The Sergeant held up his hand to silence the younger officer as he looked at the dog. The man was as big as Ryder in the shoulders, both sharing an expressionless nod of strangers.
‘Porsche is mine. She cost me twelve hundred.’
‘You said eight hundred a minute ago,’ said Bree.
‘I didn’t include transport costs.’
‘So, you can’t count, is what you’re saying? Or are you making that up, too?’
‘Bree.’ This time the Sergeant glared at her.
She shrugged. ‘I’m just making an observation, Detective Senior Sergeant Moore.’
Finally, Mia found her voice. ‘I know Willow has been microchipped and…’
Porter, who had Willow microchipped, slyly shook his head at Mia to stop.
‘You did that after you stole her from me. It’s my dog.’ Leo went to grab the lead, but the dog cowered. ‘Come on, Porsche.’
‘Back off, mate, or I’ll pop your arm clear out of your shoulder socket, to dislocate it permanently.’ Ryder’s voice was low and loaded with warning. It even had Bree backing away.
‘Is this a good time to repeat that we get the dog to pick her owner?’ It was Harper, timidly standing on a stack of empty boxes, to raise her hand in the air. ‘I believe the idea was tabled earlier, and I’d like to second the motion.’
‘All right, everyone, back up. You too, Leo.’ The sergeant’s authoritative tone had everyone’s attention. He held out his large hand to Mia. ‘If I may?’
‘What are you going to do, Sarge?’ Porter asked.
‘Let the dog choose.’
‘Go with him, Willow.’ Mia handed the lead to the sergeant, who trotted the dog out of the tent and into the main thoroughfare.
‘ Everyone, clear a path. ’ The crowd eagerly split up along the main walkway at the Sergeant’s stern voice. ‘I want you, Porter, you—’ He pointed at Mia.
‘That’s Mia,’ said Bree.
‘Porter, Mia and Leo make a line along here.’ He flicked out his police baton, it had Willow cower. ‘Easy girl, I won’t hurt you.’ He then dragged the baton along the dirt to form a line. ‘You lot line up here. And I want two volunteers from the crowd to join that line. Not you, Bree, or anyone else who knows these people. I want two complete strangers who have never seen the dog before.’
A woman with an umbrella that matched her glamorous fifties outfit, and another stockman volunteered. Mia didn’t know either of them.
‘Are you doing a police line-up, Sarge?’ asked the volunteering stockman.
‘Something like that.’ The Sergeant walked the length of a cricket pitch with the dog, then he turned and faced everyone. ‘To make this fair, I want all those in the line to face the other way and keep their backs to the dog and not move. You will not coerce the animal. There will be no signalling. No whistling. No calling any names. And we will let the dog choose of her own free will.’
Ryder stood in front of Mia. ‘If you want the dog, Mia, you’ll have to do this. If Cap was here, he’d do it.’
But Cap was nowhere in sight.
‘I don’t do public speaking or stand in front of a crowd. I get stage fright.’ And she hated confrontations that scared her so silly that she needed to pee.
‘You have to, or you’ll lose the dog. Who do you want Willow to be with?’