Page 26

A cattle truck ambled along Dustfire’s neatly pruned and re-gravelled driveway, followed by a large black ute. Craig recognised both vehicles.

‘Who is that?’ Izzy rushed from the house, sliding on her newest wide-brimmed hat.

‘It’s Bree.’ Craig stood in the main circular area waiting for the truck to park.

‘Why is Bree driving a truck?’

‘It’s Bree and Charlie’s livestock truck.’ Missing his mentor, he slid an arm around Izzy’s shoulders.

‘So who’s in that black ute? That’s got to be worth more than a house.’

‘Ryder Riggs.’ The stern billionaire with the trimmed beard who rarely smiled. ‘Bree’s new husband.’

‘Oooh.’ Izzy narrowed her eyes at Ryder, who was climbing out of his ute, adjusting his big black hat. Her head tilted as she took in all the details, which she’d turn over for the next six hours, as her mind fixated on Ryder. Craig never got jealous, because it’s what Izzy did. ‘He’s as big as Finn.’

And probably just as lethal—but man enough to handle someone like Bree.

Craig approached the couple. ‘What brings you out here?’

‘Besides coming to say hello,’ asked Bree, jumping out of the truck’s cab, ‘do I need an excuse?’

‘As my favourite redhead, you’re always welcome.’ Craig kissed her cheek like the sister she was. ‘Ryder.’ He shook hands with the stern stockman. ‘This is my wife, Izzy.’

Ryder removed his sunglasses before shaking Izzy’s hand. ‘So you’re the lawyer who did the caretaker’s caveat for Elsie Creek Station.’

‘I am.’

‘That was a watertight contract.’

‘It’s what I do.’

‘Good. I could do with a decent lawyer.’

‘Einstein is my lawyer, cupcake.’ Bree hooked an arm around Izzy’s shoulders. ‘But we can share. Anyhoodle, we have a surprise for you.’

Ryder opened the truck’s rear door and Bree disappeared inside.

‘What did you bring out?’

‘Stockhorses.’ Bree’s voice echoed from inside the truck. ‘You can’t run a quarantine station without stockhorses.’

Having a stockhorse of his own had always been on Craig’s wish list. But he’d been too busy to even start looking for a decent horse. Plus, there was the tricky issue of his leg.

But he soon forgot all about his leg when Bree walked out a large grey horse.

‘ Slim .’ Craig’s jaw dropped as he ripped off his hat and gripped Izzy’s hand. ‘It’s Slim.’

Izzy shrugged.

‘What Craig is trying to say,’ said Bree, ‘is Slim was Charlie’s horse.’

Slim was more than that. Having seen Slim in action, Craig knew he was an Australian stockhorse that ticked all the boxes. Not only tough and built for endurance as a well-seasoned station worker, Slim came with a calm disposition and bucketloads of intelligence. He had the ability to read cattle, while pivoting and cutting with the agility of a horse half his size. ‘Why is Slim here?’

‘Because he’s yours now.’

Craig blinked back at Bree, shaking his head. ‘No, I can’t.’ But he wanted to.

‘You can and will.’ Bree slid the reins into his hand. ‘He’s yours. I have my horse, Black Hand.’

‘Nah. Ryder, you should take him.’ Considering the man was living in Charlie’s old house, married to Charlie’s granddaughter.

Ryder stroked his trimmed beard. ‘I’ve got three of my own back home. And I agree with Bree on this, Charlie would want you to have him.’

Craig was stunned, staring at the proud grey horse.

Bree brushed down the grey horse’s mane. ‘I know you’ll spoil the big sook, and I know you two will get along famously. Have you ridden since the accident?’

‘No.’

‘Well, now you can ease back into it, cowboy.’

Izzy squeezed Craig’s arm. ‘You’ve always wanted your own stockhorse, it’s one of the reasons we bought this place.’

Damned yard dust. It was in his eyes, he had to wipe the moisture away with a shirt sleeve.

‘What’s the second horse for?’ Izzy asked, as Ryder led a chestnut mare out of the back of the horse truck.

‘For you, Einstein.’ Bree smiled. ‘Craig is buying her for you.’

‘I am?’ Craig poked up the brim of his hat.

Bree widened her eyes at him.

‘I am,’ he said to escape the wrath of Bree. Izzy had never been interested in horses, not the way he liked them.

Tilting his head, and with his picky stock inspector’s eye, Craig looked over the mare as she stood with an elegant calmness. Her deep, auburn coat gleamed in the sunlight. ‘Are you sure this is the one for Izzy?’ Izzy would need a horse that was patient and steady. One that would have an even temperament so as not to scare Izzy.

‘Absolutely.’ Bree took Izzy’s hand, guiding it along the horse’s strong shoulder and neck region. ‘Einstein, meet Peppercorn. She has the most patient temperament I’ve ever seen in a horse. She’ll be perfect for you.’

‘But…’ Izzy seemed stunned, while holding the lead rein of a horse.

Craig could only shrug at Izzy, while Ryder dropped a large water bucket beside the truck.

‘The truck is yours, too,’ explained Bree as she tapped the side of the truck. ‘I’ve also put in my old saddle for Izzy to use until you find a saddle she likes. Ryder put some feed inside, and some other random stuff like old brushes, buckets, and bridles.’

‘This is too much.’ Craig’s brow ruffled, peering back at the old truck.

Ryder hooked his thumbs through the belt loops of his jeans. ‘We’ve just upgraded our stables on the station. And we owed you for signing off on that first load of cattle we found.’

‘I did that for Bree and Charlie.’ So they wouldn’t get into trouble for technically stashing a herd of cattle. How the law-breaking redhead was ever been married to Finn the cop was impossible to picture. ‘I owed you, Bree.’ Who had been a big part of his life.

‘We’re family, so there is no keeping tabs on who owes what,’ Bree said, squeezing his arm. ‘Anyway, my husband just gave me a new horse truck, so you get my old one. Consider this a welcome home present for you both.’ Bree unfurled Craig’s fingers and dropped the keys into his hand.

Craig frowned at the keys in one hand, then the horse’s lead in the other. ‘Really, this is too much.’

‘Listen, cowboy, this truck will just go to waste sitting out at the station. And you need something to cart livestock around for the Stock Squad.’ Bree leaned in closer, her voice soft yet full of cunningness, ‘You can invoice the Stock Squad for truck fees.’

‘We’ll buy the truck off you.’ Izzy nodded eagerly at Craig who could barely fathom this entire conversation.

‘Fine. But only at mates rates.’ Bree’s green eyes were all shiny as if filled with mischief. ‘And Craig, you’ll finally get the chance to do slow horse rides around your station with Izzy. Oh, and you’ll need to get a dog, too. Every station needs a decent dog.’

He was surprised Bree remembered. Not only about his desire to go horse riding with Izzy, but also to get a dog to keep his wife safe. ‘Has Cap got any ex-police dogs available?’

‘No,’ said Ryder in his deep rumbling voice.

‘But Cap thinks he’s got the perfect dog to keep Izzy company in the office, and for working this place. Come out home next week and take a look?’

Izzy nodded keenly over the idea of a dog. She’d wanted one ever since the kidnapping—but way back when they first bought the place.

‘We have to go, babe.’ Ryder tapped on his watch.

Bree rolled her eyes. ‘Can’t we skip the doctor’s appointment?’

‘No.’ Ryder frowned at her.

‘Are you okay?’ Even though the redhead looked the epitome of health, Craig had to ask.

‘She’s fine.’ Ryder smiled.

‘You’re smiling, Ryder.’ It’d have to be the first time Craig had seen the stern stockman smile.

‘I am. For a good reason, too.’ Ryder hooked an arm around Bree’s shoulders and placed one hand tenderly on Bree’s stomach.

‘ You’re pregnant!’ Izzy moved fast to hug Bree, then Ryder—which was surprising considering she’d just met the big man. Craig tied the horses to the truck, then kissed Bree’s cheek and shook Ryder’s hand.

‘We have to go.’ Again, Ryder tugged on Bree’s sleeve.

‘Um, guys, can we keep this news quiet, please?’ Bree held a hand over her belly. ‘I haven’t told Finn yet, and I’d like him to hear it from me first.’

‘I get it.’ Although Finn was his boss—and even though Bree and Finn were divorced—they were friends. Not surprisingly, Ryder didn’t seem impressed about the ex-husband being factored into their conversation. ‘Congrats to the both of you.’ Especially to Bree, she’d been through hell and deserved some good in her life. And he’d been there on the sidelines to help her, like she’d always been there for him.

‘And, if I may make a suggestion to the new owners of these fine stockhorses, they like being ridden at sunrise when you’re not using them for yard work. Enjoy.’ She blew them a kiss as Ryder opened the passenger door of the ute for Bree, and they soon disappeared down the long driveway.

‘That was a quick visit,’ said Izzy, standing beside him.

‘It was.’

‘Is the truck any good?’

‘Hell yeah.’ Craig left the horses to drink and climbed into the back of the truck. ‘I’ve used it plenty of times when mustering with Charlie and Bree.’

In the back he found all the tack gear they could ever need. This was a gift that had his heart beating at the magnitude of what Bree and Ryder had done for them.

Aww, buck me, there’s that dust again. He dropped his head and wiped his eyes.

‘Are you ready to ride, yet?’ Izzy meekly peered inside the truck.

‘Are you?’

‘It’s been a while.’

‘When was the last time you went riding?’

‘With you.’

‘We can fix that.’ And he was looking forward to it, too.

‘Is it too soon?’ She nodded at his leg, suddenly realising he’d been rubbing at it.

There was no way he was going to knock back this gift horse. ‘We can just do a quick ride around the paddock.’ He sighed, with the smile filling his chest, while staring at the horse. ‘We got Slim.’

‘You said that already.’ She shrugged. ‘You know I don’t know anything about horses.’

‘They’re not just any horse, hon. Slim is an exceptionally good stockhorse. Trained by Charlie. And I bet Peppercorn is, too. They’re top class, well-skilled horses.’

Again, Izzy shrugged.

‘Slim is experienced enough to take on a rodeo bull, like our recent guests.’ He pointed to the fenced sandpit area, which had been a playpen for the big bull, Wraith, for a few weeks. ‘That cunning redhead…’ Craig peered back at their long driveway and grinned.

‘Why cunning?’

Craig ran his hand over Slim’s back, the coat smooth, the muscles strong. ‘Bree knows Slim’s skills would be put to the test out here. He’d know how to handle any stock we bring in with the Stock Squad.’ That sneaky redhead had gifted him the perfect horse, which meant Bree would have gifted the perfect horse for Izzy.

‘Come on, honey.’ He hauled out the saddle from the truck, giving Izzy a quick lesson on brushing down the horse, while he dusted off his own saddle from the back shed.

With horses saddled and bridled, he helped Izzy climb onto Peppercorn and reminded her how to hold the reins.

‘I don’t know about this.’ High in the saddle, she bit her bottom lip, unsure.

‘It’ll be a slow and easy ride. Just enough to let the horses stretch their legs and get a feel for the place, before we put them in the stables for the night.’ And he had stables, paddocks, round pens, and all the stuff needed for assorted stock that now included stockhorses. Could this day get any better.

Craig swung into the saddle, his left leg protesting the movement with a sharp twinge. Gritting his teeth, he shifted his weight carefully, testing the strain in his calf and ankle. The damn thing still wasn’t right, but he’d had enough of sitting around.

As Slim shifted beneath him, Craig could feel the power bristling through the horse’s body, eager to move. Craig was just as keen to push forward, even if his leg disagreed, he wanted to ride as badly as the horse wanted to run.

‘How’s the leg?’ Even though Izzy spoke softly, her worry was loud and clear.

There was no denying the discomfort—it would take time to come good. But Craig had never been one to sit on the sidelines, and he sure as hell wasn’t starting now.

A slow, lopsided grin tugged at his lips as he shrugged. ‘It’s there… but I’m not letting it stop me.’

Adjusting his stockman’s hat, he gripped the reins and settled into the saddle like he’d never been out of it. It had been far too long since he’d been in the saddle, but it felt like coming home.

‘Come on, let’s show our horses their new digs. You don’t mind skipping our walk tonight?’ It was a habit they’d started to exercise his leg, when he could only hobble with one of the crutches, while holding onto Izzy. But even though he could walk better now, they’d both come to enjoy their sunset walks, before settling beside the fire pit to stare up at the night sky filled with stars.

‘Are you kidding me? This is a million times better.’ Izzy’s smile was as wide as when she got her first shipment of bees, or when she’d potted up her first jar of honey. ‘But didn’t Bree say it’s best to ride in the mornings?’

‘Sure, we can do that, too.’ And at this time of the day, when the dust sparked like fire from the burning ball of flame as it slowly sank behind the horizon, it shed a glorious golden red over their land to show how Dustfire got its name.

‘It’s beautiful.’

‘Yeah, I know.’ He wasn’t facing the land, too busy watching Izzy riding high in the saddle. ‘Nothing is as beautiful as you, my ever-enchanting Bee Queen.’ She was his everything. ‘Come on, let’s ride off into the sunset together.’

Her laugh was so clear and vibrant it echoed in the crisp outback air. ‘That is such a cliché.’

‘How many people actually get to do it, huh?’ He nudged Slim down the soft red dirt track that was lined with railed fences, as the sun lowered further behind the sloping hills of what he called paradise.

After all the heartbreak, the bad timing and missed opportunities, where the world got in the way of their wants, they finally had their home filled with the kind of love that set a foundation for something wonderful. They may have taken the long way around to make Dustfire their home, but it was theirs now, it was their present, and it was their future just waiting to let their dreams come true as a family.

It was a gift that kept on giving every single day.

Once, not that long ago, he’d strap himself to the back of a beast just to shake hands with Death, in the hope of making him feel alive again, as his excuse and escape from the drudgery of day-to-day living. But he didn’t need to do that, not anymore. He didn’t need to hear the rodeo crowds, or feel the heat of the stadium lights, or smell the barbeque or the sweat of man or beast. Not when he got to share his days and nights with Izzy, as they rode their stockhorses on their own property, Dustfire. Craig finally had that happy ending he’d always dreamed about, the one he’d planned with Izzy right from the beginning.

Well, almost.

‘Hey, my ever-sweet Bee Queen. I know we always said we’d have children one day, and with Bree being pregnant…’

THE END

For now…