Page 15 of Rough Stock

‘It’s okay, Izzy.’ To console her, Craig rubbed her arm, while the level of protectiveness smoulder into a wildfire spreading across his chest. This was his land, and this was his wife, and this wastheir home. He turned to the rider. ‘Who are you?’

Seven

The Harley rider pulled down his neck gaiter and unclipped his black bike helmet. His gigantic hands and muscular forearms were covered in ink work. ‘Hey, Craig.’

‘Buck me.Finn? When did you roll into town?’ Craig shook hands with Finn and patted his back like an old friend.

‘A few days ago. Although, I’ve been in and out of the place for a few months now.’

‘How come?’

‘Bree called me when Elsie Creek Station had that mob of cattle stolen.’

‘I heard about that.’

‘Where were you, that you didn’t help Bree?’ Izzy asked Craig.

‘If I’d known, I would have helped, but I was out mustering with Jake at Danbunnan Station. We don’t have mobile reception out there, so I didn’t hear about it until weeks later.’ Craig turned to Finn. ‘What I don’t get is why would Bree call you.’

Finn was a big man, rolling up his shirt sleeves to reveal more ink work, with some peeking up from his shirt’s collar. He’d always had tatts, even back when they’d first met. He held out his hand to Izzy. ‘Hi, I’m Finn Wilde.’

‘Sorry, mate. This is Izzy Callahan.’ Craig nodded at Izzy, letting her know it was okay. ‘Finn and I used to work together as stockmen. Finn is Bree’s ex-husband.’ Craig always got on with Finn, and Bree was one of those rare people who stayed on good terms with her ex. It made him reassess his own view of Izzy with a lot more kindness.

‘You’re the lawyer, right?’ Finn cordially shook her hand.

Izzy slid on that lawyer's face again, it was so cold and unreadable. ‘I am.’ She crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes at Finn, taking in the details that she’d turn over for the next six hours, as if fixated on him. Craig never got jealous, because it’s what she did.

‘Can we talk?’ Finn grabbed his tablet from the bike’s leather saddlebags.

‘I’ll put the kettle on.’ Izzy headed inside.

Finn strolled beside Craig as he hobbled with the crutch. ‘Heard some rodeo bull got you.’

‘It did. But it’s given me time to supervise Izzy doing the house up.’ And she looked cute heading inside while wearing his hat, with her dark ponytail trailing down her back, and those shorts and boots.Damn, girl.

‘You know, I never knew you were married until Bree told me.’

Craig hardly told anyone—especially when he had no wife to show for it.

Inside, Craig let the crutch fall to the floor as he dropped into the nearest chair at the dining room table. A vase of wildflowers and some fruit sat in the middle of it. Yep, Izzy was really making it homely. It was nice.

‘Bree came and saw me the other week and told me of your situation.’

‘She did, did she?’ Craig peeked back at Izzy working behind the kitchen counter, catching her eye. Should he call Bree and give her a lecture for interfering?

‘Don’t get mad at Bree. We all know she means well,’ said Izzy. Another obvious example of how well she could read his mind.

‘And it was Bree who reminded me of your skills…’ Finn took a seat, placing his tablet face down on the table. ‘Which is why I’m here to offer you a job.’

‘Doing what?’ At this stage Craig would peel grapes or shell peas, as long as it was outside.

‘First, I’ll tell you what I do.’ Finn pulled out a fancy police badge unlike any Craig had seen before, with the ID clearly stating:Detective Sergeant Finn Wilde.

Izzy picked it up, her thumb brushing over the metal badge before putting it back on the table and returning to the kitchen. ‘Are you with the Federal Police?’

‘I was originally with the Queensland Police. Then I did a stint for Victoria Police, and now I’m starting a Stock Squad for the Federal Agriculture Commissioner.’

‘A what squad?’ Izzy asked Finn, as she set the teapot, cups, and milk on the table. She even cracked open a packet of biscuits she artfully displayed on a plate, being the queen of domestication.

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