Page 74 of The Mechanics of Lust

His words lodged like concrete in my throat. “Thanks. Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”

Holden grinned but didn’t call me on the obvious change of subject. “Fire away.”

And so I did, taking Luke’s advice and explaining all my plans for building a business around training dogs, including my takeaway from the bank visit and whether Holden thought there was any wiggle room around my work hours.

“Of course there fucking is,” he proclaimed like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Come for dinner tonight. Bring your business plan with you and we’ll talk. I’d like Gil to hear it as well if that’s okay with you. He’s great with strategies and we pretty much work as a team now.”

I had zero problem with that and I told him so.

“Great. But what I can tell you right now is that until you can afford your own place, I’m happy for you to use that training paddock long-term. Do with it what you want, and if you make the new kennels transportable, there’s nothing to stop you building them here using station discounts on materials and then relocating them when you leave.”

“But—” My heart leapt in my throat. With a couple of broad strokes, Holden had dealt with two of my biggest issues. “Are you sure?”

Holden’s brows knotted. “Why wouldn’t I be? You’re an asset to the station, Zach. If we get to keep you for another year or two, even at reduced hours, we’d be counting ourselves lucky.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want charity. If I’m not working full-time, we need to discuss rent on the cottage, and food, and fuel, and all the other stuff—”

“Pfft.” Holden waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll tell you what. Thor and Elektra aren’t getting any younger. You know how Elektra struggled through last muster after that joint infection? If I grab a couple of pups, under your recommendation of course, and you agree to train them as replacements, we’ll call it even. I’m sure I’ll be getting the better deal out of that considering what they go for fully trained.”

My mouth opened but nothing came out.

Holden smirked. “I’ll take that as a yes. And not that I know anything about what it involves, but have you considered expanding your training focus?”

Still gobsmacked from Holden’s offer, I struggled to catch up. “What? Um, no? How do you mean?”

He smiled. “Don’t search and rescue dogs and owners need training opportunities? You already do it with Charlie,andwe have accommodation on site. We could easily convert some of the old shearer’s quarters as a more basic option, if you prefer, and then negotiate a suitable overnight cost for you to pass on.”

“I—” I didn’t know what to say. “Yes, I could absolutely do something like that. Damn, Holden, I always knew you had a good head for business.”

He grinned. “But talk to Gil, as well. He’s looking at a service dog training program with Spider. Maybe you could reach out and see what they do there. Apparently, there’s a long waitlist for those dogs.” He rubbed his palms down the front of his jeans and got to his feet. “I should go.”

I leapt up and grabbed him in a hug. “Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me.”

He gave me a strange look and smiled. “Yeah, I think maybe I do. And you deserve it.”

He began walking away and then stopped and turned back, his eyes dancing. “Just so you know, whoever this guy is, if he hurts you, I’m gonna be taking names and tracking the bastard down, and I won’t be denied. That is totally best-mate territory. We’ll see you up at the house for supper.”

And as he headed up the lawn, I swallowed hard, thinking I’d pay good money to see the look on Holden’s face if he ever found out it was Luke. I grabbed my duffel and headed for my tiny kitchen. I needed a solid hit of caffeine and some thinking time to digest everything that had happened, from the bank visit, to what had gone down between Luke and me, to Holden’s generous offer.

I took my mug to the deck and stretched out in the old lounger I’d rescued from the station recycling bin when Gil had upgraded the guest cottages. I blew on the steaming coffee and watched a falcon circle above the glistening lake before it headed for the ridgeline above Holden’s Castle, its impressive wingspan silhouetted against the bluebird autumn sky.

The irony that Luke was the first person I wanted to tell wasn’t lost on me. But I didn’t fight it.Talked to Holden about the business. He’s all for it. Offered ideas and help. Going up for dinner tonight to talk more.

I didn’t have to wait long.

That’s amazing! Holden’s a smart man. And it has to be to his advantage having the best trainer in the Mackenzie on his payroll. Good luck for tonight. XX

The best trainer in the Mackenzie.They were sweet words, and the two kisses at the end had me smiling. But when I thought of all the work that lay ahead if I wanted this business to succeed, the gnawing uneasiness put a quick end to any sentimentality.

I rolled my eyes and pocketed my phone. What the hell was I doing mooning about a man who had his shit together about as much as I did, meaning not at all? I’d been given an opportunity I’d been waiting for all my life, one that would need my A game over the next couple of years to have any chance at success.

When my phone buzzed again, I fully expected it to be Luke, but instead, my mother’s name stared back at me from the screen.

“Mum?” I answered warily.

“Zacharia, it’s so nice to hear your voice.” The slight scolding note to her tone made me bristle.

“Last time I called, you hung up on me when Dad walked in,” I reminded her. “Left a sour taste.”

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