Again, Stone lowered the driver’s window.‘Hey, Doug.You keeping out of trouble?’
‘Nothing compared to you, ya cheeky larrikin.’Hugging the steering wheel of his ATV, Doug pushed up the brim of his cap, exposing flecks of grey in his hair.
‘Did you miss me, too?’
Doug snorted while wiping over his greying whiskers.‘It’s good to see you back here, mate.You’ll find Malcolm in the hatchery.’Doug pointed towards the large shed.
‘His mood?’
Doug shrugged.‘You’ll see soon enough.’
Which wasn’t promising, when Malcolm was known for his foul moods.
Stone gave Doug a lazy salute and continued driving towards the hatchery, as Romy craned around in her seat.
‘They have security guards on a farm?’
Stone put his hand on the cooler, ensuring it stayed level on her lap.‘It’s normal… You have no clue what they do here?Do you?’
‘It’s my first time.So spill.’At least she held the cooler steadier.
‘Seeing as how you asked so politely,’ he said with mock hurt, rolling his eyes for added drama.
‘I did mention the promise of beer before, didn’t I?’
‘Well, hell…’ Stone couldn’t say no to that pleading look of hers.It had the potential to suck him deeper into a whole world of trouble if he wasn’t careful.
‘You know you want to.’She lowered her head, those deep brown eyes pleading with him.
Aw, hell—too late.He was now heading for a whole freaking plane load of trouble.
He looked away, wiping down his face.But he could smell her lively perfume that was like sweet lemongrass and soap, making the cab seem tiny.
‘Who owns the farm?’
‘I told you the Rowntrees’ own Saltscale.They work directly for the fashion houses.’
‘To make designer bags, like the Birkin bag?’She sat very still, as if holding her breath for the answer.
‘The one and the same.’
‘No way.’Her jaw dropped as she stared at the farm with keener eyes.‘How?From here to France?That’s not possible.’
‘First, they have to hatch the eggs, and they treat their little hatchlings like kings.Believe me, they’re spoiled.The larger ones live in those hutches.’He pointed to the long and low buildings with insulated tin roofs, made with shade cloth sides for airflow, yet with enough reinforced metal to contain the beasts.
‘It reminds me of a glasshouse for tomatoes.’
‘Inside you’ll find long swimming pools where they keep the water in pristine condition, full of vitamins and minerals they need to grow healthy.’
‘I get the impression you respect the crocs, and yet…’ She pointed to his crocodile leather boots.
‘It comes with the territory.And, yes, I have a lot of respect for those cold-blooded creatures.They’re far more intelligent than most people.’
‘They’re crocodiles.They’re not exactly the cuddliest creatures, like a spoiled house cat.’
‘Crocodiles have feelings, too, you know.They have families, and they know how to play, plus they come with a whole load of cunningness that shows they’re smart.They’re my favourite animal that I’d hate to see become extinct.’Stopping the ute, he pulled on the handbrake and nodded at a young man coming across from the pen area, waving at them.‘That’s Jed, Malcolm’s son.And here comes Malcolm’s wife, Celeste.’Who was jogging over from the house in her apron.
‘Boy, am I glad to see you, Stone.’Jed, the twenty-something-year-old man-hugged Stone like a brother.
