‘I feel so popular.’Stone chuckled as he removed the cooler from the car.‘You can come out, shortcake.’He winked at Romy, who was carefully sliding her phone into her bag on the back seat.
‘Do you want to pat me down?’Romy was so daring.
‘Don’t tempt me,’ he muttered.
‘Hey, Stone.’Celeste engulfed him in another hug that smelled of minty lavender and laundry detergent.‘Am I glad to see you.’Celeste panted like someone who hadn’t jogged since ’03.
‘Hey, I know I’m loved by the ladies, but take it easy, Celeste.You didn’t need to rush over like that.’He patted her back.
‘I wanted to… Catch you…’ Using the edge of her apron, she dabbed at the sweat from her brow.
‘It’s okay, Mum.I’ve got this.’Jed hitched up his jeans, clearing his throat.‘Hey, Stone, is it true about the new Stock Squad?’
‘Don’t, Jed, your father doesn’t want to involve anyone.You know that.’
‘Dad says I’m in charge now.And Stone’s here—it’s the right time, right place.I’m taking it as a sign, Mum.We trust him.Always have.Stone will know what to do.’
‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, guys.But what do you want my help with?’
Jed held his arm protectively around his mother’s shoulder, the gravel thick in his throat as he said, ‘Someone has stolen our cold stock!’
Six
‘Y-y-you’re a cop?’Romy stammered out excitedly at Stone.
‘A federal agent.See.Says so right here.’Stone flashed an official federal badge he’d dragged out of the ute’s glovebox.‘What’s going on, Celeste?’
‘The hatchery has had a break-in.Someone has stolen eggs and hatchlings.’Celeste gripped her throat, the worry deepening the creases around her eyes.
‘How many?’
‘Dad’s in there now, doing a count.’Jed nodded at Stone’s ID badge.‘Are you legit with this Stock Squad thingy?’
‘It’s real.’Stone tapped on his satellite phone and waited for the other end to pick up.‘Hey, Bossman, how do you feel about crocodiles?We’ve got some cold stock stolen at Saltscale Farm.Know the place?’Stone listened with head down, as Celeste wrung her hands with worry, while her son Jed tried to console her.‘Yeah, they’re doing a check on numbers now… Okay, no worries.See you soon.’
Stone tucked the phone away and lifted the cooler.‘The team is on their way.In the meantime, I’d like to put these babies to bed before I do my day job.’
No-freaking-way!Romy’s jaw dropped at the cheeky chopper pilot who was way more than she’d realised.
‘Jed will help you with the newbies.Who’s your friend?’Celeste smiled at Romy.‘Another backpacker for the house?’
Backpacker?That made her spine stiffen.She might’ve been carrying a pack, but she wasn’t some suntanned Brit on a gap year.
But then Stone gave a sly smirk as he casually slid his arm over Romy’s shoulders.His breath warm against her neck as he whispered into her ear, ‘Don’t panic.This way they won’t ask too many questions… This is Romy Radford.She just flew in to escape the southern autumn.’
‘Hi, that’s Celeste, my mum, and I’m Jed Rowntree.’He held his hand out to Romy.Celeste politely smiled as she folded up her apron, leading them towards a large building.
‘Is this your farm?’Romy politely shook Jed’s callused hand, noting his tan was as deep as Stone’s.
‘Family’s.I grew up here.’
‘Wow, that is so unusual.’
Jed shrugged.‘It’s no different to a cattle station or a chicken farm, except the animals are more dangerous, aren’t they, Stone?’He playfully nudged his elbow into Stone’s ribs, who matched the boyish grin.‘How many eggs did you bring us today?’
‘Thirty.’Stone tucked the cooler safely under his arm.‘They’ve been in this thing for almost an hour now.’
Jed’s smile fell.‘Mum?Stone and I should go to the hatchery and tuck these new eggs in first.’
