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CHAPTER FOUR
MACK SAT BACK in his chair and patted his stomach. “Man, that was some damn fine cooking.” He smiled winningly at Skylar, who was seated at the other end of the table.
“I’m glad you appreciated it,” she replied, ducking her head just as her blue eyes met his. Then she flicked a guilty glance at the guy sitting next to her. Mack knew he had that sort of effect on women, and most of the time he was barely aware of it. But when he wanted to impress, he turned the charm wattage up to high. Skylar was one good-looking woman. And he wanted to get on the good side of anyone who could cook like that. But she was also off-limits. She was head-over-heels in love with the guy sitting next to her, it was obvious from a mile off. Nash was the local sheriff—no, sheriff wasn’t the right term, what’d they called him? Senior Constable, or something. Anyway, Nash’s blond, surfer good-looks didn’t fool Mack in the slightest. The man’s steely eyes fixed on him, not challenging, as such, but in a way that made Mack understand he wasn’t going to get away with anything around this guy. Nash was a man to be respected, and Mack was fine with that.
He’d half expected to slowly starve to death here on this station after Dean told him the head chef was renowned for her gourmet meals. He’d never been a fan of gourmet food. A simple man, with simple tastes, was how he liked to think of himself. But he’d been pleasantly surprised. The main meal was a thick chunk of perfectly cooked beef, bred on the station, of course, with homegrown roasted beetroots of all different colors, and a salad of some interesting vegetables that Skylar had called warrigal greens. Much like English spinach, they had a slightly bitter taste that went surprisingly well with the meat. The beef had been tender, melt in his mouth, but it was the sauce that made the dish spectacular. Some kind of Kakadu plum and red wine jus, that was so delicious he could’ve almost picked up the plate and licked it clean. The entrée had been something called yabbies, which reminded him a little of large prawns, with a subtle garlic mayonnaise. And the dessert had been a red-velvet sponge cake topped with chocolate and wattleseed mousse, sprinkled liberally with round nuts called macadamias. Supposedly, these were native Australian ingredients. He didn’t really care where they came from, they were damn delicious, and he was so full he was fit to burst.
Tonight was his first night eating with the Stormcloud crew; the staff usually ate with the guests, all seated at the long tables in the great room. Last night he’d gone to bed early, saying he was suffering jet lag, but really he’d been trying to get rid of the last effects of that damn headache. But that’s been nothing next to his embarrassing episode in front of Bindi this afternoon. He shot her a glance, but she was talking to the honeymooning couple on her right.
Tonight, he’d quickly learned that Daniella didn’t like hats to be worn inside. He’d also learned that Daniella ruled the resort with an iron fist, at least the running of the lodge and the guest side of things. She was one formidable lady, nothing like Dean’s wife Naomi, who used charm and home-spun kindness to achieve her goals. Daniella was all cool efficiency and well-groomed style. A complete contrast to Steve. But after watching them for most of the night, it seemed that opposites really did attract, and they complemented each other’s strengths and weaknesses well.
Skylar, Bindi, and Sasha, the receptionist chick whom Mack had only met quickly this morning, served the meal, while everyone else chatted to the guests and ate the delicious food. Once everyone else was fed, the three women joined them to eat before dashing away to get dessert ready. Then they’d rejoined them once dessert was served. His gaze had followed Bindi as she walked between the tables, drawn by the sway of her hips, until he’d brought himself up short and forced himself to chat to Franco sitting on his left.
Now everyone sat around the tables, replete and talking happily. As Mack’s gaze roamed across the room, taking in the happy chatter, he decided this station was more like Stargazer Ranch than he’d first envisioned. The similarity wasn’t in a physical sense, as the two ranches couldn’t be more different, one was dry and dusty and the other surrounded by verdant green mountains often covered in snow, but it was in the way the staff and family formed such a tight-knit crew. There was genuine respect and friendship here. Dale was sitting with his fiancée, Daisy, his arm draped casually around her shoulders. Dale would take over the station one day, but there was no arrogance or entitlement in the man’s demeanor. Indeed, from the short time Mack had known him, Dale was generous and hard-working. The couple were due to be married in less than a month, and Daisy struck him as the most laid-back bride-to-be he’d ever encountered. She was a dark-haired beauty, reminding him a little of Bindi, and she met his eyes with a searching gaze, as if there was a wisdom there beyond her years.
Dale had recently been made leading hand at Stormcloud after Wazza had moved on, and now he was marrying this gorgeous woman. As an added bonus, Steve was building the couple a cabin on the property as a wedding present. Construction was due to start right around the time of the wedding, in a secluded spot some distance around the side of the escarpment. Close enough for Dale to get to work in a hurry if he was needed, but far enough away that they had their privacy. Mack didn’t envy the guy, he was a true believer that everyone walked their own paths, but he certainly seemed to have it all together. The perfect life.
Farther down the table, Skylar, the lady with the amazing chef skills and her beau, Nash, also sat with their blond heads together, but when he asked Skylar something, she answered him with a dazzling smile that lit up the room, then leaned in and kissed Nash on the mouth, in an open show of affection. Supposedly, they owned a hobby farm down the road a way, and there was a rumor in the air—he’d overheard Sasha talking to Alek this morning—that these two would be the next to tie the knot.
Then there were Julie and Aaron. Julie was Steve’s only daughter and had moved to the station not long ago, supposedly to get away from the city. Every family had a comedian, and it seemed this family’s was Julie. The few times Mack had seen her, she was always telling jokes and flitting happily in and out of rooms, like a bright butterfly. Aaron was also a newcomer to the station. Big, broad and taciturn, nevertheless his eyes lit up whenever Julie was around, losing that wary edge. Like right now, Julie let out a peal of laughter at something Daisy had said and then fell against Aaron’s side in a fit of giggles. He nudged the top of her head with his chin and gave a soft smile. It seemed that love was definitely in the air at Stormcloud. Which was a good thing. This place was filled with strong couples who’d make sure this station endured and flourished.
Daniella got up and announced they’d be serving after-dinner drinks out on the veranda for those guests who’d like to join them. Alek, the Polish activities manager, who Mack thought had taken a bit of dislike to him as he seemed to think he was the only ladies’ man around here—had jumped up and gone to arrange some board games for the guests who wanted to join in. Mack wasn’t worried about Alek, he’d come around in the end. Anyone with half a brain could see Alek was keen on Sasha, and while the lady was pretty, she wasn’t his type. When he looked at Sasha, there was no chemistry. Unlike when he looked at Bindi. Her striking, dark-eyed gaze had his blood turning to molten lava in his veins. But he wasn’t here to fall in love. Get through this half-year as best he could. Get back into bull riding if possible. And get back to Montana and into next year’s pro circuit. Those were his goals. His dreams. His ambitions.
“So, Mack, I hear you’re pretty good at riding those bulls.” Steve’s words jerked Mack from his musings. Was the guy a mind reader? Most of the staff had remained seated as the guests left the table to move to the verandah. Steve sat on the opposite side of the table, a little farther down, flanked by Dale and Daisy, to his left.
“Yeah,” Mack drawled, keeping his surprise under wraps. “I’m not too bad.” He sat back farther in his chair.
Steve made an amused sound. “I think it’s more than that. Dean tells me you made it into the top rankings a few years running. That’s pretty impressive.”
Conversation continued to buzz around the table, but Mack was aware of other people tuning into what Steve was saying. Dale raised his head to fasten a curious gaze on him, as did Bindi, who was seated closer to Skylar and Nash.
Mack lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I was in the top ten two years running,” he admitted. And if it hadn’t been for the accident, he might well have been standing as number one on the podium last year. But Mack let none of the bitterness show on his face.
Steve speared him with his indigo gaze. “Dean also said you’d be keen to give the Aussie circuit a whirl.”
“That I would, sir,” Mack said with a grin, carefully avoiding looking at Bindi, who had suddenly narrowed her eyes at him. Shit, he hoped she stuck to her promise not to mention his little episode this afternoon up at the stables.
“Our rodeo season normally runs from April to November, during the dry season,” Steve added.
Mack had heard something along those lines, as well, and so he nodded in agreement. He’d put his plans on hold, not expecting to be able to ride until next year. Which had him champing at the bit, but there wasn’t a lot he could do about it.
“But you might be in luck. I heard the Cairns rodeo was postponed this year because of a Covid outbreak amongst the riders. They’ve rescheduled it for the first weekend in December, assuming the weather stays dry. Are you interested?”
Was he interested? It was like all his prayers had been answered at once. “Hell, yes.” Then he realized what he’d said. “Sorry about the cussing, sir, ma’am,” he said in a hurry, tipping his head in Daniella’s direction. But she wasn’t listening, she was directing guests to the best chairs outside and chivvying Alek to hurry setting out the games. Mack was still studiously evading Bindi’s gaze, but he could feel her hot stare boring into the side of his head.
His mind was already churning with ideas and plans. He’d driven through Cairns on his way up to the station, and it was less than two hours away. Depending on the rodeo schedule, he’d probably need to stay overnight, as most of the bull riding took place in the evening; it was the main event and people wanted a good show. Would Steve even give him the weekend off? He was the new recruit, and he wouldn’t be due any leave just yet.
“Come and have a chat with me later,” Steve said, breaking into his thoughts. “We can look up the program on the internet and talk logistics.”
“Yes, sir.” That sounded promising. It sounded like Steve was going to let him go.
“Oh, and, Mack,” Steve stood, but then loomed over the table, glowering at him.
“Yes, sir?”
“Stop calling me sir. I’m just Steve. Okay?”
“Oh. Yes, sir—Steve,” he hurriedly corrected himself. That might take a little getting used to. Mack had been brought up to respect his seniors. Hell, he still called his father, sir. But if that’s what Steve wanted, then that’s what he’d get. They did seem to be a lot more relaxed here in Queensland.
