The hairs on the back of her neck bristled and she squeezed her lips tight.
The nerve of the bastard. How dare he treat me like some bloody city greenhorn?
"I have worked my ass off for the last ten years. I would hardly call that leading a soft life."
"Now don't go getting yourself all worked up. You know damn well that we are taking safety very seriously here and all the staff will get a talking to in the morning, not just you."
Jonas scowled and his eyes were dark and stormy.
"I know how to look after myself and you of all people should know that. The worst that can happen is I'll have blisters on my ass after tomorrow but that is it. Got it?" Zoe was standing now, her hands on her hips and her chest heaving with the deep breaths she was taking to calm herself before she belted him across the nose for being so bloody bossy.
Jonas held up his hands in a gesture of defeat. "Whatever. Don't say I wasn't trying to be helpful here."
"How the fucking hell is it helpful you calling me a greenhorn and suggesting that I can't take the work anymore?"
"I never called you a—"
"Whoa, time out you two," Brandon called stepping between them. "Grow up, the pair of you. I thought you were old enough to drop this bickering. Go get the potato bake out of the oven, Zoe and we'll dish up this steak. I think an early night might be on the cards since we are all going to be out and about for the next few days."
Zoe glared at Jonas and stormed into the kitchen. Muttering to herself, she paced around the kitchen, breathing hard.
The nerve of the bastard!
She grabbed a folded tea towel and took the hot dish from the oven, slamming the door harder than necessary. Counting to ten to calm herself, she carefully carried the dish outside and put it on the table.
They ate dinner quietly, the conversation stilted and awkward.
Chapter Five
Zoe was standing barefooted in the kitchen looking out the window with a bowl of cereal in her hands as dawn broke the next morning when Jonas walked into the room. He watched her spoon her breakfast into her mouth, chew and then swallow. Her hair was pulled up into a sleek pony tail showing off her graceful neck. The white skin smooth and clear cried out to be kissed by his lips. She was dressed in old jeans that were frayed at the seams and she wore an old shirt of her father's, one of her favorites, with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows.
"Morning, Zoe." He was in the kitchen before she looked up. Jonas clicked on the kettle and grabbed a couple of mugs from a cupboard. "Coffee?"
She nodded, with her mouth full of food.
"Should be a nice clear day. Good for working." He reached past her and added coffee to the mugs before turning his back to the bench and leaning against it.
"Uh uh." Zoe spooned the last of the milk into her mouth and rinsed her bowl and spoon.
Jonas kept his gaze on her while she took a seat at the table and pulled on a pair of socks. He poured her coffee and passed it over.
"Thanks." She sipped it quietly avoiding eye contact with him and his gut ached.
Maybe I came over too strong last night. Oh well, better than letting her think she is invincible after all this time away from the farm and putting herself in danger. Brandon would kill me if anything happened to her out there. It was my idea to bring her back, luckily he went along with it but you can only press friendship so far.
"So, are you happy with the team you're on?"
"Yep, doesn't worry me any. I'm here to work and work I shall."
She drained her mug and put it in the sink. Taking her hat from the hook on the back door, Zoe pushed it onto her head and picked up her boots. She sat on the top step to pull them on before skipping down to the path and out the gate toward the stables.
Brandon walked into the kitchen and looked at Jonas. "You look like you swallowed something bitter. What's happening?"
"Your sister. Perky as all hell this morning and ignoring me as much as she can."
"Well you knew it wouldn't be easy Jonas. I did warn you when you came up with this idea of yours that she wouldn't come easily." He scratched his head and looked around the kitchen, sniffing the air. "Did you make me coffee?"
Jonas shook his head and moved to the kettle, flicking the switch. "She's already down at the stables you know."
"Really? Hell, that doesn't sound like our Zoe at all. You must have really pissed her off." Brandon picked an apple from the bowl on the table and polished it against his shirt before taking a bite. "Should be entertaining then, all I can say." He chewed happily waiting for his coffee.
Jonas put the mug on the table and headed for the door.
"Best behavior, Jonas. Don't piss her off too much or she will bite you."
I wish. The thought of her mouth on his body had his blood heat up a notch. Mentally shaking himself he walked away. He jammed his hat on his head and headed outside, pausing to pull his boots on before he followed her to the stables.
The sun was just peeking over the horizon shading the sky a muted pink and grey as it rose. How he had managed to stay in the city all these years until he was ready to move back was a mystery to him. This is how he wanted to wake each day, not gazing out over the concrete jungle that he had called home. Sydney to San Francisco, it was all the same. Too busy, too impersonal and nothing like living in the outback.
The sounds of the farm coming to life stirred his blood, easing the tension from his shoulders. He would let Zoe go about her business but he would keep an eye on her from a distance. If anything went wrong he would be there to sort it out and make it easier on her, not that she would thank him for it. He was more likely to get a mouth full of attitude for his trouble.
Jonas headed for Pete's office avoiding looking in her direction. He would get the teams sorted then warm up the chopper. Pete was handing out last minute forgotten items and giving the recipients the sharp side of his tongue while he was at it. Jonas leaned against the door frame, arms folded watching the newer roustabouts getting a verbal lashing remembering the many times he was on the other side of Pete's discipline himself.
When the young guys had scampered away with their basic supplies toward their horses, Jonas climbed up the step into the office. Pete was shaking his head cursing.
"Don't matter how many times you tell them, they just don't get it. It's on them if they freeze their asses off overnight out there. I won't be ready with a blanket and a fresh pair of bloody socks for them."
"I hear you and they will only do it once, you can be assured of that. And I speak from experience so I know what it feels like to forget something in my supply pack." Jonas took the printed sheet from the hook on the wall and glanced at it, quickly assessing the teams they had sorted out. "Let's go do this then, Pete, and I can get airborne."
They walked down to the stables and called everyone to listen. "Okay, here are the team leaders. Rusty, you'll take Josh, Paul and Bluey with you." He paused and looked up to see they were all paying attention. "Brandon, you have Bill, Zoe and Tony. Johnno, take Zeke, Tyler and Ben." He motioned to Pete. "Pete has your radios in the office on charge. Do not forget them or you'll hear from me. I need to be able to keep in touch. I'll be in the air shortly but head out to the southern side of the farm and I'll let you know when to split up. I'm hoping to get the stock in quickly, say by late tomorrow but we will have to be ready for delays." Jonas looked around at the faces watching him careful to avoid meeting Zoe's gaze. "Ride safe."
****
Zoe watched Jonas stride away to the helicopter. Today she would prove that she hadn't lost her edge being away from the farm. Pulling her gloves from her back pocket she pushed her Akubra down on her head and walked back to her horse. Her swag was tied on the back of the saddle along with the basic first aid kit and a pack of rations. She was going to do it tough in the food department but it was only for a couple of days and she had survived before and would do so again.
"Ready, Zoe bird?" Brandon reached for his mount and pulled hims
elf into the saddle easily.
"Yep. Lead on, brother and let's do this." She stretched her gloves out and slid her fingers into the soft leather, smelling the fresh new tang of horses, leather and sweat that was home.
They milled around on their horses until the entire crew was ready. Zoe looked skyward when the helicopter flew overhead and watched it rise up and bank toward the southern side of the property.
"Let's ride out." Brandon's voice rose over the chatter of the men.
Zoe grabbed the pommel of her saddle in one hand and the reins with the other and slid her foot into the stirrup. The excitement building in her chest, she pulled herself up onto Midnight’s back. He skittered around and she let him fidget before bringing him under control.
"That animal needs more work than we had time for Zoe," Brandon said a frown on his forehead.
"He was fine yesterday. It's been so long since he's been out with the others on a muster, he's just excited." Zoe let the reins go slack again and Midnight stood still snorting his pleasure. "Once he gets out he will be fine. I've missed this too, Bran." Zoe looked around at the commotion and her heart swelled. This was home where she belonged. She missed it so much more than she had thought she did. It was a shame Jonas was here to pull on her heart strings. Her homecoming would have been perfect without him around.
She took the reins and casually prodded her horse over to walk beside her brother. "Tell me, what are Jonas's plans for this place?" She looked at him from underneath her hat, trying her best not to look too interested. She missed Lilly even though her daughter was at school. Zoe hated being so far away from her. The sooner she sorted out her shares the better for all concerned.
"I'm so pleased he bought out the others. We would have been taken over by an overseas mob if he hadn't and who knows where we would have ended up." Brandon shook his head. "It's a good thing for us, I know it is. He has the cash to inject a sizeable amount of capital which is something we desperately need. And he has vision. Just listening to him excites me."
He grinned at Zoe and her heart raced with love for her big brother. The farm was his life, it always had been. If he was transported to the city he would wither and die.
"After this auction we are going to replace a heap of the cows with younger stock from good bloodlines and we were even thinking of bringing in a couple of new sires. That way we have a broader gene pool."
"Sounds expensive to me."
"It is but if you get Jonas to show you his five year plan you will see why it's worth doing now. He has the money and isn't scared to use it either. I never thought he would come back to the farm. I kind of figured that he was used to being the big company CEO and liking the perks that went with it. Seems he always planned on coming back here when he was in the right position, he just never said so out loud." His face lit up and he used his hands to show the size of the farm. "You'll have to have a look at the plan he's drafted out Zoe, it's incredible. We have so much unused land here and could easily be one of the biggest beef producers in Australia if we do it right. We could be filling the farm with more stock upping the production rate of breeders and beef. He's even talking about increasing the land holdings too."
"Why don't I know about that then?"
"I send you the company reports Zoe. I guess you're so busy with you own business that you haven't really taken much notice."
"Hmm I guess." Zoe knew how bright Jonas was because she had stalked him while she was away in London. Google was a wonderful thing if you wanted to find out about things other than what the press reported. He had started as a junior in an investment company and worked his way up.
"What I don't get is why he is investing his time here. I mean, I know he said we all have to work the place but surely he isn't going to stay here forever?"
"Sadly no," Brandon replied. "He's going to get us back in the black and then plans to head back to the city to take care of his other business ventures. He has ventures in London and San Francisco as well as all over Australia. It all keeps him busy and on the road a lot. It's a shame because this is where he wants to be."
Zoe held her breath and waited for the butterflies in her stomach to settle before she asked the next question. "How long do you think it will take to get things sorted?"
"We were discussing it last night after you went to sleep. Probably six to nine months initially. Obviously the breeding will take longer but we should have everything planned and implemented by then."
"Well if he doesn't have to stay then neither do I. I have a business to run, you know that. I really don't see why you can't run this place yourself with help. You've been doing it since Mum and Dad died."
The crackle of the two way radio stalled the conversation.
"Jonas to Brandon."
"Brandon here, mate."
"Split the teams up now. Send them to the following co-ordinates. They shouldn't have too much trouble locating the stock. I'll scout around as much as possible to group them together and I'll catch up with you tonight." He rattled off the co-ordinates while everyone listened.
"Okay guys, you have your area. Ride safe and we'll hopefully see everyone back at the farm tomorrow night. Make sure you keep your radios on you in case of emergency. That way Jonas can get to you quickly," Brandon said.
The team leaders checked and gave the thumbs up before they headed off to their own area.
"Let's go," Brandon clicked his reins and his horse took off in a gallop with Zoe, Bill and Tony riding fast to keep up with him.
The cattle were spread out over hundreds of acres and normally took them days, if not weeks to bring in. With Jonas up in the air, the job was much easier. He could pinpoint the main groups and give the co-ordinates for the men to find them easier saving days of searching.
The heat and dust was getting to Zoe by the end of the day. They had a large group of cows and calves rounded up but still had to go further afield for more which wouldn't happen until the morning. Then they could start to herd them toward home.
****
Zoe eased her aching body from the saddle, landing heavily on the ground. She leaned into her horse’s side, the smell of sweat filling her nostrils. A groan escaped her lips and she pushed herself away, hell bent on getting herself sorted before she landed on a heap on the ground. Her bedroll hit the dirt first, then the rest of her gear. She was sore, her ass was on fire and her whole body ached. Undoing the girth on the saddle, she pulled it off and placed it on the blanket on the ground out of the way. She undid the bridle and slipped a halter over Midnight’s head. He wandered over to a patch of grass and put his head down, nipping and pulling the grass into his mouth.
She turned to Brandon who had a fire building up and looked almost as fresh as he was when they started out. Zoe just wanted to roll out her swag and climb inside shutting out the rest of the world.
"Grab your mug and I'll pour you a coffee."
He winked at her and she groaned. Today was not as easy as she had thought it was going to be. Tomorrow she would wake with aches and pains worse than she had now. That was just how it went. Jonas was going to love this.
She rummaged in her tucker bag and gripped her tin mug, wrenching it out. Zoe stumbled over to her brother and handed it to him before easing herself down onto a fallen tree trunk. "Ouch, I hurt all over."
"Surely you expected something? Hell, it's like trying to tackle a marathon without having any build up." Brandon handed her the coffee. "Just make sure you warm down before you go to sleep. Do some stretches or something otherwise you will be a mess tomorrow."
"Yay, thanks, brother."
Zoe listened to the gentle teasing from the guys, smiling every now and then. Dinner was pretty basic but filling and she struggled to eat it without falling asleep.
Before bed she walked to her horse and brushed him down. Taking Brandon's advice she did some stretches and then rubbed her thumbs into her calves kneading the tight muscles until they softened. Feeling better she stood up.
"
Bran, could you please do my neck and shoulders for me?"
Brandon stood up and gestured her over. She closed her eyes and relaxed under his touch.
The horses started to fidget and stamp their feet seconds before the drone of the helicopter sounded in the still night sky. The lights underneath flickered as Jonas brought the machine to ground away from the camp.
A few minutes later he strolled into camp, a swag under his arm looking devastatingly handsome and cheery.
"Slumming it with the workers, boss?" Tony called.
"Not slumming in my opinion. It's how I grew up."
Zoe watched as he laid his battered swag close to hers. Her stomach clenched and she shifted her feet.
"Steady on, girl. Just let me finish this," Brandon said holding her by the shoulders.
"Feeling it a bit eh, Zoe?" Jonas looked at her over the fire, a smirk dancing over his face.
"I thought that would have been obvious. It has been ten years after all since I spent a full day in the saddle and I never doubted I would have a few aches." She sucked in a deep breath. "But don't let it worry you, Jonas. It won't hold me up at all tomorrow."
She thanked Brandon and walked over to the other side of the fire and sat on her bed roll. Zoe pulled off her boots and stuffed her socks in them. Sliding inside she tried not to cry out loud when her butt made contact with a lump underneath her bed. She should have checked the ground before she rolled it out but she had forgotten. Shuffling around, she managed to avoid it and settled down closing her eyes. "Night all."
****
Jonas kept his gaze on her while she fell asleep seconds after she closed her eyes. Her breathing was shallow and steady and her lips were parted, a soft snore coming out every now and then.
"Get a load of that, will you?" He laughed. "Zoe hasn't changed as much as she thinks she has. Still makes those weird little snore sounds."
"And still as determined as ever," Brandon said handing Jonas a coffee. "Give her a chance and she will be back to normal before we know what's happened." He sat back cradling his coffee, keeping his eyes on his sister.
Outback Thunder Page 5
