‘He’s probably never seen one.’Porter tightened his grip on the horse.‘I’ve got you, mate.I’m not letting you go now.’
Romy must have noticed the horse’s response, that the drone zoomed higher.Keeping its distance, the buzzing drone did wide circles around them as if filming their location.
Soon came a low, thunderous rumble rose from the horizon.
It came from a helicopter sweeping low over the escarpment.It was Stone’s chopper.Dust exploded beneath its blades as it circled wide, lining up for a landing.
Porter covered the horse’s eyes as he gave her a tired grin.‘Do you think Stone’s earned his right to call you Duchess now?’
Amara let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding.
They may be sunburnt and somewhat broken, but they’d made it.Even though she’d probably lose her job over this—they’d survived.
This Duchess of Dust was a survivor.
Thirty-five
The air shimmered with heat.Even the wind had given up moving as they waited for Stone and his partner, Romy, to climb out of the helicopter.From the opposite direction came a faint rumble.
A low and steady growl that grew with every heartbeat.
Porter squinted towards the horizon where a thick plume of dust started rising—not from one vehicle, but a whole bloody convoy.
When Porter lifted Amara down she kept a hand on the horse to hold herself up.‘I’d recognise that dust cloud anywhere.That’s Finn.’
Porter raised a brow.‘You sure?Because that looks like Marcus tearing a new one in the land speed record to get here.’He groaned, still holding the necktie that held the horse.The good thing was he also recognised Craig’s horse truck bringing up the rear.‘You know we’re about to get our arses handed to us, right?’
‘I’m expecting to get fired.’
That didn’t sound right.‘You found the stolen horse, Montrose.In my books, you did your job.’He patted the horse’s mane.‘I’m just sorry you won’t be able to keep him.’
‘At least we found him, and he can finally go home.’She stroked his nose.‘You’re safe now, boy.The cavalry is coming.’
‘Are you two okay?’Stone jogged over from the chopper, along with Romy, carrying bottles of water and a first-aid pack.
‘I’ll kiss you for some bloody water, mate,’ Porter rasped as he helped Amara over to a rock to sit in the sparse shade of a spindly tree.
‘Please, I’m a taken man.Romy will get jealous,’ Stone shot back.
‘I don’t do jealousy, Stone.But I can do first aid.’Romy, in her boots and khaki cargo pants, grinned, passing Amara some water.‘What happened to you.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Amara’s ankle isn’t too healthy, plus she’s dehydrated and sunburnt.’The lady came first in his books.
‘Here, loser…’ Stone tossed a water bottle at Porter.‘How about you rehydrate while we let Romy work on Amara?’
‘Fine by me.’Porter cracked the bottle’s seal, never thirstier in his life.
‘You alright, Duchess?’
‘I am now.’She reached up and hugged him.‘Thank you, Stone.Even if you are the world’s most annoying big brother.’
‘Aww, now I feel like a hero.’
‘There’ll be no living with him after this,’ teased Romy.
‘But you love me for it, shortcake.’Stone grinned and kissed Romy’s cheek.‘Wait till I tell the boys back home.’
