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  Lunch was happy, relaxed, Del enjoying spending time with her friends. Looking around, she realised how big their group had grown over the last year. The small group of six single friends had become eleven with the various spouses, one boyfriend, and one unattached bloke. Grant was the newest to the group, having being brought in by Simon, though they’d seen more of him since Moz had arrived. The two men had struck up a good friendship.

  Maybe because they were unattached? Though now she and Moz were together…Del pondered. It didn’t bother anyone else in their group, but maybe because half of them were old friends?

  Cripes, the complexities of people and relationships. Animals were far easier to understand, no wonder Moz loved them so much. But she had to admit, she was so content with life. Good friends, easy life. Could anyone ask for more?

  Well, yeah, some probably would, but she was happy with her lot in life.

  Once everything was cleared away and everyone relaxing lazily either lying on the grass or sitting at the table and talking, Moz took her hand and led her towards the river.

  In comfortable silence they walked along the bank, the sounds of their friends fading. Birds called, a slight breeze playing in the tree tops making several gum leaves fall to the ground.

  When Moz turned towards her, using his body to crowd her back against a tree, it caught Del unawares. Before she knew it he had her pinned against the trunk and was kissing her hard and deep.

  Immediately desire flared up in her, the heat of his body calling to her. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she kissed him back.

  God, could the man kiss or what? He basically ate her up and she revelled in it. His taste filled her, his scent filled her, his heat seeped into her.

  His hands at her back lowered, strong arms surrounding her, lifting her up with ease to bring her face level, resting her against his muscular torso.

  “Oh wow,” she said breathlessly when he finally released her mouth.

  “Sorry, baby, been dying to do that all day.”

  “We’ve only been here since eleven.”

  “So? I want you from the moment my eyes open to when they shut.”

  “Aw, that’s so sweet.” She linked her hands around his neck.

  “I want you other times, too, but I’ve been told to be a good boy.”

  She flashed him a grin.

  “I had to shave my palms this morning.”

  “No wonder they’re so smooth.”

  He gave her a gentle squeeze, dropped his forehead to hers, looked deeply into her eyes. “We good?”

  “We’re good.”

  He winked. “We could be better.”

  “And we could be back at the picnic table with everyone else.”

  “I wouldn’t be a man if I didn’t try. Speaking of men…” Amusement fled to be replaced with seriousness. “Have you heard anything lately?’

  “What kind of things?”

  “Dogs. Men. Barking.”

  “Not lately.”

  “Anyone come into the shop mentioning it?”

  “Not that I can recall.” She studied him. “What’s going on?”

  “Just wondering.”

  “Just wondering my arse.”

  “It is a cute one.” He jiggled her in his arms.

  “Don’t change the subject.”

  “It was just a question, Del. I can’t go further into it.”

  “Does Molly know anything?” she queried.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Kirk talks to her.”

  “He doesn’t tell her everything. Every profession has things they can’t divulge.” Moz slid her down his body until she stood once more on her own feet.

  Tipping her head back, she looked up at him, concerned. “Moz, you’d tell me if you were in danger, right?”

  “Danger? Me?” He actually looked surprised. “I’m not in danger.” When she just looked searchingly at him, he lowered his head to press a kiss to her lips. “I swear, baby, I’m in no danger.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m telling the truth.”

  The tight knot inside her eased a little. “Okay.”

  Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her into his side, turned them both and started slowly walking back the way they’d come. “Mozart’s settling in well.”

  Taking the hint, she switched topics. “He and Missy are like two kittens together. It’s good to see him playing, he wasn’t sure at first what to do, nearly broke my heart.”

  “He’s found his feet with Missy.”

  “Do you really put little jumpers on him in winter?”

  “If it’s cold enough, yeah. Sphinx’s don’t have furry coats to keep them warm, so it’s important to watch their temperature.”

  “And you wash him once or twice a week to keep his skin from being too oily. I still find that weird.”

  “He hasn’t got a coat to absorb it. If I didn’t, he’d leave not-very-nice patches on the furniture and linen.”

  “Poor baby. He looks naked.”

  “He looks perfectly normal.”

  “For a Sphinx.”

  “Yep.”

  They wandered the rest of the way back in silence until they heard the sound of their friends talking.

  “By the way,” Del said, “what does Moz stand for?”

  “Don’t you know?”

  “You never said, Elissa never said, I never asked. Until now.”

  “Why now?”

  “You know my full name. What’s yours?” Tipping back her head, she looked up at him.

  His lips were quirked in amusement. “If I tell you, you have to swear to secrecy.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah. Revealing it would bring dire consequences.”

  “I want to know.”

  “Only if you’re prepared for the dire consequences should you ever reveal my secret.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “Montgomery.”

  She stopped walking. “I beg your pardon?”

  “Montgomery Percival Baylon, at your service. Moz to the rest of the world.

  Holy crap. “Bugger me.”

  “I’m not into back door jobs, but if you really want to give it a try-”

  “Um…perfectly lovely names.”

  He grinned. “Liar.”

  “Why not call yourself ‘Monty’?”

  “Because Elissa has called me Moz ever since I can remember. It’s all I really remember being called.”

  Del was appalled. “Even your parents didn’t call you by your full name?”

  “Even they weren’t that cruel.”

  Sliding an arm around his waist, Del leaned into him. “It’s not such a bad name.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “I like you anyway.”

  He gave her a gentle squeeze. “Good to know.”

  “I’ll keep your secret.”

  “Also good to know.”

  “I have to ask, though, what would be the consequences of my revealing your true name? Because I’m telling you, Dee would pay good money to get it out of me.”

  “Depends if you love your cousin more than being able to sit comfortably for a long, long time.”

  “Geez.” She grinned while inwardly giving a shiver of delight. Whoa honey.

  “I’m serious.”

  “Oh, I believe you. I’d be threatening dire consequences, too.”

  “I thought my name wasn’t that bad?”

  “I’m supporting you, being a good girlfriend.”

  “Because you don’t like my name?”

  “Because I like you.”

  “For that, baby, I am cooking you my famous beef and mushroom pie tonight.”

  “Let’s go, Montgomery.” She jumped when his palm connected with her bottom. Not hard, but definitely firm. “Holy heck!” Then she laughed. “Okay, Moz, I got the hint.”

  “Better believe there’s more where that came from if you ever spill the beans, baby.”

  She d
impled up at him. “Promise?”

  That made the big lug miss a step. He almost brought her down with him.

  Laughing, clinging onto each other, they staggered out into the clearing where Moz stopped and looked around. “Hey, where’re Elissa and Simon?”

  “Sucking face behind those trees,” Ryder replied from where he was sitting on the grass with Lily crawling over his legs.

  “Gah. I did not need to hear that.”

  “Serve you right for trying to kill him earlier.”

  “I didn’t try to kill him. He needs to bulk up.”

  “Not everyone wants to be a walking brick shithouse.”

  “If you weren’t hiding behind the baby, I’d pound you into the ground for that.”

  “I’m no fool. Lily, don’t go too far from Uncle Ryder.”

  Grinning, Del left the men to trade insults and went to join Ash and Dee who were packing up.

  Grant was standing a little way off speaking into his mobile. Noting the frown on his face, she wondered if he’d have to return to the clinic for an out-of-hours call out, but instead he motioned Moz over and handed him the phone. Moz spoke into it, turning away and walking a little further out before stopping, hand on one hip, head dipped forward as he nodded, shook his head, spoke some more.

  “What’s going on?” Dee queried.

  “No idea.” Del put the lid on the esky, her attention on Moz and Grant. “But whatever it is, they don’t look happy.”

  “Hello.” Dee jerked her head to the side. “Look who’s moving.”

  Kirk walked up to them, all three men talking amongst themselves. Kirk nodded as Moz handed the phone back to Grant.

  “Looks pretty intense,” Dee commented.

  “Yeah.” Del straightened, a packet of unused napkins in her hands. “Something is going on, but Moz isn’t saying what.”

  “Nor is Kirk.” Molly appeared by their side. “What do you think it is?”

  “I’d sure like to know.”

  “Maybe we can find out,” Dee mused.

  ‘What I think,” a deep voice said from behind them, “is that you girls should keep your pretty little noses out of it.”

  They turned to find Scott watching them from the other side of the table.

  “Shit,” Dee said. “You know something.”

  “I know you three are trouble.”

  “You going to fill us in?” Del asked.

  “If Kirk, Moz and Grant wanted you to know something, they’d tell you.” Reaching over, he plucked the packet of napkins from Del’s hand. “Take my advice and don’t go there.”

  “Hey, we’re just curious.”

  “And you know what happens to curious cats.”

  “I don’t like that saying.” Molly squinted across at Kirk. “Maybe if I bribed him with a blow job…”

  Scott grinned. “Wouldn’t save your arse, honey, trust me.”

  “You have sex anyway,” said Dee. “Hells bells, why are we back to sex again?”

  “I don’t know.” Molly shrugged. “It just happens.”

  Tuning out her friend’s squabbling, Del watched Moz. He was not a happy camper. None of the men were. Her gaze switched to Ryder but he was focussed on the baby. Simon and Elissa came wandering back from the opposite direction, Simon’s head bent forward as he listened to her. Del looked back over her shoulder at Scott, but he was now talking to Ash, his arm around her waist.

  Hmmm. How much did he know? And what, exactly, did he know?

  Returning to packing, she knew Scott was right. It wasn’t their business, but she still couldn’t help but be curious, especially as she knew it had to do with dogs. It definitely had something to do with Harding and Dawson, she’d bet her arse on it.

  Moz appeared by her side with a smile on his face but a distinct solemness in his eyes. “Sorry, baby, I have to go.” He took the box from her. “Scott will take you home.”

  “Work?” Following him to Scott’s car, she couldn’t help but notice that Kirk had returned to Molly’s side while Grant waited beside his car.

  “Afraid so.”

  “Is it the dogs?”

  The smile left his face. Silently he placed the box in the back of the car before turning to face her. “You know I can’t say anything.”

  “I know. Sorry.” Slightly ashamed, she slid her hands into the pockets of her shorts. “It slipped out. I’m not really pressing you for details.”

  His face was set. “I’m not keeping secrets for fun.”

  Stung, she straightened her shoulders. “I know.”

  He glanced away, jaw tight, before sighing and looking back down at her. “Del-”

  Crap on a stick, it was unfair to make him feel guilty. “I know, you’re doing your job.” She touched his arm. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me, you won’t tell me, and I understand. Doesn’t stop me being curious, but its okay.”

  His shoulders relaxed a little. “Okay.”

  “We good?”

  His tight mouth curved slightly. “We’re good.”

  “Are you going to be home in time to cook that pie?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll ring you.”

  Seeking to lighten the mood, she smiled whimsically up at him. “If you’re not going to be home in time, can I eat the mushrooms?”

  He winced. “Last time you burnt the living hell out of them.”

  “I still ate them.”

  “I still can’t believe you did that.”

  She fluttered here eyelashes at him. “So can I?”

  “No.”

  Del pouted.

  “Yeah, cute, but still no.”

  “What if I said I’d trade sex for the mushrooms?”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

  “No, so don’t look so hopeful.” Going up on tip toe, she reached for him.

  Moz obliged by bending down, his hand sliding around to the small of her back.

  “Just be safe,” she murmured before kissing him lightly. “You promised me pie, I want pie. If not tonight, then tomorrow night. I will have my pie, Montgomery Percival Baylon.” His hand slid to her bottom and she amended hastily, albeit with a giggle, “Moz. Moz Baylon. Moz.”

  “You just remember that, baby.” Chuckling, he hugged her, kissed her quick and sweet, and let her go. “I have to go. I promise to ring.”

  Nodding, she stepped back. “Just stay safe.”

  The smile he gave her was so warm she felt it slide through her entire body, then he was walking away, scooping up his shirt from the bonnet of his car. Grant got into his own car and with a wave, they both left.

  Returning to the friends who had stayed behind, Del looked at Molly who shook her head. Nope, Kirk had said nothing to her.

  The happy afternoon seemed strangely empty without Moz, but Del still enjoyed herself, though she wished he could be with them.

  Moz didn’t come home, but he did phone briefly several hours later to say that he and Grant were caught up on the highway with an overturned truck that had been taking a load of sheep to the sale yards. The driver was shaken but fine, some of the sheep didn’t fare so well.

  That had Del grimacing. That meant some of them would have to be put down. For men like Grant and Moz who loved animals, that was a huge downside to their jobs. But it was part of the job nevertheless.

  Taking a generous chunk of quiche that Moz had cooked the previous day, Del zapped it in the microwave and ate it on the couch while Missy and Mozart darted around the furniture and up and down the hallway. If Moz had of been there, it would have been a perfect end to a perfect day.

  Still, she enjoyed having the cats playing. It made her realise how quiet her home had been without them.

  Retiring to bed early, she lay back reading, eventually falling asleep with the book on her chest.

  The sound of dogs barking roused her. Propping up on one elbow, she groggily looked at the clock. Two in the morning. What the hell? Both way too early and way too late for people to be walking thei
r dogs.

  Voices, the sound of a truck.

  Feeling a sense of déjà vu, she got out of bed, padding across to the window to peer out, which was a waste of time as the bushes blocked her view of the road. Pulling the curtain aside, she unlocked the window and opened it wider to listen.

  Yeah, that was definitely Cutter’s voice, and he sounded close. Though that was more than likely the time, voices carried at night with nothing to drown them out. Or possibly the breeze was blowing in her direction and carrying the voices.

  Another dog, snarling, a harshly bellowed command. Then silence.

  Leaning her forearms on the window sill, Del strained to hear. Muffled voices now, another sound of a truck leaving, the engine fading in the distance. Lights put pin-pricks through the gently moving bushes but she knew whoever was on the other side wouldn’t see her in the window, not with the dark - oh shit!

  Realising she had the lamp on still, silhouetting her against the window, she leaped back, whirling to dash to the bed and flick the lamp off. Holding her breath, she looked at the window.

  Well, crap on a stick. She’d left the window unlocked and wide open in her panic. The light was still pin-pricking the window, moving slightly before shifting away.

  Tip toeing to the window, hoping she didn’t step on Missy or Mozart as she couldn’t see the floor properly, Del reached out and slowly pulled the window closed.

  There was a sound outside, the snap of a twig. A shadow raced across the front yard, scaring the crap out of her. Leaping backwards, she pressed her hand to her chest, right over top of her wildly beating heart.

  Then anger slid through her. Damn it, if someone was lurking in her yard-

  “Where’ve you been, you bloody useless mutt?” Brand’s voice cut through the night. “Get here!”

  A dog. It had just been one of the dogs.

  Relief slid through Del, but her heart still pounded as she moved to the window and snipped the lock shut. Just about to pull the curtain across, she saw movement in the bushes. Freezing, she watched. The breeze rustled the bushes but apart from that nothing moved, the night remaining dark.

  “Cutter?” Someone called.

  Crap on a stick, was he in her yard?

  Breathing shallowly, she watched the bushes. The breeze continued to stir the bushes but apart from that, nothing. As minutes ticked past with nothing further happening, she relaxed. Man, Brand was going to get an earful next time she saw him. If he didn’t keep his dogs off her property she’d call the rangers, that’d give that drongo something to think about.