Cloud Riders(94)

Woody put his head down and collected himself. When his gaze came up to meet Kayden’s it was full of remorse. ‘I never thought this would happen to me: that I would fall for someone so hard that it would make me end up betraying you all. It’s something I’ll have to live with now. A hard lesson learned and I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to continue with my relationship with her, but I have already broken it off with Ella. Regardless of how this would have ended here tonight, I can’t see it working. Changing the ruling on this makes no difference to my decision that this should be over.’ Woody sat back in the chair, looking a bit more comfortable about talking to them about her. ‘When I went away with her I realised that for me it was more than likely only about the sex. Her world was so different to mine and didn’t interest me. Her friends were stuck-up and they all bitched about each other so much that I went on a bender. When I received your message that we had a mission on, I had no way of getting back. You see, I couldn’t drive as I had written myself off to put up with them. Ella couldn’t drive me because she had gone out with her girlfriends. She wasn’t answering her phone, not even the texts I sent her. Neither could any of the guys I was with as they were all as drunk as I was. I went to sleep it off, only by the time I finally made it back here it was too late. I knew you guys would be possibly on your way home and that I was in deep shit. I am committed, Kayden, more than ever. I can’t believe I stuffed up so badly and nearly lost everything that I’ve ever truly loved. I apologise, not just to you, but to all of the team for being an idiot and I hope you can all forgive me.’

Conor patted him on the back. ‘It’s okay, mate, I forgive you. But if you ever do it again I’m going to put my size twelve right were the sun don’t shine and my frigging broken arm will feel like a mosquito bite compared to how you’re going to feel,’ he teased. ‘Mongrel!’

Woody gave him a man hug. ‘Thanks, man! Glad you’re okay.’ He then knelt in front of Cassie. ‘I’m so sorry, Cass. We’ve all been worried sick about you. Did your father give you a hard time?’

‘I’m far too tired to tell you about it tonight but just like you I had to say goodbye to someone who would prevent me doing my job if I became too involved.’ She touched his cheek caringly before rolling her shoulders and breathing in deeply. She really felt bombed. ‘And most likely the same as you, there is only so much stress a person can take in one day,’ she said, exhausted.

‘Yes, you look tuckered out. We’ll talk tomorrow.’ Woody watched her, worrying that she’d really overdone it and took on board that it was all his doing.

Kayden moved over and put a protective arm around his woman. ‘Well, that’s it for me too, boys. It’s been a long day for all of us. We’ll sleep here so we can get an early start in the morning. We need some bonding time so discuss it between yourselves and let me know in the morning where you want to go. Goodnight all!’ He waved over his shoulder, leaving them flabbergasted as to how Cassie could have worked that miracle on their boss. Cassie smiled as the sound of whooping and hollering sounded out behind them. Woody was back, her dad hadn’t put a spell on her, and she was in her man’s arms.





Surrounded by Beauty


The sun shone brightly through the window as Jason pulled the curtains back. ‘Come on, you two, you’re sleeping the day away!’

Kayden was all wrapped around Cassie. Loosening his grip and stretching, he asked if the horses had been checked.

‘They’re fine. Woody went down to the paddock before he went to bed early this morning.’

Cassie groaned and cuddled back into her man. ‘Then why do I have to get up?’

‘We all want to take you somewhere special today,’ he grinned. ‘It’s a bit of a drive so we need to leave shortly.’

Cassie smiled. ‘Sounds like a reason to get up then.’ She sat up, stretching.

Kayden threw a shirt at Jason. ‘Nick off and let the two of us get ready then,’ he joked with him.

Jason gestured to the coffees beside the bed. ‘Drink up and get a wiggle on then,’ he said, throwing the shirt back at Kayden. In high spirits, he left them to it.

An hour later, they piled into Conor’s black Hummer that seated all six comfortably. Together they travelled along the

Great Northern Highway

and turned into KarijiniNational Park. Woody drove while Jason and Ethan acted as the tour guides. The brothers’ double act was quite entertaining. ‘It is the second largest national park in Western Australia and one of the most spectacular sights in the Pilbara. It has gorges, crystal-clear rock pools, waterfalls and the best scenery you will see anywhere.’