Return to Emira by Suzanne Brandyn

Author:Suzanne Brandyn [Brandyn, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunburnt Enterprises
Published: 2018-07-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

‘It’s a long story. I need to check outdoors.’

‘I’m coming too.’

‘Won’t Brett be arriving home from school soon?’

‘He’s staying in Emira at a mate’s place. With Brian and Shelly’s boy.’

‘Adam. He must love staying overnight. Mason is a year older than Brett but he hasn’t asked to stay overnight anywhere. He’s a lot quieter these days.’

She walked toward the back door, hesitated on the veranda looking out across the property.

‘I can’t see a single cow.’

Wade came to a standstill beside her. ‘I checked out the place earlier this morning. There’s cattle in the back paddock.’

Amber’s right hand sought the support of the railing as she walked down the steps. She wavered on the bottom step, her fingers tightening.

She looked towards the vacant lot. ‘I can’t understand how someone can just walk out with seventy-five head. The trucks would have been noticed by someone.’

‘Fifty to sixty a truck, plus the equipment. Three trucks wouldn’t glean anyone’s attention but as you said, your cattle are tagged. They won’t get too far.’

Their gaze met briefly, and she turned away.

‘Are you sure you’re okay? You’re on the pale side.’

‘It’s just shock. I’ll get over it.’ Taking a slow deep breath, she let go of the railing. A few steps and she wavered.

Wade took hold of her elbow, closing his hand over her arm. ‘I don’t think it’s safe for you to walk unassisted. What if you do this later?’

‘I have to… now. I need to see the machinery shed. Troy said he couldn’t see any wine or spirits but there’s something else I need to check.’

The chaos her body was experiencing from the break-in was nothing compared to Wade’s grip over her arm and she was pleased he dropped his hand when they arrived in the machinery shed. She cupped a hand to her mouth.

‘The tractor’s gone. How on earth did they get that out? And most of the fencing equipment. It’ll take thousands of dollars to replace all this.’ She wandered into the shed and ran her hand along the empty shelves.

‘Did you have it insured?’

‘I delayed it for a while. With the mortgage and everything… I… well, I couldn’t at the time. I was going to get around to renewing it within the next few weeks.’

Wade moved around picking up the few items that remained. ‘The police should be able to recover most of it, if not all.’

Amber walked toward the back of the shed and came to a standstill as she stared at the busted lock on the door to a small room. Nausea swirled in her stomach. She dipped her head to walk in and straightened. A gurgle rose up her throat.

‘They didn’t muck around.’ She ran her hand along the empty shelves toward the back of the room and crouched, pushing her hand between the bottom shelf and the floor. A click sounded and she peered around the edge of the shelf as she pushed to her feet.

A sigh escaped her lips. A small compartment opened and the safe appeared untouched.

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