The Brothers of Brigadier Station

CHAPTER ONE Settle down, boy." Meghan coaxed the huge German Shepherd, using all of her strength to keep the great beast on the cold, metal table. "Almost done, just a little longer." Jennifer, the veterinarian, called from the end where the dog’s great head lay as his owner watched. Having your teeth checked at the dentist was never a pleasant experience, so Meghan couldn’t blame the old dog for being agitated. She held chunks of its sweaty fur in her fists. It stank of dirt and urine. It had probably gotten anxious in the car ride and wet himself. Owners never told them that. It was common to find wet patches on the animals that visited Spotty Dogz Vet Surgery. Still, in all her years working as a vet nurse, being wet on wasn't her worst experience. She was often a scratching post for vicious cats and had lost count of the numerous bites from a variety of rodents and birds. Her pain threshold had increased dramatically since she had finished her training. There were other parts of the job that were far worse. Like caring for a cat who was in constant, agonizing pain or having an innocent young puppy die in her arms. Those experiences left a mark that couldn't be seen. While healthy, domestic animals were cute and adorable, but it was the larger animals, especially horses, that Meghan wanted to work with. "All done." Jennifer stepped back. The dog hurled itself out of Meghan’s grasp and off the table. Claws scrapping on the metal surface. Jennifer and the owner tackled the creature out of the room, leaving Meghan alone to clean the instruments and sterilize the table. After washing her hands, she visited her patients. A new litter of short haired, tabby kittens had been brought in after being found abandoned. Meghan had already checked the kittens for fleas and ticks when they had first arrived yesterday, now they were just waiting for microchipping and vaccinations. A brown and grey boy cried mournfully and Meghan couldn't help wishing she could adopt them all. She scooped up the tiny kitten and snuggled it against her chin. Its soft fur tickled her skin and its small heart thumped against her fingertips. After a few minutes of loving, she placed the kitten back with his siblings, stroking all six in turn, saying a quiet goodbye and hoping they all found good homes before her next shift. She sighed as she glanced at her watch, it was almost the end of her shift. It had been a long day and she was looking forward to spending the night on the couch with her fiancé, Lachie. He had only arrived yesterday from his home in the outback and she had barely seen him yet. Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She pulled it out and answered when her best friend's name appeared. "Hey, Jodie," a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Jodie could always make her feel better. "Are you still at work?" "Yeah. Almost over." "I just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow. What time are you leaving?" "First thing. Lachie said it takes about seven hours plus breaks." "Geez, what a long drive. Did you really have to fall for a guy who lives on a farm in the outback?" Meghan laughed. "It's a cattle station, not a farm. It's been in the family for generations so he didn't get much of a choice where it was." Jodie was quiet, but Meghan knew her friend well enough to know when she was rolling her eyes. "Well, good luck meeting his family. Use these two weeks to make sure moving out there is what you really want." "I will." Meghan's eyes prickled with threatening tears. "I’m going to miss you. We’ve been friends for what… twenty years? We’ve never been apart this long." "It’s going to be harder if you move out there permanently." After the wedding, Meghan would call the station home. Leaving her best friend wouldn't be the only thing she would miss about Townsville. The beach, the food, the music. But the country promised excitement; a new start, a new identity, the family she longed for. She would become Mrs. Lachlan McGuire of Brigadier Station. She bit her lip, containing a grin. His country upbringing had been appealing right from the start. He was outgoing and confident. The fact that he was gorgeous helped too. "Call me. I want updates. And photos. Find out about the other brothers. If either are single and hot, I want to know." Jodie was always keeping an eye out for her next boyfriend. "I will. Love you." "Love you too. Safe trip." Meghan slipped her phone back in her trousers and glanced at her watch again. After her rounds, it would be time to say goodbye and her two-week holiday would start. She would finally meet Lachie's Mom and brother and see where he lived and had grown up. They would also be announcing their engagement. At twenty-nine, Meghan Flanagan was about to have everything she had ever wanted. She was in love and moving to the country to start a new life. A better life. She had never been happier. *** The television was blaring when Meghan got home. The air smelled musty when she stepped into the kitchen. She placed the bags on the kitchen counter and opened a window, allowing a cool breeze to waft in. She peeked into her small living room. Lachlan McGuire was sprawled on the couch, beer in hand, watching the North Queensland Cowboys defend their title. He was relaxed and happy. She knew he liked spending time in her modest little house. Away from the station, he could ignore the paperwork and bills that were no doubt overloading his email account; he worked hard, so Meghan couldn't blame him wanting to take a break. "What's the score?" He looked up and grinned the grin that made her insides quiver. "Cowboys are up by twelve." Cowboys games always reminded her of when she had met Lachie eight months earlier. Jodie had dragged her to a home game. By sheer good fortune, they had been seated next to each other. Lachie had quickly won her over with his good looks and charm. She had been surprised by the attention. Gorgeous guys didn't waste their time on plain girls like her. She wondered if he was being nice to her to get to Jodie. The tall, blonde beauty was often the center of attention. But when the game was over, he asked for Meghan's number and within a week they were an item. Whenever she asked him why he had chosen her, he always replied: ‘You're a girl I can take home to Mom.’ "Is that Thai food I smell?" He climbed off the couch and followed his nose to the kitchen. "I got that Pad Thai you like." She watched as he opened containers appreciatively and started serving it up onto two plates. Meghan moved into the sitting room, kicked off her shoes and curled up on the couch before turning the TV volume down with the remote. "Did you do anything exciting today?" She called out as she waited for Lachie. "Nah, just hung out here. Watched some TV." He carried the plates back to the living room to join her on the couch, balancing his plate on his knees. "How was work?" She shrugged. "I always liked my job, but now it's gotten so repetitive. I’m ready for a change." "I reckon you'll love the country. Lots of wide open spaces and you're a country girl at heart." He winked at her before scooping a generous forkful of food into his mouth. She had heard so much about their sprawling cattle property in the outback and his beloved mother. "I'm nervous, I've never met a guy's Mom before." "Mom's a treat. Don't be scared of her. Did you talk to Jodie today?" "She called me at work and assured me it'll be okay." "It will and this visit is only for a couple of weeks. After the wedding, we can still come visit once a year or so." She looked into his blue eyes and smiled. Her future was so full of hope and possibilities, it was exciting and a little frightening. "I love you, Lachie. I can’t wait to start our life together." His lips brushed gently over hers causing warmth to pool in her belly. She would meet his mother and brother tomorrow and she would finally see the property. Her future home. Brigadier Station.