Alex has tried to change a lot of things in his life.
After Fiona destroyed who he thought he was and where he thought his life was going something had to change.
A few weeks ago he'd been chatting to Rhonda his housekeeper; they share an honest and warm friendship.
For years she'd been a sounding board for him and she'd been the one to encourage him to ask Stevie for help choosing new furniture.
Alex had asked Stevie to take a trip with him to Fisher to replace the furniture that Fiona had stripped from Kilarney.
...
Alex smiles to himself thinking about that day.
Stevie had helped him face his anger and they'd pretended they were buying the furniture for their flat.
He'd had so much fun with her, not quite like how it used to be.
But fun none the less.
...
Entering the kitchen he smiles and says." Good morning Rhonda, beautiful day isn't it?"
Looking up she smiles at him and replies."Good morning. You're in a good mood today!"
"My new furniture arrives today, so it's going to be an excellent day!" He replies grinning.
Shaking her head she replies."How long have we known each other? You can't pull the wool over these old eyes Alex; you're only excited about the fact that Stevie said she'd have dinner with you when the dining room setting arrived."
Walking over to the bench he pours himself a coffee, takes a sip then turns and asks. "Are you making what I suggested for dinner?'
Rhonda smiles and offers. "Trust me Alex, she'll love what I do, just let me worry about that ok?'
...
Placing a plate of bacon and eggs in front of him she adds. "It's going to be a hot day today you should invite Stevie over for a swim."
Grinning he looks at her and says. "You're railroading me again aren't you?"
She pats him on the back, and then chuckling quips "Clever boy, you're learning."
...
"Good morning Drover's Run Regan McLeod speaking...Oh Hi Alex...Yes she is. Hold on for a minute and I'll see if I can find her."
Placing her hand over the receiver Regan walks straight out onto the veranda and handing the cordless phone to Stevie mouths "Alex".
Stevie's face lights up.
"Hello Stevie Hall removalist and decorator speaking...Yes...Um...Ok I could but it won't be until around two. Yes, great I'll see you then."
Hanging up the others wait.
She smiles and says. "A swim, dinner and a movie!"
Moira laughs and says "What just for helping pick a few pieces of furniture?"
Kate asks. "What did he buy anyway?'
"Dining suite, lounge suite and a bed."Stevie replies.
Regan grins and teases. "He might want to christen all three of those Stevie!"
Stevie chuckles and the others join her.
...
Alex has a busy morning and he works quickly to finish everything early.
By the time he returns to the house Rhonda is about to leave for the day.
"Great! the furniture's here. What did you think Rhonda?" Alex questions.
"Very nice Alex it gives the place a young, fresh look without taking anything away from the style of it."Rhonda answers.
"Yeah." He says smiling broadly then adds. "She's got good taste."
"Well she likes you so I think the answer is yes."Rhonda quips.
He drapes his arm across her shoulder and says. "You think she likes me?"
Rhonda laughs and walking away replies. "Now you're just fishing for compliments."
Grinning he replies. "Clever girl, you're learning."
...
Stevie is about to leave when Regan asks. "Did you remember your bathers Stevie?"
"Yes got them, I wish he'd said something sooner though, I would have bought a new pair." Stevie replies.
"I've got some I haven't worn yet, take them." Regan offers.
"I think we'd be a different size Regan." Stevie replies trying to be diplomatic.
Regan laughs and says. "Try them Stevie."
Ten minutes later Stevie returns and says "What do you think Regan?"
Regan grins and offers. "Well you're covered and as the saying goes if you've got it flaunt it and you've certainly got it!"
They both laugh.
...
Stevie arrives on Kilarney and Alex meets her out the front with a big grin and says. "Come and have a look Stevie, it was all delivered earlier.
"It looks great Alex. Are you pleased?" Stevie enthuses as Alex shows her his new furniture.
"Yeah I am it really lifts the mood of the place don't you think. I mean it's my furniture in my home?"He muses.
"You mean our furniture in our flat don't you?" She teases with reference to their shopping trip.
"Yeah that's what I meant."He quips.
"What about your bed Alex?" She inquires.
"I'll show you that later." He replies then rethinks the delivery.
"I meant you're hot and ...no that's not what I meant either." He says nervously stumbling over his words.
Stevie laughs and says "Thanks, I get it. I'm not hot!"
He smiles and offers. "I meant the day is hot and you've been working hard and I thought you'd like a swim and a beer first."
Laughing she quips. "Yes that might be a good idea, and then you might relax!"
...
Moving outside Alex drops his towel on the seat and dives into the pool.
Stevie places her towel near his and takes off her skirt and top, readjusts her bathers and moves to the edge.
Sliding into the water she swims under water for a little while and surfacing says. "Alex you are so lucky. If I had a pool I would swim every day."
He laughs and says "It's not so much fun on your own Stevie."
Looking at him she doesn't reply.
Doesn't let him know she understands that it's not about living alone.
She lives in a house full of women but feels the loneliness deep within herself often.
...
Swimming together, time evaporates as they laugh, joke and relax chatting about their lives, the farms and their friends.
"Alex someone's here.' Stevie offers.
Rising from the water Alex moves to the side of the house and she swims to the edge.
"G'day Jim how are you?' Alex asks, his wet hand held out in greeting.
Jim Downes laughs and replies." Not as cool as you obviously."
Alex chuckles and guiding Jim around the back towards the pool offers. "Come around and have a dip."
"Sorry Alex I didn't realize you had company." Jim grins.
"It's not company mate it's just Stevie." Alex replies.
Jim glances back and watches as Stevie climbs up the ladder, fascinated as water cascades from her tanned, curved body.
Grabbing her towel she walks towards them.
Jim looks back at Alex and whispers. "Stevie? Stevie Hall? Man I never knew she looked like that!"
Alex smiles to himself and turning back enjoys her advance.
...
"G'Day Jim. How are you?"Stevie smiles as she shakes his hand.
"Yeah I'm great thanks Stevie. Good day for a swim!" He offers.
You're not wrong. I'd swim everyday if we had a pool on Drover's." She replies.
"Would you like a beer Jim?" Alex asks
"I wouldn't say no." Jim replies.
"Stevie?" Alex asks looking at her.
"I'll get them Alex you finish your business with Jim." Stevie offers and walks away.
Alex smiles and watches her go.
...
An hour and a couple of beers later Jim leaves.
Alex walks his guest out while Stevie lies on the banana lounge enjoying the warm sunshine on her body.
She feels relaxed.
"Are you hungry Stevie?" Alex asks.
Opening one eye she smiles and teases "What are you offering?"
"Nachos."He replies.
"Yeah sounds good." She answers.
...
The two friends sit with the plate of nachos between them and with beer in hand chat and laugh like old times.
Trying to balance the chip, salsa and sour cream to her mouth Stevie drops a large chunk down the front of herself.
Laughing Alex says."Can't take you anywhere!"
He rises and dips the corner of his towel in the pool and hands it to her.
He smiles watching her.
"Thanks." She says grinning at him as she hands the towel back to him.
"You missed a bit Stevie." He tells her.
She looks down at her chest and he moves forward and lifts her face with one hand and wipes sour cream from the corner of her mouth.
"There." He grins.
She touches his hand looking intently at him and whispers."Thanks."
Time stands still.
Both desperately wanting a kiss but neither having the courage to make the first move.
"Shall we have another swim?" Stevie asks feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Yeah sounds good." He replies but stays in place.
"Alex." She grins.
He smiles, moves back and walks over to the pool.
...
Still towelling her hair dry after her shower Stevie walks into the kitchen.
"Something smells good." She quips.
Alex is stirring the contents of the pots on the stove and catches a waft of Stevie's perfume.
"That would be you." He offers.
A smile sneaks across her face.
"Thanks." She offers.
...
Sitting at the new dining room table the conversation flows easily.
"That was so good Alex all of my favourites. Thank you." Stevie sighs.
Grinning he offers. "I'd like to claim credit Stevie but Rhonda did it all?"
She looks puzzled and says "How would Rhonda know what my favourites are?"
Alex shrugs his shoulders pretending not to know and quips. "Lucky guess?"
...
"What movie did you get Alex?" Stevie asks.
"It's a chick flick Stevie, Moira said it's a beautiful story." He tells her.
He sets it all up grabs a couple of beers and they sit.
With his arm slung across the back of the couch and Stevie nearby he senses she's looking at him.
Grinning he glances at her and asks "What?"
"A chick flick Alex?" She questions.
Looking at her with a serious expression on his face he tells her. "Stevie I'm in touch with my feminine side you know."
"Really?" She quips challenging him.
...
He hesitates for a second then replies. "In the past I've been able to appreciate a busty redhead in a black lace bra and a flannelette shirt."
Stevie feels her face heat up.
"I can really appreciate a barely there bikini worn with confidence." He continues.
Stevie bites her lip as he moves closer and adds. "And I can fully appreciate the scent of a beautiful woman freshly showered and wearing my favourite perfume."
He is so close she can feel his hot breath on her skin.
"You do realize that's not being in touch with your feminine side Alex?" She offers softly.
He gets a wicked grin on his face when he replies. "Well you're feminine and I'd sure as hell like to touch you."
"Alex." She offers.
"Hmm "He replies not shifting his eyes from her lips.
"The phone." She states.
Rising he answers the phone.
Quickly he returns with a beaming smile on his face and says "Now where were we?"
Grinning she replies. "We were about to watch a movie."
"Oh Yeah." He chuckles then adds. "It's called The Notebook."
...
Tears stream down Stevie's face as the credits roll at the end of their movie.
Wiping her face she grins flicks Alex and says. "Good on you look what you've made me do!"
Smiling he moves closer and wipes the tears from her cheeks.
While she is busy looking at him, he swoops in and brushes his lips over hers.
"Oh that's it!" She hears her inner self say.
Raising her hands to his face she tastes his lips.
Holding her breath, she doesn't want the moment to end but her lungs force her to stop.
Pushing back she says. "I need a tissue Alex I can hardly breathe."
Rising he laughs and returns quickly.
Wiping her eyes and blowing her nose she teases. " Why didn't you kiss me earlier when I wasn't a snivelling mess?"
Looking at her , he asks " Honestly?"
She nods.
" I've wanted to kiss you all day Stevie but I didn't have the courage."
She laughs.
He looks a little cross and says. "What's so funny?"
"I've wanted to kiss you too but didn't know how you'd react!" She tells him.
...
He grins and says "So you wanted me to kiss you all day?"
She nods and adds. "When you dropped me off after our shopping trip, I was willing you to kiss me goodbye and I was so disappointed when you didn't."
He laughs and says "I kept trying to keep you in the car. I didn't want the day to end either."
Gently she touches his face and lifts her face to kiss him.
Sliding his arms around her they submit.
Their kisses are sweet, soft, and sensual but gradually build in intensity.
Breathlessly they part and he whispers. "Please don't let the day end Stevie. Stay with me."
She doesn't reply with words but the power and passion in her kisses charge his heart and answer all he is asking.
...