Alex has rung Stevie and asked her to meet him at Killarney as he needs help with one of his horses.
Harry is aware Stevie is to meet Alex and has just noticed some of the sheep he's purchased have lice .
Sandra is standing beside Harry as the driver of the semi finishes unloading five hundred sheep.
" Harry some of those sheep have lice you shouldn't have let him unload them." She states
" I know what I'm doing just follow my lead ." He states then adds in a whisper.
"How good are you at pretending you've sprained your ankle? "
Sandra smiles and says " I think I could manage that for you Harry."
Stevie has arrived at Killarney just as the last sheep are moving into the pens.
" Hi Harry! Sandra! Is Alex here he said he'd meet me?" Stevie calls.
Harry replies "He rang before he's running a little late."
Harry whispers " Now Sandra."
" Oh ow !" Sandra moans.
Full of concern Harry asks " What's wrong ?"
"I've hurt my ankle Harry." Sandra says her face racked with fake pain.
The truck driver moves towards them with his clip board and pen, " Sign here please Mr Ryan."
Sandra is leaning on Harry and he glances over to Stevie and asks " Stevie can you sign this for me I'll take Sandra up to the house?"
Stevie looks at Harry and then to the sheep as the last one runs run to the other side of the small paddock.
With concern on her face Stevie asks. " Did you check them Harry ? I didn't see them I don't like signing for stuff I haven't seen."
Harry whispers "Play it up Sandra ."
Sandra moans and groans and Harry yells at Stevie " Just sign the bloody thing I watched them come off myself."
Unnerved by Harry's yelling, Stevie takes the clipboard and signs the delivery docket.
By the time she finishes and chats to the driver Harry and Sandra have disappeared into the house.
...
Inside Harry rings Alex and asks him to run an errand for him.
Alex is pissed off but agrees and Harry promises to pass a message onto Stevie when she arrives.
" Ok so I have to tell her you'll pick her up at six on Drover's ? Right yes I'll tell her."
Hanging up the phone he smiles at Sandra.
Grinning back at him she asks " What are you up to Harry?
" I'll be back in a minute I just have to pass on a message ." He replies.
"Stevie ! I've just spoken to Alex and he's been held up and is running very late so he said not to wait and he'll meet you at the pub at six." Harry offers.
" Oh Ok thanks Harry." Stevie calls.
Walking quickly to her Ute she opens the door and climbs in.
Turning the key the engine roars to life.
Fastening her seatbelt she puts the car into gear and moves off.
Harry walks over and opens the gates between the small paddock and the larger one beside it.
Grinning he watches as the new five hundred begin to mix with five hundred head of their prime ewes that are grazing there.
...
Annoyed Alex walks into the pub spotting Stevie he moves over to her.
" About time you turned up I've been here since ten to six." Stevie quips.
" Well if you'd let me know you didn't need a lift I would have been here on time." He growls.
Stevie looks at him as the new barmaid asks " Did you want a beer?"
Smiling at her he replies "Your new what's your name?"
"Stephanie what's yours?"She replies.
" Stephanie that's a beautiful name. My names Alex." He quips.
Stevie rolls her eyes.
The barmaid giggles .
Fuming Stevie places her glass on the bar she asks. " Do you get paid to flirt or work? Just give him your phone number will you so I can have a beer!"
The barmaid blushes and moves off quickly .
Alex was smiling but that disappears quickly. "That was a bit rude Stevie."
" Yeah well so is standing me up and then having a go at me!" She snarls.
Stephanie returns with their beers plonks Stevie's in front of her then smiling at Alex places his beside his change on the bar.
Picking up her beer Stevie slides from the barstool and moves over to chat to some of the locals.
...
" I thought you were having a beer with me Stevie ?" Alex grumbles as he joins her.
" Well it was a bit crowded over there Alex !" Stevie growls.
He chuckles and says "You're not jealous are you Stevie?"
" Alex if I wanted your body , I could have you like that ." She laughs as she clicks her fingers.
He sits studying her for a moment .
" So you're trying to imply I'm easy aren't you?" He asks.
She laughs out loud and many in the bar look in her direction.
" Alex I'm not trying to imply anything it's a fact!" She grins.
He smiles and says " Well why haven't you fallen for my charms?"
She looks at him seriously and whispers. " I don't just want your body Alex. I want your heart and your soul."
He laughs and then stops when she doesn't laugh with him.
Studying her face he notices her beautiful eyes.
...
Stevie and Alex team up for the pool comp and are having a great night.
Alex is distracted by Stephanie the new barmaid and misses the winning shot.
" Oh good on you Alex ! That's it we're out of the comp. Next time make Stephanie your partner that way you'll keep your eyes on the bloody table." Stevie sneers as she storms off outside.
He follows her outside " Where are you going?"
" Home " She yells over her shoulder.
" Stevie what are you so angry about? I'm the one that should be angry !" He yells back.
She spins to face him and says " What would you be angry about?"
" Well I went to Drover's to pick you up and you'd already left!" He shouts.
" Get your messages straight Alex. Harry said for me to meet you here! First I drive over to Killarney to meet you and you don't turn up then you tell me to meet you here and again you don't turn up." She yells .
" I told Harry I'd pick you up!" He yells.
" Well that's not the message I got. Then you turn up here late and flirt with the bloody barmaid while I'm sitting there and half way through a conversation." She snarls at him.
He stands looking down at her .
She is furious he holds his smile as she berates him.
Stepping closer to her he reaches down and grabs her jacket lapel and kisses her.
Electricity runs through him and his heart throbs.
She returns the kiss briefly .
As he begins to process what's happening she steps back and slaps his face.
He jolts back and grabs his face .
She opens her door turns back and says " How dare you Alex! How bloody dare you! I'm not one of your tarts you can just pick up for the night."
He stands stunned rubbing his cheek and watches her tail lights disappear into the darkness.
...