Just a little story to quell or fuel stevieLUVSalex's hatred of Fiona lol .
Alex and Riley are setting up dog baits as they've had a huge amount of lambs taken.
"I really don't like baiting." Riley states.
"No I don't either mate but we have to stop them quickly and we'll only bait tonight. Count them and check again in the morning." Alex replies.
"Alex where are you?" Fiona calls.
Alex looks at Riley and says "Are you right here mate?"
"Yeah no worries." Riley answers.
...
Alex walks towards Fiona's voice and calls. "I'm just here Baby. What's up?"
Fiona smiles at him and replies. "I just missed your handsome face."
Grinning he leans to kiss her.
"What no cuddle?" She queries.
"Riley and I have been preparing baits for the foxes. I need to wash my hands I just didn't want to get any on you that's all." He replies kissing her again.
"Nick's on the phone for you." She offers.
"Oh so you didn't really want to see me at all?" He quips.
She laughs and says "Well I was coming to see you regardless of Nick's call. I wanted to know about the invoice for the last lot of fencing we did?"
As Alex starts to walk to the house he tells her to check with Riley as he picked up the mail earlier.
...
"Hi Riley!" Fiona calls.
Glancing back Riley answers" Oh Hi Fiona."
He doesn't have much time for her and she's always been hoity around him so conversations are rare and he likes it that way.
"What are you doing?" She asks.
Looking at her he explains about baiting.
He's surprised she asks so many questions about the strength of the baits and amounts used for a fox or a wild dog.
He tries to fob her off and keeps it simple but she wants to know all about it and tells him it's important that she understands all aspects of the farm and Alex's life.
Finally she leaves and Riley gets on with his job.
...
Fiona meets Alex has he walks back outside.
Wrapping her up in his arms he kisses her and says "Where'd you get too? I've missed you."
She laughs and says "Oh I was just having a wander around the garden I thought you'd be on the phone for ages. I've got time now."
Again he kisses her and says "Sorry Fi, Riley and I have to get these baits out I'll be back in an hour."
...
Alex and Riley drive out and lay twelve baits in a line along the Kilarney, Drover's Run boundary.
As they lay them, they carefully note where each is placed.
"We'll come out in the morning and pick up the ones not taken and destroy them. Any other foxes we'll have to get with the guns." Alex states.
"Sounds good Alex I really don't like the idea of baits. Did you let Stevie know where the baits are?"Riley asks.
"Yeah she said they'll steer clear of this part until she hears from us." Alex replies.
...
"Drover's Run Stevie Hall speaking...Hello Ok How many did you get? Really? You'd be happy with that ...Yes I would be too. Hey while you're on the phone can we use your chainsaw ours died and I've got a branch down across the drive. Yes."
Glancing at her watch Stevie replies. "That would be great Alex I'll see you then."
Hanging up Stevie walks back out to Regan and says "That was Alex they got four foxes and have picked up the remainder of the baits and he'll drop the chainsaw off in an hour."
"So you get to see him today!" Regan says smiling.
Stevie raises an eyebrow and says sarcastically. "Yes but he'll have Baby with him."
Regan screws up her nose and says "Oh."
...
An hour later Regan and Stevie are down the drive clearing smaller branches when Turbo begins to bark excitedly.
"Turbo." Stevie growls.
As Alex pulls up with Fiona in the car Stevie softly says "You have to learn to only be excited when it's just him Turbo."
Regan laughs and offers. "Can you teach him the attack command then maybe he could go for the jugular."
Stevie stifles a laugh and quips "Regan you do have an evil side."
...
"Morning." Alex says brightly as he walks towards them.
Turbo runs over to him wagging his tail.
"Hey boy." Alex says as he stops to pat Stevie's dog.
Fiona fakes a smile and squatting says "Turbo."
The dog looks at her and walks the other way.
Stevie bites her lip.
...
Late in the afternoon Kilarney's phone is ringing. "Hello Alex Ryan ...hang on slow down ...are you sure...Stevie we picked them all up every one of them Riley and I, we counted them and I destroyed the remainder. Stevie I'll come over...Stevie! Stevie!"
With an anxious look on his face Alex tells Fiona. " She hung up . I'm going over to Drover's; Stevie thinks Turbo's taken a bait she's really upset."
Fiona looks cross and says "I thought you were taking me out for dinner Alex? Stevie's a big girl she can look after herself and her problems."
Frowning he growls. "He's her best mate Fi she's reared him from a pup."
"It's not your problem Alex." Fiona growls.
Shaking his head he snarls "You don't get it do you Stevie's my friend and I'm going to see if I can help end of story. I can take you out anytime. She needs me and I'm going to help her with Turbo."
Alex storms out of the door.
Fiona checks her watch and smiling says "He'll be as stiff as a post by the time you get him to a vet Strychnine kills in two hours."
...