LATER THAT NIGHT

"Well Becky you showed up at the right time." Tess said happily.

"It was just lucky." Becky smiled, "Any of us could have been the one to spot them."

"Yeah but Becky- you saw the tracks go off the main road. None of us noticed that." Alex said patting the girl on the back.

"Well let's just be thankful the sheep are back." Stevie said gruffly as she took another gulp of beer.

"Exactly." Tess said "Oh and Stevie, next time the sheep are stolen you could call me."

"You were with Nick; we didn't want to interrupt anything." Stevie said quickly "Besides I handled things here."

"Yes- but what if Becky hadn't shown up. Then they could have been to Fisher by now." Tess said knowingly.

"Yeah well they didn't get there did they?" Stevie stood up offended by her friends questioning of her abilities.

"Oh Stevie, you know that is not how I meant it." Tess said trying to unsuccessfully stop her friend. "Fine then, let her cool down. We have catching up to do." She said turning her attention to Becky. "So Becky - tells us about the uni and the farm you and Jake are at and of course we are dying to know about the baby."

"Yes we all want to hear about the baby!" Jodi said.

"Well the uni was great. I went into a one year program. I loved it. Then I went back to live with Jake on Cambria. That's the name of our place - Cambria. Well things just happened from there." She smiled - but we are engaged she said revealing a ring on a chain from around her neck.

"Oh Becky…are those real diamonds?" Jodi asked.

"Jodi!" Tess asked not really surprised at her bluntness.

Becky just laughed knowingly. The group chatted for awhile longer.

"Well congratulations mate. We're happy for you." Alex said. "Well it is getting late and we have to get up early." He said smacking his brother in the arm.

"He's right." Nick said pulling Tess into an embrace and kissing her passionately.

"Ah Jodi, close your mouth." Alex said laughing at her as she stared at the couple.

"Yeah, well some of us aren't so lucky." Jodi said jokingly but really being serious.

"Well I should go find Gabe, he went for a walk a while ago and we still have to make it back from Gungellan tonight." Becky said.

"Oh Becky, you know we wouldn't dream of letting you stay anywhere but Drovers while you're here. You are a guest you can stay at the house." Tess said.

"Yeah and me and Jodi could share our quarters tonight and Gabe could have one of our rooms." Kate added.

"Oh, well I don't want to put anyone out." Becky said smiling.

"You wouldn't be putting anyone out. Drover's is just as much as a home for you as anyone else here. You have to stay." Tess said.

"Well then - I would love to stay here thank you Tess."

Jodi spoke up. "Well I will go find your buddy Gabe then. You shouldn't be walking all around here at night and in the dark." She had said it to be helpful but she had other intentions. She had gotten a closer look at the man during dinner. Jodi had decided that he was pure hottie. This was her chance to get to know him a little better. If anything it could be a chance to end her over a year non-voluntary celibacy strike. She thought how bad that sounded but it had been a very long time since she had felt a man's touch- unless she counted that time when Craig Woodland accidentally rubbed up against her at CFS training.

She headed out into the dark of the farm like a hunter trying to find its prey.

AN: Okay so I know this was a really short chapter but I am having some trouble with writers block. I have some ideas where I am going to be taking this but am just having trouble getting there. Also I am having trouble getting Jodi too actually sound like Jodi. Any tips would be great. As always reviews are welcomed and much appreciated.