Alex Ryan wakes in his own bed.
Rolling onto his stomach he smiles and stretches out completely .
A soft, fresh bed he's missed the little things in life.
The comforts of home.
...
Rising he showers and shaves and moves downstairs.
" Morning Rhonda."Alex says grinning broadly.
"Oh good morning Alex welcome home. Look how long your hair is!"Rhonda replies.
" It's good to be home thanks Rhonda. Yeah I'll get it cut later." He replies running his hand over his head
...
"They're out by the pool grab a mug I've just taken the coffee out." Rhonda explains.
"They?" He asks .
"Your Father and Stevie."Rhonda offers.
" Stevie's here?" He asks grinning.
She nods and says . " Yes almost every day for the last four months she arrives and give him therapy in the pool or in here depending on the weather . She stays for an hour then heads back to work. He's made great progress."
...
Walking out in the warm sunshine he listens to her giggling and a rumbling sound that is obviously Harry.
Turning the corner he grins at the sight.
Stevie hasn't spotted him as she holds Harry under the arms and says . " Come on Harry stop being a girl kick your god damn legs will ya."
"Wa du yu thik I a powabot." He growls.
...
" A power boat you've got to be kidding more like a ice-cream stick. Stop ya whining and kick Harry or you'll never build up ya muscles to walk properly."She retorts .
In anger Harry kicks strongly.
" That's it Harry well done. See you can do more than you give yourself credit for, now keep going. If you work hard I'll take you into town for a Parma and a pint. Once more around the pool and we'll get out ok?" She encourages.
...
"Sluv drarva." Harry accuses.
" Slave driver! Don't smart mouth me Harry or we'll play the dunking game again." She warns.
Harry laughs. "Dwon me ugun, not fe fa funny Hall."
She laughs too and says . " Big finish Harry kick hard."
...
" Come on you two I'm waiting for coffee." Alex calls.
Stevie looks over her shoulder and smiles. " Good Morning."
"Oh yes it is." He replies.
" Can you give me a hand with Harry?" She asks nearing the stairs.
" Sure what can I do?" Alex asks.
...
"Just grab his towel for me."She replies.
" Ok Harry let's move it."She says.
Placing his hand on the guard rail Harry slowly moves up the steps.
" Good job Harry that's brilliant." Stevie offers then reminds him. " Hold tight to the bar Harry."
Taking the towel from Alex, she dries Harry's back and the back of his legs.
"Just be ready to catch him Alex sometime he over balances and I'll take this side." Stevie instructs as they walk him to his chair.
" Good job Harry that was awesome you're getting stronger every day." Stevie offers.
...
Alex grabs her to kiss her and she lets him for a moment but then she says . " Hold that thought."
Grabbing the towel she proceeds to finish drying Harry thoroughly.
Alex shakes his head and asks. " I thought you two hated each other?"
" We do! Don't we Harry."Stevie offers.
"Ya hat hur."Harry mumbles.
" Can you come over here and hate me like that." Alex states.
Harry laughs.
...
" Stevie phone for you." Rhonda calls.
"Yes on my way." Stevie says.
" What you get phone calls here now too?" Alex asks looking puzzled.
She's about to answer when Harry says. "Run to fums."
Alex repeats. " fums?"
...
" I'll be back in a minute Alex." She replies and runs to the house grabbing her towel on the way.
"The place looks good Harry." Alex offers pouring two coffees.
Harry nods.
...
"Morning !" Riley offers walking towards them.
Alex smiles and says . " Morning Riley what work have we got today?"
Riley looks at Harry .
Harry replies . 'Wat fu Stevie."
Frowning Alex asks. " Wat fu?'
" What for Stevie." Riley explains.
Alex looks confused.
...
Stevie runs back towards them her towel around her waist.
Harry grins and quips softly. ' Poe ry moshun."
Riley laughs and says . " Yeah she is."
Alex leans over to Riley and whispers " What did he say?'
Riley grins and offers. " Poetry in motion."
Alex smiles .
...
Stevie bobs down in front of Harry and says. " That was Jim Selkirk he's got a tip that Aubrey Dalimore is selling five hundred head at a great price but Jim only wants two fifty he wants to know if you want in."
Harry looks at Riley and says. " Pas r ..Pas."
Harry looks at Stevie and she says ."Tongue on the roof of your mouth at the back of your lips remember."
Nodding he tries again. "Pas...ture.."
...
Riley looks at him and says . "Yes we've got pasture but no more than two fifty."
Harry says . " Yes buy ."
" You want to ring Jim back Riley or will I?" Stevie asks.
" No I will. I just came to see what you want me to do today?" Riley states.
...
Stevie looks at Harry and says . " Alex?"
Harry nods and looks at Alex.
With his good hand he gestures for Alex to move closer.
Alex moves beside him slightly confused.
...
Harry reaches out and touches Alex's cheek." Gud yu home...Miss yu vewy muck...much. Surry ."
Harry looks at Riley and says . " Alux yu esplain."
Riley nods and says. " It's good your home, missed you very much. Sorry."
Alex stands but bends and hugs the old man.
With his good arm Harry pulls him in tight and as he moves back he touches his face and rubs it.
…..
" I'd better get going ." Stevie states.
" Already?" Alex asks.
Inhaling she replies. " I'm so far behind Alex you have no idea."
" When can I see you?" He asks.
...
Smiling she answers . " Well I have to take Harry into town this afternoon for speech therapy and to the pub for a Parma and a pint so you could join us. I'll be back at eleven.'
" I'd like to see you on your own Stevie." He says sounding annoyed.
" Don't take that tone with me Alex! You're the one that took off ."She retorts.
...
He stands staring at her.
She leans up and kisses him.
Just as he's beginning to really enjoy the kiss she lets him go and says . " I'll catch you later."
As he watches her go he feels really annoyed.
...
"Yu ... K.?' Harry asks.
" I would have thought she'd want to spend the day with me." He states sounding angry.
Riley looks at Harry and shakes his head.
Harry looks angry and says . " Alux she run to fums fu moths."
Frowning Alex asks Harry to explain.
Harry points to Riley.
...
"Since the accident Stevie has run both farms Alex . Nick was home for around two weeks and then he left for Argentina. She has been here every day in the summer for therapy in the pool and she's done Harry's exercises for months and she takes him to all of his appointments." Riley offers.
" Oh ." Alex says as he stands and begins to run.
...
Stevie slams the brakes on and skids to a halt.
Opening the door she yells. " Jesus Alex I nearly hit you."
He walks towards her and says nothing .
Wrapping her in his arms he kisses her, holding nothing back.
" I love you Stevie. I'd love to have lunch with you but Dad and I will pick you up at eleven ok? " He whispers .
...
She smiles and says . " I finish work at five I could pencil you in if you're not busy."
" Wanna come to my place I could cook for you?" He asks.
She stands looking at him briefly then unbuttons his shirt.
He frowns until she offers. " Oh good you kept working out."
...
Slowly she runs her hand across his abs and up onto his chest.
The sensation is delightful for both of them.
Grinning he asks. " Is it my turn yet?"
She giggles as she climbs back into the Ute and says . " Wildlife corridor in an hour bring a blanket."
His heart changes beat and his face beams with his beautiful smile as he watches her go.
...
Walking slowly back to the house he notices the bull pen's are empty.
Riley is walking towards him and he asks. " Riley where are our bulls?"
" Stevie sold them." He replies.
" Sold them! Bloody hell why would she do that?" Alex growls without waiting for a response from Riley he storms off.
...
Without speaking to his Father Alex grabs his swag and throws it into one of the work Utes.
He drives out towards the wildlife corridor.
Fuming he thinks about the sale of the bulls.
No good talking to the old man he can't understand half of what he says anyway.
...
Stevie breaths in and out as she drives towards the wildlife corridor and Alex.
It's a good feeling.
For months she's felt like she had something crushing her chest, making it difficult to breath but now that feeling has gone.
He's home and he knows how she feels about him.
All of the struggles from the last six months now feel like they were worth every minute of her time.
...
Her heart quickens when she spots the Kilarney Ute .
There he is.
Shirtless.
Sitting on the tailgate in the warm summer sunshine.
Once this was such a common sight but he's been gone six long months.
...
He's waiting.
Waiting for her kisses.
As she pulls the Ute to a halt , he stands and walks towards her.
"Punctuality earns bonus points today." She teases.
He gives her a small smile and she knows something isn't quite right.
" We need to talk Stevie." He tells her.
Trying to shift the mood she quips. "Talk! I thought that would be the last thing on your mind."
...
" You sold the bulls."He accuses.
Searching his face she replies. " Yes I did."
Folding his arms across his chest he replies. "Do you know how long it took be to build up those bloodlines Stevie?"
As she begins to speak, he overrides her with . "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
...
She turns back to her car without even a kiss, fighting tears of anger and sadness.
" Where are you going? I want answers Stevie don't you dare turn your back on me." He growls.
She starts her car, winds down the window and trying to hold her voice straight yells . " Ring Nick."
Planting her foot the tyres spin and throw dirt and clods of grass all over him and the Ute.
Angrily he dusts himself off.
...
Alex and Harry pull into Drover's Run at eleven as planned.
Regan walks out to them and says. " Welcome home Alex."
"It's good to be back, how have you been?" Alex asks.
"Yeah we're all fine hasn't been easy but we got through it . Didn't we Harry?" She replies as she bends to look across at Harry.
Harry grins and says . " Stevie dwag us kick unskreemun."
Regan laughs and says . " That's right Harry she dragged us all through and we did kick and scream you more than anyone."
...
Harry laughs and says. " She lik u chullung."
"A challenge? You were certainly that."Regan chuckles.
" Is Stevie ready?" Alex asks.
"Sorry guys Stevie got held up out fencing she rang to say will you take a raincheck on lunch?"Regan offers.
"Oh." Alex says.
Harry hits his arm and says . "Wat u do ?"
Alex looks annoyed and replies . "I didn't do anything. We'll see you later Regan."
...
Driving down the road Alex feels guilty.
After speaking to Nick he'd discovered Stevie sold the bulls under his instruction and Harry had agreed .
They brought in the vet to harvest sperm from all of their bulls which is now frozen and waiting to AI the cows when they come into season.
Nick had researched the running costs of bulls versus artificial insemination plus to protect Stevie while she tried to run both farms Nick hadn't hesitated to sell off the sometimes dangerous animals.
...
"She nuva miss appoint before." Harry says.
" Yeah well she's busy Harry.' Alex replies.
"Yu hort hur."Harry accuses.
Alex looks over at his Father then back at the road and offers. " You don't like her remember."
"If I hort hur she espec it . Wun yu do she not espec it. Idiot."Harry grumbles.
Alex grins at the fact that idiot was perfectly clear and he knows that's exactly what he's been.
...
While Harry has his speech therapy Alex does a bit of shopping and gets a much needed hair cut.
Later they enjoy their Parma(chicken parmigiana) and pint at the pub.
Everyone stops to chat to them and every single person asks after Stevie and are surprised she isn't there too.
Driving home Alex is deep in thought when Harry says. " How yu goin to fix this?"
" There you go again old man butting into my private life."Alex grumbles.
...
" She bettu cum swim agun."Harry warns.
" Oh so it's not about me it's about you." Alex replies almost grinning.
"Yup." Harry grins.
"Not too many therapists would look like her in a bikini." Alex says almost to himself.
" She tuf too not lut me slak off." Harry explains.
Alex smiles.
...
" She lav yu." Harry states.
Alex looks at his Father and asks. " Did she tell you that?"
Shaking his head Harry replies. " She suffer..d ...pain...sad...not gud ..to see."
Alex nods.
...
Harry touches his sons arm and says . " Hunt me."
" Hunt you? What do you mean?" Alex asks puzzled.
Harry shakes his head and Alex watches as he concentrates to say. " H..i.n..t"
"Hint you!" Alex asks.
...
" She huted me but tuk care for yu an Nick."Harry say sadly.
" Stevie hated you but took care of you for Nick and I."Alex repeats.
Harry nods. "Lav yu much fo that."
Alex smiles at his Father's explanation.
For Harry the fact she had taken on the responsibility of his care showed him her love for Alex.
...
Stevie avoided Alex for the rest of the day .
He'd sent her flowers with an apology attached as she wasn't answering her phone.
He'd dropped in at Drover's after work but Regan had fended him off again.
Dejectedly he'd returned to Kilarney.
After helping his Father to bed , Alex had tried one last time to ring Stevie but again her phone was turned off.
...
Locking the doors and turning out the lights he retires to his room.
Opening the bedroom door he's delighted to find scented candles burning, casting a soft glow throughout his room.
Smiling he looks at his bed .
Stevie's there .
Asleep .
Her beautiful red hair strewn across his pillow and the doona draped respectably across her obviously naked body.
...
Kneeling beside his bed he leans over and kisses her softly.
She comes to life and wraps her arms around his neck.
As the doona moves he glimpses almost all of her breast.
Everything changes .
...
His kisses are delicious, enticing and erotic.
She wants him.
He can tell by her response.
His body trembles with desire and want.
...
Standing he strips.
Smiling she watches.
Lifting back the doona without words she invites him to join her.
His eyes caress her.
She's luscious.
...
He's about to speak.
She places her finger to her lips and whispers. " No words Alex . We always stuff things up when we speak. Sometimes words aren't needed."
As he slides in beside her he pulls her in close , kissing her like he's never kissed anyone before.
This night has taken so long to arrive and he wants to savour every second.
...
He stops kissing her for a moment and leans back lifting the doona.
" What are you doing?" She asks softly.
Mischievously he replies. " I've always imagined how you'd look naked so I'm just checking my imagination did you justice."
She giggles and asks . " And?"
Laying back across her he whispers. " No I didn't even come close to imagining how beautiful you are."
Nothing more needs to be said.
...
Rising over her she wraps her legs around him as her hands hold his face relishing his lips , his tongue and his passion.
Unaware of time they kiss , caress and play.
Finally he rolls onto his back one arm around her as she slides her leg across him.
Resting her head on his chest she listens as his heart beats forcefully and then slows to steady lullaby of comfort.
...
" Stevie I love you." He whispers.
"I love you too Alex and I'm so glad you're home." She replies softly.
" One day will you marry me?" He asks.
Giggling she replies . " Yeah sure one day but for now I just want to be your lover."
...
He laughs and flips her onto her back and kisses her thoroughly.
"You do it so well Cowgirl." He chuckles.
"You were pretty damn spectacular yourself Cowboy. "She replies seductively.
Moving her hand she grins at him and asks . " So you're good to go?"
...
One , two, three plump kisses arrive on her lips as his hand playfully caresses her breast.
"There they are, the hands that have a will of their own. So it's safe to assume your brain is being distracted again." She teases.
" No words Stevie sometimes actions speak volumes."He whispers as he kisses her neck sending goose bumps across her skin.
" Oh I hear you Cowboy loud and clear." She giggles before his lips cover hers and he pulls the doona back over them.
" It's gunna be a long night Stevie ."He whispers.
Softly she replies. " Good because I've waited forever for you and I deserve this."
" Hmmm." Is all he replies as his lips and his hands begin to explore.
The End.
Why is everyone reading and then re reading this story is it hard to understand or are you just enjoying it? Kepc