Months later, At Drovers Run

It had been a couple of months since Claire and Heath had 'got together' and life for everyone was good. Heath and Alex seemed to finally be getting along. It had been a hot day and they all had been in the yards, their jeans and singlets stained with sweat & dirt. Heath's shirt had got caught on the crush and torn, so he was working without a shirt, and that was a major distraction for Claire.

Jodi was still missing Becky, that much was evident but Kate was finding her feet and there was a bit of chuckle about her 5 year plan. Heath respected that, he wasn't sure about the way Dave was responding to her advances however, he did think that was a bit rough but he kept his mouth shut.

Claire wiped the sweat from her face as she straightened up.

"That's the last one." She sighed. "Time for a beer." She added. As they all packed up and headed for the house they heard the chain clank, turning they saw Heath letting the cattle out.

"I'll tail them back, I'll see you all later." He called out. They all had a chuckle when Claire called back that she would help.

"You're unreal McLeod." Stevie said as she walked away. Jodi stood with Kate as they watched Heath, the bloke was unstoppable.

"Those jeans." Kate murmured as they gazed at the Wrangler clad backside.

"Oh I know," Jodi replied. "Totally gross." She added.

"If that's gross, I don't want to know what rank is." Stevie interjected as she snuck up behind them. Claire and Heath stopped for a kiss as the dust began to settle. Stevie woof whistled as Claire grabbed Heaths backside and ran her hands up his muscular frame to his shoulders. They broke the kiss and turned around, waving to the others. Heath grinned at Claire, putting his arm around her shoulders as they walked towards the stables. Claire put her arm around Heaths waist, she couldn't wait to get him away from all this for a while, they needed a holiday. They both knew it. First there was the big sales though, they would go after that she decided.

"What about a holiday?" Claire asked as they abled along behind the cattle.

"Sure, got the big sales first though." He replied.

"True, but after that?" Claire asked

"Yeah, why not, might by a mob and drive em." Heath said after some thought, glancing sideways at her, "Fancy coming with?" He added.

"Some holiday." Claire replied, hoping he was joking.

"Change is as good as holiday, prices have come back, get em cheap enough I reckon we could make a good margin."

"Maybe." Claire said before riding off to bring a couple of cattle back into the mob. Heath sat and watched her go, he looked over her slender yet strong frame, her backside like a perfectly ripe peach, the way she moved in the saddle, and he watched her breasts rise and fall. He felt his arousal begin, and promptly checked it, admonishing himself that it wasn't the right time.

As she rode back to where Heath was, she admired him, he was a looker alright, his hair shone, his skin that had been turned a healthy brown by the sun, his well-muscled physique which by now she knew very well, she loved the way he filled his jeans out, his silver buckle gleamed at his waist, as did the spurs on his boots, he had swapped his black Akubra for a white straw western number, he looked like the archetypical American cowboy, she broke into a grin as he lit a smoke. She was going to have to get him to quit.

Heath shut the gate behind the cattle, as he turned he caught Claire's gaze.

"Perving on my arse again?" He asked with a grin.

"Maybe. I was thinking about how I feel about you" Claire replied as she jumped down.

"How's that?" Heath asked.

"Like this."

Grabbing him she started to kiss him, his hands were under her singlet within seconds as she grabbed his buckle and tore it aside, looking at him in the eyes she grinned and they fell backwards, pouncing on top of him she showed him how she felt.

At Killarney

Stevie pulled up at the stables as Alex poked his head out to see who it was.

"Hi." He called as he disappeared back inside, "miss me did ya?"

"Sure did." Stevie replied. "Especially after working in the yards all day and Heath not wearing a shirt, man that guy really knows how to get a girls motor running." She added with a huge grin.

"Ha-ha Drover Boy? Surely not." He said. Seeing the look on her face. "Really?" He asked seriously.

"Uh huh." Stevie replied. "Tanned, muscled, taught and terrific." She said, licking her lips as she looked Alex up and down.

"Good on ya." He admonished with a grin as he pulled her in roughly for a hug. Stevie put both hands on his chest and shoved him roughly back into the stable, he slipped, fell backwards onto the straw and she climbed on top of him.

"I still think you're hotter." She said as she pulled her singlet off, revealing herself to him, Alex whistled his appreciation for her form and promptly began to kiss her neck as her hands began to wander. They were lucky no one was around to disturb them as their wantonness took hold and gave way to animalistic abandon.

Meanwhile, back at Drovers.

Jodi and Kate sat having a beer, Tess had run over to Nick at Wilgul so they were bored out of their brains.

"We need some men Squirt." Jodi said, looking at the setting sun.

"Yeah not wrong Stretch." Kate replied, swigging her beer. "Although, Nonna would want me married and kids as soon as."

"Nonna is good at that." Jodi giggled.

"Well, there's Craig for a start, he's got the hots for you majorly." Kate said after some thought.

"There's Dave, who you get googly eyed over." Jodi said, nearly giggling.

"What? No I don't." Kate said, yet she couldn't look Jodi in the eye.

"Oh you do so, everyone's noticed."

"Really?"

Jodi just nodded as she took a mouthful of beer.

"Oh my god." Kate said, putting her head down.

"It's ok Squirt, what's not to like?" Kate just grinned back at her.

Killarney-The stables.

Alex stood there tucking his shirt in as Stevie leant against the wall. Her hair was a mess but she didn't care, their cheeks were flushed from the exertion.

"Dinner?" Alex offered.

"Nah, better get back to Drovers." Stevie replied with a grin. "See ya tomorrow." She added as she walked to her Ute. Alex leaned on the door post of the stables and watched her disappear in a cloud of dust.

Wiping his hands on his jeans he shut the door and headed for the house, he could smell her on him. He grinned, life with Stevie would never get boring.

Drovers Run-the yards

Claire and Heath arrived back and brushed down the horses. After giving them some hay Claire followed Heath into the tack room where as he was putting the saddles away she grabbed his buckle again and dropped his jeans to the ground as she sank to her knees.

Kate happened to be walking past and got an eye view of what was happening. Her jaw dropped as she moved away quickly, but she had seen the lot. Arriving back at the quarters Jodi knew something was up. Kate told her what she had seen.

"And?" Jodi prompted. "What was he like?" She said and evil grin appearing.

"Let's just say, everything about that man is in proportion." Kate said, still stunned.

"Totally Gross."

"Truly disgusting."

They both swigged their beer as the last of the sunlight began to leaving the sky.

Claire and Heath emerged and headed to the house. On the verandah Heath kissed her. "Good night." He said. Claire wrapped her arms around him.

"Come to bed." She whispered.

The Saleyards-Days later.

It was all organised, if Heath could buy cattle cheaply enough, the both of them would drive them and sell them as their holiday. Alex came and stood next to Stevie. Quietly pinching her on the bum, she reacted by driving her elbow into his gut.

"Steady on." He grunted.

"Well don't sneak up and do that in public." She warned.

"Point taken. Dinner tonight at the pub?"

"Sure."

"And a room?" he asked with a mischievous grin.

"Grow up." Stevie admonished. "Of course." She murmured quietly.

Heath didn't end up buying any cattle, so the droving holiday was off, he left it to Claire to work out as he stopped to look at a new vehicle.

"What are you doing?" Claire asked.

"Looking at a new ute." He replied.

"Hardly new." She frowned.

"Tough a reliable. Just like me aye." Heath replied with a grin, it was an old beige Landcruiser, its tray was chipped and battered and it a surface rust showing in its white roof, the driver's door had a dent, but the engine fired to life easily, there was not a rattle or anything to the old diesel. So Heath bought it on the spot. Following Claire and the group back to Drovers, he turned the radio up, tapping his fingers he sang along with the song, the first time he had sang in ages. He grinned as he tapped his fingers in time on the wheel.

Well the midnight headlight blind you on a rainy night
steep grade up ahead slow me down makin no time
Oh I gotta keep a rollin
those windshield wipers slappin out a tempo
keepin perfect rhythm with the song on the radio
Yeah I gotta keep rollin

Ooh I'm driving my life away, looking for a better way, for me
ooh I'm driving my life away, looking for a sunny day

As he pulled up in the yard, he spun the volume higher, grabbing Claire by the arm he whirled her around as he kept singing.

Well the truck stop cutie comin' on to me
tried to talk me into a ride said I wouldn't be sorry
but she was just a baby
Hey waitress pour me another cup of coffee
park it down jack me up shoot me out flyin' down the highway
lookin for the morning

Ooh I'm driving my life away, looking for a better way, for me
ooh I'm driving my life away, looking for a sunny day

Well the midnight headlight find you on a rainy night
steep grade up ahead slow me down makin no time
Oh I gotta keep rollin
those windshield wipers slappin out a tempo
keepin perfect rhythm with the song on the radio
Yeah I gotta keep rolling

Ooh I'm driving my life away, looking for a better way, for me
ooh I'm driving my life away, looking for a sunny day

Claire was laughing and the others stood there opened mouthed. Stevie produced the guitar, better sing that song she said as she turned the key off.

"Alright." Heath replied and walked towards the house, sitting on the verandah they all cracked a beer can open and Heath tuned the guitar.

"Ok, this one is called The rope that pulls the wind." He said, and began to play.

Maybe I was born to be a ramblin man
Maybe I was born to lose at love
To walk alone and never find
The one that I was dreaming of

The rope that pulls the wind is tangled round my heart
Seems my emotions are falling apart
Anyway the wind blows that's where I'll be
The rope that pulls the wind's got a hold on me

Maybe I was born to be a rollin stone
Seems I'm always movin' on
Before sunrise I'll pack my swag
By first light I'll be gone

The rope that pulls the wind is tangled round my heart
Seems my emotions are falling apart
Anyway the wind blows that's where I'll be
The rope that pulls the wind's got a hold on me

When I feel my sorrow catchin' up to me
When those old memories track me down
It won't take long and I'll hear the call
Of the highway leading out of town

As the last notes faded away, a silence hung over them. Stevie looked at Heath, her mouth open, she saw his eyes were shiny.

"I'm going for a shower." She announced quickly. The others disappeared quickly also, getting the hint. Claire sat down and took Heath's hand.

"You ok?"

"Yeah." He replied huskily.

Claire put her arm around his shoulder as he blinked the tears back.

"Let it out, it's ok, don't be ashamed." She whispered.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I just can't." He replied as he stood and began to walk away. Claire sat and let him go, Tess appeared soon and looked worriedly at Claire as she put her hand on her shoulder. Claire patted her hand and watched Heaths receding figure.

At dinner later that night Heath appeared, no one asked where he had been. Until Jodi bowled in with all the sensitivity of sledgehammer through plate glass.

"Where'd you get to?" She asked.

"Around." Heath answered, his voice neutral.

"Where? Why did that song get to you?" She asked.

"Jodes, don't push it." Warned Kate

"I just want to know." Jodi protested.

"Maybe there's times you need to butt out!" Stevie snapped.

"If you really want to know," Heath drawled quietly. "I was out in the wildlife corridor, I caught and sacrificed a pig and danced around a fire observing the Pagan tradition of my ancestors." A smirk appeared on Claire's face. Stevie broke out into a grin, Kate giggled and Jodi's jaw dropped. Alex was the first to roar with laughter.

Later that night Heath slipped into bed beside Claire. He felt her warmth as he put his arms around her and placed his body against hers, she touched his hand and their fingers soon became entwined along with their legs. Claire smiled and she gently pushed back against him. A quiet murmur escaped her lips.

"I guess I owe you an explanation." Heath said quietly.

"Tomorrow." Claire murmured, her voice thick with sleep. "Right now I just want you." Sleep soon claimed the both of them. The next morning Claire woke to find herself laying on Heath's chest. She looked up, leaning in for a kiss, their lips brushed, Heath's eyes opened. He lifted her up on top of him, kissing her deeply and more passionately than ever before. Claire shifted around, she should get out of bed, this would be a long morning. They lay there afterwards, Heath explained about missing the road and how the song bought it all back.

"You are my world now. I love you Claire McLeod." He said.

A solitary tear ran down Claire's face as Heath had kissed her. "I love you too, Heath Beresford." She whispered back.