Jake and Leonie have taken their bags up to Jakes room.
"So Jake are your parents always that affectionate with each other?"
Jake laughs and says. "No sometimes they're worse."
Leonie laughs and says "Jake I'm serious."
Jake looks at her and says "So am I. Leonie there is one thing you need to know about my parents they adore each other and they aren't afraid to show it. We're all used to it but new people here are always shocked but you'll grow to not notice it. Just be prepared to walk into a room and they'll be kissing. He always has his hands on her I don't mean in a crude way but you'll see what I mean. Oh and one more thing he doesn't just peck her he really kisses her. I've watched them and it's like they forget other people are even there."
...
Downstairs Alex and Stevie have organized breakfast and allowed enough for the entire family because they know once the smell wafts upstairs they'll be down ravenous.
Alex walks up the stairs and knocks on Jakes door "Breakfast is ready."
"Righto."
Jake and Leonie arrive in the kitchen a short time later for breakfast.
"Righto grab a plate Leonie." Alex says.
As they dish up Georgia, Xander, Jo have all joined them.
"Old man, glad you cooked enough for all of us."Xander quips.
"Well it was actually your mother." Alex says as her wraps his arms around Stevie and nuzzles into her neck.
Unseen Stevie runs her hand up the inside of his leg.
She turns her head to look up at him and he grins and shakes his head.
She licks her lip and holds back a grin.
Georgia has moved to hug Jake.
"Hey George How was school?' Jake asks.
" Yeah Ok have you seen Cody yet?' Georgia asks.
" No not yet." He answers. "Leonie this is my youngest sister Georgia, My brother Xander and his fiancée Jo."
Everyone exchanges greetings. Jake and Xander hug and Jake reaches down and kisses Jo on the cheek "G'day Jo. How are you?'
"I'm great Jake. How is the course going?"
"Yeah really well I've surprised myself. I'm cleverer than I thought"
They all laugh.
...
At the Ward house the boys are up and noisily making breakfast.
Kate is snuggled up in Riley's arms.
Riley says "Kate you actually miss this noise?"
Kate laughs and says "No I don't miss the noise or the mess I just miss them and you do too."
He hugs her closer "Righto Mrs Ward let's get this show on the road."
An hour later they are up dressed and over at Stevie and Alex's with all the boys. As they walk in they are greeted by all the Ryan's.
"Hey guys, How are you? How was school? Are you guys going for a ride today? "
Leonie is a bit overwhelmed by all these new people but Jake puts his arm around her and introduces her. "Kate, Riley this is Leonie"
"Pleased to meet you Leonie." They both say.
"Righto guys, this is my girlfriend Leonie. Leonie these are Riley and Kate's boys John, Anthony, Paul, Toby, Scott and Blake."
"Hi guys, pleased to meet you." Leonie says as she reaches to shake all of their hands.
As she moves away from John, he says to Jake. "She's a hottie Jakey."
Jake grabs him in a headlock.
Riley and Alex have heard John and both chuckle.
"So are you going for a ride with the boys Riley?" Xander asks.
"Yeah Kate and I thought we'd take them for a ride over to Drover's."
"Oh that sounds like fun." Jo says.
"You're welcome to join us Jo." Kate says.
Alex looks at Leonie and says. "Do you ride Leonie?"
"Yes I do."She replies.
' Why don't we all ride over?" Alex suggests.
They talk about it and decide it's a great idea the day is perfect. Half an hour later they're all saddled up. Jake and Leonie have raced over to see Rose and baby Cody and promise to call back in later this afternoon.
Alex says "I rang Tess and they're riding out and so are Grace and Marcus and all their lot."
As they ride out Leonie says to Jake. "Oh my goodness Jake this is amazing. I don't think I've ever ridden with so many people."
Jake laughs and says," When we were little we'd often ride with the whole family. I love it. Just be aware of the younger ones and be ready to help if they need it. They're all pretty good riders but just be mindful."
He leans over and kisses her.
...
Grace and Marcus, Stella, Keira, Gemma and Meggy have joined up with Ben and Jaz, Tara and Dan and headed towards the wildlife corridor.
Tess, Nick Matt, Jodie and their girls plus Adam and Dan are all mounted up and riding towards the corridor too.
As the Wards and Ryan's cross the first paddock someone yells riders coming. Shortly they are joined by Charlotte and Harrison.
Stevie turns back to Leonie "How are you doing?"
Stevie asks." I'm great Stevie this is awesome. I've never ridden with so many people. Jake said you used to all do this heaps when he was little."
Stevie smiles at the memory "Yeah we did we'd camp out at the wildlife corridor they used to love it. We'd have a huge bonfire and all sleep in our swags around it."
"Stevie, Thank you, for having me to stay." Leonie says.
Stevie smiles at her and says "You're welcome Leonie."
Alex and Jake are chatting about Cody. "He's pretty cute isn't he Dad"
"Yeah he is mate and Rose and Jack are so happy."
Alex replies and says "So what did you think of his name?"
"I knew that's what she was going to call him, she even asked Xander if he'd mind you know thinking he might like to use the name for his own kid one day. Which I thought was really nice and Xander said she should use it because he's the first Ryan grandson."
Jake rides off to see Leonie. Alex thinks about how great his kids are all four of them.
...
Stevie watches her as she rides towards Jake. Her riding style is nice, moves well, has control of the horse is firm but gentle.
"Oi Cowgirl." She grins.
Alex moves up beside her and leans over and kisses her.
Ahead of them Jake says to Leonie "Turn around Leo."
Leonie turns her horse and follows Jakes gaze.
Alex has his arm around Stevie's shoulder and he draws her in to kiss her again, his lips soft upon hers, she responds as he kisses her deeply she hears nothing, sees nothing, just his lips and his strong arms Oh God here we go again, time stands still.
The horse moves under him and breaks the kiss.
Stevie giggles and says "Alex they've left us behind."
She gallops away and he gives chase.
Leonie and Jake have turned back.
Leonie says "Oh my god Jake, you're Dad certainly knows how to kiss a woman."
Jake smiles and says "I told you. That's how he always kisses her."
...
They all ride for just under hour and meet up with the others.
Jake introduces everyone to Leonie and tells her not to worry it will be awhile before she remembers everyone's names.
Clare introduces Dan to Jake and Leonie and George too.
"So you're Jo's Brother." Jake states.
"Yes that's right. So you're doing the horse management course In Victoria Jake."
'Yes that's right.' Jake replies.
" I'm hoping to be in Melbourne in June and I'm hoping Clare will come with me how would you feel if we came to visit?' Dan asks.
"Yes that would be great. Clare's got my number."
"So you ride the circuit with Bull?" Jake asks.
"Yeah he's coming up to Darwin in May for our rodeo it's a beauty. You should come too."
"I'd love too but it depends on where I get my placement."
Dan grins and says "My little sister did hers on Kilarney I'm sure Mum and Dad would love to return the favour and you could come to Naroo? What do you think?"
Jake grins and says "That would be awesome I've always wanted to see The Territory."
"Right I'll ring when we get back.'
Jo is riding with Leonie and Georgia and Charlotte joins them.
" Hey kiddo great to have you home." Georgia smiles at Charlotte and says "Thanks it's good to be home. How's Harry?"
Charlotte laughs and says "He's wonderful. So have you found yourself a bloke yet?'
Georgia laughs and says. You've got to be joking I'm in year 12 Charlotte. Don't you remember the mentality of year 12 boys? I'm almost 17 and most of the boys at school are a similar age but mentally arghh don't even start me."
The girls all laugh.
Charlotte laughs and says "Oh George give them a chance."
Georgia looks around to make sure her family isn't close by. "Charlotte, I lived in France for a year unchaperoned .Think about it. I don't date boys."
"Georgia Ryan I'm shocked" Charlotte laughs.
"Oh God Charlotte when I first moved to France I dated one guy for a month or so, he was 22 and drove a Ferrari. Later I dated an Australian guy he was 23. He was backpacking around Europe. My God he was a honey, beautiful eyes and boy could he kiss. It wasn't just his looks, we went to museums and art galleries and he was so good to talk to, we just clicked but his work visa expired and he had to move on. I moved home a couple of weeks later. I lost his email and I never heard from him again. I cried for weeks I guess he meant more to me than I did to him."
She says sadly and continues "I come back here and I'm stuck with immature, pimply face morons that are still trying to work out what to do with a girl."
Leonie, Jo and Charlotte are laughing so hard they're just about falling off their horses.
"My god Georgia and the family all think you're this sweet, innocent little kid." Charlotte laughs.
" Well I'm sweet but the innocent tag certainly fell off in France and as for the little kid thing. I'm the youngest it doesn't matter how old I am I'll always be the kid sister."
They all laugh and laugh and laugh.
Finally Georgia says "I'm assuming Jo and Leonie that you won't say a word to my brother's. If either of my brothers find out, I'm coming straight to you two." They both laugh.
"Hey Jo you're brothers pretty damn cute." Georgia says.
Jo laughs and says "I think he's taken George."
Georgia laughs "Oh I already figured that out. How old is he?"
Jo says "Almost 26 why?"
Georgia says."Gee there's a bit of a gap between you then."
Jo laughs and says. "I have another brother but he's overseas at the moment. He's 23, actually he's due home soon. I must ask Dan when he'll be back."
"Right well if he's as cute as Dan invite him down." Georgia says and they all laugh.