Two weeks has flown by all the children have settled back into school and work around the farms has slowed.
Over at Wilgul crops are in and everything else is up to date. The same is happening on Drover's crops are sown; animals have either just given birth or will in the spring.
On Kilarney Stevie and Riley have been flat out with foaling it's all gone extremely well particularly as all the mares have foaled before.
It's a lot of fun waiting for new foals but tiring each night they've split shifts so one of them is always around.
These foals and mares are way too valuable to leave to Mother Nature. Harry and Charlotte have helped out as well as Alex recuperates from his broken leg.
Plans are well underway for Jo and Xander's wedding in winter and everything is booked. Jake is happily working on Naroo for his placement.
Jack and Jessie are thrilled with his work ethic and knowledge and his laid back easy going nature endears him to all who cross his path.
He's a man's man and can mix it with the best of them but he is also affectionate, gentle and respectful of women and children. Nothing is too much trouble and the other workers are enjoying having him around.
Leonie has arrived and fitted in very well not an easy thing for a woman in these parts. Having Clare and Jo here has helped a lot and Leonie has found she has grown as a person and as worker as well.
Lunchtimes are great fun on the muster as they stop in a shady place to enjoy a meal and a rest. "It's a shame Stevie and Alex couldn't join us." Jack says speaking to Jake.
"Yeah they were looking forward to it. But when Dad broke his leg that was the end of a lot of things they planned. But they fly in tomorrow to Darwin so we'll see them at the Rodeo and Aunty Tess, Uncle Nick and Charlotte and Harry too, so we'll have a great time." Jake says then continues. "Will we drive to Darwin or fly?"
"Jessie and I will fly, the rest of you get to drive someone has to bring the horses." Jack laughs.
Jake laughs too" I forgot about the horses. They're a pretty important piece of equipment at a Rodeo."
...
Tess and Nick are packed ready to drive to the airport and over on Kilarney Charlotte, Harry, Stevie and Alex are too.
" Alex where is your crutch?" Stevie growls.
Alex grins at her. She looks at him and twigs to what he's thinking.
Shaking her head she says "The wooden one Alex!"
Alex laughs and says "No I'm taking the cane instead, it's here Stevie."
"Are you sure that will be enough Alex?" She asks.
He looks at her and says. "I don't want to use anything Stevie. Just let it go or I'll take nothing." He says sounding annoyed.
"Alex," She whispers looking hurt as she moves towards him.
"I'm sorry beautiful. I'm just upset with myself. If I hadn't been stupid on the bike we'd been on Naroo mustering now. I messed up that for us didn't I?"
She reaches up and touches his face "Alex I don't care about any of that, you're safe and that's all that matters. We can muster anytime."
He smiles at her and reaches down and kisses her." Now I need to see Riley I'll be back in a little while." Alex says as he moves towards the door.
...
As the planes doors open the warm Darwin breeze winds its way down the aisle.
"Little bit warmer that home by the feel of it." Nick quips.
"Oh I love this weather." Tess says.
"Yes its nice isn't it?" Stevie says then continues "Not so nice in the wet or the build up."
...
A short time later they're pulling in at the resort.
"Time for a swim I think." Tess says.
They all agree.
Within half an hour they are all down by the pool. Alex's wounds have healed and he moves into the water, and calls up to Stevie on the pool deck.
"Hey Stevie, I should have been swimming on Kilarney I'm weightless in here. No limp."
She smiles at him and dives in and swims to him.
...
Tess and Nick are also in the water.
Nick leans in to kiss Tess and says "I could get used to being on holidays more often in warm tropical places."
Tess giggles and says "That have big beds and private spas." She returns his kiss.
...
Charlotte and Harry are about to get in too when a voice yells. "Oi" Harry turns and is greeted by Xander and Jo, Jessie and Jack.
"Hey how are you all?" Xander calls.
Stevie is up and out of the water quickly adjusts her bikini and grabs her towel then hugs them all.
Alex, Tess and Nick have moved to the side and are shaking hands with everyone.
Alex lifts himself onto the edge and moves to stand.
Xander helps him and says "Geez old man, you've made a mess of yourself."
Alex hugs his son and laughs saying. "No it's an improvement Bull now I'm ruggedly handsome."
Jo moves over and hug's him and he hobbles over to Jessie hugs her and then shakes Jack's hand.
Jack says. "We missed you on the muster Alex."
Alex glances at Stevie who's just returned with his cane and says "Yeah we were really disappointed too but they'll be other musters."
Alex moves back over to their lounges with Jack, Jessie, Nick, Tess and Jo.
"Mum he looks terrible." Xander says sadly.
Stevie hugs her son and says "He looks great now Bull he was such a mess, he had skin missing all over him, patches the size of your hands. The Doctors are very happy with how well he's healed. I think this holiday will be great, a bit of sunshine, swimming every day will make him look much healthier."
Xander hugs her again and says "It must have been awful for you?"
She hugs him tightly and smiles. "Not so bad I've still got him."
Xander loves how his Mum can put a positive spin on most things.
...
"Come on Mum I'll buy you a beer.'
"Well hang on let me grab my sarong."
Stevie grabs it and wraps it around her waist.
She runs her fingers through her hair.
Smiling she says "Will I pass the dress code?"
Bull laughs and says. "Yeah only just"
Xander grins to himself, Dad always says she's a 30 second girl, that's all she needs to look amazing, and he's right.
He puts his arm around her shoulder and they walk into the bar.
She sits on the stool and he orders their beers.
"I'll be back in a minute Bull." Stevie quickly moves to the bathroom.
The barman leans over and says. "How's a young buck like you manage to pick up a hottie like her?"
Xander looks at him and wants to hit him.
Stevie is back standing beside him but he hasn't noticed.
"Watch your mouth mate the hottie is my Mother."
The barman spots her. "Oh I'm so sorry."
He says. "Well so you bloody should be."
Stevie puts her hand on his arm.
"Xander it's ok. We'll take our drinks back out to Dad."
They stand and move outside.
As they join the others Stevie is laughing and says "Relax Bull it happens all the time. I really don't care and neither does Dad."
Alex says "What don't I care about?"
Bull relates the story and they all laugh.