"Stevie are you going to do your yr 11 and 12 subjects?" Tess asks. Stevie replies "Oh I don't know Tess. Rose really wants me too and Alex says it would be good because I've said I never finished high school and Rose feels guilty because she was the reason I didn't finish." Alex and Nick are back with their drinks. "So you girls looked like you were having a serious conversation."Nick says "Rose wants me to finish high school by correspondence. She's even sent all the enrolment forms."Stevie says. "I think that's a brilliant idea Stevie. Then you can do bookkeeping and do Kilarney's books because Alex is crap at it." Alex punches him and says "I'm not crap at it, just not as anal about it as you."They all laugh. "Seriously Stevie do it for yourself and Rose and the farm because in years to come we'll save heaps if we all know how to do our own books and I'll help you if you need it "Nick says. "We'll all help Stevie." Tess says.
Six months have passed and it's obvious they are headed for drought the spring rains didn't come and the paddocks are drying out quickly. Everyone has worked extremely hard over the last few years to ensure they were ready for this time. Now they just have to wait it out and hope that they've done enough. Grace has had baby number three and they've called her Gemma she is a sweet baby very placid, blonde, blue eyed and everyone loves her. Grace has been back working on the farm intermittently and she's enjoying it. Regan is away working and rings from time to time . Jaz is still with Ben and that seems to be going from strength to strength.
Jodie and Matt enjoyed they're four week holiday away with the children and returned refreshed and raring to go. Stevie has taken up the challenge and has enrolled in distance education. She's surprised how easy it all is and how quickly she has worked through the assessments. Everyone has been wonderful with assisting her when she's needed help, Alex has been awesome juggling the children for her on the days she's needed to study and the entire family have even made roster changes to allow her to do a computer course through the local community house which has been so helpful Stevie is surprised at how easily she's picked all of it up. Three more weeks and she's done which is perfect because Kate and Riley will be here by then. Rose will arrive soon as well and will push Stevie to enrol in more courses next year.
"Hey Stevie. Where are you mate?' Alex calls "I'm in the office Alex."She replies. He appears at the door with a big smile on his face."Come with me I've got a surprise for you?"He says. "Alex Ryan you've always got something going on."She laughs. They walk towards the stables and Alex says "Have a look in the third stall." Stevie walks over to the third stall and says "Oh my goodness Alex he's beautiful. Oh Buttercup you are a clever girl." The beautiful Palomino brood mare they had imported from Montana has thrown an outstanding palomino colt. Alex walks over to Stevie and stands behind her, then wraps his arms around her and says "What are we going to call him Cowgirl?" "Kilarney Butterscotch." Stevie says.
Alex grins and says "Perfect Stevie you're good at this." She smiles and says. "Have you shown Bull yet?" Alex replies "No I wanted to share this with you first."She turns and kisses him and says "Thanks Alex lets going and get the boys. Where are they?" "Moira got them she'll be back soon they went for a supply run."Stevie looks puzzled and says "So where's Georgia?" "She went too."Alex replies. "Right." Stevie says as reaches up she places her arms around his neck and kisses him softly, deeply completely he responds and then when she releases the kiss she whispers "Would you like to go back to the house?" "No."He replies "That's too far away."She giggles as he leads her out to the hay shed.
Tess and Jodie are eagerly waiting for Christmas it's Drover's turn to host this year and Riley and Kate will join them plus Rose will be home from Uni and hopefully Regan while spend a few weeks at Drover's as well. The Christmas tree is up as are the decorations and presents are beginning to appear under the tree. Marcus Nick and Matt are waiting on Alex and are enjoying the cool of Wilgul's veranda. Talk turns to Christmas." It'll be great to catch up with Riley and Kate." Nick says. "Yeah it will be great to sit and have a beer with them and find out how Western Australia is. Geez the years gone quickly hasn't it." Matt says.
Alex pulls up and as he moves towards the veranda. Marcus says. " Bloody hell Alex late again." Alex grins and says "Buttercup has just given us our new stallion!" There is much interest and excitement as Alex gives details the new colt. " So what are you going to call him?" Matt asks " Stevie already named him "Kilarney Butterscotch" They all agree it's a good name mentioning the stud name and adding Butter into his name links him to Buttercup. " Righto let's get a move on before it gets too hot." Nick says. The men stand and move towards the sheep yards. Nick grins as he notices the hay in Alex's hair and on his back and says " So Alex had a bit of a roll in the hay this morning did we?" Alex turns grins and says. "Maybe I was just feeding out Nick." Nick shakes his head and says " Right." Marcus says "Alex is Stevie still coming over for lunch today?" " yeah she's just waiting for Moira to get back and she'll come over then."
Grace is organized as always the girls are all dressed, the housework's done and the washing is out by the time Mia turns up Grace is just finishing feeding Gemma and is ready to head over to the sheep yards. "Good Morning Grace."Mia says. "Hi Mia How are you?" "I'm fine and yourself?" "Yes all good. I've got a few quiches in the oven and the timers set can you watch those and take them out when the buzzer goes. Washing is already out if you can grab that, when it dries I'd appreciate that." Grace says. Mia grins at her and says "Grace you keep doing my jobs. What am I supposed to do now all morning." Grace laughs and says" Sorry I just sort of get in this mindset and put my head down and go. Oh I know what you could do. Would you make a couple of salads for me please?" Mia smiles and says "Yes no worries at all and the girls can help me." Grace stands kisses Gemma her and hands her over to Mia. "Mia we've got Matt, Nick , Alex and Stevie and their little ones for lunch and we should be back here around midday ok?" Mia smiles and says "Yes no problem at all Grace I'll see you then." Grace grabs her hat and heads for the yards.