The Gold Coast…Queensland...Days later
Blinking against the light Alex looks around the room with a quizzical expression on his face.
A buzzing sound shatters the peace of the morning
Gently pushing Stevie he mumbles. "Oi answer your phone."
The noise stops then begins again.
Flat on her stomach Stevie lifts her head and listens.
Leaning over the edge of the bed she rummages through her jeans.
….
"Hello! Hello!"
Pushing herself back onto the bed properly she tosses the now silent phone onto the side table.
Snuggling back into the bed she closes her eyes.
The phone vibrates on the table a minute later.
"Stevie! Stevie!" Alex calls from the side of his mouth.
She doesn't move.
….
Lunging across her, he grabs the phone and in an annoyed voice questions. "Who is this and what do you want?"
"Oh um hello. No No its ok its Stevie's phone. Sorry for the gruffness. Hang on I'll just get her for you. "Alex offers.
Handing the phone across to a wide awake Stevie he whispers. "It's Rose."
"Rose? Hi what's up? That was Alex." Stevie answers then giggles.
"Yes he is. What's that? Yes he's very cute." She offers and then giggling again replies. "I'll send you a photo if I can work out how."
Beside her Alex pretends to be taking photos of his naked partner.
She shakes her head and pushes him away.
He laughs as he rises and makes his way to the bathroom.
Stevie holds the phone between her chin and shoulder and pretends to snap photos as he grins at her.
…
Drover's Run….
Tess leans over the hand basin and rinses her mouth.
"Are you alright?" Nick asks sounding concerned.
"Well my breakfast didn't taste as good coming up as it did going down." Tess replies as she dries her hands and face.
"How long does morning sickness last for?" Nick asks.
"It varies for everyone Nick." Tess replies.
"Can you get something to stop it?" He asks.
Smiling at him she suggests. "I've only vomited a few times Nick if it gets worse we'll ask the doctor next time we're there ok?"
He nods and steps aside so she can leave the bathroom.
…..
The back door bangs and Kate appears in the kitchen.
"Are you alright Tess? You look pale." Kate asks.
"Morning sickness." Tess responds.
Kate nods and disappears into the pantry.
Returning quickly she hands Tess two sandwich bags.
Holding them up Tess asks. "What's this?"
"Dried fruit in one and salty crackers in the other. Throughout the day you'll want one or the other. Until it passes don't go anywhere without them." Kate explains.
Tess and Nick look at each other.
Nick asks. "How do you know that will help?"
"I come from a large Italian family Nick and I have lots of cousins and lots of little cousins. Believe me one of those bags will save Tess vomiting as she works." Kate informs them.
…
Jodi arrives in the kitchen as Jocelyn calls from the back door.
Nick walks to the kitchen door and says. "You don't have to knock Jocelyn just came straight in."
"Thanks for helping us again this morning?" Tess states.
"Not a problem Tess I had a great day yesterday but I have to admit I'm a bit sore this morning. Especially my hands." Jocelyn replies as she flexes her hands.
…
"Marcus and Riley are giving us a hand to bring a mob of cattle in today. They should be here soon. We'll take the Ute and Kate will ride out with the boys." Tess advises.
"I thought you only brought your stock in with horses?" Jocelyn questions.
"Normally we do but as you don't ride." Tess begins.
"I can ride Tess." Jocelyn offers.
"Are you any good? I mean riding is one thing but being around stock." Jodi quizzes.
Jocelyn smiles and replies." We have horses at home Jodi. We all ride."
…..
Drover's Run … Late afternoon...
Riley teases. "She's not giving into your charms Marcus."
Marcus looks at Riley then back to Jocelyn as she trots away from them.
Marcus smiles and responds. "She's playing games and I love games."
Riley laughs.
…
Coming up over the rise they watch as Alex's Ute pulls up near the house.
"Look out the boss is back." Riley comments.
"And Alex too." Marcus remarks.
Riley looks at him and frowning says. "She's not bossy."
Marcus grins at him and replies. "Yes she is."
"She's a bloody awesome overseer Marcus and you should watch your mouth." Riley grumbles.
Marcus smiles and quips. "You like her."
Riley looks at him intently and replies. "I've only known her for a short time but I've found her to be honest, hardworking and she'd never ask me to do something she wouldn't do herself. She's kind to animals and easy on the ears and eyes. What's not to like?"
Marcus smiles and offers. "I feel the same way Riley I was just having a bit of fun that's all. She's won my loyalty as well."
Riley nods and states. "She's authentic Marcus and you sure as hell don't find that around much these days."
They both look back over to the house as Alex and Stevie walk across to the yards.
Marcus nods and responds. "You certainly don't."
….
Drover's Run … The Dining room…
Around the large dining table the conversations flow easily.
"So Michelle, Tom and Rose will stay for how many days?" Nick asks.
'I'm not exactly sure as I only spoke to Rose. Michelle was at a neighbours and Tom was asleep on the couch." Stevie replies.
…..
"So why the whole Bush dance idea?" Marcus questions.
'Alex thought it might be fun for Rose." Stevie offers.
"God I loved em when I was her age. They were so much fun." Jodi states.
Nick smiles at her and adds. "Yeah they were weren't they? You'll have to make sure you invite kids her age Alex otherwise it'll be bloody boring if it's only adults."
Alex nods and suggests. "We'll just open it up to the community Nick, we know everyone anyway."
Nick looks at Jodi and grinning says. "We could get the CFS involved. Kill two birds with one stone."
"Fundraising Family Bush Dance. " Jodi comments.
"Drover's or Kilarney?" Tess questions.
"Kilarney." Alex responds giving Stevie a small smile.
She sighs deeply, smiles then nods." Yes Kilarney."
"Why not make it an afternoon and an evening. During the afternoon we could have old fashioned games and races." Kate exclaims sounding excited.
"Three legged races." Tess says.
"Sack races, egg and spoon races." Stevie adds gaining enthusiasm.
"Bobbing for apples, gumboot toss." Nick suggest.
"Oh you guys are the best Rose will love her holiday. Thank you." Stevie states.
…..
Later in the evening Stevie is out in the kitchen doing the dishes with Tess, Jodi and Kate.
"So the holiday was a success Stevie?" Jodi quizzes.
"Yes it was Jodes. Very relaxing." Stevie answers.
"An entire week together and no fighting that's amazing." Jodi teases.
"Oh we fought but it was good fighting we sorted out a lot of stuff." Stevie replies.
"What kind of stuff? "Jodi questions raising her eyebrows.
Stevie walks over closer to her and looks around as if she's about to divulge a secret.
Jodi leans in.
Stevie does too.
"The kind of stuff you only talk about with the man you love." Stevie whispers.
Jodi straightens up.
Looking disappointed she quips." Well you're no bloody fun Stevie. I've been stuck in the house all week and haven't heard a single bit of gossip."
They all laugh.
…
"Any progress with Marcus and Jocelyn?" Stevie asks.
Kate smiles and offers. "He's trying."
"And she's keeping him at arm's length." Tess adds.
Stevie nods then asks. "Any word from Grace?"
Tess shakes her head and replies. "Nothing. I even rang Regan and she hasn't heard from her either."
"I would have thought she would have at least said goodbye." Stevie remarks.
"No just a note saying. Something important came up and I have to go. Not sure when I'll be back. Sorry" Tess replies.
"That's odd, even for Grace that's odd." Stevie muses.
….
The women all look as Alex appears in the doorway. "You girls almost finished? We should be getting home Stevie we haven't even unpacked yet."
"Take her Alex we've almost finished anyway." Tess urges.
Stevie smiles at him then hugging Tess says. "We didn't plan on staying for dinner but thank you. We wanted to come and say congratulations about the bub before we went home."
As Stevie steps back Alex leans over and kissing Tess's cheek says. "Yeah congrats again Tess it's the best news.
"I'll meet you outside Alex I'll just say goodnight to the boys." Stevie calls as she moves out of the room.
….
Alex is warming the car up.
The headlights shine towards the driveway and the engine throbs loudly.
Stevie walks outside and makes her way along the darkened path.
In the shadows a figure begins to move forward.
"Stevie! Alex forgot his phone!" Riley calls.
Stevie stops as he catches up to her.
The figure has moved away.
….
"Thank Riley. I'll see you in the morning."
"Yep Alex said it's an early start. I'm just waiting on Marcus we'll be on the road soon too." He answers.
Opening the car door Alex calls. "Come on Stevie what's the hold up."
"Keep ya shirt on, you forgot your phone." Stevie calls as she moves forward.
Riley watches until she reaches the car then turns back to the house.
Stevie closes the door and the interior light goes out.
Alex puts the car in gear and slowly moves away.