After they saddle the horses Penny asks "So where will we ride too?" Georgia says "Where ever you'd like to go. We can just go for a ride or we can go and say hello to my brother's their fencing about twenty minutes from here? "Penny replies "Well can we head out towards your brothers and see how I go? Remember I haven't ridden for a while." Georgia agrees and they head off.

Jodie has brought the horses up and is just finishing up as Stevie and Kate pull up. Kate says. "Stevie I'll give Jodes a hand." Stevie nods as she moves towards the house. As she enters the back door she calls "Tess where are you?" "In here Stevie." Tess replies. As Stevie enters the dining room. Tess says "What are you doing here haven't you got a house full of family and guests?" Stevie grins and says "Sure have Saf, Jarrod and Penny arrived last night as well but I heard a dear friend was a tad stressed so I've come to take her for a ride."

Tess grins and says "Nick rang you didn't he? I really can't Stevie." Stevie laughs and says "Too late Jodie and Kate have the horses saddled and we can't disappoint the horses." Nick pops his head around the corner and grinning he says "Hi Stevie! How are you?" Stevie laughs and says "She guessed it was you Nick." He walks over to Tess and hugs her and says "Go you'll have a great time. It's hot outside who knows you might even get to have a swim?" The girls laugh.

Riding out they chat and laugh about Nick and his plan. "Where are we going to ride too?" Tess asks. Jodie laughs and says "I think I'd like a swim." Kate says. "The days hot but the water won't be yet it's too early in the season." Stevie quips and says "You're not afraid of a bit of cold water are you Kate?" Kate grins clicking her horse into a canter and says "Bring it on." They all ride quickly the wind in their hair and feeling carefree."

Arriving at the dam there is much laughter as they joke about how cold the water is. As the four women strip off there are more jokes about how pale they all are compared to summer time. "Right here we go." Stevie says as she begins to walk into the water closely followed by the others. "Oh bloody hell its freezing." Stevie laughs.

Kate quips "What are you afraid of a bit of cold water Boss." They others laugh until Stevie turns and starts flinging water at them they all squeal and laugh and splash her back. Eventually they're all in the water. "Whose silly idea was this?" Tess asks. "Move around it gets better." Jodie offers. "It's quite invigorating." Kate adds. They all laugh.

After about twenty minutes they get out and Jodie says "Everyone has stuff in their saddle bags." The girls move to the horses and are delighted when they each find a towel, a plastic wine glass and either some dip, crackers or chips. Jodie grins as she says "Anyone for a glass of wine? I would have brought champagne Tess but I didn't think it would travel well." Tess laughs and says "I'd give you a hug Jodie but I'm still naked." They all laugh. They dry themselves and put some of their clothing back on and sit in the warm sunshine, chatting, drinking their wine and relaxing.

Tess says "Thanks girls I really needed this." Stevie quips "Well obviously you were grumpy and Nick wanted you out." Tess laughs "Maybe a little bit grumpy. I just want everything to be perfect for Clare." Stevie says "Tess all you need for a perfect wedding is to be husband and wife at the end of the day." Tess smiles and says "I know Stevie but I just want Clare to know I care and I want her day to be everything she's ever dreamt of." Jodie says." Then stop stressing and smile and show her how happy you are for her, otherwise she'll feel like it's a chore for you." Kate says "I agree Tess just relax and be yourself and the rest will just happen."

The four women finish their wine and nibbles and head back to Drover's. Tess feels refreshed. Sharing your worries with friends always lightens your heart. As they let the horses go, they hug Tess and she says. "Thanks guys I'm so lucky to have all of you. I feel so much better." They all head off home promising to arrive early just in case Tess needs a pep talk. Laughing she moves off to find Nick.

Georgia and Penny have made good time and Penny has handled Saltbush beautifully. Georgia says "You ride well Penny." Penny grins and says "Thanks Georgia, he's a great horse to ride." Georgia says "There are the boys over on that hill." The girls click the horses on.

"Riders coming." Harry announces. Jake says "That'll be George and Penny." Adam looks up straight away." They watch as the girls ride towards them. Bull says "Glad you came to lend hand girls." Georgia laughs and says "We've got a wedding to go to tomorrow Bull you think I'm going to rough up my hands on a fence." He grins at her and says "Mum's gloves are in the Ute George." Georgia smiles and says
"Righto I'll give you an hour."

Penny says "Can I help?" Jake smiles at her and says "Have you ever fenced before?" Penny laughs and says "Jake you've met Auntie Saf do you think she'd let me sit around while she worked?" Harry says "Here are some gloves for you they belong to my wife." Penny smiles and says "Thank you my name is Penny." Harry says "Pleased to meet you Penny I'm Harry." The girl's work alongside the boys for the next hour. Adam chats to Penny about living in Darwin, Uni and anything else he can think of to engage her in conversation. She's easy to talk to and beautiful to look at. "Right we're going to head off." Georgia announces.

Back at Kilarney the girls rub down the horses, feed them and water them. Alex, Stevie Jarrod, Saf, Jack and Jessie are sitting on the veranda having a beer as the girls approach the house. Alex says "Where have you two been?" Georgia says "We rode out to the boys and Bull conned us in to helping them." Saf looks at Penny and says "How's ya rump Penny been awhile since you were on a horse?" Penny laughs and says "Yes I'm all good so far, tomorrow might be a different story." They all laugh. Georgia looks at Penny and says "Want a beer?' Penny replies "Love one thanks."

A short time later the boys arrive back and join them. Georgia is sitting on the arm of her Mother's chair with her arm across her shoulder when she says "So Mum! Penny tells me you and Saf went to horse business management together?" Stevie grins and says "Yes we did. That's where I met Saf." Georgia asks." I was a baby then wasn't I?" Stevie says "Yes you were."

Georgia looks at Saf and says "What kind of a student was she?" Saf laughs and says "Your Mother knew most of what they taught us. Once she got the hang of a computer she was alright with that too." Stevie laughs and says. "Saf helped me heaps with the computer side of the course." Saf laughs and says "Yeah I stopped her throwing it out the window a couple of times." Both women laugh.

Jake grins and says "Did you party much Mum?" Stevie says "No I was only there a few weeks at a time." Saf roars laughing. Stevie grins and gestures for Saf to be quiet. The children pick up that their hiding something and push on. "So Dad you went to visit a couple of times while Mum was in Melbourne didn't you?" Jake asks.

Alex grins and says "A couple of times I did, and I took the four of you over to New Zealand when Mum had to do one of her placements there." Georgia says "So you never went to the pub or played a game of pool the whole time you were there?"

Saf laughs and says "Oh they played pool alright! Entertained just about the entire year level and the locals." Alex laughs and says "According to you Saf!" Jake laughs and says "You don't remember do you?" Alex laughs and says "I remember some of the night." Georgia says "Mum what happened?" Alex laughs and says "She remembers less than me!" Saf laughs and says "I'll tell you because I know most of the story."

"We had a prac class with a farrier and he was as boring as all hell and I was trying to convince your Mum that we should go to the pub because it was a Wednesday night and there's a Uni beside the college and lots of hot blokes. Stevie says I'm married Saf I'm happy with my cowboy." Stevie smiles at Alex and says "Still am."

Saf continues "We're walking back into class and I spot this gorgeous bloke and made a comment about him." Stevie laughs and says "She said Cowboy take me away." They all laugh.

Saf laughs and says "Next thing I know Stevie's taken off and running at him and I'm thinking what in the hell. He's grinning at her and she bloody launches herself into his arms." Jake quips "And then the kiss." Saf cracks up laughing and says "My god never seen a kiss like it, everyone stopped and watched and then cheered. So he did it again. Funniest thing I've ever seen."

Alex laughs and says "Auntie Tess chartered a plane for me to go and visit. Mum was home sick and doing it tough. Weren't you Beautiful." She smiles at him. Saf continues. "Anyway later that night we went to the pub and played a round robin of pool, winner got all the Bundy Rum they could drink." Bull laughs and says "They would have won." Saf says "Yes they did. The drunker they got, the funnier they were, everyone was having a great time and some came from the lounge when they heard all the laughter."

Alex laughs and says "I don't remember that at all." Stevie grins and says "Me neither." Saf laughs and says "Obviously they were really drunk but you couldn't pick it, no staggering or slurring of words, just as funny as and the drunker they got the better they played. Mind you the next day they paid for it. We all teased the hell out of them and made out like they'd misbehaved. Stevie was so embarrassed." Alex says "Yeah she said Alex what did you do? I have to face these people in class. I said I had no idea but then she admitted she didn't either. Oh my god and the hangover and the state of our room there we're cans everywhere so we knew we'd had a great time. " Everyone's laughing.

Saf laughs and says " At the end of the night Alex said Saf it's been a pleasure meeting you and we've had a great time and I'll see you next trip but it's time I took my Cowgirl to bed. So Georgia that's the first time I saw your Mum and Dad party." Bull quips "Nothing's changed has it." Everyone laughs.

Alex's phone is ringing. "Hello Alex Ryan, Hi Tess yes all good hangs on. Stevie what time are you going over to Drover's tomorrow?" Stevie replies. "Tell Tess that Kate, Jessie and I will be there by 9am." He nods and says "Tess they'll be there by 9am Yes Jessie, Kate and Stevie. Yes they are. Moira said it'll be a week before its ready so they'll stay with us. Oh Righto yes I'll pass that on. Righto bye." He hangs up, looks at Jarrod and Saf and says.
"Tess said she'd like you to join us tomorrow for the wedding."