Fisher…Late in the day.
Alex loads the last of their parcels into the car as Stevie finishes strapping Xander into his car seat.
"Tired?" Alex asks as he climbs into his seat.
Stevie inhales deeply and sighs. "Yep but I've had the best day."
"Me too."
"It was nice having lunch with Nick and Tess."
"Yeah it was and I'm glad they did their own thing this afternoon so I could have you to myself."
She giggles and answers "Me too."
Leaning over he kisses her then straightening up asks." Tea at the pub on the way home or will we grab a pizza and eat on the road?"
"Pizza."
"Right."
Pulling into the traffic they head for home.
…
Drover's Run… The kitchen….
"What are you up to tonight Grace?"
"Not much. Alan is busy helping his Dad tonight."
"Yeah I'm free too. I told Dave to have a night at home after today." Jodi answers.
"Well let's go to the pub then."
Jodi grins and responds. "Can you behave yourself if I say yes?"
Grace chuckles and replies. "Of course I can."
"Ok I'm in."
The back door opening brings a halt to the conversation.
…
"Dave what are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay home." Jodi exclaims as he enters the kitchen.
He smiles and presents her with a small posy of wildflowers and hands one to Grace as well.
"Yes I'm pleased to see you too." He quips.
Jodi accepts a quick kiss then replies in kind.
"Why have I got flowers?" Grace asks stunned by the offering.
"I just wanted to thank you both for helping out earlier. " He replies then holding up a bag offers. "I also bought hamburgers so you don't have to cook dinner."
Grace glances at Jodi.
"What?" Dave asks.
"Grace and I were going to go to the pub."
"Oh! Well just freeze them then. It's ok I can go home." Dave replies.
Grace walks off to answer the phone.
….
"How's Regan?" Jodi asks.
"She's really good now and grateful to you for helping smooth things with Grace. She insisted I come over." Dave replies.
They look at Grace as she announces. "That was Alan he's on his way over so I told him to bring his own dinner as we're sorted."
Jodi laughs and asks. "Why didn't you offer to cook for him?"
Grace shrugs her shoulders and replies. "If I'm not cooking for me why would I cook for him?"
Jodi shakes her head but smiles at her cousin.
"How about we play cards tonight?" Grace suggests.
"Sounds good to me. Dave?"
"Yep I'm in."
"I wonder what time Nick and Tess will be back? "Grace muses.
"Nick said not to save Dinner for them they'll eat in Fisher. "Jodi answers.
…..
Kilarney…The Main House.
Marcus and Kate are in the kitchen making a meal for themselves when the room lights up and almighty clap of thunder rattles the house.
Kate squeals and jumps.
Marcus laughs.
"Oh ha ha ." Kate grumbles.
Marcus chuckles and quips." You were airborne then."
Kate looks at him grins and replies." It frightened the hell out of me."
"That was close." Marcus remarks as more lighting flashes and thunder rumbles nearby.
"The wind has picked up." Kate comments.
"We aren't supposed to get rain." Marcus states.
With her hand to her ear Kate grins and cheekily asks "What did you say?"
The rain pummels the roof.
Walking to the window Kate exclaims. "Stevie and Alex have just arrived home and are getting soaked."
Without further discussion they swing into action.
…..
Ten minutes later they stand in the kitchen dripping wet with Stevie and Alex who are soaked as well.
Xander is dry and sound asleep wrapped in Alex's jacket.
"Where in the hell did that come from?" Marcus asks as he hands out towels.
"It followed us from Fisher." Steve replies as she dries her wet face and hair.
"Did it rain all the way home?" Kate asks taking her soaking jumper off.
"Yep we got five minutes out of Fisher and down it came." Stevie answers as she dabs the rain from Alex's face and hair.
"I'll put him to bed. " Alex states.
Stevie nods and begins to strip off her wet jacket." Alex can you bring down a jumper and track pants when you come back."
"Righto." He offers and disappears.
"Have you eaten?" Kate asks.
"Yep we had pizza on the way home thanks." Stevie replies.
….
On the road to Drovers Run.
Slowly Nick makes his way towards home.
"I can hardly see!" Tess comments peering at the road.
"Five minutes and we're home!" Nick remarks concentrating on the road ahead.
"The tanks will be filling up nicely." Tess remarks.
"Hmm and the dams."
"Gosh it's bucketing down isn't it?"
"I had a beaut day Tess."
"Me too."
"I'm sorry about Mum."
"Don't spoil it Nick."
"Right no Mum comments."
She smiles to herself.
….
Kilarneys old Homestead…
Regan finishes feeding her baby.
"Do you want me to dish up for you too?" Patrick asks.
Regan smiles at him and answers. "That would be great I'm starving. Thank you."
"Here give him to me." Riley offers.
Placing the small boy up to his shoulder Riley rubs his back.
A low grumbling burp escapes.
Regan laughs. "You have a knack for this."
Riley grins and replies. "It's nice having a baby in the house."
Patrick agrees but adds. "Especially when it's not your own."
Riley and Regan laugh at him.
….
"Listen to that rain. I'm glad you guys grabbed the washing in." Regan remarks.
"Well you're good enough to wash it the least we can do is bring it in." Riley responds.
"It's like having a Mum without the nagging." Patrick quips.
"Yes but in a gorgeous package." Riley chuckles.
Regan blushes.
"Oh sorry Regan that sort of slipped out." Riley states.
Regan smiles and nods then offers. "It's ok. I'm feeling pretty frumpy at the moment so it was a lovely compliment thank you."
Riley smiles at her.
…..
Drovers Run….Nine O'clock
"Oh wow it's bucketing down out there now." Jodi remarks as Alan deals their cards.
"It was so hard driving in it." Tess offers.
"Glad it was you. We were home before it started."
"Oh my god Dave what happened to your face?" Tess exclaims as she notices the bruises and scratches on Dave's face.
"Why wants wrong with it?" Dave jokes.
"I'll put the kettle on. Anyone want a coffee? "Nick asks returning downstairs.
"Geez what happened to you?" Nick asks.
"I had a run in with a tree and the tree won." Dave replies.
Accepting his answer the conversation moves on.
Jodi, Grace and Dave briefly have eye contact and acknowledge his desire to keep it to himself.
…..
Kilarney …The main house…
Stevie snoozes beside Alex as he chats to Kate and Marcus.
"Rains easing." Kate offers.
"Are we still moving the mob in the morning?" Marcus enquires.
"Yes they're being picked up the day after tomorrow and I want them in and settled before pick up." Alex replies.
"It'll be sloppy out there."
"Yeah but we'll be done by lunchtime."
"Is Stevie helping?"
"Yeah she'll be in the Ute though."
"I might come too. Robbie and I can go in the Ute with Stevie." Kate offers.
"Sounds good." Alex answers.
"Daybreak start?" Marcus asks.
"Yep." Alex answers
"We'd best get to bed then." Kate suggests.
Alex gently shakes Stevie." Come on Cowgirl Bedtime."
Stevie stretches and yawns.
Kate tells her about their plans.
Smiling Stevie offers. "Sounds like fun Kate we'll need snacks."
Kate laughs and the two girls begin to devise a plan.
"I'm going to check around outside I'll be up soon." Alex tells Stevie.
'I'll come with you." Marcus offers.
The two men grab their coats and head outside.
Kate and Stevie make their way upstairs chatting as they go.
….