Somewhere to Run is a follow on from Time to Run and the story follows from there.
Stevie and Alex had a rough start with her hiding a pregnancy from him whilst he was engaged to Fiona.
Hiding several other secrets from him one would see them become extremely wealthy in their own right.
Tess and Nick pushed on to make Drovers Run a very profitable farm before moving on to Kilarney with their young family.
Marcus and Grace take on Wilgul to breed children's ponies and cattle while Jodi and Matt continue on with Drovers Run where Tess and Nick left off.
Regan , Grace and Jaz have an older sister that they stumbled upon through their Mothers demented conversation.
Harry had wreaked havoc on his family and after hitting rock bottom had found his way back.
Harry Ryan divulges the biggest secrets of all as a daughter given up for adoption and her Mother return to the district bringing a loving , softer Harry Ryan out of his shell.
Read on….
Christmas time….. Alexander Station…. Two years on.
Alex stands with three year old Holly and two year old Daisy playing in the dirt at his feet.
In a cloud of dust the school bus pulls to a halt.
Alexander, Cooper and Blake burst out of the door calling farewells to their friends and hello to their Dad and baby sisters.
Season's Greetings exchanged and small talk swapped Alex smiles and waves to the driver as she pulls back out onto the gravel road.
"Is Rosie home yet Dad?" Cooper asks.
"Mum's at the airfield now matey she should have landed by now." Alex responds.
A discussion follows about how much fun it will be with Rosie home for the Christmas holidays.
….
Nearby five horses nibble on the grass under the trees waiting for their riders.
"Put your bags near the letterbox and climb aboard guys we'll go for a ride while we're waiting for Mum, she'll grab your gear when she comes back." Alex announces.
Quickly the boys do as their told as Alex helps Holly onto her horse.
With Holly's lead rope in hand he sits Daisy up onto his saddle and tells her to hold on tight.
Wrapping her hands around the pommel she waits for her Father to join her.
"Are you riding with Daddy Petal?" Alexander calls to his baby sister using his nickname for her.
"Dada Horsey." She replies her smile wide.
"Look at me Xander I'm on my horsey too." Holly offers.
Alexander rides closer to her and replies. "You're very clever Holly."
Alex smiles at the interactions between them as Holly beams with pride.
…..
Drover's Run...
Matt watches as Jodi waddles towards him.
Gaining eye contact he smiles at her.
She stops and by the grimace on her face he knows she's in pain.
Climbing over the fence he walks swiftly towards her." What's wrong?"
"Nothing but we need to go to the hospital."
"The baby? Now? But you've got another week to go."
"Tell her that!" Jodi offers as she smiles at him.
Calling back to the workers Matt then guides Jodi back to the house.
….
With four month old George strapped to her front Regan places the last of Jodi's bags into the car.
Glancing up she smiles as Tess's car pulls up quickly followed by a cloud of dust.
Tess runs across to the car and asks. "Hi Regan. Where are they?"
"We're here Tess." Jodi calls before stopping and breathing deeply.
"How far apart?"
"Too close for a hospital I think!" Jodi answers.
Matt looks surprised. "We'd be better in Hospital."
Tess leads Jodi back inside and calls over her shoulder. "We'd be better here than out on the road Matt."
Matt looks at Regan.
She shrugs her shoulders and quips "I'll get the bags back out of the car and put the kettle on!"
"I'll help." Matt offers.
….
Wilgul…
Grace ushers Henry, Faith and Hope down towards the shearing shed with Joseph tucked onto her hip.
Brushing the flies from her face she strides onwards.
The children run ahead and enter the shed.
Inside the machines hum whilst the smell of sweat, wool fat and dung permeates the air.
Marcus glances up and smiles as the shearers greet the Turner children.
"Hey guys what are you doing here?" Marcus questions as he pushes the ewe through the chute.
"Jodi had the baby!" Henry announces.
"Wow really? That's great!"
"Henry she's having the baby she hasn't had her yet." Grace corrects.
…..
"Hey Ben! Jodi's in labour." Grace calls.
Standing straight Ben yells. "What?"
Henry runs across the shearing shed and announces." Jodi's having a baby."
Ben smiles at Henry then grabbing him begins to tickle him and playfully growls "You don't have to yell at me!"
Henry cackles away calling. "No Benny stop!"
….
"Almost finished?" Grace asks.
"Yep I'm done for the day and I think Ben is too. Just a dozen or so left and the shearers can finish those."
Ben arrives with Henry slung across his shoulder and follows Marcus and Grace outside.
"So a new baby for Drovers Run that's a bit exciting." Ben offers.
"A new baby ON Drovers Run." Grace replies.
"Didn't make the hospital?" Ben asks.
Grace shakes her head and answers. "Regan said it all happened pretty quickly so Tess wouldn't chance the drive. Oh I rang Murphy earlier and she's coming over for a BBQ and she'll bring clean clothes for you."
"Speak of the devil and here she is!" Marcus quips as they watch Murphy pull up.
…..
Ben places Henry onto the ground and moves across to his family.
"Here's Daddy." Murphy cooes to Margot.
Margot is eighteen months old Blonde, blue eyed and the sweetest little girl.
Her face lights up and she gabbles away ten to the dozen as Ben lifts her up, kisses her and talks to her.
Murphy waits for a kiss and teases. "Once I was your number one girl but now I'm just second best." Ben chuckles and leaning over kisses her and asks. "How has your day been?"
"Well she's a darling and he just eats and sleeps all day long, so pretty good I'd say." Murphy answers as she ducks back into the car and lifts baby Ari into her arms.
…..
Walking back over to Grace and Marcus they stand waiting for Grace to finish a phone conversation.
"Mary Megan McLeod has arrived and is healthy, alert and loud." Grace chuckles as she announces Jodi and Matt's new baby.
"Oh I love that Mary McLeod is just beautiful." Murphy gushes.
"So Jodi's ok?" Marcus asks.
"Yep by all accounts everything is fine. Ambo's turned up just after she was born and carted them off to get checked out in Fisher." Grace answers.
…
Kilarney...Harry and Magpies place...
"It's open come in!" Harry calls .
Harrison, Logan , Claire and Bella race in followed by Nick all chatting at once.
Harry laughs and questions." Who had a baby?"
"Auntie Jodi did Hop and her names Mary!" Logan yells above his brother and sisters.
"What is all this noise?" Maggie calls .
Again the excitement rises as the children clamber to tell her about the new arrival on Drovers Run.
"Its another girl Magpie like us!" Claire announces with her arm around her little sister.
"Wonderful we need more girls around here don't we?" Magpie announces.
'Really? Do we need more McLeod women?" Harry teases.
"Hop, girls are good you know." Claire growls her brow furrowed.
Harry holds his grin as his granddaughter stares him down.
"Ok! I guess one more wont hurt.' He concedes.
"Are you both still coming over to the Station tonight?" Nick asks.
"Yes we are I've just finished packing the esky." Magpie answers.
"Right, we'll see you there. Come on guys we need to get back and load up the car Mums going to meet us there."
"Well hang on we'll come with you and then we'll drive Tess's car back . Saves you coming home in different cars."Harry offers.
...
Alexander Station...
Stevie and Rose stand watching as Alex and the children ride across the paddock towards them.
" Oh Mum they all look so big now!"Rose whispers.
"They're all so excited that you're home for the holidays . You will have no peace Rose." Stevie chuckles.
"I miss them all so much. A term is too long and they're growing up so much and each time I see them they're all so different."
"Yeah." Stevie offers wistfully.
Rose looks at her Mother and states. " You and I , we missed so much didn't we?"
Stevie wipes tears from her cheeks and nods unable to speak.
Rose hugs her and soothes. " I love you Mum and I love Dad and my little brothers and sisters. We missed so much but we have so much now, don't we?"
Stevie hugs tighter and gathering her bravado answers." Yes we do and tears aren't helping."
"Yeah get a grip Stevie ya sook." Rose teases.
Stevie pushes her with her elbow .
They both laugh.
...
"Rosie ! Rosie!" carries across the paddock as the children spot her.
"Stevie !" Kate calls from behind them. Stevie turns.
" A new baby on Drovers. Jodi had the baby."
"Are they both alright?" Stevie asks.
"Yes all good Mary Megan McLeod born on Drovers Run but currently heading to hospital with the Ambos to get checked out." Kate gushes.
"Great name!" Stevie offers in between chatting to her family.
Rose lifts Daisy into her arms and kisses her cheeks several times.
Handing the baby to her Mother Rose walks over and lifts her other sister into her arms.
Holly wraps herself around her big sister.
" I missed you so much and I missed your hugs ." Rose tells her.
Holly squeezes tighter.
Rose laughs loudly.
" Come on boys we'll take the horses to the stables and you can talk to Rose after.' Alex announces.
The three boys look disappointed until Rose states. " Let me take them Dad you go with Mum."
Alex dismounts and gives Rose a hug then a leg up onto his horse.
"Righto boys we've got work to do so lets get to it."Rose states as she turns her horse towards the stables .
Her three brothers follow happily chatting as they go.
...
Stevie, Alex and Kate walk back towards the house with Holly and Daisy.
"You still coming for a BBQ tonight Kate?" Alex asks.
"Yep Riley's getting the boys ready as we speak. " Kate answers.
" Good , good." He replies.
" Daddy up." Holly asks.
Smiling he lifts her up and kisses her cheek .
"She's a bit hot Stevie." He offers sounding concerned.
Placing her hand across her daughters forehead she replies. " Maybe just a little Alex . You worry to much. She'll be fine its a hot day."
He nods and they walk on.