Kilarney….A Month later

Stevie is a bundle of nerves as she opens her Ute door and steps out.

Alex had invited her for dinner with his family and it's not something she'd normally do.

He'd insisted she'd be fine.

Harry and Liz Ryan weren't the kind of people she'd normally associate with.

They were too much like her own parents and she wasn't particularly fond of them either.

…..

Taking one last look at her makeup in the side mirror she smooths her hand over her dress and turns towards the house.

A smile lights her eyes as his voice taps on her heart.

"Wow look at you Stevie! Who knew you could look like this?"

"I may look alright but my guts churning Alex. Do you really think this is a good idea?"

Giving her a sweet kiss he replies. "Well Stevie it's like this I like my parents to meet the girl I'm dating so yes I think it's a good idea."

She looks at him with concern on her face and questions. "I'm still not sure about dating you Alex. I mean the whole Claire and you deal. I'm not comfortable with dating Claire's ex."

Shaking his head at her he replies. "I've thought about that a lot Stevie honestly I have. It's been almost a year since we broke up and I haven't heard a boo from her. I have to move on I'm not getting any younger and sometime in the future I'd like to get married and have a family. Not a lot of choice out here in eligible woman or men so I think we're a good pair don't you?"

"Gee make me feel good. No one else around so you'll do." She laments.

Turning her to face him her rubs her arms and offers seriously "That's not how I meant it to sound Stevie. If I hadn't been involved with Claire you certainly are the kind of woman I'd be interested in. We have so much in common, you love farm life and horses, you're a hard worker, you're great fun at the pub, you make me laugh, you tell me when I'm being a jerk and I think you're sweet, kind and very, very easy on the eye."

She smiles up at him.

He winks and leans to kiss her again.

"Ready?" He asks taking hold of her hand.

"As ready as I'll ever be I guess." She answers feeling slightly better.

…..

The boundary fence between Drover's and Kilarney….Six Months later...

Stevie lays out the steel droppers as Alex pounds them into the ground.

Nearby his sat phone begins to ring.

"Grab that Stevie." He calls.

Stevie strides over to the Ute and picks up the phone off the tray.

"Hello Alex Ryan's phone Stevie speaking. Hello! Say again? Claire! What's wrong you sound funny? What? Where are you we'll come and get you? Is Charlotte alright? An address Claire? Everything will be alright we're on our way now. Be strong we're coming. "

"Alex! Alex! "She yells as she throws things onto the tray.

"What are you doing?" He asks arriving at the Ute.

"That was Claire. She's hurt. We have to go and get her." Stevie explains sounding scared.

""What's the rush? We haven't heard from her in forever and now you want to just down tools and run to her."

Stopping what she's doing she growls. "She's living at Danny Faulkner's and somethings happened and he's beaten her up.'

"Bastard!" Alex snarls as he too begins to load the Ute.

"Is Charlotte alright?" He asks as they clamber into the cab.

"Yes."

….

Drovers Run….

Nick has just poured two coffees as Tess rushes out from the office.

With a smile on his face he glances up and announces. "Coffees hot and delicious. Want some?"

"That was Stevie. They've just had a call from Claire some bloke called Danny Faulkner has beaten her up." Tess offers looking and sounding distressed.

His smile disappears.

"What in the hell is she doing with him. He's a bastard."Nick offers.

"I have no idea Nick but Stevie and Alex are on their way to bring her and Charlotte home." Tess answers her voice cracking.

Moving forward he hugs her and replies." It's about time she came home. It would have been better under different circumstances Tess but at least she's coming home. Don't worry everything will be alright."

….