Chapter 2: Save tonight
Stevie was still cleaning the stables and had missed out diner. Jodi walked in. 'Stevie, I think that can wait till tomorrow. You're working way too much lately. You'll get a burn-out.' Stevie didn't even take the time to look up at the blonde girl. 'Like you should know!', she expounded with a cynical undertone. It was enough for Jodi, knowing it wasn't worth her time. 'How tacky we are today, like the rest of the week', Jodi mumbled as she took off. 'I've heard that!', Stevie added vexed.
Stevie had been working almost non-stop for the last week and Jodi and Kate showed their worries to Tess. Though Tess, having problems with Nick wanting to move out, told them they had to give her some time, that she would turn around eventually.
'Maybe Alex can talk to her?', Kate said to Jodi while they were sitting on her bed pondering on their talk with Tess earlier that evening. 'Well', Jodi continued, 'that's not even that bad of an idea Manfredi. She won't listen to us, maybe Alex can talk some sense into her. We can't deal with an overworked Stevie, now Tess is having problems with Nick and Sally.' Kate totally agreed with her friend, while taking in another salt and vinegar chip she replied talking to Alex would be the first thing they would do in the morning.
In the morning ... Jodi and Kate both set to Wilgul leaving a working Stevie behind with a sham. Jodi pushed Kate in front of her to knock on the door. 'Jode', Kate said agitated. Not even a second later the door swung open and Dave's bright face looked at the girls. 'Well good morning ladies, all up shiny to pay a visit to your handsome vet, ain't?' he displayed a sheepish grin and Jodi looked at him annoyed, pushing Kate a bit forward. 'Well, maybe she is, but I'm here for Alex.' Kate blushed while Dave looked studied at his neighbors. 'Uhm, didn't knew Alex had fans ... wait a sec.' While Dave made an attempt to wake up a sleepy Alex, Kate and Jodi had an argument in the kitchen about Jodi's Kate/Dave comment.
Dave entered; 'Hey ladies, you don' t have to fight over me, there's enough for both of you.' 'Where's Alex?' Jodi said not wanting to waste any time with Dave's nonsense. 'He's in the shower, take a seat. I'm off, have to please some ewes.' Jodi rolled her eyes as Kate tried to wish him success for the day.
Alex was still a bit sleepy, and saw the two girls staring at him, and wondered why they'd show up at his place this early. While he made himself comfortable and took a cup of coffee, offering some to the girls who politely refused his offer, he asked what caused the pleasure of the visit. 'Well', Jodi started a bit uncertain, 'you know Stevie isn't really herself lately.' Alex nodded. He had seen her a couple of times last week but it was all superficial talk that had passed and he didn't really had a good conversation with her, though he wanted to. 'She's been working way too much.' 'And she doesn't listen to us', Kate added quickly. 'So we were wondering if you could talk to her'.
A couple of days later Stevie had agreed on a night out with Alex, though she wasn't really looking forward to a night in Gungellan's pub. She finally had talked Alex into a 'just come over' visit, so she didn't need to dress up or whatever would go with that. Alex had brought some bottles of beer, and as the weather was still good, they had settled themselves on the bench on the veranda. Stevie took another swong of her beer and stared into the distance. Alex didn't have much success so far but figured it would be better to give her some time.
Stevie sighed deeply. 'Are you tired?', Alex started. 'Yeah, I don't think I'm any good company for you tonight', she said softly. 'I won't mind ... if there is something you wanna talk about, just say so, Steves.' She still looked in front of her and Alex gave her a slight punch on her arm. Stevie knew Alex expected her to speak. She looked aside. 'Maybe I am a bit of a mess lately.' Alex just listened as Stevie started to talk.
'Why do I always have to act before I think. I didn't had the right to accuse Kane of stealing cattle and attack you ... why do I always have to mess things up?' She shook her head and felt really sad. Her eyes were teary and although Alex had put his hand on her back to comfort her it didn't made her feel any better. 'Stevie, you don't ... not always.' She looked at him with a look as if he was fooling himself. 'I mean it.'
'Well, give me one thing that I haven't messed up?' Alex moved closer. 'You're doing a great job as part owner of Drovers.' Stevie shook her head again. 'Yeah like working as crazy and grumble at the others will help.' There was a moment of silence and Stevie again had taken the view in front of her. 'And what about our friendship. You're a pretty good friend to me'. Alex softly grinned at Stevie. 'You think?' Stevie looked at Alex with the tears in her eyes almost leaving the corner of her eye. He nodded and smiled and pulled her closer. She lay her head against his chest and watched the dark sky, softly closing her eyes as Alex placed a kiss on her hair. She blinked and could almost fall a sleep. He caressed her arm gently.
'You probably want to sleep', he said softly. She nodded as she still possessed his chest, not really wanting to let go off it. 'That beer hasn't done much good either', she whispered. 'Come, I won't hold you up any longer'. He wanted to pull her up, but she took hold of him. He looked at her with a wondering expression. 'Don't leave', she whispered. She was aware of the save feeling he was giving her. 'But I think it's better for you to get some sleep.' She looked at him again with an expression that said enough. 'You want me to stay?' She nodded sweetly, with a soft smile on her face. 'Well, let's go'.
He took her inside and let her make ready for the night. He was already preparing the couch as he caught her staring at him standing in the doorway. He knew she was thinking about something. She didn't knew if it was the right choice to ask, for a moment she hesitated, but before her sense could make her decide to neglect the thought, she already offered him the left side of the bed. Somewhere she wanted to have that save feeling stay with her for the rest of the night.