Chapter 7: Awkward moments

Stevie was a bit anxious seeing Alex again, but she knew that moment could be anytime soon. She had difficulty accepting the fact she had feelings for him and she didn't had a clue how she would react if she would see him. Would it be any different?

Alex was on his way to Drovers. Just paying a visit, cause he knew it would brighten up his day. He had a sad feeling over him the last couple of days, definitely after he heard Jasmine's message on his answering machine, telling she left Drovers cause she needed to help Nancy and she wished him all the best. Alex knew that Nancy part was just a sham and the fact he had rejected her was the true reason she left. He just hoped he had done the right thing not giving her a second chance. Not willing to do some work at Killarney he headed off to Drovers. He knew Stevie could always make him feel better.

Stevie was in the office working on the administration on the computer. Trying to make sense of a new program that Tess had just installed a couple of weeks before and with Tess and Nick leaving to Argentina soon she had to practice. Alex had found her and came in silently, looking at her when she was swearing at the computer. It already had put a smile on his face. He knew Stevie and computers didn't went along well.

'Well cowgirl, is the computer being naughty?' Stevie shook up; she didn't hear him entering the room. She turned her face to see Alex for a second. 'Hey, didn't knew you were here. How long have you been standing there?' 'Just long enough to hear you freak out that computer. If you treat him a bit nicer, maybe he's more co-operative.' She gave him a quick 'oh you're so funny' stare. She watched the screen not really willing to look at him, let's stand looking him in the eye. She felt a bit nervous now Alex was with her.

'What's the problem? Maybe I can help'. 'Oh, nothing'. 'Yeah right, come on Stevie, let me see.' Alex stood next to her, gazing at the screen. Stevie felt even more uncomfortable. It's just Alex, she kept telling herself. 'Well?' Alex asked again, wondering why she didn't want his help. 'You weren't watching some adult site, where you?' Alex smirked about his own joke. 'Noooo!' Stevie replied quickly, giving him another stare. Alex and his stupid comments, she thought to herself, realizing it made her forget the 'I'm in love with him' part.

Ok, let's focus on that, on all his annoying habits. Alex bended over her, already laying his hand on hers, which was holding the mouse. 'I see, you're having problems with this program. Nick just got it too, a few weeks ago.' Stevie stared at her hand. Just after a few seconds she noticed what Alex just said. 'Tess just installed it, they probably got discount, two for the price of one', Stevie said it a bit uncomfortable, hoping it would sound way more relaxing than she felt inside.

Alex was clicking on some buttons, telling what she had to do to delete a number. But his words didn't reached Stevie, cause he had moved closer and she almost felt her breath get stuck in her throat. His body felt so close. She so had hoped her feelings wouldn't had this effect on her, but there was no denying any longer, she was in love with Alex Ryan.

'So, you've seen it? Or do I have to show it once more?' Alex didn't get a response. 'Stevie? Are yah paying any attention ... at all?' He looked at her and it seemed like she all of a sudden woke up from her thoughts. What was going on with her, acting this strange? 'Ow, uhm yeah I guess so', Stevie uttered. 'You guess so what?' She gave him another confused look.

'Is everything all right, your mind seems to be somewhere else?' 'I'm fine', Stevie said quickly. Alex looked strangely at her, like he would believe that. He knew her longer than today. 'You're sure?'

She nodded. 'I'm just tired, hardly slept, having a lot on my mind with Tess departure coming up.' She hoped that that would sound fair enough to him. 'Ah', he said. He leant against the desk looking at her while she continued her work. But of course she couldn't concentrate. Why did he have to watch her? Alex had his own thoughts. He studied her and still wasn't satisfied with her answer. He started some useless talk about the cattle they sold last Tuesday. She just nodded absently.

Stevie didn't wanted to mention Jasmine, but she was curious about his reaction. And 'that someone' part had still played with her mind. She hesitated, but couldn't stop herself. 'That was a short visit of Jasmine', she blurted out, still looking at the screen, so she didn't had to face him, especially not while mentioning Jasmine. She knew he could read her eyes and face pretty easily.

'Yah', he just said, not wanting to sound moved. Why did she all of a sudden mention Jaz?

Why did he respond so blunt? Stevie thought.

Alex was staring at the wall. Well, this wasn't a very uplifting conversation. He wondered if he had said anything wrong. 'Hey Stevie are you going to Terry's truck stop music party this Saturday?' Surprised with the fact he said something after a couple of minutes in silence, she looked at him. 'I dunno, probably. Kate and Jodi will probably drag me to it.' She gave him a soft smile. Nice, she smiled. 'I think Dave will probably do the same with me.'

They exchanged some few lines before Alex decided to leave Stevie alone with her beloved computer. Stevie sighed when he had left the offence. Oh gosh that really felt awkward. He probably would think she was a total dork. She really needed to get a grip on herself whenever she was with Alex.

Jodi and Kate where talking about the truck stop party, standing at the back of Drovers. 'Just ask him!' Jodi said to her friend. 'Oh I can't,' Kate replied. She wanted to know if Dave would go. If she would see him there.

Dave had been checking the cattle and walked to the girls, who were way too much in their conversation to notice the vet. 'It looks totally dull to ask him if he goes', Kate said a bit frustrated. 'Ask him what?' Dave grinned at Kate, which made her wanted to disappear. Why did he have to overhear her? 'Uhm nothing.' But her face turned red and it made Jodi giggle. 'I will leave you two alone, have to feed the horses', Jodi smirked. She walked away but couldn't resist looking back at the two, sticking out her tongue at Kate.

Kate gave her an 'I'm so gonna get you for this' look back, which made Dave looked examined at her. She catch him looking and even felt worse. 'So tell me?' 'What?' 'Well where were you two talking about?' Dave waited patiently on Kate's answer. 'About the truck stop party. Are you going?' She said it in high speed. So that was out, and she sighed. 'Ah', it made Dave put on his grin again. 'Yes, I was planning to. I'm curious about Terry music choice. Maybe he will let us do the bird dance. Yeah that would be fun ... I have to remember that as a request', he added, saying it to himself. Kate just smiled uncomfortable. What on earth could she say about the bird dance?

'Sowwww, I checked the cattle, they look fine. Just pass it on to Tess for me, will yah?' 'Uh yeah, of course. I will tell her straight away!' Dave looked at her. 'Uhm it's not really a big deal, you don't have to hurry.' Kate could slap herself for her head. Why on earth did she have to be so out of tune whenever he was near? 'I will, uh, tell her at diner!' She fast made up her mind. 'Fine by me', Dave smirked.