Chapter 3
"Baby! I got it!" Kate Manfredi was thrilled as she spoke into the phone "Higgins Agricultural University offered me the professorship! I'm so happy! I couldn't have done this without you. I love you," Kate cheered into the phone as she walked out of the University office.
"Of course you did, Darling, you deserved it. You are brilliant at what you do. I love you." responded Russell. "So I take it we're moving to Fisher?"
"There's um, a catch though, It's actually an even better job than I thought! I won't be teaching in the traditional sense. I won't be on campus in a classroom, I'll be running a new program where students live and work on a cattle station and I'll be teaching the students for a special work experience program." Kate explained.
"That sounds even more perfect for you, Baby. You love being out on the land, dealing with animals, and helping people. Where's the cattle station?" asked Russell.
"Well that's one of the coolest parts. This is a new program for the university, so they don't have an existing property for this. Within certain parameters, it's up to me. I can choose the property I want to run," Kate explained excitedly.
"Ah yes, I know where this is headed. I reckon I should start packing. We're moving to Gungellan, aren't we?" Russell asked the question he already knew the answer to.
"Are you sure you're okay with this? Are you sure you can be happy in such a rural place?" I can look for something closer to town if you want." Kate offered.
"Absolutely not. You light up everytime you talk about Drovers Run, and it would be wonderful for you to be closer to your friends, especially Jodi. You and Jodi deserve to live close together again. Remember, I'm a country boy too. I only stayed in Adelaide because you were here. I don't want to stay in Adelaide. I go where you go. As long as we have a good internet connection, I can do my job anywhere. I think this will be great for us. Congratulations, Baby!" Russell said.
"I'm getting on the flight shortly, honey. I'll be back in Adelaide in a few hours. I'll call you when I land. I love you."
Kate couldn't believe how everything was falling into place. She had left Drovers Run nearly thirteen years ago. Drovers Run had been everything to her for a while, but eventually it felt like there just wasn't enough there for her any more. It had just been too hard to stay between Tess moving away, breaking up with Dave, and losing Jodi. So much joy had gone from the place. Then, finally, there was Riley's death. Drovers had just been too full of sadness for her to remain there at that time. But Jodi and Tess had both come back, and remembering Riley no longer made her cry, but smile instead. Kate had grown stronger, and she had found the love of her life in Russell. She was ready to return to Gungellan, and she had a specific property in mind.
Stevie was exhausted by the time they pulled into the gates of Killarney and got Rufus unloaded and settled back in his stall. She immediately sent Xander to bed. She realized that if Xander's rodeo career continued like this, long trips like these were going to become more and more common. With Xander growing big and strong like his father had been, he was helping more and more on the station, but it was clear his heart belonged to the rodeo, and Stevie didn't want their responsibilities to Killarney to prevent him from going for his dreams.
She had been happy for her brother - in - law, Marcus, when he had purchased another property thirty minutes drive from Killarney about seven years ago, after his second son was born. She had been ready to move from Drovers Run to Killarney to manage the large station that would become Xander's. Marcus had renamed his property Turner's Bend and moved there from Killarney with Ingrid and their two boys, Ryan and Riley. He was still a minority owner in Killarney, but his heart was focused on building Turner's Bend into something great for his own sons as he insisted Killarney was Alex's legacy for Xander. He made it a point to be active in Xander's life and played the role of the loving uncle very well, but the management of Killarney had been left to Stevie since he had moved.
Stevie's cousin Ben had moved to Gungellan to help Stevie shortly after Alex passed away, and had been overseer of Killarney for the last thirteen years. They had worked together, with hired hands, running the 5,000 acre cattle station very effectively and Kilarney continued to be one of the most successful stations in the district. With farming becoming more difficult, Stevie found that finding responsible field hands had also gotten tougher over the years, so Stevie knew she was lucky to have found Bobby Chelsea. They had hired Bobby as a field hand a little under a year ago, and while he was older than most station hands, in his mid-forties, he did great work. Stevie realized she would need at least one more, maybe two, more people to help at Killarney if Xander's rodeo career was going to continue and they would need to be traveling more regularly.
She dialed Ben's number to get a report on things since she'd been gone.
"Hey cuz, we just got back. How did everything go?" she said into the phone.
"Eh, the usual, we had a border fence down with Drovers, but Claire stepped in and was able to fix it all by herself. Jodi was with her, and was so proud of her niece. All the livestock is fine, but the creek is way down, another several centimeters since you left. It's nearly dry. It's not sustainable. We need rain," Ben replied.
"Down several inches? The water shouldn't be going down that quickly, even in this drought. It doesn't make any sense. I'm gonna check with Drovers tomorrow and see if they are having similar issues." Stevie answered.
"How did our boy ride? Was it worth the trip? How was being presented with a lifetime achievement award? Do you feel legendary?" joked Ben.
"I felt silly being up there getting an award when I haven't competed in years. Xander got first in steer roping and second in roping overall. He lost to a boy two years older than him. The kid was really skilled, and I was impressed with him. I think it was good for Xander to see some different competition." Stevie paused, deciding if she wanted to include the next part. "I met the boy's father. It was an interesting conversation," said Stevie as she began to recount the entire situation with James Lawlor to her cousin. She ended by saying, "So I finally agreed to see if I could recommend a coach who lives closer to his area." said Stevie.
"I bet he was trying to ask you out. You don't realize how beautiful you are, Steves. Would you want to date this guy?" asked Ben
"He didn't ask me out, I don't think it was like that, and if it were like that, I'm not sure I'd date him, he doesn't seem like my type," said Stevie.
Ben knew what Stevie meant by 'her type'. She always seemed to end up on dates with tall, well built men with short brown hair, and a personality of being cocky, but backing it up, especially in farming related topics. As Ben saw it, Stevie just kept dating stand-ins for Alex, but never got serious with any of them.
"Maybe you should give him a chance anyway." recommended Ben.
Stevie wasn't convinced, "He never asked me out, so it doesn't matter. I just have to call him about a coach, since I promised Xander I'd help if I could. Oh, will I see you for breakfast tomorrow?" asked Stevie. "Bobby said he wouldn't be by for breakfast, so it'll be just us."
"Yeah, Jaz has a new rider arriving tomorrow which means she'll be extra busy and out real early. I'll see ya tomorrow. Good night Steves."
"Good night Ben, thanks for handling Killarney while I was gone."
"It's my job, Stevie. That's why you pay me," Ben said as he hung up the phone.
Kate landed in Adelaide late that night. She hadn't called Jodi to tell her the good news, instead, she spent the entire flight planning out how to surprise her friend. She had a great plan, but it all depended on if the property she wanted was still available.
She felt so happy at the accomplishments of her week, but she was also exhausted and feeling nauseous from the flight. It hadn't been that bumpy of a flight, but she was still feeling terrible. She called Russell to tell him she'd landed safely and would be grabbing an Uber home, but instead, he said to forget the Uber and to just come outside. He had surprised her and was there waiting for her with a dozen roses at the arrivals pick up area.
"Congratulations Darling! I'm so proud of you." Russell said as he handed her the bouquet and kissed her.
"I still don't know how I got so lucky with you. You're so good to me," said Kate.
As she got in the car and looked at Russell beside her, she thought about how much her life had changed since she had left Gungellan, and how it would be different this time, moving back there with Russell. After leaving Drovers, Kate had worked at a farm for at-risk youth for several years. It was worthwhile work and it was exactly what she needed to recover from the heartache she was feeling at the time. It had been a very dark time in her life, and it helped to heal her and gave her new found confidence and direction. It also helped her to find joy in life again. She found that she loved teaching people how to farm and realized that was truly where her calling was, but also realized that she wanted to use her vast technical knowledge to teach farming at a higher level than what she was doing. She wanted to teach at the university level.
She had then started the grueling process of applying for doctoral programs and eventually settled on a dual program at the University of Adelaide. It was near some of her family and had a fantastic program that allowed her to complete a doctorate in Agricultural science while also earning a masters in education. She moved into a small, one bedroom flat near the University in a complex where many other graduate students lived. She was in the process of moving her things in, when this tall, lean, gorgeous guy with wavy black hair and glasses walked into her flat and offered her a beer and help with her boxes. He lived next door. He introduced himself as Russell Kaits. He was finishing an advanced degree in Software Engineering and was originally from Queensland.
Kate thought he was the best looking man she had ever seen, but hated that his name was Russell Kaits. She thought there couldn't be a future there, because she refused to become Kate Kaits. She tried to keep her distance and keep things very casual, but Russell had fallen for her the moment he walked into her flat. He set about courting her, yes, she remembered him actually using that old fashioned word, and before long, Kate couldn't resist. She loved him too.
A few months later, he proposed and she said yes on the condition that she kept Manfredi because she really didn't want to have the same name twice. They got married a year after that and had been living together in Adelaide ever since. Russell had finished his degree in the first semester Kate had started a grueling five year program. He had gotten a job with an engineering firm out of Sydney that allowed him to work remotely. He continued to live in Adelaide while Kate went to school. He supported her financially and emotionally while she worked through her doctorate and teaching degrees. He had become the single most important person in her life and she still woke up everyday amazed that she was his wife.
She knew she would never have been able to accomplish what she had over the last few years without him. She completed her dual program, earned top marks, and had successfully defended her Agricultural Science thesis only three days earlier, and now she had just landed her dream job. All of it had happened because Ruseell had been there with her every step of the way, supporting her, helping her, loving her. She knew was incredibly lucky to have such strong support from him.
"Hey Baby, how was your flight?" Russell asked.
"Ugh, I don't normally get airsick, but I'm feeling rough tonight,'' said Kate, feeling confused by her illness. "The flight wasn't even that bumpy."
"Did you eat on the flight? Or would you like to grab a late supper?" asked Russell
"Eh, I'm not sure I can keep things down right now. I think I just want you and some sleep." Kate admitted
"Righto, we'll be home in a few minutes then. Did you tell Jodi about your good news?" asked Russell.
"Not yet, I did spend most of the flight planning how to surprise her though. She doesn't even know I was interviewing with Higgins, and I think I've got it all figured out. I have a property in mind, it was available the last I had heard, but I'll be inquiring first thing tomorrow morning to confirm it's availability."
"Oh yeah? Is it next to Jodi and Drovers?" Russell asked.
"It is really close to Drovers Run and to Killarney, where Stevie is. It's been bought and sold several times the last few years and the name has changed, but I still think of it as Kinsella's. If it's available, that is the property I'll be instructing the university to purchase for this program. It's perfect for teaching Agricultural Sciences and Cattle Management, plus Jodi and I would be neighbors! I would definitely need to change the name though. Sandra Kinsella is not someone I want to remember, but I'm not going to think of possible names yet. I don't want to jinx it," explained Kate.
"Watch out ladies and gentlemen! Kate Manfredi has a plan. Do not try to stop her. She will figure out a way around every obstacle in her path. She will get it done!" Russell joked with her.
They pulled into the carpark of their complex. Kate got out of the car and proceeded to vomit all over the pavement.
"Yuck. I guess I really was airsick. Gross. I'll go get a bucket of water to rinse this off so it doesn't stink up the whole car park. Sorry," Kate groaned.
"I've got this honey, obviously you're not feeling well. Head on up, I'll clean this up for you and bring you some toast in a few minutes." offered Russell.
Kate went up the stairs to their second story flat feeling miserable. She melted into their bed and was asleep before Russell even came back upstairs.