Chapter 4

Jody and Matt were laying in bed. They were discussing the man who had turned up on their farm this morning. They both agreed that the perspective of a new cattle and lamb contract was great.

They had googled Blue Apron Organic and liked what they saw. It was a service that delivered an easy to follow recipe and all of the ingredients needed for a delicious meal you made yourself at home. The organic line had launched in the US a couple years ago and seemed to be going very well. It was geared towards urban professionals who didn't always have time to shop or access to really fresh ingredients. Any recipes that called for beef or lamb could potentially be sourcing Drovers Run. It would be quite a financial pick up for them.

This wasn't the only thing about the visit on Jodi's mind though.

"Did you see how he looked at Tess? I think he liked her. I wonder if she'll give him a chance. Probably not," she said to Matt. "She never does."

"You know Tess doesn't want a relationship like that. She has barely dated at all since she came back to Drovers. The way things ended with Nick really hurt her, especially after all they had been through. It's like Nick broke her, not just her heart, but her spirit. She seems content to be single, so let her be." warned Matt.

"But it's been nine years since she left him! She's still pretty young, only in her mid-forties. She doesn't have to be alone for the next fifty years of her life. She deserves a great guy to share her life with," argued Jodi.

"Of course she deserves it, but she doesn't seem to want it. Tess is beautiful and strong and caring. I mean, many blokes have been interested in her since she came back to Gungellan. She could easily have a boyfriend or even a husband if she wanted one, and she isn't alone, she has all of us." Matt reminded his wife.

"You know it's not the same thing. I thought Nick getting remarried five years ago would give her a kick in the butt to start dating again, but nope, She just spends every night in the cottage with Claire. Just the two of them, alone, every night. At least they usually join us for dinner. Claire is getting older and won't be living at home forever. I don't want Tess to be lonely. She's my only sister, and I love her."

"I know you want what's best for her, but I really think you should leave it alone. Tess is a grown woman. Let her make her own choices. Don't meddle. Now we should both get some sleep, we've got a big day tomorrow."

"As usual, you're probably right. Good night honey. I love you." said Jodi.

"I love you too."

Tess and Claire stayed in and had a movie night together. During the school holidays, sometimes Tess let Claire stay up later and they would watch a movie together before bed. Tonight had been Claire's choice of movie. They watched "Clueless," Tess laughed because that movie came out when she was a teenager, and now she was watching it with her teenage daughter. Funny how fast life passes by, she thought.

"I hope I fall in love with a nice guy like Josh," confessed Claire.

"I hope you end up with a nice guy too, honey. Any man who doesn't treat you well isn't worth being with." said Tess.

"Don't you want that too, Mom?" asked Claire.

"What? Want to date Paul Rudd? Sure, dating Ant-Man would be fun. I never thought about dating an American superhero before. I do like those American accents, and Paul Rudd is quite handsome," joked Tess.

"You know what I mean, Mom. Don't you want to fall in love?"

"I did fall in love, and for a while, it was wonderful, but people change, and what they want changes. Falling in love doesn't always mean staying in love and happy endings," Tess replied, "They don't usually show that part in the movies though."

"But it could be different the next time. You could get married again. Dad did," countered Claire

"I'll pass on it at this point," explained Tess. "I don't need to fall in love again. I have all the love I need from you and Charlotte and Jodi and Matt and Meggie and Katie and Stevie and Xander and Jaz and Ben and Kelly and Regan and Dylan and Grace and Gavin. My heart is full of love and I'm very happy with that."

"But don't you want a handsome bloke to kiss and hold hands with sometimes? I want that," admitted Claire.

"I'd rather get to watch you fall in love, and watch you get married and have a family of your own someday. Being a nan should be fun!" Tess exclaimed.

"But won't you be lonely if I do that? I don't want you to be lonely. Jodi's mom found love and got married when she was about your age, and she loves Terry so much. You could too," offered Claire.

"Honey, I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people around here to love, I could never be lonely here. I was very lonely in Argentina, and I was married then."

"Okay Mom, whatever you say. If you're sure, then I'm sure for you. I love you. Good night."

"Good night sweetheart." Tess said as she kissed Claire on the forehead.

Claire wasn't actually so sure her mom wasn't lonely. Her mom seemed very lonely to her. She wanted her mom to find love, or at least try dating again.