Chapter 26
How the hell am I going to figure out Jaz's ring size? Stevie wondered.
"Hey guys, I've got to head out and deal with a sheep issue. Can you forward those rules to me please?" Stevie lied about where she was going.
"Yeah righto. See ya, Stevie" Matt and Terry replied
Steve got in her ute and headed toward Wilgul. Jaz should be out working with her athletes. Hannah was probably home with Kelly. She would just tell Hannah that Ben forgot his wallet and Stevie was coming to grab it. That would give her an excuse to go into their bedroom and steal a ring from Jaz's jewelry box. She could measure it and call Ben with the measurements and he could get his damn ring made.
Steve pulled through the gates of Wilgul and passed the sign that read "McLeod Elite Equestrian Training Center at Wilgul" and drove past the stables, the training ring, and the athletes quarters to the main house. She parked and went to the front door and knocked.
To her surprise, Jaz answered.
"Hey Stevie. What a nice surprise. What are you doing here?" said Jaz.
"Oh! Um, Ben called me and asked if I could bring him his wallet. He forgot it and is in town. I was headed there anyway, so he asked if I'd bring it."
"Sure. I'll go grab it from the bedroom. Did he say where he left it?" asked Jaz.
"Um, maybe in the pants he wore yesterday?" suggested Stevie., knowing it wouldn't be there.
"Come on in. Did you want a cup of tea?" offered Jaz.
"No, that's okay. I want to get going asap."
"Okay. I should just be a minute."
"No problem. I'll wait here." said Stevie.
Why is she here in the middle of the morning? wondered Stevie.
"So Jaz, where are Hannah and Kelly?" Stevie sort of half hollered in the direction of the bedroom
"Oh, they're out watching the dressage practice. Kelly loves it." said Jaz with a smile.
"Don't you have to coach the dressage?"
"No. Tyler is the dressage specialist. I focus mostly on the show jumping and video sessions. I oversee Tyler's program, but he is a total pro and doesn't need me micromanaging him. I was just catching up on some paperwork before my video session with Jenna Malone in about thirty minutes."
"I see. It's good that you trust your coaching staff." replied Stevie.
"Stevie, I'm sorry but I can't find his wallet anywhere. Is he certain he had it when he was home last?"
"As far as I know. That's what he said. Do you want me to go have a look so you can get back to your paperwork?" offered Stevie.
"No, that's all right. I wonder if he left them in his coveralls. He was doing some work on one of our tractors yesterday evening. Perhaps it's in those pockets." Jaz wondered out loud.
"Did you want to go check the barn?" said Stevie, hoping to get Jaz to leave her alone in the house.
"I suppose I shall have to. Come with me. It's just next door." offered Jaz.
Stevie and Jaz walked over to the barn next door. There was a pair of green coveralls hanging on a hook on the far wall. Jaz walked over to them and checked the pockets. Unsurprisingly to Stevie, the wallet wasn't there.
"This is the darndest thing. It's not like Ben to misplace his things. That's much more my style." Jaz admitted.
"It's okay. I'll tell him we couldn't find it."
"Actually, you said you were heading straight into town from here, right?
"Erm, yes." Stevie lied.
"Would you mind doing me a big favor? We're adding a second dressage ring and we have to get a permit to build it. I forgot all about it, but the deadline is today. Would you mind dropping off some paperwork at town hall for me?"
"How could I say no when it's so important?" Stevie really was trying to figure out how to say no.
Oh this is just great. Now I really am heading to town for no good reason, Stevie realized.
"Great. Thank you. It's just in the office in the house." explained Jaz.
They walked back to the house and Jaz ran in and grabbed a file. "Just put this in the inbox at the building permit office at town hall. You're a real lifesaver, Stevie. Thanks so much!" said Jaz.
"Don't mention it," grumbled Stevie
Stevie got back in her ute and drove off.
Great! I need to kill time for forty minutes until I know Jaz has to be somewhere, get the ring, and then drive all the way to Gungellan. Ben owes me a six pack for this one, thought Stevie.