Drovers Empire

by M. M. O'Reilly

It's October of 2020, but the wildfires and worldwide pandemic never happened. We return to Gungellan for a modern reboot of our beloved McLeod's Daughters. The cattle stations of Drovers Run and Killarney are still working farms, and Wilgul has found a new life. Time has passed, but the love flowing around Drovers Run has never faltered.

54. Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Stevie and Xander were tired. They had mustered three hundred head of cattle that afternoon, which were headed to market in the morning. Stevie had a buyer set up and had gotten what she considered a decent price, but she knew it wasn't great. She knew the cattle prices would be dropping fast with so many stations dealing with the drought, so it was important to get them sold as quickly as possible.

Xander had done a great job. He and Blake were proving they could do the work as well as any of the men. Xander was also thrilled to have Blake around for the next week. They were becoming good pals and it was clear to Stevie that Xander and Blake could work well together on the farm too.

"So, apparently, Kate is back in Gungellan and has some sort of announcement. Jodi and Tess are hosting an impromptu barbeque in her honor tonight. Should we bring Bobby and Blake along?" Stevie asked Xander. "I'll see if Marcus and Ingrid can make it too."

"Sounds good." said Xander. "I hope Uncle Marcus and Aunt Ingrid will come with Ryan and Riley. We haven't seen them lately and I bet Blake and Bobby will want to come along too. And, Mom, I really am sorry about the other night. Thanks for the talk. I realize I stuffed it up. I want you to continue to date, and to get a boyfriend or even a husband someday, but I won't interfere like that again. I just wanted you to find someone nice. I'm sorry," apologized Xander.

"It's okay, Wombat. I'll ask Bobby if he and Blake want to come to Drovers. I love you. Now go get ready for dinner." she said.

Stevie smiled to herself. The little talk she had with Xander had gone similarly to the one she had with Claire. She realized how well Xander had been able to see through her act. He had recognized her loneliness.

Stevie swung by the cottage to invite Bobby along. When Ben moved in with Jaz, it became empty, so Stevie had encouraged Bobby to move into it when he joined Killarney earlier this year since it had the extra bedrooms for when Bobby had his family visit. She also called Marcus who said that they couldn't make it, because he had promised his boys they would have dinner at the pub tonight, but he mentioned Ingrid was on vet calls nearby for most of the day, so she would probably want to come if she finished in time.