Chapter 68

Jodi and Tess were out examining sheep. They were preparing to sell a large portion of their mob in two days and part of the requirement was a health check from a vet before delivery.

Jodi had noticed a lame sheep and she wanted to make sure it was just an isolated injury and not something that could spread throughout their herd right before an important sale.

"Dave said he could stop by this afternoon. Let's get this girl into the back of the ute and take her back towards the house. If it is something contagious, it's good to get her separated from the rest," said Jodi.

Tess and Jodi picked up the ewe and tied her in the tray of the ute.

"Let's just do one more walk around to check for anything else. We don't want any surprises. If we lose this sale, we won't find another," said Tess.

They carefully walked around the paddock and looked over their mob, but found no need for concern with any of the other sheep.

"So, tonight is the night. Your date with Finn. Have you thought about what you're going to wear?" asked Jodi.

"I have, actually." Tess blushed. "I thought I'd wear my teal top with some dark skinny jeans. I don't want to overdress, but I do want to show I took some care."

"Teal is a great color for you. I think it's a good choice. I have a new lippie if you want to borrow it," Jodi offered.

"Thanks. Maybe I will."

"What reason are you going to give Claire for getting so done up for town?" asked Jodi.

"Actually, I was going to ask you to help me. Can you keep her busy on the farm? Somewhere away from the cottage?"

"Sure, I'll find some task that just has to be done right then," giggled Jodi.

"I have to swing by the bank anyway, that's why I scheduled the date for today. We finally received the check for that alpaca sale from last month. I was worried we were going to have to repossess Church Bell. I'll deposit the check and then go meet Finn for the date. I'll be home at some point tonight," said Tess.

"Unless the date goes really well!" teased Jodi.

"There is no way that is happening tonight, even if it was the best date ever. I need to go slow. Nine years, remember? I reckon I can hold out longer than the second date," said Tess. "And I wouldn't leave Claire in the cottage all alone.

"Okay. But if you change your mind, for any reason, just call so I don't worry. Otherwise, just text me when you leave town, even if it's late," said Jodi.

"Will do, Mom!" teased Tess.

"The rest of these sheep look pretty good. Let's get this ewe back and meet Dave," replied Jodi.

Kate was feeling pretty good. Russell was totally in his element and the drone was actually starting to look like a drone. She totally believed Russell was going to pull this off. She heard Tess, Jodi, and a bleating ewe, so she went to see what they were up to and if they needed any help.

As she walked around the corner, Kate caught a whiff of the sheep and a wave of nausea swept over her. She immediately got sick on the ground right by where Tess and Jodi were climbing out of the ute. It hit her hard enough that she lost her breakfast and her lunch. Jodi came over to check on her while Tess dealt with the sheep. She heard another car door slam and a familiar voice.

"Okay. Where is my poor, injured lady?" asked Dave.

"Dave?! WTF! I forgot I'd likely see him around here," thought Kate as she was still getting sick.

Kate hadn't thought about Dave in several years and she hadn't seen him since she worked at the farm for at risk children.

Dave had come back to Australia from Africa and had shown up at that farm. She remembered that day when he had told her he was still in love with her and wanted a chance to be together here, in Australia, where things would be more comfortable for her, and they would have more equal footing. She had turned him down, but still held some feelings for him for years after that. She had not been in a position to be in love at the time and had told Dave that, but later, she had regretted not giving them another chance to be together.

After meeting Russell, she never thought about being with Dave again, and no longer regretted not giving him a chance, but she still felt awful for hurting him when she turned him down.

"Are you okay?" Dave asked.

Kate finally finished losing her lunch and stood up.

"Kate!? Hi," said Dave.

"Dave! What a surprise! Um, hello." Kate wiped her face and mouth with her hand.

"Are you sure you're alright? You seem pretty sick. It could be serious. I think you should go to the clinic," Dave said, as he handed her a handkerchief.

"I'm fine," she said as she used the handkerchief on her mouth.

"No, I insist. You need to get checked out," said Dave.

"Really. I'm fine," insisted Kate.

"Jodi, will you please talk some sense into her. She is clearly ill." said Dave.

"Um, Dave, it's just morning sickness. Kate's pregnant," whispered Jodi.

"Oh. Well, congratulations, then," replied Dave, feeling foolish.

"Um, thanks. I've got to go," responded Kate.

"Dave, the injured ewe is over here." Tess tried to ease the tension.

Russell walked around the corner from his workshop and put his arm around Kate. "I heard you getting sick. Are you alright, baby? That was as bad as you've had it."

"Dave, this is my husband, Russell. Russell, this is Dave," said Kate, feeling even more awkward.

Kate had told Russell about Dave. He knew he was Kate's ex and that she had moved to Africa with him after pining for him for a long time. But Kate never told him that Dave had shown up and confessed his love for her after Africa and wanted to get back together and that she had refused him. As far as she was aware, no one but her, Dave, Patrick and Tayler knew that.

"Nice to meet you, Dave. I'm Russell Kaits."

"Dr. Dave Brewer," Dave said as he stuck out his hand to shake Russell's. Russell grabbed his hand and Dave firmly and briskly, shook it.

The three of them just stared at each other for what seemed like forever to Kate.

Jodi and Tess looked at each other. They didn't realize things between Dave and Kate would be so awkward. Neither of them were at Drovers when she came back from Africa after breaking up with Dave, and hadn't seen how she was after she returned.

Jodi mouthed "DO SOMETHING!" to Tess.

"Dave. The ewe. She is over here," said Tess.

"Right. Of course." Dave snapped out of the funk that he had let himself fall into, and turned around to examine the ewe.

"I'm going to go get cleaned up. Russell, can you give me a hand?" Kate was ready to retreat.