Chapter 78

Tess was starting to feel very comfortable with Finn.

"So have you ever been to the US?" he asked her.

'No, I haven't, actually. I'd love to take Claire sometime. She would love to see Hollywood or New York. Maybe I'd take her to Disneyland. I know she is getting older, but every kid wants to go to Disneyland, right?" asked Tess.

"I went as an adult with friends and I don't even have kids. I had a blast! It's fun whatever age you are. They have awesome rides and stuff. The concept of Disney magic? It's real." Finn smiled, thinking about his trip to Disneyland a few years ago. He had been in Southern California for business and he and a co-worker decided to spend an extra day in California and go have fun at Disneyland. "I hope you and Claire do get to the US some day but, if you go, make some time and go to Yellowstone National Park. It's mostly in Wyoming. It's so huge that it actually is in multiple states and is the most incredible place I've ever seen. It's in the Rocky Mountains and has these amazing mountain vistas, but if you drive for forty-five minutes, you're in a geothermal region, with all of these hot springs, and then, if you drive another thirty minutes, you're in a great prairie and there are huge bison everywhere. It's got so much wildlife. I grew up about an hour's drive from the east entrance. It might be my favorite place on Earth." Finn lit up as he spoke about Yellowstone. Tess could tell it was an important place to him.

I want to take Tess and Claire on a tour of Yellowstone, Finn realized, as he spoke about it with Tess. Pump the breaks, Finn, you're only on your second date, he reminded himself.

"Wow, it sounds amazing. I think I had heard of it before, but I didn't know much about it. I did, however, just realize that Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park must have been named after it. I guess us Australian kids totally missed that joke in the cartoon," Tess laughed.

"That's okay. I thought all Australians drank Foster's beer and were constantly throwing shrimp on the barbie, weidling giant knives, and were all world class swimmers and surfers," admitted Finn.

"Yeah, I'm sorry to disappoint you, Finn. We don't even call them shrimp. They're prawns. And I've never had a Foster's. We also live several hours drive from the ocean, so I don't think there are many surfers in Gungellan. Claire's brother, Harrison, is a really good swimmer, though. He's competing in the Melbourne city championships soon. He's a backstroker." Tess realized it was nice to be able to talk about some of her family members without having to explain the complicated history.

"So, what's the stereotype of Americans that Aussies all think of?" asked Finn.

"Hmm. Well, I guess I thought that it was crowded and everyone was obsessed with baseball and Gridiron Football. And that most Americans were rich and had a lot of guns and were really into the military?" confessed Tess.

"Well, Football is really really popular. I'm a big fan. I lived in Seattle for seven years and I became a big Seattle Seahawks fan. I got to see them win the Superbowl the very first year I lived there and I was kind of hooked from that point. The whole city was so excited about it, it was hard to not get wrapped up in it." Finn smiled while he spoke about his favorite team. "Baseball is fun to play, but too slow for me to watch. I played both sports as kid. It's not nearly as popular as it used to be. Going to a game in person is one hundred percent more fun than watching it on TV. I'm definitely not rich and I did own guns when I lived in Wyoming because I had to protect livestock from bears and wolves. I didn't keep a gun in Seattle, though, because it was a city and I didn't have to worry about wild animals. Some people are really into guns back home, but most of us just view them as a necessary tool and nothing else. I wouldn't describe myself as really into the military, although my father was a Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran, and that's something I'm proud of him for. I never served in the military, but I respect what soldiers do. It's not a job I would want. It seems like a very difficult life," explained Finn.

"So, do you eat McDonalds hamburgers and drink Budweiser beer everyday?" Tess teased.

"I'm actually more of a Wendy's guy if I'm having fast food, which doesn't happen all that often, and I prefer a craft IPA for beer. Budweiser is fine, I guess, but Seattle had some incredible small breweries and I could get some really good beer there. I do miss that. I don't imagine there are any craft breweries around here?"

"No breweries nearby that I know of, but Stevie used to brew her own beer. And, I'm sorry, what is Wendy's?" asked Tess.

"You don't have Wendy's here? Oh, man. You're missing out. Wendy's is another fast food restaurant, like McDonalds and Burger King, but I think it's better. They sell these things called Frosties. It's like a combination of a milkshake and soft serve ice cream. They are the only reason I would go through a drive-through window. Well, that, and for a coffee."

"I have heard of Burger King, but we don't call it that here. Burger King in Australia is called Hungry Jack's. It's the same restaurant, just a different name."

"Ha! I saw one when I landed in Adelaide. It's the same logo. I just thought someone was committing copyright infringement," laughed Finn.

Tess and Finn had finished their meal and ordered dessert. They finished the desert and just kept talking. Soon, they realized they were the only people left in the restaurant.

"Wow. Time really got away from us. It's late. I should probably get going. We have a sheep buyer coming and I've got to help muster two hundred fifty sheep tomorrow," said Tess as she stood up.

"Wow. That's a lot. I didn't realize you were looking to sell," said Finn.

"Yeah. It's about half our mob. The drought is hitting us hard and we have to get water trucked in. It's cheaper to just sell the sheep than to pay to water them. Everyone in the area is searching for buyers quickly. It's caused a big drop in price for all of us," explained Tess.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Why didn't you ask me to buy the sheep?" Finn asked.

"Well, I know you're still deciding on your contracts, and I didn't think your company was in the position to start accepting supplies yet, plus, well, I didn't want it to be weird between us," explained Tess.

"I understand, and it's a bit early for Blue Apron to start buying, but I would have tried to make it work for you," said Finn.

"Finn, you don't owe me any favors. I've got a buyer. We will manage and just pray for rain. This is part of farming. Don't give me any special treatment for contracts. That's not why I'm out with you," Tess countered.

"Of course. I'm sorry. You know best how to manage your business. I just want to help you if I can. I'm glad you have it figured out. Well, I'll walk you out to your car then. I had a really great time with you tonight, Tess."

"I had a great time with you too." Tess smiled at Finn with a twinkle in her eye. It knocked Finn flat out. He still couldn't figure out how her smile could have such an effect on him.

As they walked to her car, Finn held her hand. Tess liked how his fingers felt interlaced with hers. As they got to her car, Finn grabbed her and held her close to him. Tess's cheek fit perfectly on his chest. She could hear his heart beating fast.

"Tess, when can I see you again? I hope soon. I really like being with you," admitted Finn.

"I'd like to see you again soon, too, but I'm not sure when. We have a really busy couple of days coming up. We have this sheep sale, and then my nephew's rodeo, and the Demolition Derby, and then we are hosting a big party for my niece, Charlotte. We have Jodi's mom and step dad staying with us, and Kate and Russell are staying too. I haven't told Claire about you yet, either. As you know, my life is complicated. It might need to be a few days, but I do want to go out again," said Tess.

"Okay. Um. Well, I'm new here, and I don't really know anyone in Gungellan, so I'm free pretty much anytime you can make it work. Just tell me when and where, and I'll be there," said Finn.

"I need to talk to Jodi about everything that is coming up on the schedule to see when I can make it work. I'll call you tomorrow with a better plan," replied Tess.

Finn was a little worried she might be letting him down easy since she wasn't willing to schedule the next date. She might not actually want another date, but didn't want to say that.

Did I screw it up talking about the sheep? Damn it, Finn. Don't blow it. She's incredible, he thought to himself.

Finn held her in an embrace again. She felt his heart beating on her cheek. She liked how he smelled. She looked up at him and kissed him. It wasn't a short or light kiss, either. Finn returned the kiss and it became intimate and passionate.

Tess was slightly dazed from the kiss. She needed a second to remember where she was. She looked up at him and smiled while he still held her in his arms. He kissed her this time. Neither of them wanted to pull away from the other quite yet and they stood in the car park by Tess' ute kissing for a few minutes, before Tess pulled herself away.

"Good Night, Finn. I'll call you tomorrow. Thanks again for the date. I had a really good time with you," said Tess, still slightly disoriented from their kisses.

"Good Night, Tess. Thank you for a great evening. I had a really good time too." Finn was still feeling the effects of the kisses as well.

Tess got into her car. She texted Jodi that she was headed home. "Headed back now. Date went great. : )"

She realized she might be falling for him. It scared her that things seemed to be moving so fast, but it also felt really good being around Finn, so she was confused, but smiling.

Finn floated back to his hotel room. His heart was pounding. He kind of felt like the gravity had left the room. He took out a picture of his late wife.

"Leah, I'll always love you, and I miss you every day, but help me out here, because I've fallen in love again. I didn't know if I could even fall in love again after you, much less this fast, but I have. Please don't let me screw this up. She's amazing."

Jodi saw the text and smiled. She hadn't seen Tess like this before. She liked this side of her.

"Text when you're home. We can chat if I'm up," sent Jodi.