Chapter 105

Jaz was in a great mood. She was with her fiance, daughter and her sister. She just missed Grace. They had become so much closer once they both moved to Drovers, and even though they lived apart, they managed to get together regularly and usually spoke several times a week.

"This is so great," Jaz said as she cleared the dishes. "I just wish Grace was here too. I like when we're all together."

"I know, but Grace couldn't come. She said she was buried at work," replied Regan, trying to smile to herself.

"I understand. We all have demanding jobs. It's awesome that we're doing things we love and are passionate about, but it comes with sacrifice, doesn't it. I have to miss the fair and the rodeo and Demo Derby tomorrow. I took this afternoon off for you guys and the whole weekend off for Charlotte's birthday party and your visit, but I couldn't shift enough appointments around to not have tomorrow free. I'll be working all day, but the rest of you should go and have fun. Xander is going for the district championship and a spot at the State Championships in the roping all around and both Killarney and Drovers Run are in the Demo Derby. It should be an awesome time," said Jaz.

"Yeah it sounds awesome and I want to see Tess and Jodi and Stevie too. Do you want to go Dylan?"

"Yeah, the district fair sounds great. Are you coming too, Ben?" asked Dylan.

"Yeah. I'm going to bring Kelly to watch Xander. We can drive together if you want." Ben lied.

"Yeah sounds good." said Regan "I'm so sorry you won't make it Jaz."

Stevie pulled the ute back into the Killarney driveway. She was happy with the result, and touched that Jodi and Tess cared so much about her keeping a symbolic ownership percentage.

She walked into the garage to check out the demo car's paint job and found Grace there, all by herself, crying. The crocodile paint job looked fantastic though.

"Grace, what's wrong? Did Bobby make you cry? I'll fire him."

"No, it wasn't Bobby, he's a good guy. He did an awesome job on the car, by the way. He is an incredibly talented artist. I tried flirting with him, and he flirted back a little bit, but I just couldn't do it. I'm not ready. Plus, I'm pretty sure Ben had told Bobby I was married, so I think I made him uncomfortable," said Grace, shaking her head.

"I'm so sorry Grace. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I think I'd just like to have a bit more alone time if that's okay."

"Sure, but did you eat anything? I can bring you out something if you want," offered Stevie.

"I'm not hungry," said Grace.

"Well, why don't you at least come inside. You don't have to stay out here in the garage."

"Alright, but only because this garage smells like paint."

"Come on, let's go," said Stevie.

Stevie led Grace back into the house. She took some ham out of the fridge and made Grace a sandwich. She poured her a cup of tea and put it in front of her.

"Grace, I'm here for you. I love you and I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I can sit here with you if you want, or I can leave you alone for a bit," said Stevie.

"I think being alone is good."

"Okay, I'll leave then. I'll come check on you in a little bit." said Stevie.

"Okay," replied Grace.

Stevie walked out of the kitchen and went into her bedroom to give Grace some space. As she entered her bedroom, her phone rang. It was James.

"Hey, you called," said Stevie. as a smile came across her face.

"Of course I called. I said I would. How are you doing?" James inquired.

"I'm doing alright. I had fun yesterday. I'm glad you came out to Gungellan. How are you?" asked Stevie.

"I had fun with you too. I just got back home. It was quite a drive." said James.

"Yeah I'll say. I'm sorry it took you so long, and that you had to drive the extra distance to meet me."

"That's alright, I had to go to Fisher for work regardless. It was very worth the extra drive to Gungellan to get to have dinner with you," said James.

"So if you're not coming to the Fisher rodeo, what are you doing this weekend?" asked Stevie.

"I will be doing a bunch of work actually. The client I was with yesterday was happy with my work and gave me another series of contracts to work on. It's a good pickup for the practice, but it means I'll be working most of the weekend," explained James.

"Well that doesn't seem fair. I get to be out having fun this weekend, and you have to be home working?" said Stevie

"Well, I'm home, and having fun right now, talking to you, Stevie," said James.

"Well you can't do that tomorrow, I'll hopefully be too busy watching Xander win a spot in the State Championships, plus I'm driving in a demo derby after that!"

"A demo derby? That sounds exciting! I've never seen one before, except in the movies. You're driving? Stevie, that sounds dangerous. Please be careful." James pictured Stevie in a racing suit and his attraction to her grew.