Chapter 122

The Drovers gang had to bring the wagon and all of their horses back home, take care of all the horses and then all change and get ready for the party. That was a lot of people all trying to get ready at once. Chaos was a fair word to describe it, but they got it done.

Tess and Jodi had made it out to the back garden right as the first guests arrived.

"You must be feeling quite pleased as the mechanic of the winning Demolition Derby car. Well done!" Tess congratulated Moira,"I almost had it, but I think the best car and driver did win. I would get up and hug you, but I'm still feeling the effects from last night. Walking is still a bit rough. I plan on staying in this chair for most of the night," she admitted.

"Well take it easy. You were fantastic behind the wheel last night!" Moira replied.

Moira and Phill placed a gift on the table and handed a pavlova to Jodi who was standing by the food tables.

Patrick and Taylor arrived next with their four year old son Andrew and their nine month old son, Brayden. They handed Jodi a bowl of pasta salad.

"Hey Jodi, thanks for having us, I can't believe it's been so long since we all lived here. To think Patrick and I would have never met if it weren't for Drovers. We owe this place a lot of happiness." said Tayler.

"I'm so glad you were able to make it. How's the RSPCA, Dr. Geddes? Are you enjoying the new job?" asked Jodi.

"It's really great actually. I had sort of figured I'd go into practice with Dave and Ingrid after vet school and my surgical residency, but this RSPCA opportunity was just too good to pass up. I get to treat the animals who need the most help. I'm really proud of the work I'm doing there." said Tayler.

"I think back to when we first met you, Tayler, as a scared young kid showing up heartbroken at Drovers Run to what you are now. Tayler, I'm so proud of the woman you have become." said Jodi.

"It wouldn't have happened without Drovers Run," said Tayler, smiling.

Jodi looked up and was thrilled to see Becky and Jake walking through the gate next

"Becky! You came! We have so much to catch up on, you wouldn't believe the stories I've got," said Jodi.

"I reckon I've got a few myself to share. Jake and I met because of Drovers Run. It's kind of romantic to be back here after so long."

"Wonderful, I want to hear those stories, and I want to introduce you to the McLeod cousins and my best friend Kate, and so many people. There are a few you might still remember though." Jodi motioned over to her mother and Terry. You might also remember our guest of honor. She has grown up quite a bit since you've seen her though."

"I haven't seen Charlotte since she was an infant. Does she look like Claire?" asked Becky.

"She should be here any minute, you can see for yourself. I'm really glad you came. I've missed you. Oh, and let me tell you about our plan for Charlotte's gift."

Blake went looking for Xander when he arrived back at Drovers with his father. He found him with his cousin Claire. They were sitting at a table, playing cards.

"Hey mate, I haven't seen you yet since yesterday. Congratulations on making States. That's great!" Blake said to his friend. "I bet it will be so cool to compete for a state championship. I watched your run with my dad, you looked great out there."

"Thanks, Blake. Yeah, it should be pretty cool. The winner gets to compete for the Australian Junior National Rodeo Champion title. Imagine how cool it would feel to be a national champion in anything?"

"Xander, we have a national champion in our family, just go ask Jaz what it's like. She might be able to give you some tips on how to focus and perform on a big stage like states or whatever. Obviously she can't help you with the roping part, but she was an Olympian. I reckon she knows how to compete under pressure," suggested Claire,

"I hadn't really thought about asking Jaz for help. She competed in a totally different sport, but now that I think about it, of course I should ask her. She even knows what it's like to have a horse for a teammate, and helping him be prepared for a big competition. I'm going to go talk to her right now," said Xander excitedly.

"I didn't mean now, I just meant before your competition. What about our game?" asked Claire.

"I'll play for him if you want," Blake offered. "What's the game?"

"Perfect, bye guys. I gotta find Jaz!" said Xander as he ran off.

"We're just playing war. These parties don't usually have more than just Xander and I around our age, and our moms are always giving us a hard time if we play on our phones, so cards it is. I was hoping my brother Harrison was going to make it, but he had a swim meet. Sometimes, Meggie tries to play too, but she's only ten, so we don't usually let her."

"I'll play war with you. Do you want to start over or should I just take Xander's place?"

"You can take Xander's pile, I think he was losing anyway," Claire smiled. "I heard your dad painted the croc on Stevie's demo car. It looked really awesome."

"Yeah, he's a way better artist than he ever gives himself credit for. I keep telling him he should do art more, maybe start an etsy site or something. By the way, isn't it cool that we helped build the winning demo car? I mean Stevie was awesome driving, and Moira was the head mechanic, but I reckon you, Xander and I deserve a little piece of the credit too. I thought it was so cool getting to learn how cars work and everything. Moira already told me I could help her with cars whenever I'm here visiting my dad," said Blake, excited about the opportunity.

"That's cool. Is that what you want to do as an adult, be a mechanic?" asked Claire

"I'm not totally sure, but maybe. I think it's really interesting how everything in a car has a job and a spot and how everything needs to be exactly right, or else everything will stop working. It's kind of like a team. Everyone has a role, and if anyone doesn't do their job, the team fails, but it would be my job to make the team work again." said Blake.

"I guess I never really thought about it that way. You made an interesting point about mechanics. It's not something that ever really interested me."

"What about you, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Blake asked.

"I have no idea, but I know I'd like to be able to be outside. Maybe I'll be a farmer like my mom." said Claire. "Drovers will be part mine someday, so it would be nice to help keep it going."

"Maybe you could be a racecar or demo derby driver. Your mom was pretty great driving out there. She almost won the derby for Drovers. I was watching with my dad. I saw you with Xander and some other kids. I thought about coming over, but I don't get to spend much time with my dad, and I know he misses me when I'm not here, so I figured I'd just spend time with him at the fair," said Blake.

"I'm proud my mom even tried it. It's not the type of thing she normally does and I don't think I'd be a very good race car driver, I've never driven a car or even a fourwheeler." said Claire. She liked that Blake wanted to give his dad some time together. It was a sweet thing to do.

"My dad let me drive his ute out on Killarney once. Please don't tell Stevie. I don't want my dad to get in trouble. It was actually kind of scary, but it was fun. Maybe your mom will let you try it sometime." said Blake.

"I can't see my mom letting me try that, and it's okay, I'm happy riding horses anyway. Parker is one of my best mates," said Claire.

"I love riding too, but I don't have my own horse. My mom doesn't live on a farm, so there would be nowhere to keep it. I only get to see my dad a few times a year, so it doesn't make sense for me to have one here. Stevie lets me borrow a horse whenever I'm visiting, so at least I get to ride while I'm here. I usually like to ride Boomer if I can. We have gotten to know each other pretty well. You're really lucky to have your own horse, that must be great. Someday, maybe I'll be able to have my own horse." said Blake.

"I reckon I am lucky. When do you go back to your mom's? Maybe we can find a time to go riding before then." suggested Claire.

"That sounds great, but I leave tomorrow evening. School starts again Monday in Victoria." said Blake.

"Well I'm free tomorrow after chores. You and Xander can text me when you're around." said Claire

"I think Xander said he was going to do some training runs, but I'd still like to go for a ride if that's okay."

"That's okay. It'll be fun. Want to meet at the border fence by the gate around noon? We can let the horses gallop the meadow there. It's a nice area." said Claire

"That sounds great," said Blake.