Chapter 130
Tess had her fingers intertwined with Finn's. She was trying to introduce him to all of the people that were important to her, but she also didn't want to share him. She wanted to whisk him away and keep him all to herself at the same time. They had snuck off for a few minutes here and there, but she was the host, and she had duties. Plus, her back pain was back since the adrenaline of first seeing Finn had worn off.
"Finn, would you mind grabbing a chair for me. My back is tightening up again, and I think I need to sit down."
"Of course, where do you want it?" Finn picked up a folding chair and allowed Tess to lead him to where she wanted it with a view of everything going on. He placed it for her and went back to grab one for himself.
"Thank you for coming. You didn't have to drive all that way. You must be exhausted," said Tess.
"I'm okay, I slept a few hours after I spoke to you and before I headed out to be here. Thank you for sharing this with me. Your family is wonderful. Charlotte seems like a lovely young woman. She reminds me a lot of my niece, Helen. Your cousins are great too. They're fun, and so obviously love you. Jodi is, of course, radiant and loving. I should tell you, that I was here briefly, I stopped on my way to Adelaide, I met with Jodi because I didn't think you would want to see me and I was afraid of scaring you off. I had removed Drovers from the running for the contract as you had asked, but I needed something signed to make it official. It was the morning after you left me in the park. I didn't think you wanted to see me, and I was really scared I would spook you if I showed up, so I called Jodi instead. She met me at the mailbox and signed the documents. I gave her a copy in case you want to look them over. The whole thing only took a couple minutes, but I don't like secrets, so I'm telling you." said Finn.
"Thanks for telling me. It's fine. It was probably the right decision. It does explain why she randomly rode off without a good reason the other day. I can't lie, Finn, I wasn't ready for this and the sheer intensity of my feelings for you had me pretty unnerved, it still freaks me out. Jodi knows me pretty well. She knew I would freak out seeing you. I'm sure that's why she didn't tell me either. She wanted us to be together. When I was freaking out about you, she talked me back down. She told me that she could see I had something really special going with you and not to let the fear or the intensity of it cause me to do something I would regret. She talked me off the ledge I reckon. I love Jodi so much," said Tess.
"I think we both owe Jodi a world of thanks then. I think it's really amazing how close you are. How close all of you are. I could see it from the first lunch I had with your family. I think it just made me love you more. It made me want to be closer to my sister too. I Facetimed with her, I told her about you. I told her I had accidentally fallen passionately in love with an incredible Australian woman named Tess. I called her right after our date on Wednesday. Tess, I was so scared of losing you. I wasn't even coherent with Carolyn. She settled me down and helped me out. She is the one who told me to give you space and let you work through this at your own speed. I went out of town because I didn't trust myself not to just show up and profess my love for you, before you were ready for it," said Finn
"Carolyn sounds like a smart woman. I needed some space to process my feelings for myself. That kiss in the park, I've never felt anything that intense. I had to leave and work things out for myself. I'm glad I did, because now I feel I can be with you without second guessing myself. I feel really good about moving forward with you,"
"I'd like you to meet her at some point, at least via facetime for now," said Finn.
"Well it seems only fair, you've met my family. I'd love to meet your sister. She sounds lovely." said Tess.
"So Tess, will I see you at the emergency Farmers Council meeting tomorrow? You did call it." George Roop said as he approached Finn and Tess. He saw that they had been glued to each other nearly the entire night.
"Yes, Jodi and I will be there. We are hoping Charlotte might come since she is an equal partner now. Jaz and her sisters will be there representing Wilgul as well since Regan and Grace are in town. This water issue is hurting everyone. Tess motioned to Finn. "Oh and George, I'll happily bring you a whole bottle of whiskey. We didn't get the Blue Apron contract, but I got something so much better. I owe you a big thank you for sending Finn over to Drovers Run,"
"So the American bloke finally wooes the single McLeod sister. I"m happy for you both, and Tess, I'll let you buy me that bottle." George then turned to Finn. "You know, many men have fallen for Tess McLeod in the last ten years, but you're the only one she ever fell for" He lowered his voice and said to Finn "Tess is a wonderful person, treat her well," as he shook Finn's hand. He then turned back to face Tess. "Thank you for a great party, We'll see you tomorrow."