Chapter 182

Stevie was looking at the playback of the video from Xander's previous run. She would have to thank Jaz for the tips about video sessions. She and Xander had already broken down several areas and had changed minor movements to make them more efficient, smoother and faster. She could already see the improvement in his form.

She was relieved all of the McLeod women had made it out of the ordeal. She had watched Charlotte ride in with a rifle drawn while preparing dinner at Wilgul with Ben, Kelly, and Xander. Charlotte looked exactly like her mother did at that age. The resemblance was uncanny. She knew that Charlotte would become a force to be reckoned with, just like her mom had been. She was really happy with her decision to turn over all of her ownership to Charlotte, Seeing her face her fears and save the other McLeods had confirmed she had made the right decision. With Charlotte, Claire, Meggie and Katie becoming young women, Stevie knew that Drovers would be safe for another generation. She smiled knowing that.

Her phone buzzed with a call from James. "Hi, what's going on? You usually call me at night." Stevie said.

"So, I was thinking, I'd really like to see you. States are still a month away, and I don't really want to wait that long." James admitted.

"I'd like to see you too. I just wish we lived closer," said Stevie.

"How would you feel about a visit? You could come to me, or I could come to you. I reckon it would have to be an overnight visit, and I know we've only been on one date, so I don't want to be presumptuous about what might happen on that visit," said James.

"I'm just not sure about that James. I usually would need to see someone several times before I would spend the night with them, but obviously, the distance makes normal dates impossible," said Stevie as she thought about having an overnight visit with James. She was definitely interested, but still not sure if she was ready to sleep with him yet. It had only been one date and less than two weeks' worth of phone conversations.

"I understand. I really like you, Stevie, and I'd like to keep going on more traditional dates with you, but I just don't know how to make it happen," said James.

"I know. I wish you just lived in Fisher. It would be so much easier to make it happen. We could meet in Gungellan and both have reasonable drives. Renmark is just so far to go. What's halfway between Gungellan and Renmark?" asked Stevie.

"Well Fisher is sixty forty, six hours for me, four for you. Let me look on google maps at what might be an hour closer to Renmark," said James as he looked at google maps on his laptop. "Honestly, I'm looking now, and there isn't much about five hours from each of us," said James.

"Any chance you'll have business in Fisher again anytime soon?" asked Stevie.

"That client has given me some more work, but I don't see anything that will require a personal visit anytime soon," said James.

"Let me think about this a little bit. I want to see you again, but I need to work out some logistics before I can commit to anything. Can we still have our usual conversation this evening?" asked Stevie.

"Of course. I know it's moving kind of fast. It's just that I really like you, Stevie, and I want to see you again," said James. "I'll talk to you tonight."

"Bye James," said Stevie as she hung up the phone. She really wasn't sure what to do. She wanted to see James again, but she knew if either of them went to the other, it would have to be a sleepover, and that was more than she was quite ready for.

"I think this is a Jodi problem. I reckon she will have a suggestion about what to do," said Stevie to herself as she called her friend.

"Hey Jodi, I was hoping you could help me with a problem I'm having," said Stevie.

"As long as I don't have to go searching for a ring in Jaz and Ben's backyard, I'm happy to help," said Jodi. "What do you need?"

"I need some advice actually."

"I'll do my best, what kind of advice are you looking for?"

"So you know I had a date with James right? The lawyer who lives in Renmark?"

"Yeah, you had a date the same night as Tess, at the pub," said Jodi.

"Yes, and the date went really well. I like him, but he lives in Renmark," explained Stevie

"Yeah, that's a long drive, so what is the advice you need?"

"We've been texting and talking a lot since that date. We had a sort of movie date while you were all on the overnight ride. We watched the same movie at the same time and facetimed each other while we did, so we could talk about the movie while it was happening. It wasn't as good as a real movie date, but it was better than nothing. I'm starting to really like him, and I would really like to see him again, but it's a ten hour drive to Renmark," said Stevie

"So you're having long distance issues? Can you go visit him, or him, you? We can watch Xander for a night or two if you need it," said Jodi

"Well that's the problem, He asked me if we could set up a visit, but because of the distance, it would have to be an overnight visit, but it would only be our second date, which is much sooner than I would normally spend the night with a guy. It's only been one date and less than two weeks' worth of texting and phone calls. I don't think I'm ready to sleep with him yet, but I'd really like a second date. Going all the way there, it puts a certain expectation on things. I mean am I going to go all the way there, have a date with him, kiss him good night, and then sleep in his guestroom?"

"I see, yeah that would be awkward wouldn't it? Hmm, could you just book a hotel instead? So you have your date, kiss him goodnight, and then get in your car and drive to a hotel for the night? You could always go back to his place instead if you decided you wanted to, and if not, you have a place booked anyway and you've been upfront with him that you don't do that after only two dates, so it's not like he would be expecting you to stay. You could probably even have a breakfast date before you drove back the next day, so you would get two dates out of the trip," said Jodi.

"You know that's not a bad idea. That's essentially what we did on our first date. James stayed in a hotel in Fisher that night. I think I could probably swing a night away. Thanks Jodi. I knew you were the person to call for this," said Stevie.

"I'm happy to help, and let me know if you want Xander to stay at Drovers that night, we'd be happy to have him. Good luck with James!" said Jodi.