Stevie tossed her head back and let the warmth of the sun wash over her face. Banjo moved easily beneath her and the sound of sheep filled the air.

"Hey, Stevie, keep an eye on the sheep," Jodi called from beside her. "They're about to run off."

Stevie opened her eyes and looked around. "Well, go fetch the bloody beasts, Jodes."

Jodi laughed and urged Tucker into a trot. Quickly she rounded up the strays and pushed them back to the main mob.

"See, it wasn't that hard." Stevie clucked to Banjo and he stepped a little faster.

"I'm glad you're back, Stevie," Jodi said. "It just wasn't the same without you."

"I'm glad I'm back to," Stevie said, smiling.

It was a week after Alex had been sick and he was back to work now. He had had a chat with Harry and things seemed better between the two. They were talking now, with less yelling. And when Stevie had met Harry in town the other day, he was civil. Not friendly, but civil, and she'd take it. Maybe, just maybe, one day Harry Ryan would respect her.

Stevie guided Banjo into the horse yards at Wilgul and slid wearily from his back. She had spent her first full day working and she was sore. Kana wasn't weaned yet, so she had had to stop and feed her daughter during the day. Moira had given her some solid food and Kana had decided she liked it well enough. Which was all well and good, considering that Stevie was almost out of milk for her baby.

Jodi pulled up behind her in the ute and she went to get Kana. The float had a flat so she couldn't use it to
bring Banjo back home.

"Thanks, Jodi."

Moira pulled in behind Stevie's ute. Jodi tossed the keys to Stevie and climbed into the truck. The girls waved and Stevie stood watching them until the dust from the vehicle was gone.

Arms snaked around her waist and she jumped a little. She relaxed when she caught a whiff of his cologne. It was Alex.

"Hard day?" he asked when she sighed.

She nodded. "Long day. Lots of things to do. Can you take Kana to the house? I have to put Banjo away. Poor boy. It was a hard day for him too."

"Why don't I take care of Banjo and you head up to the house? You look tuckered out."

Stevie shook her head. "No. I want to take care of him. I'll be alright."

She let him kiss her cheek and then watched as he walked away, chatting to her baby girl. What was wrong with her? She wanted him so badly. As Alex strolled away in his usual cocky way she felt a fire ignite in her chest.

Spinning on her heel she headed back to Banjo and loosened the girth. She pulled the saddle from his sweaty back and tossed across the fence. Replacing the bridle with a halter she tied him to the fence and went to find some water to sponge him off.

Rose walked Peanut into the yards and tied her next to Banjo. The mare sniffed the gelding and then nipped him gently. Banjo rubbed his nose on her neck before letting his head hang down again.

"Hey, Mom," Rose said, filling her own pail with water. "How did it go?"

"Good," Stevie replied. "I'm tired, but it's a good tired. How was your day?"

Rose smiled. "It's was really good."

Stevie rolled her eyes. "Did you actually get some work done?"

"Mom!" Rose laughed and headed back to her horse. "Of course we did."

Stevie smirked. "Right. So you're telling me that you spent all day with a very gorgeous, willing bloke and all you did was work?"

Rose just shook her head and squeezed water onto Peanut's back. Stevie watched her daughter for a moment and caught the sparkle in her eyes. She knew that they hadn't just worked that day. Rose and Luke had found some time to play.

But she didn't push for details. It wasn't that she didn't want to know, it was just hard to talk about it.

"Mom, you know you could have just as much fun if you would stop pushing Alex away," Rose said, as they led the horses free. "He wants you, so badly."

"Rose, don't push me." Stevie closed the gate and then did up the chain. "It will happen when it happens."

"Luke and I are heading to the pub." Rose arched her back and groaned. "I need a massage."

"You can't get that at the pub," Stevie quipped.

"Haha," Rose said. "But there are very nice rooms at the pub and I happen to know a very good looking bloke who gives brilliant massages."

"What does he charge?" Stevie asked, straight faced.

"Oh, he only does it for very special people." Rose shoved Stevie and headed to the house. "Besides, only I can pay the price."

Stevie laughed and ambled after her daughter. That girl was certainly growing up fast. Luke met her on the porch and then laughed as Rose whispered in his ear. He kissed her and then tapped her backside as she scurried into the house.

Stevie sank into the tub of hot water. The scent of jasmine rose around her and rose petals floated on the water. Candles filled the room with their soft light and the radio played soothingly. She closed her eyes and sighed. This was the life.

Alex hadn't spared any expense setting this up for her. She hadn't been expecting it that was for sure. After supper he had helped her put the kids to bed and then disappeared into the bathroom. She had been rather disappointed. Her back and legs were sore and she was hoping Alex would give her a massage.

Then to her great surprise he had reappeared and marched her into the bathroom.

She smiled and opened her eyes. Reaching for the glass of red wine he had thoughtfully left she brought it to her lips and sipped. The tantalizing taste settled on her tongue for a moment before sliding down her throat and settling in her stomach. Oh, this was the life. If only she could spend every day pampered like this.

When the water grew cold she stepped out and dried herself off. She reached for the pile of clothes Alex had left her. With a smile she drew on the panties and then clasped the matching bra. He had found a pair of track pants and a tank top. Sitting on the floor where her favourite Ugg boots and a baggy jumper hung from the back of the bathroom door.

Dressing quickly she squeezed what water she could out of her curls and then opened the door. The hallway was cool compared to the steamy bathroom.

"Alex?" She wandered down the hall and saw that her bedroom door was opened and a soft glow drifted into the hall. Frowning she stepped in and saw Alex leaning over to light anther candle.

"Alex," she said softly. "What is this?"

Alex shrugged. "Just something special for you. To show how much I love you. What do you think?"

Stevie smiled. "It's lovely. Really it is. But you didn't have to go to so much trouble."

Alex set down the box of matches and moved slowly towards her. "Yes, I did. You deserve this and much more. I only wish you had a fire place in here."

"The candles are perfect." Stevie looked around the room. He really had outdone himself. Candles sat on almost every flat surface in the room. A bouquet of roses, much like the ones he had brought her back in the Darwin hospital, held a place of honour on her dresser. The blankets on her bed were turned down and the pillows were fluffed up.

She limped towards the bed and sat down. Grimacing she reached down to pull of her boots.

"Are you alright?" Alex asked, hovering in the doorway.

Stevie shrugged. "My lower back is killing me."

"Want me to massage it for you?" Alex's eyes brightened and the smile on his face grew.

Stevie nodded slowly. "Alright." She pushed herself farther onto the bed and slipped off her jumper. Lying down on her stomach she rested her head on her arms.

The bed shifted as Alex climbed up beside her. She tried not to moan as his large hands began to knead the tense muscles. It felt so good and she relaxed as the pain left her.

She stiffened a little when his hands began to drift lower down her body. But then she reminded herself that it was just a massage. She was almost asleep when he reached the bottom of her feet and then stopped. He moved back up the bed and placed a kiss on her head.

"Goodnight, Stevie. I love you." Alex pulled back and she felt the bed shift again as he stood up.

Rolling over she sat up and watched him walk away. The fire that had been smouldering in her stomach now burst into flames and she knew that she couldn't hold out any longer.

"Alex," she whispered.

He turned.

"Don't go."

A slow, sultry smile spread across his face. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Stevie reached down and pulled off her tank top. "Very sure." She stood up and walked towards him. Taking one of his hands she pressed it to her breast. "Don't leave."

Alex swallowed. "Never." He took her face in his hands and kissed her, hard and quick. "You won't change your mind?"

Shaking her head, Stevie shoved the door closed and tugged him towards her bed. She felt the edge of the mattress and sat down. Alex swallowed again and then unbuttoned his shirt. Letting it fall to the crowd, he gently pushed her down and leaned over her.

He traced the curve of her breasts before lowering his head to kiss her collarbone. Stevie wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He laughed deep in his throat and held her close.

As his kisses became more intense, Stevie found herself feeling things she had never felt before. So this was what true loved felt like. She hadn't expected the sudden rush of delight, the pounding of her heart, when he had barely touched her.

When they finally pulled apart the candles were dripping wax and the clock was chiming midnight. Alex tucked her against his chest and she ran her hands down the muscles there.

"Stevie, do you love me?" Alex kissed her nose and then pushed her back so he could see her eyes.

Stevie stroked his face, pressing her thumb against his lips. "Yes, I love you, Alex Ryan. Oh, how I love you."

He smiled at that and kissed her again. "Good. Because you're stuck with me now."

Stevie giggled. "Oh, am I? Well, I couldn't think of a better person to be stuck with."

Alex kissed her again and she felt the slow burn ignite again. She pushed her tongue into his mouth and felt him respond in kind. It was a long time before she could speak again and even then she didn't want to say anything.

Instead she closed her eyes and let the soothing beat of his heart lull her into a deep sleep.