Keep a Slice of All the Advice
Moira slammed the door on the Ute and stomped to the house. At the door she stopped and took a deep breath. It wasn't fair to the girls to take her angry out on them. Bloody Phil. Sometimes the man could drive her to murder.
"Moira, you're here." Grace stumbled out of the door, holding a basket full of blankets. "Oh, the kitchen. I never got a chance to clean it up."
Moira took the basket from Grace and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Are you okay?"
Grace closed her eyes and nodded. "Channing was sick last night. I didn't get any sleep."
Moira raised her eyebrows. "You got less than normal?" That wasn't a good thing. Grace's insomnia didn't let her have much sleep as it was. "You go to bed, missy. I'll take care of the kitchen and this laundry. Why are you not putting it in the dryer?"
Grace shrugged. "Not working."
Moira set the basket down and helped Grace into the house. She guided the sleepy mother through the kitchen and up the stairs. She could hear Channing crying in Grace's room.
"I'd better feed him," Grace murmured.
"Oh, no. You have a nap for a few hours. Young Channing will be fine with me." Moira pushed opened the door to the room and helped Grace onto her bed. "When did you feed him last?"
Grace shrugged. "About an hour ago. He brought everything up until about then."
"If he hasn't lost his cookies, he'll be fine." Moira covered Grace with the doona. "Sleep."
Grace closed her eyes. Moira smiled and brushed some hair off of Grace's forehead.
"It's alright to ask for help," Moira whispered.
Turning she reached into Channing's cradle and lifted the baby into her arms. The little boy waved his arm and Moira captured his hand in hers. Cooing quietly Moira carried him out of the room and down the stairs.
She stepped into the kitchen and found Stevie sitting at the table. Her elbows rested on the table and her head was in her hands. The phone was lying in front of her.
"What's wrong with you? Hard phone call to make?" Moira kicked out a chair and sat down on it.
Stevie sighed. "No, a hard one to take. Rose got kicked out of her equine management course."
"What?" Moira shifted Channing to reach across the table and squeeze Stevie's hand.
"According to the administrator she was too mouthy. She told the trainer that his practices were cruel and unnecessary."
"Sounds like her mother," Moira said, laughing. "So now what?"
"She's coming home and somehow I have to make her see what she did was wrong without making her hate me." Stevie rubbed her face and lowered it to the table. "Oh, being a mother is the hardest."
"Stevie, listen to her side of the story before you pass judgement."
Stevie lifted her head and grinned. "Is that your sage advice?"
"I'm the mother of three... actually make that about a dozen between you girls and my own kids. I've been around the block a time or two."
Stevie laughed. "Thanks, Moira." She pushed away from the table and headed out the door.
"Ben, I'm fine," Jaz's strident tones echoed through the front hall. "Please, stop fussing."
Moira rolled her eyes and headed to the veranda through the dining room. Laying Channing in his buggy she tugged the bug net around the opening and nudged a couple of pieces of wood under the wheels. Confident that the little boy was safe she went back inside to tackle the kitchen.
Moira propped her hands on her hips and surveyed the room. Where to start? The place was a mess. She knew the girls had had a bit of a party last night, but this was unbelievable. What pot and pan hadn't they used? Well, there was nothing to do but get into it.
She turned the hot water on and stopped the sink. Pulling an apron off the hook she tied it around her waist and began to gather dishes.
"Moira, tell Ben I'm not going fall over and die," Jaz said, waddling into the kitchen.
"Moira, tell Jaz to stop pushing herself so hard," Ben countered.
Moira rolled her eyes. She looked at the young couple and suppressed a smile. Jaz's face was flushed and she steadied herself on a chair. Ben was just frazzled.
"Listen you two, sit and stop worrying. Ben, Jaz knows what she can do. And Jaz, Ben has every right to worry about you."
Jaz sighed. "Ben, listen. I'm not allowed to anything strenuous here. Someone's watching me all the time."
"She's right, Ben," Moira said. "Today she's making rosters and tomorrow she's helping me with paper work."
Ben closed his eyes and laid his head on the table. "I'm just scared that something will happen to her."
Jaz leaned against Ben and laughed softly. "Between the girls and you, nothing is going to happen to me or the baby."
He smiled and kissed her cheek. "Alright. I'd better go. Marcus is probably champing at the bit by now."
"See how easy it was?" Moira dumped another armload of dishes into the sink. "Just talk it out instead of arguing."
Jaz pushed herself out of the chair and waddled to Moira. She kissed Moira's cheek and whispered her thanks. Moira patted her cheek and shooed her out of the room. Jaz kissed Ben and pushed him towards the door.
"Don't let her over exert herself," he said before the door slammed behind him.
"He just doesn't know when to stop," Jaz muttered.
"He loves you," Moira said. "Don't forget that."
"I won't." Jaz left the room and Moira went back to the sink.
She stared out the window at the yard but instead saw only Phil, looking so eager and happy. Yet still she couldn't agree. She had been married once and she wasn't sure she wanted to tie herself to a man again. Why couldn't they just stay how they were? She was perfectly fine with that. Why couldn't he be?
By the time morning smoko rolled around, the kitchen was sparkling and Moira was enjoying a cup of coffee on the veranda. Grace sat beside her, nursing Channing.
"Looks like he's felling better," Moira commented.
Grace smiled and stroked her son's head. "Yeah, he is."
Kate rounded the corner of the veranda and sat down. "It's getting warm."
Moira nodded. "So, you've been here for two weeks already. Are you planning on staying until Christmas?"
Kate shrugged. "Maybe. I think Dave wants to. And it doesn't seem right to take Patrick and Tayler away before the New Year. Dave figures we'll stay until then if it's okay."
Moira smiled. "Of course."
Kate bit her lip. "What about Regan?"
"Talk to her. If she doesn't want you here, you can always stay somewhere else." Moira patted Kate's arm and handed her a biscuit.
"You can stay at Kinsellas," Grace offered. "As long as you don't mind people popping in and out all day. All the paperwork for that farm is kept there."
"Okay." Kate smiled and leaned back. "I've missed this place. I'm glad I get to spend some time here before going back."
"Kate, this will always be your home," Moira said softly. "When you need a place to get your feet back under you or just need to relax, Drovers will be here for you. It always is for me."
"Hey, Moira, Phil's on the phone," Jaz called. "He's sounds upset."
"Tell him I'll talk to him later," Moira said.
Grace raised her eyebrows. "Trouble at home?"
Moira shrugged her shoulders. "He wants to get married and I don't."
"Why not?" Kate sat forward. "If Dave wanted to marry me I'd jump at the chance."
"I've been married once already. It didn't turn out so well. Neither did Phil's first marriage. Maybe we aren't meant to be married."
"That's ridiculous." Grace shook her head. "Stevie's first marriage didn't work but her and Alex, there was a marriage people envied. Then there's Terry and Meg. Look how happy they are."
"Do you love him?" Kate asked.
Moira nodded. She did, she really did. But did that mean they needed to get married? And just because Meg and Stevie had found happiness the second time around that wasn't proof positive that she would.
"So, then why not?" Grace lifted Channing to her shoulder and rubbed his back.
"I don't know, Grace. It just doesn't feel right." Moira stared into her coffee, hoping the last dregs would tell her something.
"Ask him why he wants to be married so badly," Grace said. "Talk it out. And Moira, don't keep things like this to yourself. Ask us for help."
"You heard me?" Moira smiled and rubbed Channing's cheek.
Grace nodded and stood up. She patted Moira's shoulder as she went inside.
Kate leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Moira shifted forward and began to gather dishes onto the tray. She lifted the tray and headed for the kitchen. Her work here was never done. But as she began to plan lunch her thoughts over took her.
She really needed to take her own advice to heart. There had to be a good reason for Phil to be so eager to marry her. So maybe instead of getting angry all the time she should just listen to him. There were always two sides to a story.
The phone rang and Jaz yelled from upstairs. She was in the bathroom again. Moira grabbed the handset and tucked it against her shoulder.
"Drovers Run, Moira speaking."
"Hi, Moira. It's Rose."
"Hello, Rose," Moira said, setting the carrots down. "How are you?"
Rose sighed. "Not so good. Is Mom mad?"
"No," Moira reassured the girl. "She's disappointed but if you two have a good talk I'm sure things will work out."
"Okay. But the thing is, I think I made it worse and now I really need her help."
Moira frowned. Rose sounded really upset. "Honey, Stevie's not here right now. Can I help you?"
"No, but thanks, Moira. Just ask Mom to call me when she gets in."
"Alright, I will. Rose, don't stop following what you believe is right."
"Thanks."
Moira hung up the phone and took a deep breath. When she got home tonight she would sit down with Phil and they would discuss marriage like two sensible adults. They would get to the bottom of her issues and figure something out.
A smile slowly crept across her face. Maybe Grace and Kate were right. Marriage wasn't such a scary thing. Second go arounds might just be right.
Oh, who was she kidding? Marriage wasn't something you jumped into with your eyes closed. Phil and her would sit and talk and then from there they would figure out what to do. It might just be time to get used to wearing that engagement ring. She still had it somewhere.
"Moira, do you have some milk formula?" Stevie called from outside. "We have a potty lamb. Do you have time to feed it?"
"In here, Stevie. I'll get something sorted." Moira kicked a cupboard door closed and walked into the pantry. "I know I have some here somewhere."
Stevie poked her head into the pantry. "It's pretty big. It shouldn't be around for more than a day or two. You sure you can handle it?"
Moira nodded and hefted the bucket of milk formula. "I'm good. Rose called. She wants you to call her back."
"How did she sound?" Stevie washed her hands and reached for the phone.
"Upset. Be nice to her, Stevie."
"Hey, Moira, we do take your advice, you know." Stevie grinned. "Try taking some of it yourself."
"What?" Moira mixed the formula with some water and shook the bottle.
"Phil's a good guy, Moira. Don't get too hung up on the past."
"Who have you been talking to?" Moira headed for the back door where she could hear the bleating lamb.
"Grace," Stevie said. "Anyway, you deserve some happiness after everything that you put up with. Lord knows someone does."
She walked away pushing the buttons on the phone. Moira just shook her head and went outside. The little lamb was curled under a bush but when it saw her it came running, butting its head against her leg.
"Yeah, yeah, little one. I have some lunch for you." She knelt and wrapped an arm around the lamb. The lamb pushed the bottle with its head and then sucked eagerly on the nipple.
"I think you missed your calling, Moira."
Moira looked up and saw Jodi leaning against the wall. "What? Feeding potty lambs?"
Jodi laughed. "Can you watch Katie for a bit?"
Moira nodded. "Of course. Katie can help me with this little lamb."
Jodi lowered her daughter to Moira's lap and then stood up. "I feel bad leaving her."
"Jodi, don't worry. She's safe now and so are you. Drovers will take care of you. We always will."
Jodi smiled. "I know. Old habits die hard, I guess. Be a good girl, my sweet."
Moira helped Katie wave as Jodi walked away. Moira took a deep breath and relaxed against the wall. Things would work out and even if they didn't, she always had a place on Drovers.