Liz's Mistake

"Rose, we're leaving." Stevie bounded down the stairs tying her hair back as she went.

Rose set down the book she was flipping through and limped into the kitchen, trying not to grimace at the pain. "Have fun. I wish I could go with you."

Stevie smiled and touched her cheek. "I wish you could come too. But that ankle needs to be rested. Go back to Xander."

Rose rolled her eyes but headed back to the living room. Xander was playing on the floor with some plastic animals and a tractor. His farm was a little disorganized but he continued to move the animals around in a fashion that made sense only to him.

Rose sank back onto the couch and lifted her ankle to the pile of pillows Moira had constructed for her. She picked up the book and started to read. She had found it on the bottom shelf of the bookshelf stuck behind a photo album. It was called 'The Gift' and written by Margaret Fountain. It was strange that a book written by one of their own should be hidden away like they were ashamed off it.

Rose turned the page and frowned as she read the next paragraph. Maggie peered out of the window and watched as he walked away. Josephine let out a squawk and Maggie hurried to her daughter's side. He was a good man to let her stay. Even if he believed her to be of lose morals. Maggie wiped a tear from her eye. To let her continue on as housekeeper was generous enough but to promise her more money to care for her child was beyond imagining.

For a moment she wondered if he knew the child was his. But even if he knew what could he do? He had his own family to look after and a town that looked up to him.

"Mom, are you still here?" Rose shoved herself up and peered over the back of the couch. "Mom?"

Jaz poked her head into the room. "Your mom left with Russ and Olivia about ten minutes ago. Can I get you something?"

Rose held up the book. "Why was this hidden?"

Jaz shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think I've ever seen that book before. Who wrote it?"

"Meg," Rose said. "I think it's her story. Her's and Jodi's."

Jaz frowned and came all the way into the room. "That's interesting. Is it good?"

Rose nodded. "Yeah, I can't put it down. I don't know what I'm going to do when Xander decides it's time to go outside."

There was a sudden rush of wind and rain began to patter against the window.

"Well, I guess you won't be going outside for the time being," Jaz said. "I'm going to Kinsellas with Grace and Regan. Meg's gone with Terry to look at some furniture and the men are all out doing something. Jodi's moving sheep somewhere with the dogs. Moira's around so if you need help call her."

Rose nodded and sank back against the cushions, eager to dive into her book again.

The story tied her down, Rose didn't surface until she heard a voice calling from the front hall.

"Xander, stay here," Rose commanded her brother as she limped out of the room.

She squinted in the dim lighting of the hall and made out the figure of a woman. "Hello?"

"Rose, is that you?" Liz came out of the shadows and smiled. "How are you?"

Rose shrugged. "I've been better. Come in." She led the way back into the living room and sank onto the couch. "Xander, say hi to Grandma."

Xander looked up from his farm and waved at his grandmother.

"Hello, Xander," Liz said, a smile gentling her face. "Where is everyone?"

Rose laughed. "Mom's gone with Russ and Olivia to get a horse. The rest are somewhere around the farms doing who knows what. Except Moira, who is around here somewhere."

"What happened to your ankle?" Liz asked, setting her purse on the floor.

How long was the woman planning on staying? Rose knew practically nothing about her except that no one liked her that much. Stevie had told everyone to try to get along with her; she was Xander's grandmother.

"I hurt it yesterday working with Helix," Rose replied. "It's a hazard of working with horses."

"I guess." Liz looked around the room, twisting her hands in her lap.

Rose frowned. Was Liz nervous? Why should she be? She was the woman who everyone stepped aside for, the one person no one dared cross. She smiled slightly. Liz Ryan was nervous.

"This is a nice room," Liz said. "It's bright and fun."

"That's what happens when you live in a house with half a dozen women." Rose glanced at the yellow walls and white curtains. Various paintings and vases decorated the walls and mantle. Everyone had contributed to the decorating of the room and thus it was slightly eclectic.

"What is it like living with so many people?" Liz watched Xander as he pushed a tractor up Turbo's side.

"It's fun. Most of the time. But it's family." Rose shoved the book down into the cushions. She wasn't sure if Liz knew about the book and she didn't want to discuss the story with Liz. She knew too much already.

"Rose, I need your help," Moira called, running into the room. "The creek in the bottom paddock is rising and the sheep need to be moved."

Rose frowned. "I can't leave Xander. Is no one else around?"

Moira shook her head and wiped water from her face.

"I can watch him," Liz said. "I'm sure your mom won't mind."

Rose contemplated for a moment. But there was really no other choice. Moira needed her help and Liz was here.

"Alright. He can have some juice or water if he gets thirsty. There are chocolate biscuits on the table. He can have one. He'll beg for more but don't give him anymore. If he's still hungry give him an apple. He needs more fruit."

Liz nodded and leaned over to stroke Xander's head. Rose leaned down and kissed Xander's cheek.

"You be a good boy for Grandma. I'll be back soon."

"Gabe?" Xander asked.

Rose laughed. "Maybe later. See you."

She left the room and hurried outside with Moira.

"Are you sure you should be leaving him with her?" Moira asked as they struggled through the wind and rain.

"Do I have a choice?" Rose tugged opened a gate and headed for Cleo's pen.

Moira shrugged and snatched the trailing reins of Dusty. "Jodi's waiting for us down there. Tucker's had a time of it and he's nearly done for."

"Should we bring her another horse?" Rose threw a saddle onto Cleo's back and tightened the girth.

"Brindle is the only one left," Moira said. "Probably not a good idea. You know how much she hates the rain."

Rose nodded and tugged the bridle over Cleo's ear. She loved her first horse but she did have a problem with rain.

"Let's go." She pulled herself into the saddle, ignoring the pain in her foot. "Noisy, come on."

The small brown dog tiptoed out of the horse pens and tucked herself close to Cleo. Moira lead the way out of the yards and when they had cleared the fences they set of at a canter.

Twenty minutes later they pulled to a stop at the top of the paddock. Jodi and Tucker stood between the milling flock and the raging creek.

"This is going to be fun," Rose said. She looked down at her dog. "Let's do this.

Pushing Cleo into a trot she headed down to the mob.

"Hey, girls," Jodi said. "Let's get these sheep to the yards."

Rose saluted and sent Noisy around the back. The sheep were not interested in moving but finally they started up the hill with Noisy barking at their heels and Moira, Rose and Jodi calling out encouragement.

An hour later they walked into the yards, wet and muddy, but safe.

"Well, that was fun," Rose said, sliding off of Cleo and patting the mare's neck. "Hot mash for you, missy."

"And hot baths for all of us," Moira said.

"Sounds good," Jodi laughed. "Maybe Matt's home and I can get a massage."

"Whoa, young innocent ears here." Rose laughed and pulled the saddle off Cleo's back. "I know what massages lead to."

Jodi grinned and led Tucker into the shelter of the sheds. Moira shook her head and swiped at the mud on her cheeks.

"ROSE!"

Rose spun nearly spraining her other ankle. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Where's Xander?"

"I left him with Liz," Rose replied, hobbling towards her mother. "She said she would stay in the house."

"They're not there," Stevie said running her hand through her hair. "Rose, I left him in your charge. You were supposed to take care of him."

"I did. But we had to move the sheep and Jodi and Moira needed my help. You said we had to treat her nice." Rose bit her lip, wondering where in the world Liz could have gone.

Stevie hugged her arms around her soaked top and blinked back tears. "He's gone, Rose."

"I'm sorry, Mom." Rose reached for Stevie but the woman pulled away from her. Rose swallowed and turned to Moira.

"Stevie, did she leave a note or anything?" Moira laid a gently hand on Stevie's shoulder. "Come on, let's not get upset at Rose. She did nothing wrong."

Stevie took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "I know. I'm just scared. He's all I have left of Alex. I can't lose him."

"I know," Moira said. "We'll find him."

Matt ran down the drive "I didn't find them in the shearing sheds. Rose, go with your mother. I'll look after Cleo."

Rose handed Cleo's reins to him and hurried after her mother and Moira she tried not to think of the bad things that could happen to a little boy.

Inside Rose sat on the couch while the rest of the place milled around making calls and asking 'why' over and over. Pulling out her cell phone she dialed Gabe's number.

"Hello?"

"Gabe, Xander's missing," Rose whimpered. "You have to come and help. Mom's blaming me."

"What? Rose, she's just scared. I'll be over in bit," Gabe said. "Hang in there, hon. Everything will be fine."

Rose sniffed. "Gabe, I'm scared."

"I know." Gabe hung up and Rose clenched the phone between her hands.

"What have I done?" she whispered.

"Rose, are you okay?"

Rose looked up to see Jaz peering down at her. "No. Mom's blaming me for Xander disappearing."

"Oh, Rose," Jaz whispered. She sank down onto the couch and wrapped an arm around Rose's shoulder. "We'll find him. And Liz. We'll find some way to get rid of her."

"A bloody way?" Rose grinned through her tears.

"The bloodier the better," Jaz agreed.