Dave and Alex have another chat and Dave hits Alex...
"Hey Brewer, Would you be able to keep an eye on the Drover's girls for me, I'm off to Argentina late this afternoon?" Alex asks.
"Yeah no worries. Have you had any news?" Dave asks.
"No nothing but the girls are positive that I'll find him." Alex explains.
"Well that's the way to be Alex." Dave offers.
Alex nods.
...
Dave grabs two beers and they sit together.
Alex looks like he has something to say, so dave waits.
"I spoke to Stevie the other day." Alex begins.
Dave looks shocked and asks. "You didn't say I said anything did you?"
Alex looks guilty and says. "I just said I had been talking to you."
Crossly Dave says "Yeah thanks for that Alex."
"I think you're right Dave." Alex states.
Dave nods.
"She was really defensive and I could tell she was lying to me and she's never lied to me before so that was a bit of a shock."Alex laments.
"Why do you think she would do that?" Dave asks him.
"To protect herself I guess.' Alex replies.
Dave flicks him across the back of the head.
"Ow what was that for?" Alex yells.
"That's for being stupid, and I'm going to do that every time you say something stupid until you start thinking properly."Dave chuckles.
Rubbing the back of his head Alex grins at his friend and hesitantly offers. "She was protecting me?"
Dave grins.
...
"Hey Brewer do you believe in true love?" Alex asks.
"What do you mean?" Dave asks.
"Well the other day when we heard about Nick's plane Stevie told Tess that if something bad had happened to him Tess would feel it in her heart. Like Tess would be the first to know."Alex explains.
Dave says. "I don't know whether I'd call it true love but there is definitely a connection sometimes between people, even friends can be like that. Haven't you ever just known something wasn't right? You know, felt it here in your gut."
Alex nods.
"Stevie is like that with you." Dave offers.
Alex looks at him and says "What do you mean?'
"She can tell at a glance if something is bothering you. I've seen her do it." Dave states.
"Nah women are just more switched on than us that's all."Alex quips.
"Ow what did you do that for?" Alex asks rubbing the back of his head again.
"I warned you!" Dave says chuckling.
"What was stupid about that? It's a fact Dave women pay more attention to stuff than we do."Alex says looking annoyed.
"Well does Fiona notice? Or Tess? Or Jodie?" Dave asks.
Alex looks at him and says "No."
"I rest my case Big Fella, I rest my case."
...
Three days later Alex rings Drover's Run.
"Hello Drover's Run, Tess Ryan speaking...Oh Hi Alex...Yes ...Umm I'm not sure...No the one he always takes ...Yes that's right. I'd appreciate that. Thank you...No she isn't, the girls are bringing in one of the larger herds...Yes I will she'll be sorry she missed your call..." Tess smiles and then says "I will Alex I'm sure she's thinking about you too...Do you want me to ring Harry? Ok if you say so...Bye..."
Hanging up the phone Alex has an uneasy feeling but disregards it and moves back to lie down on his bed.
...
"Turbo away to me!" Stevie calls and the dog does precisely as he's told.
"Jodi pull your side back in they're straggling." Stevie calls.
Jodi rides quickly and whistles and growls at the steers until they move back in line.
"Stevie do you think Alex will find Nick soon?" Kate asks.
"I don't know Kate I just hope he finds something to give Tess an easy night. I don't think she's sleeping much.' Stevie adds.
Kate agrees and adds. "Yeah I've seen her light on late at night."
...
"Your turn Stevie." Jodi yells pointing to a rogue steer.
Stevie grins and eases Banjo into a canter and gives chase.
Kate and Jodi smile watching her .
No one worked the cattle like she did and even though she was sometimes tough on the girls it was times like this that they loved .
She was really good at this and they admired her.
Banjo moved swiftly with her soft hands and gentle pressing from her knees.
This way and that rounding up the steer.
...
With the wind in her hair and smile on her face she was in her element.
And then...
"Stevie! Are you all right?' Kate called jumping from her horse and gliding down beside Stevie.
"Yeah I'm ok but I think my ankles not." She winced as she tried to stand.
"Easy boy easy." Stevie cooed checking to see if Banjo was alright.
...
" You were going so well and then it looked like he put his foot in a hole or something and down you went in slow motion. We could see you rolling and him rolling it was scary Stevie." Kate confesses.
Stevie chuckles and says. " You should have seen it from my angle.
Deciding banjo is ok she says. "Kate can you give me a bunk up please?'
"Actually I think Jodi's your better bet I don't call her stretch for nothing! If you were riding a Shetland I'd be alright."Kate offers.
Stevie laughs and says. "Righto Jodes I need a boost up."
With all three back on their horses.
They head the mob for home.
Stevie is pale and shaken and begins to sweat profusely.
Kate and Jodi are too busy gathering the herd to notice.
...
In Argentina Alex sits up in bed.
A feeling of dread deep in his gut.
Picking up the phone he dials.
...