Caution...Happy Harry Ahead...
Stevie is left on her own at her insistence as Tess feeds out with Jodie and Kate.
Trying to work out how to take her coffee out onto the veranda Stevie hears a male voice call." Hello anyone home."
A loud knocking accompanies the call.
Stevie feels uncomfortable instantly as she recognizes Harry Ryan's voice.
Grabbing her crutches Stevie hobbles out to the back door and opens the screen.
"Good Morning Harry." Stevie offers.
"What's good about it?" He replies gruffly.
Stevie would normally say nothing but is sore and tired after a restless night's sleep and isn't in the mood for his rot.
"Well I woke up this morning in good health and with good friends around me and for you I'd say you woke up this morning, we've had no more bad news from Argentina and as we speak your grandchild is growing stronger every day waiting to meet you although for the life of me I can't imagine why anyone would be excited about meeting you! Grumpy old bugger that you are." She quips.
He glares at her and almost grins then says. "I take it you're the only one home?"
"Yes I am, the girls will be back soon they're just feeding out." She states.
"Can I smell fresh coffee?" He asks.
Looking back towards the kitchen she then looks at him and says. "I'll make a deal with you Harry.
I'd like to drink my coffee on the veranda but haven't quite worked out how to get it out there yet.
If you carry my cup out you can pour yourself one."
He looks at her without much expression and says "Alright."
He holds the door and she turns and hobbles back inside.
...
"So Tess have you worked out what you're going to call the baby if it's a girl?" Kate asks.
Tess grins and says "No and even if we had I wouldn't be telling.'
"Jodi is a really pretty name for a girl." Jodi quips.
Kate looks at Tess winks and offers. "No most of the Jodi's I've met are a bit dull."
Jodi spins and screwing up her face says "Kate! That was such a mean thing to say. "
Tess adds. "It's true though I've had the same experience."
Jodi looks at them seriously and then they both start laughing.
Jodi says. "That wasn't funny."
Which makes them laugh even more?
...
Alex has scoured the hotels and hospitals in the area Nick would have left from and has three left to visit.
Walking into the foyer he smiles to himself this hospital is very old.
He feels like he has stepped back in time.
Even though it's old, it's spotless.
The floorboards shine and he can smell the old fashioned wax used to polish them and it reminds him of his childhood when his Mother used to wax the floors.
Plain white iron beds with starched white linen sheets look sterile but comfortable.
Fresh flowers are placed in vases here and there while an old fashioned fan whirls above his head flicking the curtains gently with the warm afternoon breeze.
...
Pulling Nick's photo from his bag he offers it to the receptionist who he has realized speaks no English.
Looking at the photo he sees recognition flash across her face and his heart pounds and he feels his mouth dry.
She gabbles animatedly at him and he tries to tell her. "My Brother!"
He points at himself and says "Alex Ryan."
Then pointing at the photo he says "Nick Ryan."
She gestures for him to sit in the waiting room and rushes off taking the photo with her.
...
As Stevie sits placing her crutches beside her chair.
Harry Ryan walks behind her and slides the tray with the coffee pot, mugs and milk onto the table and sits himself down.
"So what did you do to your leg?" Harry asks.
"Took a tumble off Banjo." She offers.
He scoffs "I thought you were a big shot rodeo star?'
She looks at him and quips. "Well Harry it's a bit tricky staying on a horse that is rolling around on the ground."
"Oh so the horse actually fell! You're lucky you weren't killed."He states.
"Well that would have made your day I guess." She quips.
He looks uncomfortable and says "I would never wish that on you."
Stevie glances at him and is unsure of what to say next so she offers him a biscuit.
...
"Hello anyone home!" Dave calls as he walks into Drover's kitchen.
"On the veranda Dave! Grab a mug, coffee's fresh." Stevie yells.
Walking onto the veranda all smiles Dave spots Harry and greets him.
"You're out and about early Dave what can I do for you." Stevie asks.
Dave grins and replies. "I rang the Big Fella last night and he made me promise to come over and see if you needed anything."
Stevie chuckles and says "Well I could have done with your help five minutes ago but luckily Harry turned up."
Dave nods and asks. "How's the leg this morning?"
Harry watches her as she's talks to Dave.
She has a beautiful smile as she replies. "I had a dreadful night's sleep, it was very uncomfortable plus I kept dreaming and waking up but compared to what Tess is going through I have no problems."
"Alex said it's a nasty break."
She nods and answers. "Worst possible timing, I'll be completely out of action for at least three weeks and then hopefully they'll give me a boot. I can ride with that. I won't be able to drive though all our cars are manuals. If we had an auto I could at least do supply runs and help feed out. Tess really doesn't need a crippled overseer at the moment."
Dave smiles at her and asks. "I'll come over and help Stevie. Don't worry you girls have lots of friends in the district that will chip in and help."
She reaches over and squeezes his hand and says. "Thanks Dave."
"My Utes an auto, you can borrow that until your foot heals." Harry offers.
Stevie looks at him quickly wondering if she heard right.
"Thanks Harry that would be a great help to Tess." Stevie offers.
...
Hearing a car .
Dave asks. "Are you expecting visitors Stevie?'
Puzzled she shakes her head and replies. "No. "
She moves to stand.
Dave says. "Stay there Stevie I'll go."
...
"So it's a bad break?' Harry offers.
Grinning she replies. "Yes apparently but then again no break is good."
"You need a thermos and screw top containers with a small calico bag you can sling around your neck, so you can have your coffee on the veranda." He offers.
She smiles at him and says "What a great idea Harry thanks for that."
He gives her the tiniest of smiles and is amazed how good he feels.
...
Alex stands as the receptionist returns with a tall grey haired man whom Alex assumes is a Doctor.
"Hola, my name is Doctor Emilio Sanchez and you are?"
Smiling Alex replies. "Hola my name is Alex Ryan and I'm pleased to meet you."
Holding the picture Emilio asks "You know this man?"
"Yes he's my brother. He was supposed to catch a plane home but we got word that his plane took off and never landed." Alex states.
"I'm afraid he did not get on the plane sir. Someone attacked him." Emilio answers.
Alex feels sad but hopeful and he asks. "Is he here?'
Smiling the Doctor replies "Yes he is here but we have kept him sedated as he had a number of injuries to his head. Would you like to see him?"
Alex nods, his stomach twists, he's found Nick.
If he has head injuries, will he still be the same Nick?
Following Emilio down the corridor Alex hears the click clacking of his own boots on the wooden floors, his heart pounds in his ears and he wishes Stevie was here so he could hold her and feel this new calmness she gives him.
Fiona enters his thoughts briefly but Stevie pushes her out.
...
Tess and the girls finish feeding out and begin the trip back to the house.
"What's next today?" Tess asks.
"Well Stevie had us teed up to drench the mob and we've got fencing tomorrow." Jodi answers.
Looking at Kate, Tess says. "We might have to tweak the rosters a bit Kate."
Kate grins and says "With Stevie out of action I think we'll need to tweak them a lot Tess."
Tess nods and feels just a little overwhelmed.
...
Stevie turns her head when she hears Dave's footsteps.
Grinning she says. "Whose sending you flowers Dave?'
Placing the huge bouquet of flowers beside her he quips. "They're yours not mine."
"Mine! Who would send me flowers?" She asks sounding puzzled.
Dave hands her a card and says. "That should tell you."
Opening the envelope she reads the card.
Hope you mend fast.
And wishing that you had the sweetest of dreams last night. Alex x
She feels her face burn and her eyes prick with tears.
Inhaling she offers. "They're a get well from Alex."
Harry has watched her and sees her expression and for an instant feels sorry for her and realizes whatever is on that card says more than get well.
...