Chapter 27.

'So …', a male voice sounded, and a bottle of beer was placed next to her on the small high table she sat at. 'All out on your own tonight?', it sounded a little cheekily next to her ear. Stevie's head turned slowly, already recognizing his voice.

Russ sat down next to her, at her right and she gazed at him with a small smile. He showed a little nod up with his head. 'Everyone else is enjoying themselves', she muttered now, a little depressed, leaning on the table, wanting a straw in her bottle of beer so she could just suck it in quickly.

'That bad hey', Russ noted, his light colored eyes examining her shortly. For a moment he wondered if she would realize any day soon how great she was and that the world would be smiling at her, only if she would really let it in, or let him in.

Stevie nodded, and sighed, tilting her bottle of beer up to her lips.

So she wasn't much talkative, he figured. Russ licked his lips shortly, giving himself a moment to drink. 'I can request your favorite song so we can dance to it, would that cheer you up?', Russ spoke, seeing a small smile tug at her lips.

Her deep brown eyes now looked at him, and small note of thankfulness showed. His effort was appreciated. Her gaze dropped a little shy; 'not sure'.

'Not sure? You mean you haven't figured out your favorite song yet?', Russ said a little teasy, resting his right arm casually on the table as he turned his body more towards her.

Her lips pulled together; 'maybe'.

'Well, will you promise to dance with me, when I pick a song?' His eyes were bright and true, reminding her a little of faithful dog eyes. She couldn't deny that, he surely wanted her to have a good night.

'Okay'.

'Be right back …'

***

Ben held his lady tightly. It was good to have some slow music like this, even with him not being the most fanciest dancer, he at heart was a romantic. He wasn't too sure if Jaz had noticed it that much. He had made up his mind earlier, wanting to let tonight be perfect. First at the pub and than at home. He even had cleaned the cottage a little, found some candles … shortly his mind drifted away.

A little pinch in his arms made him look at the blond girl he held. She smiled, a gorgeous smile took his breath away. An amused twinkle in her eyes. 'Are you listening?', she finally said.

'Uh what?'

'Look', she turned both of them so his sight would be good, now a new song started to play. 'Stevie has found herself some distraction', Jaz pointed out as the two of them saw how Russ brought Stevie closer to his body, and stared right into her eyes.

These hands can turn timber

Into good stockyard rails

This back knows the burden of toil

Between fixing up fences

And falling behind

Well I reckon

I've been through it all

Never knew I had feelings like this

So much can change with a kiss

And it's just me and you

And the Goondiwindi Moon

All at once the world is standing still

With the moonlight in your hair

And the softness of your skin

Taking me somewhere I've never been

Goondiwindi Moon

(lyrics: Lee Kernaghan – Goondiwindi Moon)