Wednesday Night ...Drover's Run dining room...
It's a quiet group gathered at the table.
Just like in the shearing shed today.
Everyone kept to themselves there was no joking, no laughter.
Alex was the quietest of all.
...
The air is thick with accusations, questions and innuendo.
"I guess we should get in an early night." Nick states.
"I wish we could have finished today." Kate responds.
"I'm really sorry I've slowed things down haven't I?" Stevie offers.
"Can't be helped." Tess says quickly hoping to end the conversation.
"Yes it could have." Alex adds.
Stevie looks at him but offers nothing.
...
Unable to resist, Jodi asks. "How did you fall off him anyway?"
Without looking up Stevie replies. "He shied and I wasn't ready."
Tess watches Stevie.
"He shied because we were fighting and I grabbed the reins Jodi. It's my fault." Alex says as he stands, throws his serviette onto the table and leaves the room.
Silence.
"Oh poor Alex he must feel terrible."Jodi muses.
...
Wednesday Night the shearer's quarters.
Alex hears a knock on his door.
Rising he opens it and Nick is standing there.
"Want to talk about it?" Nick asks.
"Not particularly and not with you."Alex grumbles.
Nick holds up two beers and says. "How about a beer then?"
Alex nods and the two men sit out on the old lounge.
...
They talk about the shearing tomorrow, Kilarney, the weather and everything except Stevie until.
"Do you think she'll ever talk to you again?" Nick asks.
Alex is looking at the ground and inhaling replies. "I honestly don't know."
"It's a bit tense around here isn't it?"Nick remarks.
...
Alex nods and without looking at Nick says. "I spoke to Neil Thompson earlier. He needs a farm hand for three weeks because Jacko hurt his leg. After we finish shearing tomorrow I'll head over there."
"No Alex don't do that."Nick offers.
Shaking his head Alex says. "No it's for the best Nick. Tess can't stand to be in the same room with me. Jodi's in detective mode constantly and Stevie needs some space."
"Where will you sleep?" Nick asks.
"I've booked a room at the pub. If I tend the bar for a couple of hours two nights a week they'll give me a discount plus free beers at the end of my shift. I figure it'll keep me busy."Alex explains.
Nick tries to be upbeat and says. "Sounds like a sweet deal."
Alex gives him a small smile and says. "Yeah."
...
Thursday Night Drover's dining room...
"Aren't we waiting for Alex?" Jodi asks.
"No.' Nick replies.
Stevie wants to know where he is but doesn't ask.
Tess and Kate bring the meals in and everyone begins to eat.
...
Tess asks. "We have to drench the goats tomorrow."
"And the pumps broken down again." Jodi offers.
"I'll have a look at it in the morning." Nick states.
"I thought you were helping us with the goats?" Tess asks.
"Well the pumps important Tess."He replies.
"Get Alex to do the pump." Jodi suggests.
"He's gone." Kate states.
Jodi, Tess and Stevie look at her.
...
Jodi asks. "Gone where?"
Kate looks up from her meal and says. "What to work or to live?'
"Well both."Jodi states.
"He's working for Neil Thompson and has taken a room at the pub." Nick answers.
The girls all look at him and Tess grumbles. "Great he puts my overseer out of action and doesn't even stick around to help us."
"That's enough Tess what choice did he have. Stevie's not talking to him and you're attacking him every five minutes. It wasn't very comfortable for him."Nick growls.
"What and Stevie's comfortable with him here?" Tess retorts.
Nicks stands and says. "Stevie's a grown woman and his best friend. She's quite capable of dealing with him Tess she's done it for years. You need to mind your own business."
Tess's mouth drops open at his rebuff.
Walking passed Stevie; Nick touches her shoulder and says. "I'm sorry if I've offended you Stevie I never meant too."
Stevie is embarrassed but gives a small smile and replies. "None taken Nick."
...
Two weeks later Gungellan Pub Friday night... 6pm...
Nick Ryan walks into the pub.
Alex spots him and smiling says. "Did you miss me little brother?"
"Oh god no I've had a great time without you, much more peaceful at home."Nick teases.
Alex's smile dims as he replies. "Yeah I bet it is?"
Nick looks at him and says. "It's not easy living with all those women mate I enjoyed having another bloke around."
Alex grins and quips. "So you do miss me!"
"Just get me a beer would ya." Nick demands.
Alex laughs and walks to the taps and grabbing a glass he pours the beer.
...
"How's work?" Nick asks.
Alex shrugs and says. "Yeah its ok Neil's a good bloke. It's a bit tricky when you're used to calling the shots."
Nick nods.
"How's Stevie?' Alex asks.
"She misses you." Nick offers.
Alex's face brightens and he asks. "Did she say something?"
"No but I can tell."Nick replies.
...
Alex serves a few more people and comes back over to Nick.
"How long are you here for?" Alex asks.
"Another half an hour why?" Nick replies.
"I'm finished for today. I have something I want you to give to Stevie."Alex offers.
Nick nods.
...
Friday Night ...Drover's Run ...7.30pm
Nick walks into the dining room on Drover's Run.
Kate, Jodi, Tess and Stevie are playing cards.
"Oh just in time Nick we've run out of beer." Jodi quips.
He grins and says. "Cartons on the table and its cold."
Jodi rises and asks. "Four refills?'
"Yes, Yeah, Yep." Come the replies.
...
Tess notices the small parcel in Nick's hand and grinning says. "Is that for me?"
He smiles and says. "No it's for Stevie."
Stevie looks puzzled but smiles and taking it from him says. "Really? Thanks Nick."
"It's actually from Alex."Nick explains.
Stevie hesitates until Nick says. "Give him a chance Stevie please open it."
She looks at him and then back at the parcel and begins to open it.
...
Jodi has returned with the beer and says. "Nick I grabbed you one too."
Nick takes the beer and Jodi spots the parcel and gushes. "Oh pressies I love pressies who's it from Stevie?"
"Alex." Kate states.
Jodi raises her eyebrows but remains tight lipped.
Stevie lifts the lid on the velvet box and opens her mouth and says. "Oh my goodness."
All the girls gasp as Stevie lifts a beautiful watch up.
"That looks expensive." Kate says.
"That's because it is! Really expensive look at the brand!" Jodi states looking at the box.
...
Nick hands Stevie a small envelope with a card inside.
Again she looks at him and he gives her a small smile.
Opening the card she reads.
Hey!
I'm glad we got this far without yelling at each other.
You are holding a watch because if I hadn't been so stupid
with your misplaced watch at the pub we wouldn't be fighting now.
Stevie I was wondering if you have time to share a beer with me?
Because I miss spending time with you.
Alex
Ps. I'm on the veranda just in case you need to throw the watch at me or something!
She sits reading and re-reading the note then stands and says. "Can I borrow that Nick?"
He hands the unopened stubby of beer too her.
...
Sitting on the veranda Alex tries to calculate how long it will take for to open the gift and read the note.
His palms are sweaty and he feels sick.
If she doesn't soften at this, he doesn't know what else to do.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
He stands and begins to pace unsure if he should go.
"You're scared of me aren't you?" She quips from behind him.
Turning he tries not to smile and offers.
"No I was trying to work out how far you could throw that and what a safe distance might be." He replies.
"I won't throw it." She tells him.
He smiles.
"With your hard head it'd damage the watch."She says straight faced.
He inhales , smiles then exhales.
...
"Are we going to stand up to drink these?" She asks holding up the beer.
He walks back over to the bench and sits down.
Handing him the beer her hand touches his.
She looks up at him and he has a look on his face that she's never seen before.
Like he knows what she's feeling and thinking.
"You alright?" She asks.
Smiling he replies. "You're here of course I'm alright."
...
"Can you see Jodes? What's going on?" Kate asks.
"Nothing they're just looking at each other." Jodi remarks.
"Jodi get away from the window! How would you feel if that was you? Give em' some privacy." Nick complains.
Tess looks at him and says. "You know something don't you?"
Jodi spins around and says. "What do you know?"
Nick frowns and says. "I know they deserve privacy come on let's play cards."
...
Stevie smiles back at him then she giggles and looks away.
He doesn't say anything and she glances at him and he's watching her.
"Alex you're staring." She says turning her face to look forward she lifts the beer to her lips.
As she's about to sip he reaches over and takes the bottle from her hand.
Placing both bottles onto the ground beside him, he looks back at her.
She searches his face.
Gently he takes her face into his hand and leans to kiss her.
...
"Do either of you need a refill?" Jodi asks as she opens the door.
Alex moves back.
"Yeah thanks Jodes." Stevie replies glad for the interruption.
Picking up the two beers from the ground Alex hands one to Stevie.
They sit quietly drinking and Jodi brings two more.
...
Stevie sits thinking you idiot he was going to kiss you.
She wills him to try again but he doesn't.
He smells so good and she wonders if she should make a move.
"How's your wrist Stevie?" He asks out of the blue.
She blinks and says. "Yeah it's good it doesn't hurt anymore so it must be mending."
"I'm sorry I hurt you." He offers.
"I know." She replies.
...
Silently they sit.
She's so aware of him.
Every movement, every breath.
He looks at her and says. "You're beautiful."
"Sorry?" She says unsure if she heard right.
He inhales and looks at her and says. "Stevie I think about you all the time."
Grinning she says. "What have you done with my friend?"
"I want more than friendship." He replies.
She stands and looks down at him. "Alex if this is one of your sick jokes I will never speak to you again!"
"Anyone need another beer?" Jodie asks as she opens the door.
Stevie and Alex both yell "No" at the same time.
Jodi jumps and quickly closes the door.
...
Tess stands up and Jodi rushes back inside.
"What was that?" Tess asks.
"I went to ask if they wanted more beer and they both yelled at me."Jodi says still startled by their response.
Tess looks at Nick and says. "Do you think Stevie will be alright Nick?"
He grins.
Jodi says. "He definitely knows something."
...
"Oh bloody hell Stevie that's want I've been trying to tell you for weeks."Alex says sounding exasperated.
She searches his face and shakes her head then shrugging her shoulders says. "Alex you're not making any sense."
He stands and softly says. "I don't want to be just friends anymore."
She smiles and asks. "Really?"
"Really." He whispers as he leans down to kiss her.
Letting her go he looks at her and says. "Well?"
"Well don't stop." She smiles as she pulls him back in for more.
...
"Oh my god look at this!" Kate squeals.
Jodi and Tess run to the window.
Nick stands grinning watching them.
Tess looks back and says. "You knew!"
"Maybe "Nick chuckles.
...
Stevie moves back and says. "Alex your phone."
He has a lovely smile on his face and doesn't take his eyes off her as he answers. " Hello Alex Ryan...Yes ...No I've got a week left why?...I don't think so...No I'm over at Drover's with Stevie...No ...Why...Really?...Ok ...Look I have to go I need to speak to Stevie...Yes very ..Right bye."
He hangs up.
Scratching his head he sits down.
...
Disappointed that the kissing seems to have finished she sits beside him.
He doesn't say anything.
"Are you ok?" She asks.
He glances at her and reaching over takes her hand in his then sits back.
She waits.
"That was Harry, he wants me to go back and run Kilarney." He offers.
She feels like smiling despite the mention of Harry because the entire time he's had her hand he's been playing with her fingers.
"What?" he asks.
"You're playing with my hand." She states.
He smiles and lets it go and for a split second she's disappointed again until he raises his arm across her shoulder and pulls her in to kiss her.
...
"What's happening?" Kate asks.
"He's kissing her again." Jodi reports.
"Jodi come away from the window."Nick growls.
Jodi runs back over to her chair.
"What's the rush?" Tess asks.
The French doors open and Alex walks through.
"How's it going?" Nick asks.
"Just need a couple more beers." Alex replies.
Nick smirks and nods.
Alex grins back at him.
...
Nick stands and says. "Who needs a refill?"
Following Alex into the kitchen Nick smiles broadly and says "So did you tell her?"
"Not yet but it's going really well." Alex replies happily.
"That's great Alex." Nick tells him.
They walk back to join the girls with fresh beer.
...