Drover's kitchen...6am Saturday morning...
Stevie walks into the kitchen, flicking the light on as she does.
Lifting the kettle up she fills it with water and turns it on then moves over to fix the coffee.
Smiling to herself she feels a warmth and a happiness wash over her when she thinks about last night and the dream that woke her this morning.
...
"You look happy!" Nick's voice muses.
Glancing up she flips him a smile and replies. " I think it's going to be a good day Nick."
" So where's he taking you?" He asks.
" What makes you think he's taking me anywhere?" She says evasively.
"Ok I'll mind my own business." He chuckles.
"Nick thank you for encouraging me to listen to him."She offers.
" He's a knucklehead sometimes Stevie but he'd never intentionally hurt you." He replies.
" I know ." She says softly.
They hear Tess and Jodie coming down the stairs.
Stevie leans over to Nick and whispers." Dinner and a dancing lesson in Fisher."
" Nice move Alex." Nick states.
She smiles and moves to flick the whistling kettle off.
...
Neil Thompsons place 6.30 am Saturday...
"Morning Neil!" Alex chirps.
Neil smiles and replies. " Good morning Alex you sound happy today!"
" Stevie's talking to me again."Alex offers.
Neil nods his head grinning and asks . " Have you ever asked yourself why it is that her not talking to you ruins your day Alex?"
Alex smiles at him and asks. " I'm not sure I know what you mean Neil?"
" I've watched you together over the years and I've always wondered why you weren't together?"Neil responds.
Alex smirks and says ." Well you can stop wondering Neil because we are now."
" Ah so that explains the happiness today." Neil muses.
Alex nods.
...
" She's a rough diamond but a diamond none the less and I mean that in the nicest possible way Alex. If one of my boys brought her home I'd be thrilled."Neil states.
" Yeah shame Harry doesn't feel the same way." Alex quips.
" Harry doesn't like competition Alex and he knows how important she is to you.
She's a threat to him because of what she gives to you."Neil offers.
Puzzled Alex asks. " What is it that you think she gives to me?"
Neil looks stunned and asks. " What you don't know?"
Alex laughs and says . " Enlighten me!"
Neil looks at him and says . "This is just my observations Alex based on what I see and what I've heard in conversations between the two of you and by what I know of your relationship with Harry. She gives you space and encourages you to think for yourself and act on your own ideas. Harry only wants you to think and do what he wants. He wants what's right for him whereas she wants what's right for you.'
...
Alex smiles and says. " Harry wants me to go back and run Kilarney."
Neil raises his eyebrows and says. "Ok so what will you do?"
Alex tells him about his conversation with Stevie and what she said and both acknowledge
the tie between what she said and Neil's observations.
" Well Alex whatever you decide to do make sure she's involved in it and I think you'll do very well." Neil states.
...
" Neil would you mind if I finished at midday today ? I'd like to have a chat to Harry and I'm taking Stevie to Fisher for dinner and dancing tonight." Alex asks.
Neil laughs and says . " I used to take Jean dancing when we were younger so I could hold her close."
Alex smiles and quips. " Great minds think alike Neil that's exactly what I had on my mind."
Neil nods and patting Alex on the back says. " Well come on then let's get started. When you've caught yourself a pretty little filly like that one you'd better not to be late on the first date."
Alex grins.
...
Kilarney 1pm Saturday
Alex stops the Ute and sits for a moment gathering his thoughts.
Opening the door he climbs out.
Inhaling he stretches then walks towards the house.
He opens the back door and yells. "Harry! Are ya there?"
Harry walks grumpily into the room and says . "There is no need for yelling Alex we're not in a fish market.
Alex looks at him and says . " Stop right there Old man. I'm not a little kid so you can't scold me like one."
Harry frowns and says. " Well if you're running Kilarney you need to have some manners."
" Listen I'll cut to the chase Harry and not waste your time. If I come back I will run Kilarney my way not yours. You will give your opinion only when I ask for it. I'm dating Stevie and she is a part of my life. So if I come here , she does too and you will not speak to her in a derogatory fashion or have your snide little remarks at her behind my back . I will not tolerate it Harry and if you step over the mark I will walk . Oh and one more thing if everything goes the way I hope it does with Stevie we will not live under the same roof as you. I'll build a new place for you or you can live in the old homestead because if I'm to take control then the main house is where I belong and where I'll rear my family.
Have a think about it and get back to me before tomorrow night because Neil Thompson has offered me the overseers position at his place and it comes with a great salary, a house and a few other perks. I told him I'd let him know first thing Monday morning." Alex states.
Harry snarls . " Do you think you can just come in here and make demands like that?"
" Yeah I do because I can do very nicely on my own Harry. I have a job , somewhere to live and someone who believes in me." Alex replies confidently.
" What and you think you can build a life from that?" Harry argues.
Alex shrugs his shoulders and says . " You had a hell of a lot less than I have and look what you built!"
Harry makes a few more noises about Alex and his attitude.
Alex cuts him off and says . " Listen Harry I'm taking Stevie to Fisher tonight so I need to get going. Let me know when you make your decision. I just need to grab a few of my clothes from upstairs."
...
Drover's Run ...3pm Saturday
Alex opens his Ute door and unfolds himself from the car, checking his clothes look ok.
He's about to walk inside when Stevie calls . " Hi!"
Looking up his face beams and says. "Well Hello! Look at you."
She smiles loving his response.
Kissing feels even better than yesterday as neither is nervous about it now.
He hugs her and she wraps her arms around his waist and says . "It's been a long day."
Laughing he adds . "Yes for me too!"
...
" Alex are we driving back tonight?" She enquires.
He keeps holding her and looking down at her grins and says . " Well I hadn't planned it that way because I didn't want to rush you."
" Does that mean you want to or not?" She asks.
" Do I want to stay in Fisher or do I want to wake up beside you in the morning?" He asks sheepishly.
Bashfully she replies . "Both."
He doesn't reply but kisses her instead but doesn't hold anything back this time.
Pushing back she grins and quips . " I've got a lot to look forward too don't I?"
He nods.
...
"I'll get my overnight bag." She quips.
Glancing back over her shoulder as she moves back towards the house she grins at him.
He yells. " Don't look at me! Watch where you're going so you'll be quicker!"
Smiling he listens to her laughter as she moves out of sight.
...
Kilarney..3pm Saturday
Harry Ryan sits thinking about all that Alex has said.
Harry chuckles to himself pleased that Alex is finally starting to make sense.
For the farm to run properly it needs one person in charge and if Alex thinks that's him ! Brilliant.
Then there's Stevie.
Harry's never liked her because of her strong will and hot head.
Although she can control Alex and that's a good thing and she does it effortlessly.
...
Harry has to take his hat off to her for her toughness.
If it hadn't been for her a good portion of Kilarney would be Fiona's by now.
Alex hadn't realized it but Harry was indebted to her even though he'd never admit it to either of them.
If she comes to live here Harry wouldn't be thrilled but he'd deal with it.
If and when the time came.
Harry decides he'll ring Alex tonight but he'll wait until dinner time just so he can interrupt the date.
...
Fisher ...5.30pm...A Motel...
Holding the door open Alex waits for Stevie to enter their Motel room.
" What time is the dance lesson Alex?"
"Seven thirty Stevie it's one where lots of people go, not individuals." He replies.
" Ok so where are we going for dinner?" She asks.
" I booked for six because of the dancing but if you want to have dinner afterwards I can change it. Whatever you want Stevie."
" I don't want a late night Alex . I was awake early."She offers.
" Yeah so was I ." He agrees.
"Ok well let's go now and we can have a beer or a wine before dinner." She offers as she walks towards the door.
...
"Stevie wait I want to talk to you before we do anything."
Turning back she looks at him waiting for him to speak.
" The night at the pub... ." He begins.
She waits expectantly.
"Is everything alright Alex?"She asks moving closer.
" Couldn't be better Stevie, but I haven't been completely honest with you." He offers.
Frowning she asks. " What do you mean Alex?"
She watches as he steps towards her and taking her hand places it where she can feel his heart pounding.
...
" Alex are you alright?" She asks concern in her words.
" Stevie my heart beats like that every time you are near me and the other night at the pub , I was so tempted by you." He offers.
She grins at him.
" Stevie there are two things I left out of the conversation about the night we shared in the room at the pub."
" What do you mean Alex?" She asks sounding worried.
He hugs her and says. "I don't know if you remember but you told me that you're in love with me?"
He feels her tense up.
" Stevie!" He whispers.
She looks up at him.
He smiles at her and she smiles back but doesn't say anything.
" I was trying to tell you something that night but you fell asleep." He hesitates.
She is looking up at him with those beautiful come to bed eyes.
" Us together works doesn't it ?" He asks.
She smiles and says . " So far so good."
Nodding he smiles and offers. " I don't want us to be apart anymore Stevie."
" Alex I'm not really following what this has to do with the pub and what was it you tried to tell me?"She pushes.
Taking her face in his hands he kisses her very softly and briefly.
He looks deep into her eyes .
She searches his face .
Funny she thinks to herself she always thought he had gorgeous eyes but now as they stand looking at each other she sees so much more.
If he wasn't holding her face the way he is she'd kiss him.
...
His phone begins to ring in his pocket.
Momentarily he continues to stand with his hands cupping her face his words so close to being spoken.
" Are you gunna answer that?" She quizzes.
Dropping his hands he answers.
" Hello Alex Ryan...Harry! ...Yes...Right...What about my conditions?...Ok...I still have a week to work for Neil...No I won't Harry, I gave him my word...Right, I'll be around Sunday night...Ok ...Bye."
Stevie watches as he hangs up a look of amusement on his face .
" You look pleased with yourself." She offers.
His hands rub his face and then grinning he explains his conversation with Harry and Harry's acceptance.
" I'm going back to Kilarney." He smiles.
Stevie offers support and encouragement and then says. "We'd better get going Alex or we'll be late to the dance."
" But I wanted to talk to you Stevie." He explains.
Grinning she says ." We can talk in the car Alex. Come on!"
Deciding it can wait he follows her out the door.
...
...