Drovers Run…. Two years later….
Jack McLeod smiles as Rose runs towards him her smile wide.
Leaning down he picks her up and twirls her around.
"Cows Grump." She offers and points towards the cattle yards.
Claire and Stevie walk towards him covered in dirt and manure.
" How is it that my little Rosebud stays clean and the two of you look like you've rolled around in the cattle yards." He chuckles.
" It may have something to do with the fact she gets to sit and play Dollie's while we work." Stevie offers.
" Plus, Alex was here for a few hours, and he hardly put her down." Claire quips
" Useless having him help really." Stevie adds.
Still holding Rose Jack suggests. "Yes, but while he entertained her you got more done."
Stevie laughs and taking Rose from Jack replies." Whatever you reckon Jack."
….
Claire and Jack watch her walk towards the shearer's quarters.
"Best decision I ever made letting her stay here." Jack muses.
"Well, she makes my days easier that's for sure. She's a hard worker Dad and instinctive with the stock."
"Stevie! My shout for dinner at the pub be ready in an hour." Jack calls.
" Gunna let the moths out of your wallet for some air are ya. As if I'd miss that. Are ya gunna buy me a beer too. " Stevie yells back.
Claire laughs.
" Her people skills are rubbish." Jack muses.
" You love her and her attitude." Claire teases as she moves off.
" Well because it's your birthday I guess I can buy one beer." Jack calls.
They can hear Stevie laugh as she raises her hand acknowledging him.
…..
Jack stands for a moment reminiscing about the last two years and the arrival of Stevie and her baby girl.
He'd watch her in the Gretna green race with Claire that first day.
Straight away you could tell she was gutsy, headstrong and capable.
He liked her right from their first meeting and then there was her little girl.
Rose was the cutest little Bub and had softened something in him.
Often, he thought of Tess and wondered how she was.
After her mother divorced him, she moved far enough away that seeing his little girl was near on impossible.
Adding to that his stubbornness had hampered any chance of Tess coming for visits.
He'd put his farm before his child and that didn't sit well with his ex.
Truth be told he'd thrown himself into the farm to hide his pain and broken heart.
He'd vowed never to marry again or even fall in love.
Nothing and no one would weasel their way into his affections again.
…..
Until Rose he'd kept his promise and remained aloof when it came to affection.
Claire and Stevie had referred to him as Grumpy when speaking to Rose, so it was only natural that when she began to speak, he'd been her "Grumpy."
Smiling to himself he feels great love for his little Rosebud and her Mummy.
Without him knowing it they'd weaselled their way into his heart, and they felt like family.
…..
Gungellan Hotel…
Claire, Stevie and Jack walk into the pub and look around for a table.
Rose had fallen asleep before they left Drovers, so Meg offered to baby sit.
Stevie rarely went out on her own and felt a little lost without Rose.
…..
Harry Ryan walks towards them and after wishing Stevie a Happy birthday, directs them to join himself, Liz and their boys for a meal.
Alex and Nick drag an extra table across to join up with their table.
Jack sits at the end with Liz and Harry and the girls sit at the other end with the boys.
Claire moves off to grab drinks.
" You look beautiful tonight, Stevie." Alex offers.
Smiling she replies." Thank you."
" Would you like to have a game of pool with me later?"
" I'm not sure how long we're here for Alex but if Jack isn't in a hurry I'd love too."
Claire arrives back with their drinks and hands them out.
….
After their main meal the group sit chatting and several more drinks are had.
"Jack does your dinner invitation involve desert too?" Stevie questions.
" Ive already organised your desert." Jack offers.
Stevie looks puzzled until they all break into a rousing chorus of Happy birthday as the waitress brings a birthday cake complete with candles and sparklers to their table.
All in the dining room join in.
Stevie is stunned, speechless and teary.
…
Blowing out the candles is difficult as tears stream down her face.
The Ryan's plus Jack and Claire offer up gifts.
"You really didn't have to do this."Stevie offers tearfully.
" We couldn't let an 18th birthday go by without a celebration." Liz adds.
" Thank you all so very much but I really don't deserve so much fuss." Stevie replies.
" Well, we think you do." Jack responds.
Not knowing what else to do or say Stevie smiles.
….
Her gifts include a brand-new pair of RM Williams boots, a new Drizabone, perfume, a voucher for a lingerie shop in Fisher and a pretty necklace with a heart pendant attached.
" I took a photo of Rose for you and it's inside the locket." Alex says as he snaps open the heart.
Placing her hand over her heart Stevie tearfully replies. " That is the most precious gift I've ever received Alex. Thank you I love it!"
His smile is broad and his heart full.
Since the day he met her, he's been attracted to her and as they've gotten older it's grown into something more.
Rose is the icing on the cake for him, he's not concerned that Stevie is a single mother if anything it makes him even more encouraged to change their relationship.
Harry Ryan is pushing for Claire and Nick to date, but he has to get passed Jack first.
…
Later in the evening Stevie and Alex play their game of pool.
He flirts with her, and she seems amused.
" Alex what are you doing? "
" It's called flirting Stevie."
" Why are you flirting with me though?"
Moving closer he whispers." Because I like you."
She blushes.
He grins then asks." Don't you like it?"
" Well yeah I do but we're friends."
" I'd like to change that if it's ok with you?"
She giggles and as she begins to move away, he takes her hand.
An electric shock passes between them.
Stunned she asks." Did you feel that?"
Smiling he offers softly " If that happens when I touch your hand imagine what a kiss would be like."
Her soft brown eyes search his face.
" Can I drive you home?"
" I'll ask Jack."
Smiling at her he nods.
…
Walking out to his car Alex takes Stevie's hand.
Again, the static electricity shocks them both.
She laughs.
He smiles down at her.
Reaching out her pulls her closer and kisses her.
Breathlessly she pushes back frightened by what she feels.
Even though Alex is young he already has a reputation.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Smiling she replies. " I can't be a casual thing, Alex. I've been caught out once and I can't afford to be hurt again like that."
Hugging her he says softly and sweetly.
" I understand Stevie and I don't want to hurt you or be hurt myself, ok?"
Looking up at him in the half-light she asks. " Promise?"
"Cross my heart."
She smiles.
Again, he kisses her.
….
Drovers Run…
Illuminated by the dashboard lights Stevie and Alex enjoy many kisses.
In between kisses they talk about all sorts of things but somehow things have changed by the kisses.
At one point he asked about her past boyfriends.
He's shocked when she divulges that she only had one boyfriend and the one and only time they'd had sex she'd fallen pregnant with Rose.
Rose's Father never knew of her existence as his family had moved away soon after.
…..
Even though Alex loves a conquest he decides in that moment that he'll refrain from pushing for more than her kisses.
Thinking back to all the girls he's had one-night stands with he thinks about how unlucky you'd have to be to fall pregnant on your first time.
She's very sweet and so is her little girl and he knows he needs to put in so much time and care for them.
After kissing her again she settles back into his arms before stating." I'd best get going Alex even though it's Saturday tomorrow I have to work in the morning. "
" Righto but can we do something together in the afternoon? Rose too."
" She really loves the park. We could take her there."
"Sounds good, I'll pick you up after lunch."
Twisting around she kisses him one last time and then she's gone.
As he drives for home her perfume lingers and he smiles.