Spencer Pub …...Early in the morning...
Alex wakes and smiles as Stevie is snuggled into his side.
Moving carefully so as not to wake her he snuggles in closer.
"Good morning." She whispers sleepily.
"Mmmm it's an excellent morning."
Reaching down she questions. " What is that?"
" That's my I'm so happy I'm in bed with you surprise."
She giggles and replies." Hmm yes, I've read about this, I've got a lot to learn about the male anatomy haven't I."
"Happy to teach you everything I know." He responds before kissing her.
…..
Kilarney …. Breakfast time…
Nick enters the kitchen in a very happy mood unbeknown to his parents he'd chatted with Tess for hours last night and shes ringing again tonight.
Together they'd made plans for him to visit and have their date that she'd previously cancelled.
"Are you helping me this morning Nick?" Harry questions.
"Yes , Alex asked me too."
Harry nods.
"I've invited Claire and Jack over for lunch so make sure you're back by midday." Liz offers.
Nick isn't happy and questions. "Why would you do that?"
"Because they're our neighbours and they're having a rough time with Tess leaving."Liz offers.
Nick scoffs. "Claire is probably thrilled she's gone. She did nothing but attack her from the minute she got here."
Liz looks shocked and replies. "I thought that was only when she first got here."
"No, it wasn't Mum."
"Well, we don't need to get involved in the finer details and we can still be neighbourly." Liz retorts.
"Don't expect me to be here." Nick grumbles.
"You will be here because your mother has gone to a lot of trouble to be kind." Harry states.
Nick nods but isn't happy.
Finishing his breakfast, he leaves the room.
"What's gotten into him Harry? Nick is normally so charitable." Liz questions.
"I think he's sweet on Tess." Harry replies.
"Oh, I thought he liked Claire."Liz offers.
Harry shrugs his shoulders and remarks. "I thought so too but Alex said he'd asked Tess out before she left."
"Oh, dear what a mess." Liz sighs.
…..
Spencer Pub …
Stevie sits on the bed with trembling hands and a teary face.
Alex breezes into the room and is about to speak when he notices her face.
"What's wrong?" He questions.
"Nothing's wrong, everything is fabulous." She replies holding up the lottery ticket in her shaking hand.
In disbelief he plonks onto the bed beside her and quips. "You won!"
"I sure did." She exclaims.
Hugging her he gushes. "Couldn't happen to a more deserving person. This will set you up for life Stevie."
"I don't know about for life, but it gives me security that's for damn sure."
"I wonder how you claim it?"
"I have no idea, but we have to be careful we don't lose the ticket." Stevie states.
"Put it in the safe on Drovers until you claim it." Alex remarks.
"Half is yours Alex."
"No Stevie, I scratched mine and didn't win anything."
"If you hadn't brought me to Spencer, I wouldn't have won anything either Alex." Stevie replies.
"You should buy some land." He suggests.
"Can we go home Alex please?"
Hugging her again he replies. "Whatever you want Stevie."
….
Kilarney …. Lunchtime…
Harry smiles as Rose toddles towards him.
Bending down he picks her up speaking softly to her, she snuggles in.
"Hello Jack, Hello Claire." Liz offers.
They respond then she asks. "I thought Meg was minding Rose?"
"She was but Alex rang earlier and when he found out we were coming for lunch he asked us to bring her with us." Jack replies.
"They should be here soon." Claire adds.
…
Later in the dining room.
Stevie and Alex arrived home and after greeting everyone especially Rose they'd announced Stevie's win.
With great excitement they'd all hugged her and congratulated her .
"Champagne!" Harry announces as he arrives back in the room.
Handing a glass to each person Harry proposes a toast. "May your heart be light and happy,
may your smile be big and wide. And may your pockets always have
a coin or two inside. To Stevie. "
"To Stevie."
…
After chatting for awhile they all sit down to lunch.
" Do you have any idea what you'll do with your money Stevie?" Jack asks.
Finishing what is in her mouth Stevie replies " Well I wanted to ask you and Harry to help me with that."
"How can we help?" Harry asks.
" Alex and I were reading the Weekly Times while we were in Spencer and there's a property here that's for sale."
"Are you going to leave us?" Claire asks.
"No! I love living on Drovers with you but I thought if I bought the property I could rent out the house and either put cattle on it myself or lease it out."
"Do you really need to buy property?" Liz asks.
Stevie smiles at Liz and replies." I've been homeless Liz and I never want to be in that position ever again. When I first had Rose and I was staying with anyone who'd have me I vowed that one day I'd buy a house and we'd never be homeless again."
"You're not homeless now Stevie." Jack offers.
"No I'm not and I'm very lucky and very grateful to you and Claire for taking us in Jack but I still want to have a place of my own. I want to build wealth for Rose and I."
" By geez you've got your head screwed on the right way Stevie." Harry states.
" So you'll help her?" Alex ask.
"Of course I will. I'll be happy too."
" I will as well." Jack adds.
" Great if it's ok with you we can look first thing in the morning." Stevie states happily.
…
There is much to discuss and the afternoon rolls into the evening, Claire and Jack head for home.
Rose has fallen asleep in Alex's arms.
" Would you like to stay tonight Stevie seems the property is closer to us than Drovers plus Rose is already asleep." Liz questions.
" Thank you that would be great but Rose doesn't sleep in a bed yet so we'd best go home." Stevie replies.
Liz smiles and offers. "We have a cot."
"We do? Since when?" Alex asks in surprise.
"We bought it yesterday and a high chair plus a few clothes so she has spares when she's here." Harry replies.
" So if Stevie stays over Rose has a bed too." Liz states.
Again Stevie gets teary.
Liz smiles at her and softly says. " You've had a big day haven't you?"
Stevie nods.
" Come on then let's get this little one into bed then we'll have a beer." Alex suggests.
"Thank you both so much." Stevie begins then adds. "Alex the ticket."
"Dad can you put Stevie's ticket in the safe until she cashes it."Alex asks.
Harry answers ." Yes, we'll do that now."
…
Liz returns downstairs after showing Stevie where everything is.
Harry has poured them both a wine and two glasses of beer sit waiting.
Nick headed upstairs feigning tiredness he didn't want anyone to know about his connection to Tess yet.
In truth he was a bit tired but that was more to do with being on edge having Claire here.
….
"Gosh what an exciting day." Liz gushes.
"She's got a great attitude." Harry whispers as Alex and Stevie join them.
"Dad, Stevie needs advice on stock too."
Harry chuckles and suggests. "You have time for that later. First we need to see what sort of pasture you might have and what the fences are like ."
"So if everything turns out well tomorrow l can make plans." Stevie states grinning at Alex.
Alex smiles .
…..