Roswell Fanatics

Hi everyone. Back with a new part. Thanks to those reading and a special thanks to those who left feedback. I hope you enjoy this next part


BehrObsession
mrsjbehr
FSU/MSW-94
begonia9508
Alien614
LeganAlien
aussietrueblue
Michelle in Yonkers
Kitten
Mariael311



Part Twelve

“So what’s up?” Liz asked Michael as they walked down the driveway of Parkers.

Liz felt bad for blowing Michael off and had gone looking for him a few minutes earlier to see if he still wanted to talk to her.

“Nothing much, I just haven’t seen that much of you lately,” He replied. “I kind of miss you.”

“Oh thank you,” Liz smiled at him.

“What about you, what’s going on?” Michael asked.

“Not too much, just getting ready for some new stock which is coming in to Wilgul,” Liz shrugged. “Other than that it’s been pretty quiet.”

“I wish Killarny was like that,” he said.

“You guys just need to get back on your feet,” Liz told him.

“We’re doing fine,” Michael tried to assure her but he knew right away from the look on Liz’s face that she wasn’t buying his story.

“Max has been busy getting some figures together for the bank, that’s good,” Liz told him.

Michael scowled then. “Max should mind his own business and go back to the city, and he doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

Liz stopped walking suddenly and after a few steps Michael realised this and stopped too. “That’s not fair Michael,” she told him. “Max loves Killarny too and he doesn’t want to loose it. You should cut him a break because despite what you think he knows a lot.”

“What is it with the two of you?” Michael snapped then. “Ever since he got back into town every time I turn around you’re joined at the hip?”

Liz blushed at his words and diverted her gaze so Michael couldn’t see it.

Liz began walking then and a few seconds later Michael fell back into step beside her.

He was aware that she hadn’t answered his question but decided to let it go. He didn’t want to fight with her.

“So now that everything has settled down a little I was wondering if you wanted to grab dinner one night?” He finally asked.

Liz looked up surprised her eyes wide. “Like a date?” She asked.

Michael smiled feeling slightly embarrassed. “Well yeah I guess,” he replied.

There had been a few girls in Michael’s life over the years and Liz remembered every single one of them. He certainly liked to have fun, but his idea of fun and a date was going to the pub, and it wasn’t the same idea as Liz’s.

“Um wow,” Liz replied. How was she supposed to turn him down she wondered? If this had happened before Max she probably would have accepted and then told him at dinner that she thought they should just be friends. Even though she didn’t know what was going on with her and Max, Liz still knew that there was no way she could say yes to Michael. Firstly because she didn’t want to and secondly because she knew that Max would be upset.

Once again she stopped walking as she worked up the courage to answer him.

“Look Michael, I’m really flattered but I think we’re better off as friends,” she said looking at him.

“Come on Liz, We’re meant to be together,” Michael smiled. “Everyone knows it. It’s what our fathers always wanted.”

“Actually our fathers just wanted Killarny and Parkers to merge and marrying us off seemed like the ideal way. But now that Alex and Isabel together I think we’re off the hook,” Liz replied.

Michaels smile faltered a little, “Well then imagine how stoked your dad will be if we start dating? That will be both of his children dating Evans’s.”

Liz bit her lip, “I’m sort of seeing someone,” she admitted then.

Michael frowned, “Who?”

“Max,” Liz whispered.

“What!” Michael yelled. “Since when?”

“For a couple of weeks,” Liz admitted.

“Why the hell would you do that Liz?” He asked hurt.

“Because I like him, ok?” Liz yelled back. This was just another reason why Liz knew she couldn’t be anything more than friends with Michael. He might not what to admit it to himself but he wasn’t even asking her out for the right reasons. He was asking her out because he thought his father wanted them together, and deep down he was asking her out because he didn’t want Max to have her.

“God are you stupid Liz, the guy lives in the city, he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. What are you going to do when he goes back huh?” Michael ranted angrily.

“I don’t know,” Liz admitted. “We haven’t talked about that yet.”

“He’s just going to hurt you,” he whispered then.

Liz looked away feeling guilty. “That’s my decision to make,” she told him.

“Fine,” Michael snapped. “Don’t come running to me when you’re tossed out in the cold like the rest of us,” he said before he stormed off leaving Liz shocked and hurt from his words.

***

Despite her better judgement Liz had been unable to shake Michael’s words.

“He’s just going to hurt you.”

It just kept playing over and over in her head like a broken record.

“Hey are you ok?” Max asked concerned.

Liz shook her head and turned to smile at him.

“I’m sorry I was just a little distracted.”

Max nodded and handed her another beer. “So what did Michael want?” He asked casually.

He hadn’t been happy when Liz had told him she was going for a walk with Michael. He knew that she didn’t really want to go but she was trying to be a good friend.

Liz looked down feeling guilty.

“Liz?” He questioned.

“He asked me out,” Liz admitted.

Max’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

Liz nodded.

“What did you say?” Max asked with a frown.

“I told him no,” Liz replied. “I told him I was seeing someone else, and when he asked me who I told him you.”

Max smiled at her; he couldn’t describe how good it felt to hear Liz talk about him like that. “I take it he didn’t like that very much?” Max said remembering the way Michael had angrily stormed back to where the eskies were and grabbed a beer.

“No he didn’t,” Liz agreed with a sigh.

“Did something else happen?” Max asked then, he knew something was bothering Liz.

“It was just something he said,” Liz admitted.

“Ok,” Max nodded and waited for her to elaborate.

“He said that you were just going to hurt me,” Liz said her eyes downcast.

Max’s eyes opened in shock. “Do you believe him?” He asked Liz.

Liz looked up and met his eyes then. “No, I know you would never hurt me intentionally,” Liz smiled at him.

“But…” Max said sensing that there was a definite but in her sentence.

“But you live in the city,” Liz sighed, “and I live here.”

Max looked away after her words, he’d thought about that a million times too.

“I know,” he whispered.

“I wish things were different,” Liz said then.

Max looked at her surprised; “You know what I mean, maybe if you live here or I lived in the city,” she shrugged. It was wishful thinking but she did think about it from time to time.

“I promise I’ll visit more,” he said then.

“That’s good,” Liz smiled sadly. She knew they couldn’t have a relationship dependent upon visits. Eventually Max would get a job and she just couldn’t leave the farm whenever she felt like it.

“Do you want to stop this now then?” Max asked praying that she wouldn’t say yes.

“No,” Liz shook her head, “I want to make the most of the time we have together,” she told him.

Max sighed in relief and opened his arms for her then. They were sitting apart from everyone else so their conversation was private but their actions weren’t.

Liz moved into his arms easily and leaned up to kiss his lips softly. She was aware out of the corner of her eye that her mother turned in her seat and grabbed Dianne’s arm to get her attention so that she could point out what was going on. She also could see Michael glaring at her from his seat next to Alex but right now Liz didn’t care about any of them. She was determined to enjoy Max for the little time she would have him.

“Me too,” Max agreed.

***

“Well that’s a surprise,” Jeff leant down and murmured to his wife also witnessing Liz and Max’s kiss.

Nancy smiled up at her husband, “You’re blind if you didn’t see that coming, those two have been dancing around each other since Max arrived,” she replied.

“Maybe he might stick around,” Jeff said hopefully. Although he had always talked about Liz marrying Michael he never cared if she didn’t. He just wanted his daughter to be happy and over the past few weeks she had been, which he now realised was thanks to Max.

“Somehow I don’t think it’s going to be that easy,” Nancy sighed then.

Jeff quirked an eyebrow at his wife, “Why?”

“Dianne told me tonight she’s returning to the city on Monday,” she sighed.

“Is Max going with her?” Jeff asked.

“I’m not sure; she said that he still had some things to sort out here but that she needed to get back.”

“I guess this has turned into a bit of a goodbye bash then.”

“Yeah,” Nancy nodded, “I guess so.”

***

“You know if the wind changes you’ll end up stuck looking like that,” Maria joked.

Michael looked up at blonde who had taken a seat next to him and simply grunted in response.

“I tried to tell you,” Maria told him.

“It’s fine,” Michael snapped, “If she’d prefer to waste her time on a guy who’s going to be gone in a few days then she can go for it. I just won’t be waiting when she comes crawling back.”

“Yeah because you’ve waited so long for her this time. Face it Michel you’re only interested in Liz all of a sudden because you don’t want Max to have her. Before he showed up you were busy with a different girl every month.”

Michael opened his mouth to argue with her but shut it when he realised she was right. “They were just fun, I was thinking serious stuff with Liz,” he said.

“Michael,” Maria said her voice softer. “Just because your dad is gone doesn’t mean you have to take the responsibility all on your own shoulders. You have Isabel and Max. Neither of them expects you to go out, find a wife, get married, and run the farm. They don’t want that for you and neither would Phillip. Just be yourself Michael, you’ve done ok this far.” After her speech Maria hopped up and walked away giving Michael time to think about everything she said.

Hi everyone, thanks for your feedback, I hope your liking this fic! Here's a new part


aussietrueblue
BehrObsession
Kitten
Alien614
nibbles2
begonia9508
orphyfets
spacecowboy
FUS/MSW-94
guelbebek
Michelle In Yonkers
Vapor
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Part 13

“Are you sure you’ll be okay on the bus?” Max asked Dianne again.

Dianne smiled at her son, “I’ll be fine honey, you need the car” she replied.

Dianne was returning to the city on the bus. Max still had some issues with Killarny to sort out and would stay behind until they were finished.

“So will I see you soon?” she asked.

Truthfully Dianne didn’t know what she would do if Max decided to stay in Gungahlin. She had set up her life in the city around Max, but as much as she loved her little coffee shop she loved her children even more.

“Yep in a couple of weeks” Max smiled. “I have to be back for graduation”

“Oh I’m so proud of you” Dianne smiled back.

“I’m not missing that ether so I’ll see you soon too, Mum” Isabel spoke up.

Sometimes she was jealous of the relationship her mother and brother shared. Over the years she had let go of her resentment for both of them for deserting her. The truth was Isabel loved boarding school and because it was near the city she saw more of her mother and Max then she did of Michael and her father. However, she would have preferred that they all lived together as a family. Isabel was never certain of what happened between her parents and why her mother and Max had never returned. She knew that Max didn’t want to but that seemed a silly reason for he mum to give up on a marriage.

“Oh excellent sweetie, we can go shopping”

Isabel grinned, “I can’t wait,” she agreed.

“Maybe Liz would like to come” Dianne suggested then. She had seen the way her son and Liz had looked at each other.

Max blushed and looked away before shrugging, “Maybe” he agreed.

The old bus pulled up then and Max frowned. He had thought his mum would be travelling on something a little more comfortable and was jus about to protest when his mother pulled him into a hug.

“I’ll ring you when I get home,” she promised.

She moved onto Isabel then and they hugged and kissed while the driver placed Dianne’s bags in the hub.

“Have a safe trip,” Isabel said. “I love you”

“I love you too,” Dianne said.

“You too Max” Dianne said.

Max and Isabel watched as Dianne boarded the bus and it pulled away from the kerb.

“I’m going to miss her, it was nice having her around’ Isabel said sadly.

Max wrapped a comforting arm around his sister as they headed back towards his SUV, “yeah I know,” he agreed.

“At least I have you for a little while longer right?” she said.

Max nodded. AS each day passed it was getting harder and harder to think about leaving.

***

“You just can’t continue to ignore this situation,” Isabel yelled at her brother. He was so infuriating sometimes and she wondered how her father had put up with him all these years. He didn’t listen to a word anyone said, and he thought he was always right.

Isabel had been battling to get Michael to sit down for the past few days to go over some of the problems Max had highlighted with their operations.

“Its bullshit” Michael replied.

“For god’s sake Michael open your eyes,” Isabel snapped. “Dad worked his ass off to build Killarny up but over the years but he kept to the old ways while everyone else moved forward. We’re out of date and unless we start to make some changes we’re going to loose the farm”

“The way we’ve done things have worked well for the past twenty years and they’re fine now, Isabel. Why would you listen to Max? he doesn’t know how to run a farm” Michael argued.

Some of the things that Isabel had tried to tell him made sense but Michael was being stubborn and refusing to acknowledge them as good ideas because he knew they were Max’s.

“If things had been working fine then we wouldn’t still have a mortgage” Max spoke up.

He had just come in from the office when he heard Isabel and Michael arguing.

“This has nothing to do with you,” Michael snapped.

“Yes it does. I own an equal share of Killarny” Max replied calmly.

“Michael” Isabel said her tone calmer. “We have an appointment with the bank tomorrow and the only plan we have is Max’s,” Isabel pointed out. “I think we should go with it”

“You would” Michael scoffed.

“Well if you think you know so much Michael why don’t you come up with a plan for how we’re going to increase our profit, decrease our loss’s and over all just become more efficient” Max suggested sarcastically.

Michael never believed in the importance of going to school. He thought all you needed to know to run a farm was how to ride a horse, fix a fence and heard cattle which is why he dropped out of school at 15, and Phillip and let him since that was exactly what he had done at the same age. He had no idea about the financial implications of running such a large property like Killarny and in this day and age you needed more than some riding abilities.

Max had worked out a plan to build Killarny up over the next five years, with the hope of paying the mortgage off in seven.

Michael scowled at Max’s comment.

“I’m not trying to take over, as far as I’m concerned all the day to day running of Killarny will still be your responsibility, I’m not interested or capable of doing most of it” Max said when he realised Michael had no reply to his suggestion.

“But I also wont sit back and watch while you run Killarny into the ground.” He added.

“I would never do that,” Michael snapped insulted.

“I know but if we continue at the rate we are it will happen anyway” Max replied. He meant no malice in his words. He knew that Michael worked hard but he was still doing things the same way his father had done then and that wasn’t going to work any more.

Michael sighed and sat down. “Let me look at this thing again” he said.

Isabel handed him the proposal and Michael flicked through it.

“Ok, so say I agree how do you propose to pay for some of these things?” Michael asked.

“Part of the plan is a proposal to the bank to give us some more money to buy some good stock” Max explained walking over to Michael and flicking to the page he was talking about. “See, if we buy some higher grade cattle, fatten them up then our profits will increase. Once we get a steady income we can look at upgrading some of our equipment which is starting to cost us money in down time and repairs.”

Michael read over the proposal Max was talking about and had to admit it made sense. Max had definitely done his research.

“Ok” he finally said.

“Ok?” Isabel asked surprised.

“Yep” he said slapping the papers down on the coffee table in front of him. “What time is the appointment?” he asked.

“One” Isabel replied.

“Ok I’ll be there” he nodded before standing up and walking out of the room.

Isabel and Max shared a delighted smile before Isabel squealed and jumped into Max’s arms. If they could win over Michael then the bank would be a breeze.

***

Things with the bank went very well. The bank manager was extremely impressed with Max’s plan and he gave them access to the money they needed to buy some new cattle.

“There are some cattle sales next week” Max informed Michael and Isabel.

Isabel eyes lit up and she turned to Michael. It was natural for her to refer to Michael about all the decisions regarding the farm.

“We should go and take a look, maybe take the heard we’ve got” Max suggested.

Michael thought about it before nodding slowly. “Yeah it’s a good time to sell,” he acknowledged.

“The money would help too,” Isabel, pointed out.

“I might speak to Alex about where they purchased their cattle from” Max said then.

“Good idea” Isabel smiled. “I can ask him tonight if you like?” she suggested then.

“Yeah that would be good”

Isabel left the two boys sitting at the table then to go and get ready to spend the night at Alex’s. It was awkward silence as they finished their beer and dinner.

“So we’re going to the sales?” Max asked.

“Yep, I’ll organise a truck” Michael said as he stood up.

“Ok, good” Max replied and sighed as Michael walked off after putting his dishes in the sink.

Max knew that things couldn’t continue on like this between them for much longer and instead of ignoring it like he usually did this time he followed Michael. He found him in the living room with the TV on.

“Can we talk?” Max asked.

“What about?”

“This hostility between us” Max replied.

Michael shrugged, “not sure what’ you’re talking about”

“Bullshit” Max spat. “You’ve had a chip on your shoulder since I arrived, why don’t you be man about it and admit it”

Standing up, Michael shot Max a glare before pushing past him and walking out the front door. Max refused to be dismissed and charged after him as best he could with his limp. His limp was a reminder of what was really the problem between them. To Max the limp was an everyday reality and he had learned to adjust but he knew it just added fuel to the fire.

“Don’t walk off on me” he called after Michael who was standing out in the driveway now.

“Fuck off Max” Michael replied.

“NO!” Max yelled. “You can’t just pretend that I don’t exist. I’m your brother for fuck sakes”

Michael laughed sarcastically then. “Yeah what a great brother you are. I haven’t seen you in sixteen years”

“Whose fault is that Michael?” Max yelled angrily. He remembered crying as a young boy because Michael never came to visit him. 10 year old Michael had been Max’s hero when they were little. Max never blamed Michael for egging him onto that horse, he knew that he didn’t have to do it but he did because he wanted to make his older brother proud, and to prove to everyone that he was just as good as Michael.

“I’m not the one who fucked off to the city and never came back” Michael retaliated.

“I was just a kid Michael” Max cried in anguish. “I was barely 8 years old and I almost lost my leg, and all I wanted was my family and you didn’t come near me. Why the hell would I want to come back”

Michael was shocked at the emotion he heard in Max’s voice and his mouth opened to speak but nothing came out.

“I was just a kid Michael and I just wanted to see my big brother but you never came” Max cried.

When Michael didn’t speak again Max shook his head angry and upset before he turned and stormed back into the house.



Would just like to say thank you to everyone who nominated and voted. Thank you

Thank you everyone


behrluv32
aussietrueblue
nibbles2
kitten
FSU/MSW-94
KarenEvans
orphyfets
BehrObsession
Michelle in Yonkers
begonia9508

Part 14

“Hmm that feels nice,” Liz moaned as Max kissed a trail down her neck.

“Yeah?” Max smiled against her creamy skin.

“Uh huh,” Liz said, her eyes closed tight as she enjoyed the feelings that Max’s touch evoked in her.

They were lying on a blanket under a tree in one of the outer paddocks of Parkers Run. Things had been hectic for the past week and Liz felt like she had hardly seen Max. She knew that he wouldn’t be around forever and had made the decision that instead of dwelling on it she would just enjoy him for as long as he had him.

Hesitantly reaching up Max brushed the side of Liz’s breasts. “How about this?” He whispered.

Liz’s breath caught in her throat. “Um, I’m not sure. Can you do it again?” She replied.

Max eagerly cupped her in his hand and Liz immediately moaned.

“God Liz,” Max breathed out against her neck. “You are so beautiful,” he told her.

He hesitantly begun to roll her nipple between two fingers over the fabric of her tank top, he could tell right away that she wasn’t wearing a bra and he felt his cock swell to life.

Max had been with girls before but there was something about Liz that made even the smallest thing special and amplified the way he was feeling.

Their mouths came together then as they eagerly made love to each other’s mouth while Max caressed Liz’s breasts. Soon though things were becoming more heated. Liz’s small hands were under Max’s shirt and caressing his chest.

Max pulled back reluctantly, taking deep breaths as he tried to get himself under control.

“What?” Liz asked confused when he pulled away from her.

“I think we should stop before we do something that we’ll regret,” he said.

“Like what?” Liz asked.

Max arched an eyebrow at Liz knowing that she wasn’t that naive to not realise where they were headed.

“Who said I’d regret it if we did that?” Liz asked in a small voice. The more time she spent with Max the more she realised she was ready for something more.

“Well I would,” Max said. “There is no way I want our first time, and your first time to be here in the middle of a paddock where anyone could stumble upon us,” he told her.

Moving to her knees Liz crawled towards Max until she was straddling him. “Thank you,” she smiled and kissed him slowly and tenderly.

Reaching up Max tucked some of her loose hair behind her ear.

“How are things going over at Killarny?” She asked.

“Good,” Max smiled a little. “We’re going to buy some new stock.”

“That’s good,” Liz smiled back.

“Yeah, Michael has come around a bit so it’s helping,” he acknowledged.

He knew it was difficult for Michael to take his advice. Michael thought that he was the expert at running a farm and it hurt his pride that Max knew things that he didn’t.

“Does that mean you’ll be sticking around a while?” Liz asked then, hope glistening in her eyes.

Max looked away regretfully. This was one conversation him and Liz never had and he knew it would come up eventually.

“I’m heading back to the city next Friday,” Max whispered.

“Next Friday?” Liz questioned and moved off his lap until her bum was on the blanket.

Max nodded.

“That’s like 9 days away,” Liz pointed out.

Max nodded.

Liz closed her eyes briefly in an effort to ward of the tears that were gathering in her eyes and threatening to fall.

She stood up then and walked off towards the river. It was the same place they had shared their first kiss. That felt like a while ago to Liz now.

Max watched as Liz stood staring at the water trickling over the rocks and down stream. He also remembered that this was where he first realised that he couldn’t deny his feelings for her any longer. Things seemed so much easier then. Now he had grown attached and he dreaded leaving her. He couldn’t promise her he would be back because the truth was he hadn’t decided anything yet.

Getting to his feet, he covered the distance between them until he was standing only inches behind her.

“You’re upset,” he said.

Liz snorted, “You should have told me sooner,” she said.

Max sighed, “I know. I graduate the following Monday so I have to be home for that,” he admitted.

Liz didn’t turn around but she acknowledged what he said with a slight nod of her head.

“And after that?” She asked in almost a whisper. “Will you ever come back?” She wondered.

“Of course,” Max rushed to reply. “I’m not just going to wipe my hands of Killarny,” he said.

His answer didn’t make Liz feel better though. She knew she had made a massive mistake then. She had let herself fall for Max Evans and just like Michael predicted he was going to hurt her, because she knew when he left, she was going to be heart broken. He wasn’t doing it on purpose, it wasn’t his fault, she had known all along that he lived in the city but she had let herself fall and there was no going back now.

“Right,” she whispered.

Max looked away and cursed himself for his answer. That wasn’t what he meant to say, it had all come out wrong. “I’m not going to just forget about you, Liz,” he whispered then.

Liz turned around surprised as his declaration. Max could see the tears swirling in her eyes and his heart fell.

“But you live in the city and I live here, right?” She said knowing that there was a but in his statement somewhere.

Max didn’t know what to say. He knew she was right. He wasn’t ready to give up his life in the city at that moment and he didn’t think Liz could walk away from Parkers for him.

“It’s ok, Max,” Liz said then. “You have a life there,” she whispered before she looked away again.

Max nodded even though he knew Liz couldn’t see him.

“I don’t want things to just end though,” he said then. Something inside of him just wouldn’t let her go without a fight.

Surprised at his words Liz whirled around to face him.

“You want to have a long distance relationship?” Liz asked in disbelief. “How is that going to work?” She asked.

Max looked at her questioning eyes and cursed. “I don’t know,” he cried. “God I have no idea but I know I don’t want to loose you,” he said in anguish.

It would have been the perfect moment, if Liz was a selfish person to beg him to stay. But Liz Parker was anything but selfish.

“I don’t want things to end either,” she admitted, the tears finally falling. “But I don’t really see an alternative,” she whispered. “You’ll be in the city with your friends and your life, I’m sure it won’t take too long before I’m a distant memory.”

Max eyes snapped to hers. “That’s not true,” he denied.

Liz was right, he did have friends and a life to return to but he refused to believe that Liz could be that easily forgotten, that what they shared was just a fling.

Locked in a stand still, neither knowing what to do or to say to fix their situation they stood staring at each other.

“Come to the city with me?” Max whispered then.

“What?” Liz said her eyes wide with shock.

“For graduation,” he clarified. “It would mean so much to me to have you there,” he told her. “Mum and Isabel will be there.”

“Really?” She asked.

Max smiled then. “Really,” he said.

It would buy him maybe another week with her but he would take everything he could get. “You can meet my friends and see where I live…” he said getting excited.

Maybe if she came to the city he might be able to convince her to stay, or at least convince her that his life there had room for her too. He wasn’t ready to let her go.

“Please?” He said then knowing she was wavering by the way she was biting on her bottom lip. Slowly she began to nod her head and Max rushed forward to close the distance in between them and threw his arms around her.

“I have to see if Alex can spare me first,” she told him.

Max nodded as he fumbled while trying to kiss her.

“Max,” she giggled.

“I’m sorry I just can’t believe you’re coming,” he breathed out in relief and happiness.

Liz’s smile fell slightly then, she hugged him back fiercely. “You know this is just going to make everything harder right?” She whispered.

Liz knew that once he returned to his life and realised how she didn’t fit in with it that it would be the end, and that it would possible be twice as hard for her then to let go.

“I’m not letting go,” Max whispered back.

Liz felt a few tears slide down her face again and prayed to God that he was telling her the truth because deep in her heart she already knew that she couldn’t let go.

***

“These look good,” Michael commented to Max as they looked over some of the stock that they were looking at purchasing.

“Yeah they do,” Max nodded, “But the asking price is a bit hefty,” he acknowledged.

Michael looked over to the owner who was standing against the fence.

“How much do we need to come down?” He asked.

“5 a head,” Max said wondering what he was planning.

“Leave it to me,” Michael said.

“What are you going to do?” Max asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” Michael shrugged. “I’ll get them for the price we want.”

An hour later Max and Michael were loading the newly acquired cattle onto the truck. They had made a nice profit out of the heard they sold and Michael had somehow managed to get the new heard for 6 a head cheaper. Max was positive that he had done something shady but he wasn’t going to question him. They had great stock for a lot less money then they anticipated which meant that they would have more money in the bank.

See you next week

[/b]Thanks everyone for reading

begonia9508
FSU/MSW-94
BehrObsession
LegalAlien
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orphyfets
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Alien614

Part 15

Liz felt like a pig in the city as they drove through the city towards the town house that Max shared with Dianne Evans.

It had taken some begging on her part to get Alex to agree to let her have the time off she needed to go with Max, and she secretly thought that Isabel might have helped persuade him a little. In the end, it didn’t matter though because he had let her go and she was now in the car with Max and Isabel after the long trip.

It had been a few years since Liz had been to Melbourne, but the sheer size of the place never ceased to amaze her.

Max and Dianne live in St Kilda, that was also where Dianne’s coffee shop was. It was one of the most beautiful suburbs of Melbourne and Liz could understand why Max loved living there.

They stopped at the coffee shop before heading to the house.

“You’re here” Dianne smiled as she saw them enter.

The coffee shop was exactly as Max described it. It wasn’t too busy since it was late in the afternoon but a few of the table were occupied by people enjoying an afternoon coffee.

Dianne kissed both Max and Isabel before turning to Liz. “Liz I’m so glad you could come,” she said.

“Thanks Dianne” Liz smiled back.

“Can I get you guys something? You must be starved after such a long trip,” she offered.

“Oh mum I’d kill for a cappuccino” Isabel drooled as she eyed her mothers state of the art coffee machine. “With fresh milk” she said then with a grin. Fresh milk was a rare thing on the land unless you had a dairy cow.

Dianne and Max laughed at Isabel. “Sure sweetie, Liz?”

“I’m not much of a coffee person I’m afraid” Liz replied.

“How about a sandwich and a hot chocolate?” Dianne suggested.

“Actually that sounds nice” Liz smiled shyly.

“I’ll have my usual thanks ma” Max grinned.

“Ok, take a seat guys and I’ll bring it all over” Dianne smiled.

Liz admired her surroundings she they sat and waited for Dianne.

“What do you think?” Max asked.

Liz had never been to St Kilda when she had been in Melbourne before but it was already one of her favourite places. She did however feel very out of place in her jeans, cowboy boots and tank top, and was glad that she had packed some of the “city clothes” her mother had purchased for her over the years.

“It’s great” Liz smiled.

After eating their sandwiches and drinking their coffee’s and hot chocolate, they decided to head back to the house since they were all fairly tired.

“Let’s have a nap and go out to dinner,” Isabel suggested.

Isabel and Liz would only be staying until Tuesday and she wanted to make the most of their trip.

“Sounds great” Max agreed.

Max carried their bags upstairs and once they were there Isabel took hers and went into her own bedroom.

The town house was three bedrooms so Isabel had always had her own room while the other two were occupied by Max and Dianne. Liz followed Max as they entered the room across from Isabel and she looked around curiously.

The room was very masculine and Liz guessed that it was Max’s.

“Um I hope you don’t mind staying in here with me” Max said as he scratched his ear nervously.

Liz looked at him surprised. Did she mind? Hell no. But what would Dianne Evans think?

“N-no it’s fine” Liz replied and blushed red, “but what about your mum?”

“She’s cool” Max smiled.

“G-Great”

Max showed Liz around briefly then before they headed back up for a nap. Liz felt a little awkward at first. Should she just sleep in her jeans?

“Are you going to sleep like that?” Max asked in amusement as she pulled the covers back and prepared to hop in.

Liz looked up embarrassed but her embarrassment was soon the last thing on her mind as she watched Max slipping his own jeans down his legs revealing his boxer briefs.

Liz gulped.

“Liz?” Max questioned.

“What!” Liz blurted out.

“You going to sleep like that?” he grinned.

“N-No” Liz shook her head and turned around as she nervously tried to unbutton her jeans.

She heard Max climb into bed behind her and she did her best to hurry up.

Max’s mouth watered as he watched Liz push her tight jeans over the curve of her ass. He felt his cock swell to life as she kicked them free and revealed the tiny little pair of panties she was wearing.

Once Liz had kicked the jeans free, she turned and quickly jumped into the bed next to Max, and pulled the cover up over her waist. When she turned to Max, she found him staring at her.

“What?” she asked.

Shifting in the bed so he was closer to her Max nuzzled Liz’s neck. Liz moaned quietly as he put a hand around her waist and pulled her closer to him while he begun to suck on her pulse point.

“I thought we were going to nap” Liz breathed out huskily.

“I don’t think I could sleep knowing that your next to me and so damn sexy” Max whispered huskily in her ear.

Liz shivered and her nipples immediately hardened. It occurred to her then that they were all alone, with no one to interrupt them and it excited her even more.

Max moved his mouth to hers then and captured it. Liz returned his passionate kisses with as much fever, turning her body and pressing her chest against Max’s.

Max felt her erect nipples against his chest and groaned. Reaching down he lifted one of Liz’s bare legs and placed it over his hip, moving her closer and bringing their sexes into line.

Liz moaned when she felt Max’s hardness against her. “Max” she whispered.

“Tell me when you want to stop” Max whispered as suddenly it felt like he had eight hands in stead of two.

“Take his off” Liz said pulling back and attacking Max’s shirt.

Max tore it over his head and returned to kissing Liz while her hands ran all over the muscles of his back.

“You are so gorgeous,” Liz groaned.

Max’s hands inched Liz’s tank to up and he rubbed her stomach. “Can you take this off?” he asked uncertainly.

“O-Off?” Liz asked.

“Yeah?”

“Sure” she agreed and pulled back and slowly peeled the blue tank top off her body.

“God Liz” Max whispered as he stared at her naked flesh. Her soft mounds were perky and her nipples hard. He had to taste her.

He reached out and cupped her, rolling her nipples between his fingers a few times until Liz was moaning quietly.

“Does that feel good?” he asked.

“Yeah” Liz nodded.

Leaning in Max captured one of her hard nipples in his mouth and sucked on it.

“How about that?” he asked.

Liz felt her panties becoming damper by the second as she moaned her answer, “god yes”

Max spent the next few minutes loving her breasts, alternating between sucking on them and caressing them with his hands.

Once her nipples were hard as bullest Max trailed his mouth back up her neck until he reached her mouth. He kissed her hard, his tongue immediately seeking entrance into the hot cavern of her mouth.

Liz sunk one hand into Max’s hair as she moved closer to him. Her other hand caressed his the hard muscles of his stomach moving lower with each caress as she worked up the courage to touch him lower.

Max however wasn’t having that problem as his hand eagerly ventured lower and cupped Liz’s ass. He squeezed her cheeks as he pulled her against him, his arousal rubbing against her the cotton of her panties.

“God Max” Liz moaned.

“Can I touch you?” Max whispered his hands dipping under the top of her panties.

Liz felt her juices flowing from her body at the prospect of Max touching her intimately. Shyly, she nodded.

Max could see the desire in her eyes, she liked the idea of what he was about to do to her but he could also see the underlying hesitation and he knew he was venturing into new territory. His body ached but he put his own needs aside as he kissed Liz.

Liz easily sunk back into the kiss, and when Max felt her body relax again he slipped his fingers into the sides of her panties and pulled them down her legs. Once her panties were gone Max slipped a hand between their bodies, he paused at her abdomen, rubbing it gently before moving lower.

He groaned the moment his finger came into contact with her flesh. She was wet, sopping wet and it was all for him.

“Fuck Liz” he whispered as he slid a finger across her slit.

“Oh Max” Liz moaned, her hips arching into his hesitant touch.

Max’s fingers were coated in her juices and he used it to stimulate her as he teased her lips.

Liz’s legs parted and Max took that as sign and slipped a long finger inside of her.

“Oh god” she cried out loudly and Max grinned.

He didn’t care that his sister was across the hall and might hear them, the look on Liz’s face as he pleasured her was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and he didn’t remember ever being so turned on in his life.

He pumped his finger in and out of her and Liz moaned and cried out with every thrust. Rising to his knees, Max kissed her again, drowning out her cries and moving in between her open thighs. He slipped another finger inside of her as he hovered over her body.

“You’re so wet,” he whispered in her ear.

“Max” she moaned as small tremors began to take over.

“Will you touch me?” Max whispered.

“Y-Yes” Liz nodded and allowed his to take her hand and place it on the top of his boxers.

Max continued to pump his fingers in and out of Liz, his pace slow but slowly building her up to explode.

Slowly and hesitantly, Liz reached inside and pulled Max’s engorged cock free.

“Of fuck Liz” Max cried the moment her hand enclosed around him.

Liz rubbed the head and felt the fluid leak from the top. All she could think of at that moment was what his cock would feel like gliding in and out of her in place of his fingers and she wanted it badly.

“Max…” she was about to beg him to take her.

“Stroke it Liz,” he whispered as his hands increased the pace in which they were fucking her.

Liz immediately did as she was asked and soon she was stroking Max to the same rythm he was stroking her.

“I’m going to cum” he whispered.

“Do you want me to stop?” Liz asked.

“NO, do you mind?” he asked.

Liz shook her head. Max buries his head in Liz’s neck as his hops move with Liz’s hands. He moved a finger to Liz’s clit and he instantly felt her already tight walls contract around his fingers.

“Come for me baby,” he whispered.

“Yes Max” she cried out.

He pumped his fingers hard as he jerked and came in her hand and seconds later Liz cried out his name putting a grin on Max’s face as he brought her to her first orgasm.

thanks everyone!

Part 16

Liz couldn’t get over how big the campus was as she looked around it with curious eyes. The idea that Max had spent every day for the past five years here amazed her.

“It’s big, isn’t it?” Isabel said. She had come here a few times with Max whilst visiting.

“Massive,” Liz nodded.

“Come on girls lets find some seats before the ceremony starts,” Dianne encouraged. She had her camera slung over one shoulder and her bag on the other. She was so excited.

They took their seats and sat through the fairly monotonous ceremony until it was Max’s turn to receive his diploma.

“Max Evans,” the Dean called.

Max rose to his feet and walked to the stage with a smile on his face. All three women rose to their feet to cheer loudly for him and he smiled at them as he stopped at the end of the stage and waited for the professional photographer to take a picture.

The ceremony went on for another hour after that, there were a lot of students graduating.

“Congratulations honey,” Dianne Evans cried when Max finally found them after the ceremony.

“Thanks Ma,” he grinned.

He hugged Isabel next. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered feeling very emotional. She knew that her father would have loved to have been there to see Max graduate. He was so proud when Max told him he was going to uni to study. “Dad would have been too,” she added.

Max felt tears spring to his eyes at the mention of his father. “Thanks Iz,” he whispered and kissed her cheek. He wished that his father had been there for today too.

“Welcome to the real world,” Liz teased when he turned to her.

Max chuckled before he pulled her into a hug. “Congratulations,” she whispered then.

“Thank you,” he said before he leaned in and gave her a kiss.

The kiss was however cut short by a high pitched scream that sounded strangely like “Max”. A few seconds later a small blonde came rushing towards them, yanking Max out of Liz’s arms and throwing herself into them.

“We’ve graduated,” she continued to streak.

Dianne and Isabel smiled as the girl squealed and laughed happily. They were used to her antics. Liz however had no idea who she was and was suddenly feeling very out of place.

“Congratulations Tess,” Max grinned when she finally calmed down.

“You too stud,” she grinned.

Tess appeared to see Liz then and her smile fell a little. “Oh hello, I’m Tess Harding,” she introduced herself.

Max wrapped an arm around Liz. “Tess, I’d like you to meet Liz Parker,” he said.

“Hi,” Liz smiled shyly. “It’s nice to meet you; Max has told me all about you.”

Tess cocked her head to the side as she glanced between Max and Liz. “Nice to meet you too Liz, I wish I could say the same but Max hasn’t said a word about you,” she smiled.

Max frowned at Tess. “That’s only because I haven’t had the chance,” he said as he glanced down at Liz and offered her a reassuring smile.

Liz did her best to smile back.

“That’s only because you’ve been hiding away in the boom docks,” Tess giggled.

She turned to Isabel then. “Hey Isabel,” she smiled, “It’s good to see you again,” she told her before enveloping her in a hug. “I’m sorry to hear about your dad,” she added then.

“Thank you,” Isabel replied.

“Hey Mrs E,” she grinned then and also hugged Dianne Evans.

“Hello Tess, it’s lovely to see you like usual.” She told her.

“You too.”

“Are your parents here?” Dianne asked then. During Max’s time in rehab, Dianne had gotten to know Tess and her parents Ed and Helen Harding very well. It was nice to have someone to talk to that understood what she was going through. They’re injuries in the accident had been relatively minor and Dianne knew they suffered a lot of guilt for Tess’s condition.

“Yeah they’re over there,” she said point to the couple who were approaching.

Dianne moved off to speak to them and Tess turned her attention back to Max.

“It’s so good to have you home,” she smiled.

Max scratched his ear nervously. He wasn’t used to Tess being so mushy about stuff, and it was especially uncomfortable around Liz who had gone stiff in his arms since Tess’s arrival.

“I was worried about you up there,” she said then.

“I was good. I had Mum, Isabel and Liz,” he replied.

“Right,” she smiled her eyes moving to Liz.

“So you live on a farm, Liz?” She asked looking her over.

Liz was dressed in a stylish black dress for Max’s graduation. She was glad she had brought it and decided to wear it now. It was obvious that Tess was very chic, her hair was a gorgeous curly blonde and her face was made up to perfection.

“Yes,” Liz nodded.

“The Parkers have been family friends for years,” Isabel stepped in and told Tess. “In fact I’m dating Liz’s brother, Alex,” Isabel told her.

Tess’s eyes lit up. “You didn’t’ tell me you had a boyfriend last time I saw you,” she said.

“Well Alex and I are relatively new,” Isabel lied but she couldn’t hide the grin on her face.

“That’s great.”

“So Tess what’s been happening with you while I’ve been away?” Max asked.

“I was so bored without you Max,” she said dramatically. “Promise you won’t leave again?” She smiled.

Max chuckled at her dramatics. “I can’t promise that,” he said. “I’m part owner of Killarny now so I’ll be spending more time there now.”

“What!” Tess shrieked. “No offence to Isabel or anything but Max you’re a city boy, what the hell are you going to do on a farm?” She asked. “Besides your leg is hardly in good enough shape to be doing hard physical labour.”

Isabel snorted at Tess, “You couldn’t offend me if you tried,” she joked, “but Max is just as much a country boy as I am a country girl. We were both born there remember?”

“I know that,” Tess sighed, “But you can’t even ride a horse,” she pointed out.

Liz felt her hackles rise at Tess’s comment. How did she know that? No one actually knew because Max hadn’t tried to ride. It was comments and people like Tess that made Max feel useless which wasn’t the case.

“There are plenty of things other than riding a horse that can be done on a farm Tess,” Liz said gently. “Maybe you should come visit sometime, see what we do.”

Liz didn’t think a prissy city girl like Tess would last a minute on the farm.

Max squeezed Liz arms gently in thanks for her comment.

“That’s a great idea, Liz,” he smiled.

“Next time I visit you should come,” he said.

Tess frowned. She didn’t like the idea of her best friend making trips to Killarny. She had missed him considerably over the past month.

“I thought you hated it out there,” Tess asked Max then.

Max frowned at her question. He knew for years he had claimed to hate Killarny but the truth was he had no idea how much he had missed it until he had gone home again. And then there was Liz…

“So Liz, Isabel how long are you staying?” Tess asked in an effort to change the subject.

“We go home tomorrow,” Isabel replied.

“Oh that’s shame we don’t get to catch up,” Tess said regretfully.

“Next time,” Isabel smiled.

***

“So what did you think of everyone?” Max asked as he and Liz lay in bed together.

After Max’s graduation, they had all gone out for lunch. Then Max had taken Liz and Isabel to a local hang out where he caught up with some of his friends. Tess had been there of course and she had been by Max’s side the whole time as they reminisced with uni friends.

“They were nice; I especially enjoyed Jamie and Logon. They were good value,” she smiled.

Max’s two friend Jamie & Logon had both approached Isabel and Liz early on and spent the entire night flirting with them until Max threatened them. He didn’t want anyone messing with his girls. But Liz and Isabel found them quite entertaining.

“What about Tess?” he asked then.

Liz didn’t know how to answer. The truth would be that she despised the girl. She was beautiful and her and Max were obviously close. Liz wondered if they had ever dated, but she didn’t ask because she didn’t want to sound jealous.

“She was nice too,” she said.

Max chuckled, “Liar,” he said.

“I’m not lying!” Liz protested.

“Yes you are because she wasn’t very nice at all,” he said. “But that’s Tess; it kind of grows on you.”

“I find that hard to believe,” Liz mumbled but Max heard her.

“She just doesn’t know you that’s all,” he said.

“And I’m guessing she doesn’t really want to either,” Liz said. “I think she’s kind of used to being the “woman” in your life.”

Max played with a piece of Liz’s hair as he listened.

“Did you two ever date?” She asked.

“We went out once,” Max admitted. “But it just felt too weird,” he said.

“Oh ok.”

“Tess is a weird soul,” he admitted. “My rehab, it was really hard. I mean my leg was badly broken and I had to have a couple of operations to try and fix it,” he started. “But Tess, her injuries were horrific. For a while they didn’t even know if she would ever walk again.”

“That’s terrible,” Liz admitted.

“Her parents were a mess most of the time, they felt guilty that she was hurt and they weren’t, so they weren’t really much help in the beginning. I guess after countless operations, having to learn to walk again, it kind of takes it toll.”

“So she takes her anger out on the world,” Liz whispered.

“In some ways,” Max agreed.

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” Liz asked then.

“What did I say?” Max asked.

“About visiting Killarny a lot?” She said.

“I definitely plan on visiting,” he said. “I guess how much depends on a few things,” he added with a whisper.

“Like what?” Liz asked.

“On you,” he added.

Liz rolled over then until they were facing each other.

“This is never going to work,” she sighed.

“We’ll make it work,” Max whispered. He knew it would be hard but he also knew he wanted to make it work badly.

“I’ll visit you and you can visit here when you can…”

“Ok,” Liz agreed.

“Ok?” Max asked hopefully.

“Yeah, I don’t want to loose you,” she confessed.

“Then we’ll make this work,” he said.

Liz nodded and leaned in for a kiss. Deep down she had so many fears and questions but she didn’t voice them. In time, she knew she would have to though because she was already in love with him.

Thanks everyone!
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Part 17

“God I’m going to miss you,” he whispered up at her.

They had been up most of the night talking. Liz was thankful that they were catching the bus back to Gungahlin and that she would be able to sleep most of the way because she knew she would be tired in the morning.

She sat astride Max in only a pair of boy legs panties and a tank top. Max’s hand were running up and down her sides sensually, invoking a fire in her that wanted to be released.

“Me too,” she whispered just before she leaned down and kissed him.

Their tongues met and glided against each other sensually. Liz’s hands caressed Max’s naked chest while his grasped her hips moulding her core against the hardness hiding underneath his boxer shorts.

When they pulled back, Liz’s hands went to the hem of her tank and she pulled it up her body.

Max gulped as naked flesh was revealed to him. It was hard keeping himself in check around Liz. He wanted to make love to her so badly but he didn’t want to over step the boundaries.

“Make love to me, Max,” Liz whispered.

At first, Max thought he was hearing things.

“W-what?” He stuttered.

Liz smiled shyly, “I want you to make love to me, I’m ready,” she whispered.

“Are you sure?” Max asked. It was like he was being given the most precious gift in the world; well that was how it felt. Liz was a treasure to be loved and worshipped and he didn’t’ want her to do anything she might regret.

“You don’t have to do this you know,” he told her. “It doesn’t change the way I feel,” he whispered.

“I know,” she nodded. She wanted to ask him what he felt but she didn’t. She didn’t need some declaration of feelings from him. Liz knew how she felt, and she wanted him to be her first.

“We don’t have to if you don’t want to,” she added then.

“Of course I want to. Your beautiful and I want you so badly,” Max admitted.

“Then have me,” Liz grinned.

Max grinned as he leaned up and kissed her. “We’ll have to try to be quiet,” he said.

“That’s ok,” she said. Liz knew both Isabel and his mother were asleep across the hall.

Max rolled them over then until Liz was on her back and he crawled down her body. He hooked his fingers into the sides of her panties and pulled them down, tossing them to the floor. He gazed at her body, which was lit up by the moonlight steaming through his window.

“You are so beautiful,” he told her.

Liz blushed. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Liz felt awkward as Max settled in between her legs. He knew it was her first time and he wanted to do everything to prepare her for it. He would love her body until it was sated and relaxed for his entry.

He opened her gently, surprised and aroused by the fact that she was already wet for him when he had barely touched her.

He leaned in then, placed a delicate kiss against her, and slid his tongue into her depths.

“Oh Max,” Liz moaned.

He slipped his tongue in and out of her before replacing it with a finger and moving his mouth to her clit. He teased it with the tip of his tongue and by grazing his teeth over it. Liz continued to moan her enjoyment and Max felt his cock becoming harder and harder against the fabric of his boxers in anticipation of what he was knew was coming.

He continued his ministrations. Swapping between eating Liz out and finger fucking her until she climaxed, crying out softly his name, over and over again.

After Liz had come down from her high Max kissed his way back up her body, nuzzling his face in her neck as his hands cupped her breasts.

“Are you sure?” He asked again.

He couldn’t hold out a single second longer. He wanted to make Liz his. To slip into her depths and bring her to the heights of passion.

“Yes,” Liz whispered.

Rising to his knees, Max leaned across Liz and opened his bedside drawer. He pulled out a box on condoms and Liz was happy to see they had never been open. He opened the box and pulled a foil package out.

He ripped the package open with his teeth and placed the ring on the tip of his cock.

“Can I?” Liz asked nervously.

“Sure,” he whispered.

He moaned as her small hand rolled the latex down his hard cock, her fingers lingering on his soft flesh.

Max settled between Liz’s things then. His cock nestled by Liz’s wetness.

Their mouths came together and Max kissed Liz thoroughly in an effort to distract her from what was about to happen. Max had only had a few partners over the years. He had started dating later than most of his friends because of his injuries so although he had experience he wasn’t by any means an expert in sex. At first, he had been nervous about girls seeing the scars all over his legs but that didn’t seem to bother him with Liz. She knew everything about him and she still wanted to be with him.

Reaching between them, he placed the tip of his cock at her entrance and slipped inside of her.

“Max…” Liz moaned.

She was surprised at how good it actually felt.

Max rocked his hips back and forth gently inching his way inside of her. Liz moaned her enjoyment until Max reached her hymen.

“This might hurt,” he said feeling the barrier and knowing he would have to thrust through it.

“It’s ok,” Liz whispered.

Pulling almost the whole way out Max plunged back in.

Liz cried out at the sharp pain.

“I’m sorry,” Max whispered peppering kisses all over her face.

“It’s ok,” Liz smiled.

Max didn’t move. It was excruciatingly hard.

“I’m ok now,” Liz said and moved her hips slightly.

“Are you sure?” Max asked.

Liz moved again and Max groaned. “Make love to me,” she whispered burying her hands in his hair and bringing his mouth down to hers.

Max kissed her back eagerly as he slowly withdrew from Liz’s body and thrust slowly back in.

When Liz started to feel more confident she wrapped her legs over Max’s ass raised her hips to meet Max’s thrust.

“You feel so good,” Max whispered as he kissed her again.

“Oh God Max,” Liz cried as he began to thrust faster.

It wasn’t long before Max felt his balls tighten. Liz was so wet and tight, and it had been too long since he’d felt so good but he didn’t want to go over the edge without making Liz’s first good too. Reaching between them, he rubbed her clit gently.

“Yes Max” Liz whispered.

“I’m going to come, Liz,” he said regretfully.

“Really?” Liz panted.

“Yes,” Max hissed as it felt like Liz was tightening around him.

“Are you close?” He asked hopefully.

“I’m not sure,” she said honestly. She’d heard stories that you didn’t normally come during your first time. Max was making her feel good but she didn’t feel like her orgasm was close.

Max continued to rub her clit as his thrust became faster and harder and just before he let go and came inside of her Liz’s walls fluttered around him and she came too.

“Oh God,” she moaned and Max covered her mouth with his.

When Max pulled back they were both panting.

“Wow, that was just wow,” Liz whispered.

Max grinned, he couldn’t agree more with her. “It sure was,” he replied reaching up and wiping her hair off her sweat covered forehead.

“I don’t know how you expect me to let you leave now” Max whispered then.

Liz’s smile fell slightly, “I have to go back, you know that,” she replied.

“I do,” he nodded.

“You could come back to Killarny you know?” Liz said then.

Max knew that was true but he wasn’t sure if that was what he wanted. He pulled out of Liz slowly and discarded of the used condom before lying on the bed next to her.

Liz moved so she was lying on her side facing him and Max heard her hiss.

“Are you ok?” He asked concerned.

“I’m just a little sore,” she admitted. “I’ll be fine though.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Liz smiled.

“Do you want anything?” Max asked her then.

“I should get up and clean up a little,” she said.

“Ok,” he agreed and together they moved into the small ensuite Max had. He was thankful then for having his own small bathroom so that they didn’t have to go traipsing through the house and risk running into his mother or sister.

Max went to the toilet first and washed up before he left Liz in privacy with a wash cloth.

A few minutes later, they both climbed back into bed.

Liz was aware that Max hadn’t responded to her earlier about Killarny but she didn’t push him. She knew that he had to realise on his own that the land was where he belonged and right now, she still believed that he would. She just hoped that she wasn’t disappointed if he never did.

***

“Well I guess this is it,” Liz whispered as the bus pulled up at the terminal.

Max looked sadly at the bus and nodded.

It only felt like yesterday that they had arrived back in the city and already it was time for Isabel and Liz to return home. It was hard enough all the times Isabel left before but now it was like a double blow.

“We should board Liz,” Isabel smiled.

Liz nodded and moved to hug and kiss Dianne goodbye. “Thank you for having me Dianne.”

“Anytime sweetie,” she replied.

“Keep Michael in line and let me know how things are going,” Max said to Isabel.

“Of course,” she nodded tears springing to her eyes. “I wish you were coming home with me,” she said. “You belong on Killarny with Michael and me.”

“Iz….”

“Just make sure you visit soon,” she said.

Max pulled his sister into his arms and hugged her hard against him. “I promise.”

Isabel stepped back then and let Liz move back into Max’s arms.

Max hugged her fiercely, kissing the top of her head, as he contemplated never letting her go.

“I’m going to miss you,” he whispered.

“Me too,” Liz replied pulling back so she could look at him.

Max leaned down slowly until their lips were touching. The kiss wasn’t passionate, it was slow and left Liz aching for more.

“Last night was so special to me…,” He whispered then.

Liz blushed, “Me too.”

“Call me when you get home?” He asked hopefully. Leaving Liz was proving to be harder than he thought. Right now, he just wanted to jump on the bus and leave with her.

“Of course, and you’ll plan a visit soon?” She asked hopefully.

“In a couple of weeks I promise,” he said.

“Good,” she tried to smile then.

“Bye babe,” he whispered and kissed her again.

“Bye Max,” she smiled.

Liz and Isabel boarded the bus then and Liz sat by the window her gaze locked onto Max’s until she could no longer see him.

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Part 18

“What do you thinks wrong with them?” Maria asked Alex as they looked over at some of their stock which were not looking very good.

Alex frowned as he studied the sheep. “Not sure. Better call the vet. We don’t want to loose anymore stock than we have already.”

They had arrived in one of the outer paddocks that morning with some feed to find that 4 of their stock were dead.

“Has Pat’s replacement started yet?” Maria asked referring to the vet they had used for a long time. Pat had recently decided to retire and had finally managed to sell his business.

“Yeah,” Alex nodded. “I’ll give him a call.”

Two hours later a blue land cruiser pulled up the road of Parkers and Maria watched as a guy got out and looked around with a grin.

“Hey,” he smiled when he saw her.

“Hi,” Maria replied a smile of her own covering her face as she took in the handsome man standing in front of her. He was about 5'10 with sandy blonde hair, green eyes and probably the most beautiful smile Maria had ever seen.

“I’m Kyle Valenti,” he told her and offered his hand.

“The new vet?” Maria asked hopefully. She could get used to having another good looking guy around.

“Yep,” he grinned.

“Great,” she said. “I’m Maria Deluca,” she told him.

“Nice to meet you.”

Alex chose that moment to walk up the drive. “You must be Valenti,” he said when she spotted Maria talking to a man he didn’t recognise.

“Yup,” Kyle nodded and offered his hand.

“Alex Parker,” Alex said. “I run Parkers and Wilgul,” he added then.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

“So you’ve got a problem with some stock?” Kyle asked then.

“Yeah, this way,” Alex said and began leading Kyle towards the paddock where the sheep were now; Maria followed and admired Kyle’s nice ass in his tight jeans.

“We found a few dead this morning in an outer paddock,” Alex explained as he led Kyle towards the stock.

Kyle crouched down and took a look at a few of the sheep.

“Nice stock,” he admired.

“Thanks,” Alex said.

He inspected their coats looking for any indication of might be wrong, after he found nothing he checked their legs and mouths.

“Any idea?” Alex asked.

“Nothing obvious,” Kyle said. “When did you drench last?” He asked.

“A few months,” Alex replied.

“Can I take a look at the paddock they were in?” He asked.

“Sure,” Alex nodded. “We’ll need to drive though.”

“I can take him Alex,” Maria piped up then wanting the opportunity to get to know Kyle a little better.

Kyle looked over and smiled at her. She was pretty hot but he suspected she might have been a little too young for him. At 29, Kyle had moved to Gungahlin to start over again. He had recently gotten divorced after finding out his wife was cheating on him. She was now shacked up in the house he had paid for with her new boyfriend so he had packed up and left his life behind, including his father.

“No I’ve got it Ria,” Alex replied. This might be serious and he wanted to take care of it himself. “You can go ahead and do the feed,” he told her.

Sighing Maria nodded. “Nice to meet you Kyle,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll see you again soon,” she added.

Kyle admired her as she walked off. She was hot with a nice body and he thought she might be fun.

“Single?” Alex guessed as he watched Kyle ogling Maria.

“Recently divorced,” he admitted.

“Uh ok.”

“So let’s see this paddock,” Kyle clapped his hands.

***

Isabel smiled as she got off the bus to find her brother leaning against the building waiting for her.

“Hey,” she smiled at him.

“Hey,” he smiled back. “How was the trip?”

“Long,” Isabel said.

Liz was also surprised when she stepped out of the bus behind Isabel to find Michael.

“Hey Michael,” she smiled.

“Liz,” Michael nodded politely.

Liz sighed and took her bag from the driver who had pulled it from underneath the bus for her. She had been receiving the same frosty attitude from Michael since she had told him about Max.

“Thanks for coming to get us,” Isabel said as they trailed behind Michael towards his Ute.

“No problem,” he nodded.

The drive home was fairly quiet. Liz sat cramped in the back and listed as Isabel told Michael about Melbourne and Max’s graduation. Surprisingly Michael just sat and listened not letting on either way if he cared or not.

“So he’s staying in the city?” Michael eventually asked.

“He’ll be back and forth,” Isabel replied.

“Why?” He asked.

“He’s not going to leave us high and dried Michael,” Isabel said. “He wants to help and besides I don’t imagine he’ll want to be apart from Liz for too long,” Isabel grinned.

“Great,” Michael said sarcastically.

Sighing Isabel looked out the window.

Liz looked up then and her eyes locked with Michael.

“Are you to still seeing each other?” He asked quietly.

Liz nodded.

She watched as Michael shook his head. “Didn’t take you for the long distance type,” he grunted.

Deciding to take Isabel’s approach Liz ignored his comment and also looked out the window. Until being with Max, she hadn’t really thought of herself as a long distance type either. But the problem was Max had changed everything for her.

“Was everything ok while I was away?” Isabel asked then.

“Yep,” Michael nodded.

“We’re going to need to get some help now that we have all that new stock,” Isabel said.

“We’ll be right for a while,” Michael replied. He didn’t’ want to waste money on paying someone to work they could themselves.

“You can borrow Maria if you need some help,” Liz spoke up.

“Thanks Liz,” Isabel turned and smiled.

“That won’t be necessary,” Michael said.

Liz shrugged.

“The offer’s there all the same. Just check with Alex if you want her.”

Liz watched as Alex and a man she didn’t’ recognise walked towards a blue land cruiser as Michael drove up the driveway.

“Who’s that?” Isabel asked.

“I have no idea,” Liz said just as curious as Isabel.

***

Alex’s face lit up when he saw the Ute approaching. Kyle was confused at first when he lost Alex’s attention. He was just telling him to drench his stock again and see how they went because he couldn’t find anything wrong with them. He was taking one of the dead sheep with him though to run some tests.

It became a bit clearer when he saw the leggy blonde getting out of the car.

“If that’s the kind of women you have around here I’m glad I moved,” Kyle said.

Alex shot a glare at the man but Kyle didn’t notice because he was too busy checking out Liz who had now gotten out as well.

“That’s my girlfriend,” Alex informed him.

“Nice man,” Kyle grinned. “So does that mean the brunette is fair game because she’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

That was what most men always thought of Liz when they saw her. She wasn’t a glamorous beauty like Isabel or a sexy beauty like Maria. Liz was simple and elegant.

“That’s my sister,” Alex informed him.

“That still makes her fair game right?” Kyle grinned not at all perturbed by Alex’s glare.

Alex ignored him as Isabel approached and hugged him.

“I missed you,” Alex whispered.

“Me too,” she said.

She pulled back and kissed him quickly before stepping aside to allow Liz and Alex to hug too.

“How was Melbourne?” He asked.

“Good,” she smiled.

Kyle cleared his throat then.

“Ladies, Michael, this is Kyle Valenti the new vet,” Alex said. “Kyle this is Michael Evans and Isabel Evans,” he said pointing to the siblings. “They own and run Killarny which is the property to the right of us,” he said. “And this is my sister Liz.”

Kyle shook hands with all of them. “It’s great to meet you,” he said his eyes lingering Liz. She looked better up front and she wasn’t as young as Maria and more his type.

“You too,” they all replied.

“You guys been to the big smoke?” He asked the girls.

“Yeah my brother just graduated from university,” Isabel explained.

Kyle cast a look to Michael and was just about to offer his congratulations before Isabel spoke up again. “Our other brother Max,” she explained.

“Oh ok, that’s great,” he said.

“I’m buggered,” Liz announced then. “I’m going to head inside. Thanks for the lift Michael,” she smiled his way and Michael nodded. “Nice meeting you Kyle. I’m sure I will again.”

Kyle watched her as she left and the others all shook their head at him.

“What?” He asked.

“She’s taken,” Isabel informed him.

“Oh,” Kyle frowned. He turned to Alex then. “You could have told me that.”

Alex grinned, “You didn’t ask,” he said.

Michelle in Yonkers wrote:Nibbles, nibbles, nibbles! Down girl, down!

I thought the same thing, until I remembered:

Liz knows Maria has it bad for Mikey — she's trying to help her out! For once, Liz is the one playing matchmaker,

Maria would probably thank her on bended knee! (Except now that she's seen Kyle, methinks she'll make Michael rethink his rejection of her)

“Oh,” Kyle frowned. He turned to Alex then. “You could have told me that.”

Alex grinned, “You didn’t ask,” he said.

This was too cute, For a guy who just ogled a woman's butt in front of her brother, I think he got a very light sentence!

This was delightful, as ever, and I hope this warming trend with Michael continues, and we get to see more Max&Lizzage soon.

.

Thanks for answering the question for me chica

Also, for all those who are disapointed that Kyle isn't into Maria there's a reason for that. I've always thought of Maria and Kyle like brother and sister so that was a no go for me.

was really wondering about the age of the group – how old are they? Michael is the oldest, right? How old ist he now? And the others?

And who's Kyle's bi*** of an ex-wife? Tess? Will she appear? And what about Jim?

The ages are outlined (i think) on page 1 and Tess has already come into the story so check out some of the earlier parts

Thanx everyone for your feedback, on with the story

Part 19

Being back at Parkers run, knowing that Max wasn’t across the boundary was harder than Liz anticipated.

Every time she saw the Killarny Ute, or even Isabel her thoughts drifted to Max and she knew their nightly phone calls and emails would never be enough.

Max was busy in the city. He had a lot of personal things to catch up on and he was helping his mother in the café again for the time being. Liz could tell when she spoke to him each night that he was really struggling making a decision about what he wanted to do in his life.

He had a business degree, but like Liz, his major was agriculture and there were very limited jobs which he could use that in the city. Secretly Liz hoped he was having a hard time deciding what to do because in his heart he wanted to be back at Killarny, back with her.

To make matters worse it was blatantly obvious that the new vet had taken an interest in her.

“Oh come on Lizzie don’t tell me that you don’t think he’s hot?” Maria gushed when Liz had started complaining about Kyle to her.

Every time he showed up at Parkers it was Liz that got stuck showing him to the problem they were having, she had a suspicion that Alex was doing it on purpose and she planned to have a chat with him about it very soon.

“He’s ok,” Liz shrugged.

Sure Kyle was attractive with his sandy blonde hair and blue eyes but all Liz was interested in was the dark haired man with amber eyes who held her heart, and whom she missed like crazy.

Maria could obviously sense this. “How is Max?” She asked.

It had been a month since Liz had returned from the city and her mood had only worsened in that time.

It was obvious she missed Max and that their nightly phone calls weren’t doing much to help.

“He’s good, busy,” Liz sighed.

Liz hadn’t yet told Maria about her and Max making love in the city. She thought it was a sacred moment and it was still too soon to share it with her best friend.

“Is he visiting soon?” Maria asked.

When she saw the look on Liz’s face, she knew she had asked the wrong thing.

“No,” Liz answered.

“Ok,” Maria nodded.

“I’m sorry Ria, it’s just that he’s working with his mum at the moment so he doesn’t have time to come. It just feels like one excuse after another,” Liz sighed.

“You don’t think he’s going to come back do you?” Maria asked.

Liz slowly shook her head.

The thought had been growing over the month. Liz felt like the distance between her and Max was getting greater with every phone call. He was going out with friends while she worked the land and fell into bed exhausted most nights. The only thing she had to look forward to in her life was him and she feared that things between them were already spiralling out of control.

“And there’s no way Alex is going to let me go to the city again,” she added.

“It’ll be ok Lizzie,” Maria tried to reassure her.

But Liz knew different. She had given her heart to Max and she didn’t think she would get it back anytime soon.

***

“Why won’t you come out with us?” Tess whined over the phone.

Max sighed. It was like this every weekend. Why wouldn’t she just accept that fact that he didn’t want to go out drinking?

“I just don’t feel like it,” he replied. “I’m tired and I just want to call Liz before going to bed.”

He heard Tess sigh on the other end. “What do you and Ms Farmer even have to talk about every night?” She asked annoyed.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like Liz. Tess didn’t really know her. It just seemed to her that ever since Max had gone to Killarny and met Liz that he wasn’t the same. Tess missed her best friend and she wanted him back.

“Tess I already asked you not to call her that. She has a name, a beautiful name in fact so please use it,” Max told her.

Tess snorted. “Fine. So?”

“We just catch up on what we’ve been doing,” he shrugged even though he knew Tess couldn’t see it.

“So she knows that you’ve done nothing but sit at home and mope since she left?” Tess asked. “What does she think about that?” She asked then.

Max hesitated. “No,” he replied.

“Oh so she thinks you’re having a sweet ole time here?”

“Tess just drop it,” he sighed tiredly.

“Fine. I’ll let you get off this weekend but next weekend you’re coming out with us,” she replied.

“Um no can do,” Max said then.

“What! Why?” Tess asked.

“I’m planning on heading back to Killarny for a few days.”

“You’re going back?” Tess asked outraged. “I thought you hated it there why the hell do you want to go back?”

“Well firstly my sister and girlfriend live there Tess,” Max pointed out, “and I own a part of Killarny now so I have responsibilities. I can’t expect Michael and Isabel to do everything.”

“What are you going to do when you have a job and you just can’t take off like this?” Tess asked then.

Max groaned. Not the job question again. He had been working with his mum for the past month, mainly because he didn’t have anything else to do but both his mum and Tess had been hassling him over getting a proper job and making use of his degree. Tess had already secured herself a teaching job, it was only casual but that was the way into the education system unless you didn’t want to go out back for a placement.

The truth was though that Max wasn’t sure he wanted to get a job in the city.

Things had changed in his life since Liz had come into it. He didn’t think it was possible to miss someone the way he did Liz. His heart literally ached, especially when he spoke to her and she felt so far away. He knew she was upset that he wasn’t planning to visit soon, what she didn’t know was that he was going up the following weekend and wanted to surprise her.

“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it,” he answered, it was the same thing he had told his mum a couple of days before.

“Ok,” Tess said quietly.

“Have a good time ok?” Max said to her.

“Yep,” she nodded.

After they hung up Max felt terrible. He knew that Tess was upset over how much things had changed but that was what happened when you grew up wasn’t it?

***

“So Liz I though that if you weren’t busy tonight I could take you to dinner at the pub?” Kyle suggested.

Liz inwardly groaned. “I thought we’ve been over this?” Liz turned and asked, her anger rising as she caught Kyle staring at her ass again.

Kyle smirked when he realised he had been caught. “Oops.”

“I have a boyfriend remember?” She reminded him.

“Yeah Max right?” Kyle smiled.

“Yes Max.”

“Well I’ve been here a month now and haven’t met him….”

“What are you suggesting?” Liz cried. “That I made him up?”

Kyle held his hand up in apology but the smirk on his face indicated he was anything but. Liz Parker was hot when she was angry with him and he had a shit load of fun getting her angry.

“Not at all. I just figure you might have got sick of being neglected by now and let me to take you to dinner…”

“I am not neglected,” she told him but her body screamed otherwise. She missed Max so much it hurt. Who thought that his long distance thing could work again?

“Ok,” Kyle smiled. “But if you change your mind you know where to find me,” he told her.

Liz stormed off leaving him in the paddock with the cows. Kyle chuckled as he watched her go, her ass swaying as she went. “You are so tightly wound Liz it’s not funny, and I intend to be there when you blow,” he smirked to himself.

***

Liz’s mood hadn’t improved much when the phone rang that night.

“Hello?” She snapped as she picked it up.

“Hey babe,” Max’s voice greeted her.

Liz closed her eyes and sighed.

“It’s so good to hear your voice,” she whispered.

On the other end of the phone Max smiled. “Ditto,” he told her.

“Bad day?” He asked then.

Liz sighed, “Not really,” she said. “No worse than every other day,” she admitted. Apart from Kyle baiting her and hitting on her again, it was just a normal day.

“You seemed a little annoyed when I called,” Max told her.

“Yeah I was a bit,” she admitted. “The new vet is getting on my nerves.”

“New vet?” He asked interested.

“Yeah, Kyle Valenti.”

“What’s he like?” Max asked intrigued. The old vet has been around as long as Max was a boy. It would be good to have fresh blood, someone with new ideas and interested in new technology. Max had been doing research on invitro for cows and he was hoping to trial it at Killarny one day soon.

“He’s interesting,” Liz answered kindly.

“Ok…” Max said confused wondering what the story was with the new vet. It appeared that Liz really didn’t like him all that much so he must have done something to get on her nerves. It took a lot to irritate Liz.

“How are you?” Liz asked then. She looked at the clock then and noticed it was eight and she was surprised that Max was home.

“Good, tired but good,” Max replied.

“What are you doing at home anyway, it’s a Saturday night aren’t you normally out painting the town red?” Liz asked then not realising the slight sarcasm in her voice.

But Max immediately noticed it and he sighed. He knew he shouldn’t have pretended to be having a great time going out with friends. He had obviously hurt Liz by making her think that he didn’t miss you.

“God I miss you,” he whispered feeling the need to tell her immediately.

Liz’s heart stopped. “I miss you too,” she said tears brimming in her eyes. “So much,” she added, “I had no idea how much I’d miss you.”

A sob escaped then and when Max heard it, he felt his heart clench.

“Oh God Max what we are going to do?” She asked then. “It’s so hard being so far away from you.”

“I know baby,” he whispered. God did he know. His body ached for her, his heart hurt hearing her upset. He felt the desire to jump straight in his car and drive the 8 hours to get to her but he couldn’t do that to his mother.

Right now he felt like he was being pulled into two different directions.

On one side, he had his mother. The woman who had given up her life and her marriage to nurse him back to health and to allow him to stay in the city where he could get the best treatment. Now she had her café, a life, and even some friends but Max knew that she wanted him to stay in the city with her, that she would be heart broken if he decided to move to Killarny.

Then there was his sister and Liz. They were at Killarny and Parkers. He missed his sister all the time and there weren’t words to describe how much he missed Liz. He knew he had fallen in love with her. Head over heels and he wanted to be with her desperately.

Then he had himself to think about. Despite the way his trip to Killarny had started and the reasons for going Max was surprised at how much he truly missed the land.

“Do you?” Liz asked then. “Because you seem to be carrying on with your life fine and I feel like I’m drowning.”

Max closed his eyes feeling Liz’s words like they were a slap in the face.

“Is that what you think? That it’s easy to be with out you?” He asked hurt.

“I don’t know. God I hope not.”

“It’s not baby. I promise we’ll get through this and we’ll make it work. Please don’t loose faith in me,” he pleaded. If they could just get through the next week then they would see each other and everything would be okay again.

“Ok,” he heard her whisper.

“Ok?” he asked hopefully.

“Yeah,” Liz nodded. She wasn’t ready to give up. Liz wasn’t the sort of woman who gave up on any task easily especially one that she wanted to complete, or do as badly as she did this.

Liz Parker had never wanted anything as badly as she wanted to be with Max Evans.

Liz dried her eyes then and cleared her throat.

“You still working at the café or have you found some wonderful job?” She asked trying to lighten the subject.

“I worked with Mum today but I have tomorrow off thank God.”

“Me too,” she added.

They never worked on Sunday’s it was a rule that her father had put into place many years ago. Normally they would have a BBQ if the weather was nice and tomorrow they were all going to Wilgul. Alex had asked them all over and Liz knew for a fact that Isabel was doing all the arranging. She suspected that something was going on but she wasn’t sure what.

She heard Max yawn on the other end then.

“You’re tired,” she said.

“Yeah,” he agreed.

“I’ll let you go,” she suggested. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow night.”

“Ok,” he said.

“It was so good hearing your voice,” Liz whispered then.

“You too angel,” Max replied.

“I’ll talk to you soon,” he added then.

“Tomorrow,” Liz promised.

“Tomorrow,” Max agreed.

“I love you Max,” Liz whispered.

“I love you Liz,” Max whispered.

It was on the tips of both of their tongues but neither said it before they hung up their phones.

Thanx guyz, glad you liked the last part, i hope you enjoy this one too

aussietrueblue
Kitten
nibbles2 - have faith chica
Alien614
Michelle in Yonkers
BehrObsession
ForeverADreamer
believer_evans
orphyfets
Jason's Lover
begonia9508
clueless
hazz
SmileeUk
confusedfool
Mariael311
Vapor



Part 20

Alex approached his sister with caution. Everyone new she had been in a mood since she returned from the city, leaving Max behind.

“Hey sis,” he said.

Liz looked up when she heard Alex’s voice and reached up and wiped her sweaty forehead. She was digging out a trench near the troughs and it was extremely hard work.

“Hey,” she replied.

“You don’t have to do this you know,” he gestured to the trench.

Liz shrugged and bent over to pick up her water bottle and took a swig of it. “Some one had to.”

That was true but Alex would have been happy to do it himself, he didn’t expect Maria and Liz to do it on their own. He looked around then and noticed that there was no Maria is sight.

“Where is Maria?” Alex asked.

“I sent her with Kyle to the lower paddocks. He wanted to check the sheep again,” Liz replied.

Alex chuckled, “What did you bribe her with to get her to go with Kyle?” He asked.

Liz grinned, “Nothing she thinks Kyle’s hot so I’m hoping that she might get him off my back.”

Alex had thought it was funny the way Kyle seemed to get on Liz’s nerves unlike anyone else he had ever met. But he could tell that Liz wasn’t finding it very funny anymore.

Alex nodded. “That will keep her occupied for a while,” he smiled.

“Yep,” Liz agreed.

Alex continued to stand there and Liz could sense he wanted to talk to her about something else but he seemed somewhat nervous.

“What’s up with you?” She finally asked.

Liz knew she’d been hell to live and work with over the past month, so putting her selfishness aside she tired her full attention to her brother. They used to be extremely close but both their lives had been hectic over the past few months and she felt like they had grown apart.

“You know the usual,” Alex shrugged.

“Ok,” Liz replied.

Alex took a deep breath. “I want to ask Isabel to marry me,” he finally blurted out.

Liz’s eyes widened for a second before a grin broke out over her face. She thought Isabel and Alex made the cutest couple ever and she loved the idea of having Isabel as a sister.

“That’s fabulous,” she told him.

Alex finally felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He had wanted to ask Isabel for the past couple of weeks but he didn’t quite know how to go about it. Firstly, with Phillip gone who was he supposed to ask for Isabel’s hand? Should he ask Michael? Or Max?

“Why don’t you seem happy about this?” Liz chuckled then.

“I am. I just have no idea how to go about it,” he admitted.

“Well it’s pretty simple Alex,” Liz smiled. “You buy her the perfect ring, you take her out to her favourite restaurant and you tell her you love her and there is no way you can possible live without her, and then you ask her to marry you.”

Alex smiled as he listened to his sisters beautiful words. He had no doubt that she had heard those words a million times in her head before, and they would come from the man that she would one day marry.

“That simple hey?” He asked unsure.

Liz knew Isabel pretty well so her opinion meant a lot to him. “Don’t let the stress of planning the perfect moment, and making the whole thing over top take over what’s really important, Alex,” she advised.

“You’ve found the woman you’re going to spend the rest of your life with.”

Alex’s grin grew bigger if possible. “You’re right,” he said. “Will you help me organise everything?” He asked then.

“Of course I will,” Liz squealed, at the same time she dropped her shovel and wrapped her arms around Alex’s neck. “Wild horses couldn’t stop me from helping,” she promised.

***

Isabel stretched as the phone next to her bed sprang to life. She reached over with a yawn and picked it up.

“Hello?” She spoke into it.

“Hey sis,” Max replied from the other end.

“Max, hey!” She smiled and slowly sat up.

“I didn’t wake you did I?” He frowned, glancing at the clock to see the time.

“Not really,” she replied. “I was just thinking about getting out of bed.”

It was six am and normally Isabel would be up and cooking breakfast for her and Michael by now, but this morning she just didn’t feel like it. She wished she had stayed the night with Alex after all because she had gotten next to no sleep at home by herself.

“What are you doing up so early?” Isabel asked.

“Helping mum at the coffee shop this morning,” Max replied.

“You still doing that?” Isabel asked surprised. “I thought you would have gotten yourself a top job by now.”

Max resisted the urge to sigh, “So everyone keeps pointing out,” he said.

Isabel sensed the dilemma in her brother’s voice immediately. “Are you looking or just biding your time?” She asked.

“I look, doesn’t mean I have to apply for anything,” Max shrugged.

“True,” she agreed. “But you can’t work with mum forever,” she added.

“I know,” he agreed. Dianne didn’t really have enough work to put Max on and pay him full time. She already had a few full time staff members and right now Max was just an extra set of hands.

“I wish you would just come home,” Isabel whispered then.

Max was silent on the other end. That was the first time that Isabel had bluntly told him that she wanted him to come back to Killarny.

“Will you be happy if I told you I was coming for a visit?” He asked.

Isabel smiled, “Yes!” She said, “When?”

“I’m going to leave here very early Friday morning so I should be there Friday afternoon.”

“Excellent. I might organise a BBQ or something for Friday night?” She said.

“That would be great but I have one condition,” Max said.

“Ok?”

“Could you possible not tell Liz about my plans? I would like to surprise her.”

Isabel chuckled on the other end. “You do realise how unliveable she is at the moment don’t you?”

“Is she that bad?” Max frowned. He knew that Liz was miserable. If she hadn’t already told him outright, he would have picked it up from her voice. She sounded down, nothing like the happy and bright woman he had fallen in love with.

“I haven’t seen too much of her but Alex says she’s working herself to the ground and snapping people’s head off left right and centre.”

“She’s upset that I haven’t been to visit,” Max sighed.

“Yeah and that Alex won’t let her have a couple of days off to go to you.”

“Are things busy?” Max asked wondering why it was such a big deal if Liz wanted a few days off.

“Yeah there are a lot of sales going on and with winter approaching Parkers has a lot of stock to bring in from the outer paddocks.”

“Oh ok,” Max nodded.

“So I’ll set everything up for this weekend but I won’t tell Liz,” she agreed then.

“Great,” Max smiled, “Can you warn Michael that I’m coming, I thought I’d do the book work and go through some things with him while I’m there.”

“Sure,” Isabel nodded already dreading Michael’s reaction to the news, “how long will you be staying?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” Max admitted. “At least four days,” he added then.

“I can’t wait to see you Max,” Isabel said.

“Me too, Iz,” Max grinned. “I have to jet though now or I’ll be running late.”

“No problem. I’ll see you Friday.”

“Yep see you then.”

***

“What about this one?” Liz asked as she pointed at a beautiful princess cut diamond ring. It looked expensive, and Liz had no idea what type of budget Alex was looking at.

Alex looked at the ring over Liz’s shoulder. “That’s nice but I have something in mind and I’ll know it when I see it.”

There was only one jeweller in the area so Liz and Alex had driven to Fisher.

“Maybe you should go to the city. They’ll have a lot more variety,” Liz suggested then.

“True,” Alex agreed but it wasn’t like he really had the time for a trip, and there was no way both he and Liz could leave Parkers and Wilgul. There was too much work for just Maria and even if their father and Amy helped out they would still be struggling.

They continued to browse the small selection but nothing stood out to Alex. He had to find the perfect ring for Isabel.

“Why don’t we have a look on the net, some of the bigger jewellery chains have pictures,” Liz suggested then.

“That’s a great idea and if I can find something that I like I can order it or make a quick trip to pick it up,” Alex nodded.

“Or alternatively you could save yourself a trip and get Max to pick it up for you,” Liz suggested.

Alex thought about the suggestion and then nodded. “Good idea,” he said.

They left the small jewellery shop and hopped back into Alex’s Ute.

“Did we get everything else we needed?” Alex asked as Liz looked over the list they had for the trip. You didn’t get away with a trip to Fisher without fulfilling everyone’s requests. On the list was groceries, feed as well as much needed parts for the tractor.

“Yep,” Liz nodded vaguely as she ticked off all the things they had gotten.

“So did you decide where you were going to take Isabel?” Liz asked then.

“I was actually thinking of taking her to the city for the weekend,” he said then. “Get a nice hotel, take her out to dinner where I’ll ask her and then we have the weekend to do some shopping and to see Dianne and Max,” he shrugged.

Liz was impressed, that was a very solid plan, “That’s a great idea,” Liz agreed

“So when?” She asked then.

“Isabel has a birthday coming up,” he said.

Liz had completely forgotten that Max and Isabel’s birthday was at the end of the month.

“She’ll love that,” Liz smiled sadly.

She thought it was wonderful that Alex was so happy but she was also sad that Alex would get to spend the weekend with Isabel for her birthday and she wouldn’t even get to see Max. She had hoped to make it to the city for his birthday herself but that idea was out the window now that Alex wouldn’t be there.

“Now all I have to do is find the perfect ring,” Alex nodded.

“You will,” Liz assured him.

Thanks guys, i hope you enjoy this part too

Part 21

As tired as he was Max couldn’t stop the grin that had formed on his face as he drove past the ‘Welcome to Gungahlin’ sign. It meant that he was only twenty minutes away from Killarny, and twenty minutes away from Liz.

He had spoken to Isabel through the day and she informed him that everyone was coming over for a BBQ that night. Apparently, even Michael hadn’t grumbled too much about his impending visit.

When Max had spoken to Liz on the phone the night before she had been especially down. He had a feeling it might have had something to do with the phone call he had received from Alex the day before asking for a favour but he didn’t’ bring it up because he wasn’t quite sure how much Liz knew.

He had been so close to telling Liz about his trip but had hoped that the surprise would all be worth it in the end.

***

Liz sighed in frustration as she watched Kyle approach her.

“What the hell is he doing here?” She hissed quietly to Maria who was sitting next to her.

They were set up in the BBQ area, it was a nice night but Michael had started a fire.

Maria shrugged; she wasn’t sure why Liz let Kyle get to her the way he did.

“Hello ladies,” Kyle grinned as he approached.

“Kyle,” Maria smiled. “We didn’t expect to see you tonight,” she said.

“Kyle, you made it,” Michael grinned as he approached.

“Thanks for the invite man,” Kyle nodded.

Shooting a death glare at Michael Liz hopped up from her seat. “I think I’ll go see if I can help Isabel,” she said quickly before storming off.

“Was it something I said?” Kyle asked as Liz left.

“Nah it’s probably just p.m.s,” Michael laughed.

“True, you know what woman are like,” He agreed joining Michael laughing.

Maria bit her tongue as she listened to their conversation.

“Want a beer man?” Michael asked then.

“I’ve got it,” Kyle said and pointed to his esky before he took off to retrieve two beers.

***

Isabel eyed Liz as she chopped up carrots for the salad she was helping to prepare.

“Everything ok?” She finally asked.

“Yep,” Liz nodded. “Just didn’t want to be outside with that pig Valenti,” Liz said.

Isabel bit down on her grin. Liz’s foul mood would vanish in about five minutes. Max had called just before Liz had come into the kitchen to tell her he was almost there.

“You don’t like him much do you?” Isabel said.

“I’m sure he’s ok if he would stop hitting on me all the time,” Liz replied with a shrug.

“Maria seems to be interested,” Isabel pointed out.

“Maria’s interested in anyone whose fresh meat,” Liz grinned.

“You’d think that stupid brother of mine would have woken up and realised how in love with him she is by now,” Isabel said then.

“Yep,” Liz agreed.

“He reckons he’s too busy for all that but I’m afraid if he just buries himself in work all the time he’ll end up alone in the end,” Isabel confided.

“He’ll be fine Izzy,” Liz said not knowing what else to tell Isabel to ease her fears.

Isabel simply nodded.

Liz placed the carrot she chopped into the salad before wiping her hands. “What else can I do?” She asked.

“Nothing,” Isabel replied, “everything is done I just need to get Michael to fire up the BBQ.”

“Oh, ok,” Liz said. She had hoped Isabel would be able to give her something else to do so she didn’t have to go outside and talk to Kyle Valenti. Wasn’t it bad enough she had to see him when he came to Parkers, she didn’t want to socialise with him.

“Lets go outside and have a beer,” Isabel said and led the way back outside.

Kyle’s eyes lit up as Liz and Isabel approached. “I was starting to worry you two would spend the whole night in the kitchen.”

“Nope we’re all done so you and Michael can spend the rest of the night in front of the BBQ,” Isabel smiled sweetly.

“Come on Kyle,” Michael said, “Let’s go slap the steaks on.”

“Nah I think I prefer the company over here,” Kyle grinned at Liz before he slid an arm around her shoulder and pulled her against his body.

Liz was busy pulling out of his grasp, which was strong when Max drove up the driveway in his black SUV.

He frowned as he pulled the car up and awkwardly got out of the car. It had been a long drive and his leg was a little stiff.

Isabel spotted him the minute his head popped out of the car but she could see Max’s eyes were focused on only one thing, or rather one person who was to busy getting out of Kyle’s grasp to notice him.

“Kyle get off,” she finally shrieked.

“Oh come on Liz you know you love it,” he winked finally taking his arm from around her.

“It doesn’t look that way from where I’m standing,” a voice spoke up.

Liz’s head snapped up the minute she heard him.

“Max…” she whispered.

Kyle’s eyes went wide as he heard the name escape Liz’s lips. Was it possible that the mysterious Max was really the man standing across from him?

Max’s mouth turned up at the corner into a sexy smile when he heard Liz whisper his name.

“Surprise,” he replied.

Liz moved like lightning closing the distance between them and launching herself into his arms. The sheer force of her body unbalanced Max and sent him falling to his ass but he didn’t’ care, he was too busy crushing Liz’s body against his and finding her lips

Isabel had a massive grin on her face as she watched everything unfold; Maria and Alex wore similar grins.

Michael watched the whole scene with quiet indifference. He had gotten over Liz’s rejection over the past month and he was just happy about the prospect that she might not be biting his head off for the next few days.

Kyle watched the scene with interest. So this was the guy who had Liz’s heart.

“What are you doing here?” Liz whispered when she pulled back from their kiss.

Max caressed her cheek with his hand, “I missed you so much,” he whispered.

Liz smiled through the tears that had gathered in her eyes. “Me too,” she agreed, “I’ve been miserable without you,” she admitted.

Max grinned then, “So I’ve heard.”

They’re lips found each other again and they were almost loosing themselves in the moment until someone cleared their throat.

Pulling apart and looking up they saw Alex and Isabel grinning down on them.

“I hate to interrupt but do you think I could grab a hug from my brother?” Isabel asked hopefully.

“Oh,” Liz blushed embarrassed, “Of course,” she said pushing out of Max’s grasp and rising to her feet.

Alex offered Max a hand and helped him get to his feet too.

“Good to see you man,” Alex grinned.

“You too,” Max said and then offered him a wink to let him know that the package was safe and sound.

Alex stepped aside then to allow Isabel and Max to hug.

“It’s good to see you,” Isabel told him.

“You too,” she agreed.

As soon as Isabel stepped back Liz and Max both reached for each other and soon Max’s arm was wrapped securely around Liz as they followed the other couple back to where everyone else was.

“Hey Max,” Maria grinned from her seat.

“Hey Ria,” Max replied.

Michael approached hesitantly. He and Max had made some ground during his last visit but he was still a little uncertain about things but he knew that Isabel would kill him if he didn’t come over and say hello. She had been so excited about Max’s visit.

Max turned when Michael approached, “Hey,” he greeted with a smile.

“Hey,” Michael replied and accepted the hand Max offered, and shook it.

“Max this is Kyle Valenti the new vet, Kyle this is our brother Max,” Isabel introduced then.

Kyle had been closely watching Max as he interacted with everyone. It was obvious that he and Michael weren’t best friends but everyone else seemed happy to see him. He also noted the limp, no one had said anything about it before and he wondered what had caused it.

“Hi Max, good to meet you I’ve heard a lot about you,” Kyle replied and shook Max’s hand.

“Only good I hope,” Max grinned. “It’s good to meet you too.”

“So Max, I was starting to wonder if you really existed,” Kyle said then casting a glance at Liz who was frowning at him.

“Yeah why’s that?” Max asked.

“Well Liz kept telling me about this wonderful boyfriend of hers but you were nowhere to be seen,” he grinned.

“Well I exist,” Max assured him.

Max could tell two things right away.

One. Kyle Valenti wanted his girl.

Two. He wasn’t going to let the fact that Liz was taken stop him from getting her.

Max looked away from Kyle when he felt Liz tug his arm, and he looked down and grinned at her again. If possible, she was more beautiful than he remembered and he reminded himself to get a new picture of her while he was here.

“Let’s get your stuff and take it inside,” she suggested.

That sounded like a great idea so he nodded. It meant a few minutes alone with Liz where he planned to kiss her senseless. He hoped she didn’t have plans to go home tonight now.

“Don’t be long dinner will be ready soon,” Isabel said knowingly.

They both nodded. Max wrapped an arm around Liz as they walked back to his car.

Liz waited until they were out of everyone sight before crushing her body against this again.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered nuzzling her head in his neck.

“I am,” he promised.

“How long are you staying?” She asked then.

“I’ll be here to Tuesday at least,” he promised, and possibly longer he thought silently. He didn’t like the way Valenti was looking at his girl. He didn’t like it one little bit.