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  ‘Yep. Guess we’d better tell Mum and Dad.’

  They were both quiet for a moment, staring at the toilet. Amelia pondered how such a simple thing had the ability to change her whole world. The thought of moving in with Paul filled her with equal parts happiness and apprehension. Without a doubt, he was her future, just as she knew Torrica was the right spot for her. She just had to prove that to everyone else. Or do I? she wondered, remembering Aunty Kim’s advice. She knew Kim was probably right, but didn’t know how to stop caring what others thought—especially the other committee members.

  For the moment, she told herself, she needed to focus on Paul. ‘This is so exciting,’ she said, leaning up to give him a kiss on the cheek. ‘I think I’m the luckiest woman in the world.’

  ‘I’ll remind you of that whenever you complain about having to cart hot water for the dishes.’ He grinned and pressed his lips to hers. ‘The feeling’s mutual,’ he said against her mouth. ‘In fact, I really think you’re far too good for me.’ He manoeuvred her into the bathroom, laughing. Amelia gave a squeal, then laughed too as she heard the toilet lid flip shut.

  Paul lowered her onto the loo, struggling to look solemn. ‘You’re my queen!’

  She held his face in her hands. ‘Does that make you my subject or my king?’

  ‘Both.’ He kissed her again and straightened up. ‘Now, about the rodeo . . . You’re going to be pissed with me, I know, but I can’t help it. I’m not going to be here. I have to go to Adelaide for a couple of days, from Saturday morning. Stuff to sort out with Dad’s will. I’m really sorry—I tried to change the dates.’

  Amelia eyed him with dismay. ‘Can’t change it at all?’

  ‘It’s got to do with lawyers and courts, so no. Sorry.’

  ‘But Paul, I wanted you to be one of the escorts for all the money.’

  ‘Aw, c’mon, Milly, you’ll find someone else. There’s heaps of people on that committee.’ He smoothed her frown with his thumb. ‘Hey, are you free to come for a drive with me now? The stock agent is making a call and I’ve got to get the ewes in I want to sell.’

  She glanced at her watch, then groaned. ‘Nah, I can’t. Meeting the girls for a coffee, and we need to make the most of the time Chelle is off-duty from the hospital. I haven’t seen them in ages. Sorry, sweetheart. Besides, I’ll be living here soon and you won’t be able to get rid of me!’ She got up and kissed him. ‘Although even if you have annoyed me, I could still stay here all afternoon and kiss you.’

  His arms tightened around her waist. ‘Me too, baby, me too. But I guess that isn’t going to sell the sheep or get this house sorted for you, is it?’

  Amelia decided to ignore the way he said ‘you’ rather than ‘us’. After one last, lingering kiss, they went out front and she jumped into Pushme.

  ‘Have fun with the girls.’ Paul tapped the roof as she started to drive off.

  She put her foot on the brake. ‘Oh hey, do you want to come over to dinner on Friday? We can tell Mum and Dad that I’m moving in.’

  ‘If that’s what you want.’

  ‘It’s not about what I want, but if I’m going to move in with my fiancé, we should tell them!’

  Paul rubbed his hands through his hair, looking uncomfortable. ‘It’s just, the way your mum looks at me . . .’

  Amelia tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. ‘Paul, we’ve talked about this. I don’t care what Mum thinks.’ She eyed him. ‘Are you trying to back out?’

  ‘God no!’ he almost shouted. ‘But Natalie does make me nervous, all right?’

  ‘Bloody hell, she makes everyone nervous.’ Amelia touched his hand. ‘Look, family’s the baggage everyone brings with them. Including you.’

  He nodded. ‘You’re right, babe. Friday night, then? And I’m sorry about the rodeo, I really am.’

  ‘I’ll let Mum and Dad know. And look, it’s fine, I understand about getting the estate sorted. I’ve just got to remember to get another escort.’

  ‘Look at you!’ Dr Michelle Jenkins—Chelle to family and friends—hugged Amelia tightly. ‘You look incredible. Country life must suit you.’ She paused and searched her cousin’s face, before adding, ‘Unless it’s something else?’

  Amelia laughed and returned the hug. ‘It’s not been that long since you’ve seen me, cuz.’

  ‘Hmm, so you’re not madly in love? I’ve heard rumours about you and Paul Barnes . . .’ She raised her eyebrows as if they were pulled up by twine.

  ‘Well, duh! You know we’ve been together for more than a year now. Aunty Kim, can we please have two white coffees?’ Amelia called through to the kitchen before they headed into the dining area. ‘Wait, what rumours?’

  ‘Oh, I hear you’re shifting in with him. Anything to say on that?’ Chelle tucked her long brown hair behind her ear and gave a wicked smile. ‘Cat got your tongue?’

  Amelia let the shock subside. ‘How on earth did you find that out? I haven’t even told Mum and Dad yet.’

  ‘I’ve got my sources,’ Chelle said mysteriously, grey eyes twinkling, ‘and I can’t tell you how I know this, patient confidentiality and all that, but I hear there’s a new loo out at Eastern Edge. Anyway, you’d better let your parents know before someone else does! You know how people love to gossip.’

  Amelia’s reply was lost in the noise created when Chrissie and Savannah walked in.

  ‘You’ve got a head start on us,’ Sav said, flopping into the chair next to Amelia.

  ‘You’re actually late,’ Chelle said, looking at her watch.

  ‘And you’re a doctor, so I can’t believe you’re early,’ Chrissie quipped.

  They all laughed. Amelia looked around at her friends, who were all such different women, but had somehow clicked from an early age. Chelle was tall and lanky, always interested in science and sport. Chrissie, with her short, curly red hair, was small, round, feisty and book-obsessed. And Sav, blonde and seemingly prim, but with a wicked sense of humour, had always been planning her white wedding and longing to have her own kids.

  Kim appeared with the two coffees and took orders from the others.

  ‘So how are all the rug rats?’ Chelle asked Sav, whose tales of her primary school students always seemed to get more outrageous as the year wore on.

  ‘Feral, but gorgeous. And the store?’ Sav directed the question to Chrissie, who worked for Torrica Farm and General.

  ‘It’s very quiet. Everyone’s waiting on the opening break. That’s why I could skip out a little early today.’

  ‘I was out at Eastern Edge before I came here,’ said Amelia, ‘and it is really dry. Paul’s hand-feeding all the sheep. Reckon everyone would like to see a break in the weather before the rodeo so it’s not too late.’

  ‘Nothing about rain on the seven-day forecast, but we all know that the Met office is always wrong,’ Chelle put in. They fell silent. Three of them were farmer’s daughters, and Sav a farmer’s wife. They all understood the vagaries of life on the land.

  ‘So tell us, Milly, how’s the rodeo going?’ Chrissie asked, leaning forward. ‘I bet you’re doing the best job. I heard you on the radio the other day and you came across so well. Anyone would think you’ve been doing interviews for years!’

  ‘Really? I’m glad I didn’t hear it! I hate the sound of my own voice.’

  ‘No, it was fantastic. So professional. If I wasn’t going already, I’d be coming now. Did you girls hear it?’

  The others shook their heads.

  Amelia laughed and her face grew hot. Chrissie had a way of making her feel so good about herself, but she didn’t know what to say. She sipped her coffee and hoped for a change in subject. Then Kim arrived with the extra coffees and they all leaned back.

  ‘So what else is happening down at the grounds?’ Sav asked, stirring sugar into her cup. ‘You’ve got a much more exciting job than any of us, so make us jealous!’

  ‘Not much, but everything, if that makes sense.’ Amelia paused and thought about the past w
eek. ‘It’s a jumble of activity. People are rushing here and there, making sure that all the facilities work, we’ve got everything we need, et cetera. Then we all head off, and the grounds go back to being silent and still. It’s beautiful when they’re like that.’ She fiddled with her spoon, clacking it against the table. ‘But you know, I wish Jim and Kev would get over themselves. They won’t leave me alone.’

  ‘Probably want to get you into bed,’ Chelle said blandly.

  ‘What?’ Amelia flinched away from the mental images. ‘I don’t reckon. They think I’m hopeless. They’re waiting for me to trip up and prove them right.’

  ‘As if that’s going to happen,’ Chrissie said indignantly.

  ‘I hope not.’

  Chelle shot her a concerned look, and she shrugged.

  ‘Men!’ Sav said, rolling her eyes. ‘Wouldn’t know a good thing if it whacked them in the face.’

  They all laughed.

  ‘Still, they’re the only blemish in the whole show,’ Amelia said with a smile, ‘so I can put up with them.’

  ‘Of course you can. You’re strong, woman!’ Chelle stuck her arm up with a clenched fist and grinned.

  ‘Yeah!’ Amelia said, nodding. ‘I am, aren’t I?’

  ‘Anyway,’ Chrissie drew out the word, ‘I need some help. Once we’ve finished the coffee, have any of you got time to come to my place and help me put up some wall stickers?’ She smiled wickedly. ‘The important thing is that I have wine . . .’

  ‘Oh my God,’ Chelle giggled, the curvy bits of the stickers’ cursive writing stuck to each of her fingers. ‘This is crazy!’

  Amelia, her nose close to the wall, was trying to make sure the stickers were going on straight. She snorted. ‘This is ridiculous!’

  Chrissie stood back and admired their handiwork, while Sav poured more wine.

  ‘This one’s my favourite, from Christine Mason Miller,’ Chrissie said, looking at the words that were stuck on her wall: At any given moment . . .

  The rest of the quote—you have the power to say: this is not how the story is going to end—was still to go up. It had taken the four of them more than an hour to get the first four words up, so it looked as though the whole thing was going to take more than one sitting.

  ‘Here, do it like this,’ Sav said, putting down her wineglass. ‘Smooth them on so they don’t bubble. You just need to trace the letter with your finger.’

  ‘That’s all well and good for you,’ said Chelle, ‘but try keeping the bloody thing straight and not getting all the sticky bits stuck together. It’s worse than bloody cling wrap, this stuff!’

  ‘It’ll be worth it.’ Amelia drew another line in lead pencil, as a guide for the letters. ‘I love this quote.’

  ‘Me too,’ Sav agreed, then glanced at her phone. ‘Oh shit, is that really the time? I have to head home. Dean will be waiting. Date night.’

  The girls oohed and aahed together.

  ‘Young love,’ cooed Chrissie.

  After quick goodbyes, Chelle stuck a last letter onto the wall and stood back. ‘We’ll have another go next week. What do you think, Chrissie?’

  ‘Yep, it’s looking fantastic. Love all this positive affirmation stuff. Makes me feel so good when I get up in the morning.’

  ‘You are a bit of a hippy,’ Amelia observed with a smile. ‘Now, who wants to head to the pub for tea? I’m not really ready to go home. Actually . . .’ She half-grinned at the other two. ‘I’m ready for a party.’

  Chapter 8

  The pub was cool after the warmth of the afternoon, and the three girls sat happily at the front bar, sipping their wine. It was too early for all the farmers to be appearing, but the old stalwarts Hughie, Terry and Marcus sat in a row with their beers half-drunk, staring at the horse races on the TV.

  ‘So, I’m moving in with Paul,’ Amelia said, dropping the bombshell on Chrissie, who almost spat her drink out. Chelle grinned and looked superior.

  ‘Serious?’ Chrissie said.

  A small smile played around Amelia’s lips. ‘And I have even bigger news. We got engaged!’ She paused and looked at her friends. Both their mouths hung open. ‘Aren’t you going to congratulate me?’

  Both girls gave a little squeal and launched themselves at Amelia. ‘That’s such good news!’

  ‘Congratulations, cuz!’

  Amelia laughed happily. ‘Yeah. But don’t mention it to anyone yet. Haven’t told the folks.’

  ‘Can’t imagine your mum’s going to be too happy with that.’

  ‘I don’t care what she thinks. It doesn’t matter what I do—it’s never good enough. Dad will be fine, though.’ Amelia took another sip of her wine. ‘Mum just tends to ignore the fact we’ve been seeing each other.’

  Raising her eyebrows, Chrissie said, ‘Paul has an interesting family history.’

  Amelia shrugged. ‘Who cares?’

  ‘Yeah, but you carry your family with you, no matter what,’ said Chrissie, and Amelia frowned, realising that this echoed what she’d told Paul earlier.

  Chelle nudged her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. ‘My parents always say how lovely Mrs Barnes was, and I remember the other kids. They were all nice. Not Old Brian, of course, but he was an alcoholic.’

  ‘Well, Paul is gorgeous and loving and special,’ Amelia said.

  Her friends nodded, and Chrissie waved to the bartender, Belinda, for another round of wine. Then she crossed her arms and gave Amelia an assessing look.

  ‘The problem is, we’ve only ever seen you together once—that time you came to Sav’s place for dinner. How do we know he’s good for you, huh?’

  Amelia smiled at her friend’s protectiveness. ‘It’s been a bit of a challenge, ’cause we don’t get much time together and we’ve never eaten out in town. You know he doesn’t have much money, and he doesn’t want me to pay for him.’ She took a sip of her wine. ‘It’s just the way it’s been. But don’t worry, that’ll change soon.’

  ‘Oh man, we’ve got a wedding to plan!’ Chrissie said excitedly.

  ‘Forget the bloody wedding,’ Chelle answered, a sly grin on her face. ‘What about the hen’s night? We’ll have strippers! What do you like? Firemen, policemen? Oh, Milly, tell me you like a man in uniform,’ Chelle gushed.

  They all giggled and turned at the sound of the door opening. Four blokes in dirty jeans, checked shirts and filthy hats tumbled in. ‘Give us a jug of beer, love,’ the tallest one called loudly to Belinda, who frowned and cocked an eyebrow as they approached the bar.

  ‘G’day there, girls.’ One of the boys stopped to give them the once-over, but when his gaze got to Chelle, his eyes widened and he quickly followed his mates to the other end of the bar.

  Chelle sighed and put her head in her hands. ‘And there you have it, ladies, the reason I’m still single. No one wants to date the local doctor: she has seen and knows too much.’

  Amelia laughed and patted her cousin on the back. ‘You’ll just have to find someone from out of the district. And unfortunately Paul doesn’t have a single friend or a brother who would suit you!’

  A few moments later, Anne Andrews’ three sons came in, looking good as always. Much better than those other blokes, Amelia noted with approval. She waved at them but they didn’t see her, heading straight for the bar. Won’t be long before they’re snapped up, she thought, then noticed Chrissie staring at them and smiled to herself. Not long at all.

  ‘The Andrews boys, right?’ asked Chrissie. ‘They’ve come into the shop a couple of times, but usually it’s just their mum. They seem to keep to themselves a bit.’

  Amelia nodded. ‘That’s them. They’re good mates with Graham, and I see them when I go out to help Anne with her books. The committee’s hired two of them, the beefier ones, to do security for the rodeo.’

  ‘Hmm, they’re all pretty bloody cute.’ Chrissie’s eyes had a predatory gleam.

  The door opened again, revealing another group—this time all girls, who made a beeline
for the dining area.

  ‘We should grab a table,’ Amelia said, getting up, and the others followed.

  Soon the bar was full and the patrons spilt over into the dining area. The noise of laughter and happy voices, and the smell of beer and pub food made Amelia feel at home. A few glasses of wine later, she was red-cheeked and laughing as loudly as some of the men in the front bar.

  ‘That Andrews boy keeps looking over this way.’ Chelle nodded towards one of Anne’s sons. ‘Reckon he’s got his eye on you, Chrissie.’

  Amelia and Chrissie turned at the same time, and were caught looking. He had a five o’clock shadow, dark eyes and hair, and a lazy smile. He nodded and tipped his glass to the girls. His brothers were deep in conversation and didn’t notice.

  ‘Oh, that one’s Will. Nice bloke,’ Amelia said. ‘He’s the middle son. The others are Mike and Tony—they’re our security guards. Bit rough and ready, but all nice enough. I reckon Will is the pick of the bunch.’

  ‘You know what? We all need more drinks,’ Chrissie said slyly. She collected her purse and sashayed over to the bar.

  ‘I’ll have a softie, please,’ Amelia called after her. ‘Got to drive home.’

  A path opened up for Chrissie, and Amelia could see Will watching. His eyes strayed to her friend’s arse while she stood at the bar, then he went and waited in line alongside her.

  ‘Ha, check them out.’ Chelle nudged Amelia. Will was helping Chrissie with the glasses and coming towards their table. ‘Fast worker!’

  ‘Evening, ladies,’ he said, setting two drinks in front of them and pulling up a seat. Chrissie slipped into her chair and took a sip of her wine, looking like the cat that got the cream.

  ‘Will,’ Amelia said with a smile, ‘how’s your day been?’

  ‘Busy. Heaps of sheep work. We’re preg-testing all the ewes so we can sell the dries.’

  Chrissie leaned forward. ‘The Jensons and Gotheries are doing that too. They were in the shop today and said they were about to start. You must have just got in before them.’