Page 31 of Andrew’s Outback Love

I gathered her hand, led her back into the bedroom and seated her on the bed before sitting beside her. We turned to face each other and I placed the hand holding hers in my lap.

“Talk to me, sweetheart. You’re talking about making huge decisions which will impact the rest of your life and we’ve known each other less than two weeks.”

“I thought you’d like me to be where you are.”

“Of course, I would but we need to slow things down. We need to be sure whatever this is will work before you give up your career. I would never ask you to sacrifice something you love.”

“I know but I missed you last week. I couldn’t concentrate because you were all I could think about.”

I kissed the tip of her nose. “I missed you too and did a lot of thinking during the time we were apart. I have a couple of ideas. How about we order dinner and I’ll tell you what I have on my mind?”

“Sounds good, I’m starved.”

I handed Linda a room service menu and while she checked out what was on offer, I read over her shoulder.

“The Scaloppini sounds good.”

I agreed with her and picked up the phone to dial down to the restaurant. I ordered Scaloppini for both of us, chocolate tarts with ice cream, coffee and a bottle of white wine. After hanging up the receiver, I focused my attention back on my lady.

“As you know, I bought Bagaay Downs and it settles at the end of next week.”

“Wow, that was fast. I thought it would be three weeks?”

“It was relatively straight forward so the bank said they can settle immediately. Anyway, my initial thought was to build a clinic at the property but as you know, I decided it was too far out for the people in town. I couldn’t wait until I got back to Bourke so I called Barry earlier in the week and he started looking around for a place we could buy. He found a plot in Oxley Street and I told him to go ahead with an offer. It was accepted and I wired him the money on Thursday. It should settle in a few weeks and I can organize my share of the money from the bank to build the clinic. Barry is having the plans drawn up now.”

“You move fast.”

“The people out there can’t afford for us to go slow. The clinic will have an operating theatre along with a full-time blood collection facility. We considered scanning and x-ray, but along with three consult rooms, a large treatment room, blood room and the theatre, the facility would have had to be much bigger than we can afford to house that sort of equipment. We’ll stick with referring those who need it to the hospital.”

“Makes sense. So, your dream is coming to life?”

“Yes. I’ve also been thinking about how we’ll fit into the plans.”

“And?”

“I thought of a couple of options. I intend giving Sydney Hospital a month’s notice next week. I’ll also be placing my apartment on the market.”

You’ll be moving to Bourke that soon?”

“I don’t know.”

Linda gave me a confused look.

“What do you mean?”

“I have two options. I can speak with the board at Dubbo Hospital about refreshing my General Medicine by doing some Registrar work. I could then look at getting into a GP practice part time so I can continue going to Bourke. Or, I can speak with the board in Bourke about the refresher course and once done, help take some of the load off Barry. He’s in his sixties now and said he wants to scale back the hours he works. I can continue my work out of Barrawon and Tarara and spend the rest of the time consulting. With my property there, it will free up accommodation money for the RFDS to use elsewhere. You, Cam and James, or Finn, could stay with me when we do the eye consults in town. I could meet your flight at Barrawon and drive us back to town. I could also drive us to Tarara so it takes some of the costs of transporting us off the station owners.”

“That’s perfect so why is Dubbo even an option?”

“I know your heart lies with the RFDS and I won’t take you away from it. I won’t ask you to give up your dream to move to Bourke with me and I don’t want to only see you every second week, but I need to be sure you want to be with me before I choose Dubbo.”

“Drew...” Linda’s voice was barely a whisper. “Can I make a suggestion?”

“Of course, you can.”

“Go to Bourke.”

My heart shattered at her words and the disappointment must have shown on my face because Linda gathered both of my hands in hers and gently squeezed them.