Page 21 of Outback Hearts

‘You did more than that,’ Jake said. ‘You saw what I was seeing. You understood why things mattered. Most people can’t do that, even after years of training.’ He paused. ‘If you wanted to learn more—about building, about restoration—I’d be happy to teach you. When the project actually starts, I mean. If you’re still here.’

‘I’ll be here,’ Amelia heard herself say, the words coming out with more certainty than she felt. ‘I want to learn. I want to help.’

‘Good,’ Jake said, and the way he smiled at her made Amelia’s stomach flip. ‘Then I’ll see you when we start work. Try to get some rest between now and then—once this begins, it’s going to be intense.’

He climbed into his ute, apparently heading into town to find accommodation. As he drove away, Amelia watched the dust settle on the road, her mind racing.

What had she just agreed to? Months of staying in one place, learning to build, working alongside a man who made her pulse race just by explaining load-bearing structures?

‘He likes you,’ Sophie said, appearing beside her with a knowing grin.

‘He doesn’t know me,’ Amelia protested. ‘We just met.’

‘Doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you,’ Sophie said. ‘I saw the way he looked at you. The way he took extra time explaining things, made sure you understood. That wasn’t just professional courtesy, Amelia. That was interest.’

‘You’re imagining things.’

‘Am I?’ Sophie raised an eyebrow. ‘Then why are you blushing?’

Amelia touched her heated cheeks, betrayed by her own body. ‘It’s just—he’s intense, isn’t he? When he talks about buildings, he gets this look like nothing else exists. It’s—’

‘Attractive,’ Sophie finished. ‘The word you’re looking for is attractive. And yes, he is. Objectively, scientifically, he is an attractive man who just spent two hours in close proximity with you, teaching you things, catching you when you slipped, looking at you like you were the most interesting thing in that building.’

‘We should probably not encourage this,’ Jill said, arriving back from the hardware store just in time to hear the end of the conversation. ‘Remember what we talked about? Being careful? Making sure his intentions are genuine?’

‘That was before I saw him,’ Sophie said. ‘Now I’ve seen the way he looks at her. That’s not a man playing games. That’s a man who’s genuinely fascinated.’

‘Or he’s very good at seeming genuine,’ Jill cautioned. ‘Either way, we watch. We keep an eye on how he treats Amelia when the actual work starts. Make sure he’s worthy of our girl.’

‘I’m standing right here,’ Amelia said.

‘We know,’ Sophie said cheerfully. ‘Which is why we’re being obvious about our protective instincts rather than secretly conspiring behind your back. See? We’re very considerate friends.’

Amelia laughed despite everything. ‘You’re ridiculous.’

‘We’re vigilant,’ Jill corrected. ‘There’s a difference. Now come on—I’m starving, and someone needs to help me figure out what to cook for dinner that isn’t beans on toast again.’

As they walked back to the van, Amelia found herself glancing back at the road where Jake’s ute had disappeared. Something had changed today. Something that felt both exciting and terrifying.

Jake Miller was going to be part of her life for a while. Teaching her, working alongside her, probably driving her completely insane with that intensity and those dark eyes and the way he explained things as though they mattered.

She should probably be more careful. Should probably maintain a professional distance. Should probably listen to Jill’s warnings about guarding her heart.

But as Amelia looked up at the old Royal Hotel, imagining it restored and beautiful and full of life again, she knew it was already too late for caution.

She was in this now. All in. For better or worse. Her parents were going to be horrified.

But somehow, she couldn’t wait to begin.

Chapter Five

The week after Jake’s initial assessment passed in a blur of cautious excitement. The girls continued their jobs—Sophie at the grocery store, Amelia at the café, Jill at the rural store—whilst Jake worked on permits, assessments, and the endless paperwork required to turn a dream into reality.

On Thursday evening, he appeared at their campsite with rolled-up plans and a serious expression.

‘Engineering assessment is scheduled for Monday,’ he announced, settling into a camp chair. ‘Should take most of the day. But assuming it confirms what I think—that the structure is sound enough to restore—we’ll need to start thinking about the actual work when the sale is confirmed.’

‘No hold up there,’ Alex said. ‘The owners are as keen as mustard and with a short settlement.’