Page 22 of Outback Hearts

‘What kind of work?’ Jill asked Jake.

He unrolled the plans, weighing down the corners with rocks. ‘Everything. Roof replacement, verandah rebuild, interior renovation, full electrical and plumbing installation, cosmetic restoration. It’s a six-month project, minimum.’

‘And you’ll manage the project?’ Amelia asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

‘That’s the plan. I’ll need to coordinate with my current projects, but most of my work right now is project management rather than hands-on building. I can do that from here, make trips to Brisbane when needed.’ He looked at each of them seriously. ‘But here’s the thing—even with professional contractors for the specialist work, we’ll need labourers. A lot of them. People willing to learn, work hard, and take direction. Dad mentioned you three were interested?’

‘Definitely,’ Amelia said immediately.

‘Same,’ Sophie added.

‘Count me in,’ Jill confirmed. ‘Though I’ll need to balance it with the hardware store. Ryan’s counting on me.’

Amelia glanced at her. Jill had been talking about Ryan a lot since she’d started there.

Jake nodded. ‘That’s actually fine. We’ll need flexible arrangements. Some days will be all hands on deck, others just a few people. We’ll need more workers.’

‘Backpackers?’ Sophie suggested. ‘Like we saw with other projects along the coast?’

Jake’s expression turned thoughtful. ‘Maybe. Though they tend to be transient—here for a few weeks, then gone. We need people who’ll stick around for months. Ideally, locals who have a stake in seeing this succeed.’

‘Good luck with that,’ Jill said, not unkindly. ‘Everyone we’ve met says young people leave and never come back.’

‘Then maybe we ask the people who are still here,’ Alex suggested, joining the conversation from his chair. ‘There’s got to be station workers between contracts, people picking up extra work, locals who’d be willing to learn building skills for fair pay.’

‘It’s worth trying,’ Jake agreed. ‘But I won’t compromise on quality. Anyone who works on this project needs to be willing to learn properly, follow safety protocols, and do the work right. No cutting corners.’

Over the next few days, word spread through Garnet Creek’s tight-knit community. The Royal Hotel was being restored. Alex had bought it from the council, hired his son to manage the project, and was looking for workers.

The response was mixed.

At the Creek Hotel on Friday night, opinions flew thick and fast.

‘It’s about bloody time someone did something with that eyesore,’ Ted, a local cattleman, said, raising his beer. ‘Been rotting there for too long.’

‘Waste of money,’ Harriet countered from her corner table. ‘Town’s dying. A renovated pub won’t change that.’

‘Might bring tourists through,’ Danny suggested. ‘People doing the outback trail, looking for somewhere decent to stay. We could have entertainment: bands, chicken races like they have at Tambo and fun stuff like that.’

‘Or it might sit empty like everything else,’ Margaret Thornton said coldly. She’d appeared at the pub specifically to voice her disapproval, Jennifer trailing behind her as always. ‘I’ve lived here forty years. I’ve seen these grand schemes come and go. They always fail.’

‘Not always,’ Sassy said mildly from her seat beside the girls. ‘The café’s doing well. Zara’s making a go of it.’

‘The café serves breakfast to the three travellers who pass through each week,’ Margaret said dismissively. ‘Hardly a thriving business.’

Zara, sitting nearby, flushed and held her tongue.

‘Besides,’ Margaret continued, ‘who’s going to work on this project? Miller’s hired a builder from Brisbane, apparently. Bringing in outsiders when locals need work.’

‘Jake’s my son,’ Alex said. ‘And locals are welcome to apply. We’re actively looking for workers.’

Margaret turned, clearly not expecting Alex to be there. ‘Apply? For what? Charity work on a doomed project?’

‘For paid positions,’ Jake said, appearing beside his father. ‘Fair wages, proper training, safety equipment provided. We need labourers, general workers, and anyone willing to learn. Experience preferred but not required.’

The pub went quiet. Jake’s presence commanded attention—partly his height and build, partly the calm authority in his voice.

‘How much?’ Danny asked.