Page 35 of Outback Hearts
‘She’s got Jennifer’s ear, and Jennifer’s got one council vote,’ Brian corrected. ‘Bill Patterson has three votes in his pocket, and he’s on your side. Trust the process. Ignore her.’
Brian accepted a cup of tea from the camp kitchen, settling into a chair. ‘Actually, I came for another reason too. You know how the outback has a social season, yeah? After the hot summer, communities come out of hibernation. Rodeos, races, balls. It kicks off with “meet and mingle” events at the pubs.’
‘Meet and mingle?’ Amelia asked.
‘Social gatherings,’ Brian explained. ‘Brings together locals, station workers, newcomers, anyone new to the area. Good food, live music, sometimes dancing. It’s where ringers come in from properties, governesses and teachers and nurses who’ve just arrived for the year. People travel hours to attend. And—’ he grinned ‘—it’s where people fall in love.’
‘Fall in love?’ Sophie said sceptically. ‘At a pub event?’
‘Don’t knock it,’ Brian said. ‘I’ve seen at least six people come through Garnet Creek in the last three years, all planning to move on in a week. Every one of them met someone at a “meet and mingle”. Every one of them is still here. Married, settled, part of the community. It’s one way to build up our population’
‘You’re joking,’ Jill said.
‘Not even slightly. There’s something about the outback social season. People travel hours to attend these things. Ringers who’ve been on stations for months. Young women who’ve just arrived to teach or nurse in tiny towns. Everyone looking for connection. You put them all together with music and dancing and outback hospitality—magic happens.’
He looked around at the diverse crew. ‘You lot—station workers, fossickers, local tradies, backpackers—you’re exactly what these events are meant for. Bringing different worlds together. So I’m inviting all of you. Three weeks from Saturday, seven o’clock at the Creek Hotel. There’ll be a couple of hundred people there. Trust me, it’ll be memorable.’
‘Two hundred?’ Sophie said, amazed. ‘Where do they all come from?’
‘Everywhere within two hundred kilometres,’ Brian said. ‘That’s the thing about the outback—distance is relative. People think nothing of driving two hours for a good party. And “meet and mingle” is always a good party.’
After Brian left, excitement rippled through the camp. The station workers were enthusiastic, having attended similar events before. The backpackers were intrigued, and everyone seemed energised by the prospect of a genuine social event.
‘We should all go,’ Davo said. ‘When was the last time we had a proper night out?’
‘Define “proper,”’ Ratty said. ‘Because our version of a night out involves finding sapphires and drinking beer at our tin shed.’
‘Then you definitely need this,’ Bec laughed. ‘Trust me, “meet and mingle” is legendary. I went to one in Winton two years ago. Best night I’ve ever had.’
Late afternoon, Amelia was checking the day’s work when Jake found her on the scaffold again.
‘You hide up here a lot,’ he observed, climbing up to join her.
‘It’s peaceful,’ Amelia said. ‘And the sunset’s better.’
They stood in comfortable silence, watching the sky turn orange and purple. Below, the camp was busy with dinner preparation, laughter carrying on the evening air.
‘Are you going?’ Jake asked, finally. ‘To the “meet and mingle”?’
‘Probably. Everyone else seems excited about it. You?’
‘I wasn’t planning to,’ Jake said. ‘But if you’re going—’ He paused. ‘Save me a dance?’
Amelia’s heart skipped. ‘A dance?’
‘It’s allowed,’ Jake said, his voice carefully light. ‘Colleagues can dance together at public events. Doesn’t violate any professional boundaries.’
‘Just a dance,’ Amelia agreed, though her pulse was racing.
‘Just a dance,’ Jake confirmed, but the way he was looking at her suggested he was thinking about far more than dancing.
They stood close in the fading light, the tension between them almost unbearable. Jake reached out, almost touched her hand, then pulled back.
‘This is torture,’ he said quietly.
‘I know.’
‘When the project’s done—’
