Page 65 of Outback Hearts

That afternoon, Amelia’s parents prepared to leave, their rental car packed and ready.

‘You’re sure about staying?’ Patricia asked one more time.

‘I’m sure,’ Amelia said. ‘This is where I belong. What I’m meant to do.’

‘And Jake?’ David asked. ‘He’s part of this decision?’

‘He is,’ Amelia admitted. ‘But even if things don’t work out romantically—which they will, I know they will—but even if they didn’t, I’d still stay. I’d still choose building. This is my path now.’

‘Then we’re happy for you,’ Patricia said, hugging her daughter fiercely. ‘Proud of you. You’ve grown into someone remarkable, darling. Don’t ever doubt that.’

After they left, Amelia stood in the empty campsite, looking around. Everything was different now. Everything was beginning.

Jake found her there at five p.m., holding flowers—actual proper flowers, a beautiful bouquet of natives and roses.

‘Ready?’ he asked.

‘For our date?’ Amelia smiled. ‘Absolutely.’

‘Then let’s go,’ Jake said, offering his arm. ‘I have reservations at seven, which means we need to drive. But I thought we could walk through town first. Together. Openly. Let everyone see we’re actually together now.’

They walked down Garnet Creek’s main street hand in hand, Jake in clean jeans and a button-down shirt, Amelia in the dress she’d worn to the meet and mingle. People waved from porches, called congratulations, and smiled knowingly.

At the Creek Hotel, Brian stood on the verandah. ‘About time!’ he called. ‘I’ve been taking bets on when you two would make it official. I won, by the way. Said it’d be the day after opening. Cleared three hundred dollars!’

‘You bet on our relationship?’ Amelia asked, laughing.

‘Everyone did,’ Brian said cheerfully. ‘Easiest money I ever made. Now get going. You’ve got a drive ahead. And Amelia—’ he turned serious ‘—that young man there is one of the good ones. Don’t let him go.’

‘I don’t intend to,’ Amelia said.

The drive to Emerald took an hour, filled with easy conversation. They talked about the project, about what came next, about hopes and plans and possibilities.

The restaurant was elegant—Emerald’s finest in a five-star hotel, with white linen tablecloths and candlelight.

‘You really did plan this months ago,’ Amelia said, impressed.

‘I told you,’ Jake said. ‘I’ve been thinking about this date since Meet and Mingle. I wanted it to be perfect.’

Dinner was wonderful—good food, good wine, better conversation. They talked about everything and nothing, finally able to be honest without worrying about professional boundaries or what people might think.

‘I have a confession,’ Jake said over dessert. ‘I knew I was in trouble with you very early. That first day, you climbed into the building without hesitation, looked at the structure like it was a puzzle you wanted to solve—I thought, this woman is going to change my life. And you did.’

‘Good trouble or bad trouble?’ Amelia asked.

‘The best kind of trouble,’ Jake said. ‘The kind that makes everything better, even when it’s complicated.’

After dinner, they went for a walk, the night air cool and perfect.

‘So, what happens now?’ Amelia asked. ‘Tomorrow, next week, next month?’

‘Tomorrow I start sorting out my next project,’ Jake said. ‘I’ve got offers in Brisbane, Rockhampton, and even one in Townsville. But I’m thinking Brisbane makes the most sense. Close to resources, good building industry, and—’ He paused. ‘That’s where you’ll be at uni, right?’

‘That’s the plan,’ Amelia confirmed.

‘Then Brisbane it is,’ Jake said. ‘I’ll take the project there. We can see each other properly, date like normal people, and build something together that’s not a construction project. I think we could build something remarkable together—not just buildings, though we’ll do plenty of that. But a life. A partnership. A future. If you want that too.’

‘I do,’ Amelia said, her voice catching. ‘Want that, I mean. With you. All of it.’