Amelia POV
In cabin number six, Amelia threw her luggage onto the bed. At last, she was home. It wasn't much, but for the time being, at least, it was hers.
The property known as Windaroa has been in Amelia's family for many generations. Together, her mother and father, Samual, the village doctor and Windaroa's nurse, controlled the place. The farm had formerly been a leading cattle producer, but since Samual took it over, it had been transformed into a vacation spot for grey nomads who travelled the nation in their mobile homes and caravans. Though not nearly as much as it formerly did, Windaroa raised cattle.
The Farradays had constructed six cottages on the land, including a laundry complex, restroom and shower facilities, and spaces for caravans and camping. Number six was one of the cabins. When Amelia ended her relationship with Tony, she moved into the cabin. Amelia had not wanted to return to her parents' home, where they had been living together. Making the switch to living in the house was simple.
Amelia packed everything personal she had and put it in the shed before leaving for her trip abroad to make room in the cabin for other visitors. Thankfully, the house was occupied because the wedding was quickly approaching. Despite her parents' persistent concern, she didn't want to move back into the large home. Even Zoë and Blake shared a cabin, but Amelia was confident it was a perfect fit for the couple.
After giving her suitcases one more glance, Amelia pushed them off the bed and onto the ground. When she woke up the next day or after a week, she would unpack. After the initial welcome-home cup of tea, the hugs, and the presents were given, Julia did not make Amelia spend any necessary family time. She had even been given the all-ahead sleep off her jet lag. Amelia had assumed that separating from the family would be more difficult than it was, but she wouldn't argue with that. Later, when her mind was clearer, she would attend to the family.
She collapsed into the bed, gazing at the ceiling as the mattress supported her fall. From the city, Zoë had been chattering excitedly, and if she noticed Amelia's unusual stillness, she said nothing. Amelia knew it was more than jet lag, but Zoë probably believed it was. The six-two-blonde man had reduced her remaining mental capacity to mush.
Even now, she could hardly breathe and struggled to control her feelings as she thought back to him. She remembered the firmness of his chest from when she slammed into him and the familiar fragrance of him.
Rolling over, Amelia buried her face in the pillow, letting out a scream of rage through the memory foam and cotton blend. He wasn't meant to have the last say in this situation, and it wasn't intended to end in any way.
She tried to say all she wanted to say, but before she could even process the shock of seeing him, he was leaving. What action did she take? She watched him walk away, that gorgeous arse of his. She was so focused on protecting herself that she could not take her gaze off his departing back. She watched him like a creeper, torturing herself until she could see him no more, lost in the mob.
Amelia genuinely believed she had progressed beyond it. She thought that her absence had given her the space and perspective she needed to handle seeing him once more. Additionally, she believed that she had overcome her desire for him. She expected to feel sad when she saw him again, but what she experienced when pressed against him was far more intense than that. In the nine months she had been gone, her hormones had erupted into a fury. Though Amelia hadn't been a nun throughout their separation and assumed Smith hadn't kept it under wraps, it hadn't had the same level of immediate connection and desire for anybody as she had with the men she'd met in Europe. Since she and Smith were dating, she had, in reality, not experienced that first attraction to anyone.
"Oh my goddammit!" She sobbed into the cushion.
"Whoa, is now not the best time?"
Turning around, Amelia saw Cassie, her other sister, standing at the doorway.
Rolling over and sitting up, Amelia said, "I didn't hear you come in."
"Mum sent me up here to check on your hunger."
"What time is it?"
Cassie looked at her timepiece. Her flawless older sister indeed had a watch on, and it wasn't a fitness tracker either. This was the actual thing, complete with a clock face.
"Not much after nine."
"At night, is that correct?" Gazing out the window at the pitch-black sky, Amelia questioned.
Rolling her eyes, Cassie said, "Yeah, at night."
"Are you still conscious?"
"Hehe, that's hilarious. Since you left, things have changed.
Amelia peered at her growing tummy. Indeed, they have. You appear to be about to burst.
With a grimace, Cassie entered the room and sank onto the bed next to Trina. "I think I might pop if this kid doesn't come here soon."
Grinning, Amelia hugged her sister. "I'm eager to hold my young niece or nephew. You still won't share with me what you're eating?
"That is contingent."
"On what?"
"On whether you plan to stay in the city or not."
Amelia gave a huff. "I'm still undecided," she answered. "Come on, I'm starving. Are your delectable daughter and handsome hubby with you?
She pushed herself from the bed and said, "Yeah, Mum talked us into staying the night." Do not wake Kaila because she has already gone to bed.
"But my favourite niece has gifts from me."
"So she can simply bide her time until the morning."
"All right," Amelia said, putting her arm around Cassie. Even though they didn't get along well, Amelia missed her elder sister. The issue arose when their mother began to compare the two of them, with Amelia consistently falling short. "Anyway, why did Mom send you up to get me? Particularly in this heat, you should be seated with your feet up.
"Don't start, ugh. I seem to sit and prop my feet up. Since the sun had set, the heat wasn't as intense, and I needed to stroll.
Was your mother taking up your case?
"When is she not working on my case?" Cassie complained. "Since you departed and Zoë returned to the city, I have been left without an intermediary. I had forgotten how intrusive she could be.
Amelia chuckled. Those statements would have driven yet another hole between them in the past. Still, Amelia had moved past the jealousy and small-minded arguments that characterised her relationship with her sisters. Although she wouldn't describe herself as a fully developed, mature human being free of hang-ups and rejection complexes, she had improved greatly since her departure.
"Come on, sis," she urged Cassie as they approached the large home. "Give me a break, and let me run interference for a bit."
"This explains why you're my favourite sister," Cassie squeezed back.
When Smith parked into his house's driveway, Mia was there to greet him. Despite his renovations, it hadn't felt like a home since he moved there.
His sister pushed herself into his arms, and he grabbed her as he dropped his luggage in the lobby.
"Whoa, squirt," he said, stepping aside to avoid falling. "How much do you miss me?"
"Oh my god, no," she said, hugging him. "I just need you to get rid of this spider in the bathroom."
After he'd laughed and squeezed her, he put her back on her feet. Although Miawas technically still living with their grandparents, she was always his house sitter when he was gone at work.
"So, how is everything doing? Not a drama?
"Have you not heard me? In the restroom, a spider is there.
"All right, I'll fetch it. While I was away, what did you do? Or only when I'm home do the spiders get inside the house?
Mia Turned away from him, shrugging. "You know, I took care of it."
Smith walked to the main bathroom through the house and shook his head. He opened the door and observed eight hirsute legs scuttling beneath the vanity. The next bathroom on the list was one that still needed work. Smith wasn't sure why Mia was using this bathroom rather than the ensuite, but whatever. The ensuite was finished. Before Miasearched for the insect repellent, he had to free the huntsman.
Using the brush to prevent it from escaping, he picked up the spider and placed it in the dustpan before discarding it outdoors.
"Leave me," he muttered, watching it skitter off. That's where. He turned to face his sister, who was concealed behind the door, and asked, "Happy?"
Indeed, she replied. "What did you bring me now?"
"Is it my responsibility to give you a gift each time I visit my house?"
"Yes," Mia angrily answered, as though it was well known, and he was a simpleton for not understanding.
He extended his arms and shook his head. "Isn't the fact that I'm back home good enough a present?"
She gave him a narrowed look. "But are you?"
With a nod, he dropped his arms to his sides. "Yes, I'm finished," he sighed. "In a few weeks, I'll be back at Mike's."
Mike's Auto Repair. Smith's profession was mechanic, and he was eager to return to working on normal cars instead of the monsters found in the mines.
Mia smiled. "That's fantastic," she said, giving him another embrace. "But I still want a present."
He laughed and moved out of her embrace to get his duffel bag. He looked through his belongings and picked up a wrapped surprise, which he threw to her. She grasped it and ripped the wrapper away to uncover a snow globe he had discovered at a little Perth tourist store.
"That one is not yours, is it?" He enquired.
Shaking the globe and seeing the glitter fall over the dolphin, she shook her head. Although the term "snow globe" was misleading because it didn't snow in Perth, what other name could you give them?
She shook it again and said, "I love it." "I have the perfect place for it."
Since she was a young child, Mia had enjoyed collecting snow globes. She had received her first one from their parents, and after they passed away, she gathered them to feel connected to them. Having been reared by their paternal grandparents in the years after, they were both young when the disaster occurred. Since Miawas younger than he was when they passed away, he doubted that she had any recollections of them at all—or, at the very least, any memories that weren't passed down to her by someone else. If he was being completely honest with himself, he hardly recalled them at all.
"Will you be attending the B&S ball?" Mia Inquired.
He dragged his fingers through his hair and said, "God, no." The Bachelors and Spinsters ball, or B&S ball, served as a cover for drinking and hooking up. It was not something he was eager to undertake.
He would certainly meet Amelia again, so all he needed was a haircut, a shave, and a few days of rest before he could consider what he would say to her next time.
"Do you even think I'm listening?" Mia prodded him in the ribs and inquired.
He responded, "I tuned out after you said B&S ball." He couldn't even consider the B&S ball without simultaneously thinking about them and the B&S ball when they eventually got back together, regardless of how long he and Amelia had been separated.
Come on, Smith, it's time to show off once more. Besides, this year's B&S ball is helping to raise money for the rural wildfire brigade. You are aware of their utter need to obtain new gear. Not a nice fire season this last one.
Smith let out a puff of breath. "May I simply donate right now? I don't want to go, but I will purchase a ticket.
"You are aware that their revenue from selling alcohol exceeds that of their ticket sales."
"Okay, then I'll buy a ticket and donate."
Mia screwed up her lip in distaste and shook her head after giving him a demeaning look. "Are you still with her?"
Smith let out a sigh. He was at a loss on how to respond to that query. He would have declared he was over her twenty-four hours ago, but today...
"And you haven't reconciled with her yet, have you?" He fired back.
"Cease dodging the inquiry."
She was your best buddy, Mia. I'm sorry that what transpired between Amelia and me also affected your relationship with her.
"I'd prefer not to discuss it."
"Don't you know she's back in town?"
"I assumed she would return soon since Zoë was getting married."
"You will encounter her in the community and need to handle her."
Mia angrily crossed her arms, "That's exactly what I was going to say to you." And it will be an issue if you're still not over her.
Smith said, "I'll be fine," wishing it was true. He was hoping for the best, but he was far from fine if that day was any guide. Now that they'd broken the ice, perhaps they could talk without awkward silences the next time they ran across one other.
Mia snorted. Yes, do tell yourself that again.