Page 86 of Wings Above the Mallee

They had to embrace life, live it to the fullest, to honour those who couldn’t.

31

Amelia

‘I’m going to have to move back to the farm,’ Charlee said as she slumped in the bathroom doorway.

‘I wasn’t aware that you don’t live there,’ Amelia teased. ‘But why so?’

‘Because you’re a bathroom hog. Seriously, how long can it take to get ready for a country dance?’

‘You have youth, beauty and limited time spent outdoors on your side,’ Amelia pointed out as she dabbed on concealer and wished for the hundredth time that she’d been more consistent about using sunscreen. ‘I’m trying to work with what I have here.’

‘Pretty sure Dad likes you even with snot running down your face.’

‘Well, the man has a history of tolerance, doesn’t he?’ She hadn’t seen Heath since she’d clambered from the car, and Amelia was still unsure whether his final words intimated that she should look elsewhere for support.

‘Checkmate.’ Charlee grinned. ‘But I reckon, even with that disgusting old hat you’re insisting on wearing, we’ve both scrubbed up all right. And wait till you see Daideó and Dad. Or, more importantly, wait until Dad sees you.’ At least Charlee had made up her mind about their relationship.

‘I’m glad the weather’s picked up. I was worried I’d freeze in this dress.’

‘And just like that, she tries to unobtrusively turn the conversation. Okay, move over, my bathroom time now. I’m going to show Ethan what he’s been missing by staying in the city.’

Amelia winced. Evidently she wasn’t the only one harbouring an unrequited attraction. Maybe she’d jumped the gun, reassuring Heath there was nothing between his daughter and the skateboarder.

The music from the old bank building could be heard a full block away, and Amelia frowned as they walked the last few hundred metres. ‘Sounds like the dance has already started.’

‘We’d better not be late. Can you imagine Mandy getting stuck into us in front of everyone?’

‘Ugh. Yep. Maybe we should turn tail?’ Fear of the domineering dance leader wasn’t Amelia’s real reason for her sudden reluctance, though. Leaning against the huge sandstone blocks of the building were Heath, Sean and Ethan. And, while she was prepared to give Heath some space, some time, life was so finite, so precarious, she needed to know that eventually he’d be able to fully engage. There was a chance Heath wasn’t interested in—or able to—step up for that.

‘It’s okay,’ Charlee huffed as they rushed. ‘A couple of local guys are playing a few sets before the dance. The MacKenzies. Tara reckons they’re kind of cool.’

Charlee sounded unusually offhand, and Amelia’s ears pricked. ‘More information, please.’

‘Nothing to tell. Hamish is the local mechanic. Lachlan’s got some girlfriend. And he’s old, anyway.’

‘So, Hamish?’

‘Like I said, nothing to tell. Just kinda hot. And I’m sure my car’s due for a service.’

Amelia made a mental note to check Hamish out, make sure he wouldn’t be a bad influence on Charlee.

Heath had his bad leg planted on the stonework behind him, but as they approached, he straightened and tipped up his black Akubra. From behind his back he produced a small bouquet. In perfect synchronicity, Ethan and Sean did the same.

‘None of us were sure of the protocol for a line dance,’ Sean said. ‘But we figured we’d better come prepared.’

The flowers don’t prove anything, Amelia told herself sternly.

The music was much louder in the vast hall. At the far end of the room, a couple of guys perched on barstools, guitars across their laps. At least a dozen young women were grouped around them and Amelia could see the reason for Charlee’s interest—although, with her arms wound around Ethan as she laughed up at him, the teen now seemed to have forgotten that brief rush. Amelia studied the couple for a moment and realised that, as usual, it was Charlee doing the touching, while Ethan remained more reserved. It was ironic that his detachment made her feel relieved, yet was precisely the issue between her and Heath.

The tiled area echoed with the enthusiasm of a surprising number of people, many the familiar faces of locals, but also plenty Amelia didn’t recognise. Sean was still holding his flowers, and Amelia looked at him quizzically.

He winked. ‘I’ve got a plan,’ he assured her.

‘Why doesn’t that surprise me?’ Heath said. He put one hand in the small of Amelia’s back and lifted his chin to where rows of old church pews lined the wall. ‘Shall we go claim a seat over there? From what Dad’s said, I’m not sure we’ll get to sit much, but we might want somewhere to retreat to.’

‘Will you be able to cope with the dancing? I’m not sure how long this thing goes, but it’s pretty energetic.’

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