Page 26 of The Dairy Farmer's Daughter

Freya was not forgettable. He knew for the rest of his life he would never forget her or that kiss. And he had a gut feeling that if he left now, he would regret it forever.

The sun shone brilliantly through the curtains, enticing him out of bed. He dressed in his own clothes. He wore a pair of denim jeans and a T-shirt, finding a wool jumper to go over it. After putting on shoes and socks, he headed for the kitchen, knowing his sister would appreciate a fresh cup of coffee as much as he would.

He was surprised to find Felicity, coffee in hand, in his usual spot on the deck. “Since when do you get up before ten on the weekend?”

Felicity turned and smiled. “How could you possibly sleep through a sunrise here? It was so spectacular. It really makes you think about things.”

“And what do you have to think about these days?” he asked his sister. He remembered high school well enough; he knew the stress that fitting in and achieving academically could put on kids. Felicity was mature for her age and, as far as he knew, doing well in her last year of school, even with looming exams.

“Why would you want to go back to Brisbane when you could be here?” She gestured to the land in front of her, and he turned his attention to the rolling hills and the grazing black and white cattle.

“This coming from the city girl?”

“I'm only a city girl because that's the way I was raised.”

“I was raised that way too,”

“It wasn't always that way. At least you got four years out here before you moved to the city.”

“They were four years I don't even remember.”

“Can you imagine your life here though? Starting now? With Freya?”

He turned to his sister, his mouth open.

Her eyes glittered, and a sly smile tilted the corner of her mouth. “I see the way you two are together—you're in love with her.”

He sighed and sank into the chair next to his sister. He knew he couldn't deny his feelings for Freya. “It would mean uprooting my entire life. Starting again.”

“There's nothing wrong with starting again—not if it means you’re going to live a better life. Don't you think she’s worth it?”

Justin sighed. Of course, these were the same questions swirling around in his own mind. But he had only known Freya a short time and it was too soon to make such drastic life changes with a woman he'd only just met. Despite the fact his wholebody was telling him she was the one for him—the one he'd been waiting his whole life for.

“These are very deep questions to be asking a man who hasn't even had coffee yet.” He stood and started towards the door.

She stopped him. “Justin, can we do something fun today?”

“What kind of fun?”

“This is the Sunshine Coast; Noosa is just up the road.”

He couldn't deny the twinkle in her eye. She was his baby sister. The spoilt but angelic child who, almost always, got her way. “Noosa as in Hastings Street, people watching and expensive shops?” He frowned; it didn't exactly seem like his sister's scene.

“Noosa as in the beach. One of Queensland's best beaches.”

Justin chuckled at his sister. How long had it been since he had been to a beach? Since he'd felt sand under his feet?

“I am sure Freya could drive us there. I'll text her now and see.”

He groaned as he watched Felicity pick up her phone and start tapping on the screen. Once his sister had an idea in her head, there was no denying her. Besides, a day at the beach could be just what they all needed: a change of scenery, and some sun and warmth.

Before he knew it, Justin was sitting in the passenger side of Freya’s hatchback driving down the range towards the coast. Felicity sat in the middle of the back seat, chatting endlessly to her new-found friend about the countryside, and what it was like growing up in the Hinterland.

Justin listened to the women, and replied when asked questions, but spent most of his time gazing at the amazing scenery around him.

“That's the Baroon Dam you can see to the left,” Freya said, and Justin caught a glimpse of the large lake down in a gully, surrounded by huge mountains.

“Can you fish in there?” he asked.

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