Meant To Be (28 page)

‘See ya later,' he said, doffing his hat at the door as he left the kitchen.

‘Have fun,' Simone and Emily called.

Emily and Simone rugged up and headed off for a long walk soon after. They started with a tour of the new building, spending almost half an hour discussing upcoming fixtures and fittings.

It was an amazing feeling to stand underneath the timber roof trusses and imagine the finished building. Looking down at her feet, she couldn't wait to see how the concrete floor came up when polished. Even with all the dust on it, she could see small colourful stones glinting where the sun shone through the window openings.

They chewed over ideas for seating in the large rooms. Simone was right; large flat ottomans where people could sit and look at one wall and then swivel around to look at the next was a much better idea than couches with backs. It was the sort of thing all the government-owned galleries had. The tricky thing would be deciding the size, shape, and fabric. Leather would be hard-wearing, but would probably require quite a large outlay.

‘I love leather, but you don't want to look too conservative and old-fashioned,' Simone said thoughtfully. ‘Especially when it's going to be called The Button Jar. That makes me think fun, vibrant, colourful, eclectic.'

‘That's what I'm going for,' Emily said, pleased the meaning behind it was so obvious.

‘So you don't want it looking like a state or national gallery,' Simone continued.

‘No, I don't really.'

‘Don't worry, we'll come up with the perfect thing.'

When Simone suggested bright Indian fabrics, like those used for saris, Emily almost froze to the spot. There was India again. Had Jake employed Simone to convince her to change her mind about their honeymoon?

No, get a grip!
They hadn't even seriously discussed going to India. It had been suggested as a place to visit, just like she'd suggested Tasmania. Simone didn't even know about their engagement yet. No, she was being silly and paranoid. Though she did let out a sigh of relief when Simone added that there were some places in Melbourne importing the gorgeous fabrics. And they are gorgeous, Emily thought. The only problem was how hard-wearing would they be.

She liked the idea of brightening the space they had deliberately left neutral. Though, would Simone's bright paintings be overshadowed by brocades in even richer colours? Gosh, there was still so much to think about. Of course, she mightn't always have bright artworks in here. But her priority was for everything to look perfect on opening night. If she went for fabric, she could always have a selection with zips so they could be changed. She could get out her sewing machine and make some herself once she had one to cut a pattern from.

As they left the unfinished building, the roofers were driving in off the road towards it. Emily and Simone waved in greeting, but kept walking in the opposite direction.

‘Come on, I want to see sheep and kangaroos in their natural habitat!' Simone said, linking her arm through Emily's. ‘If we
have a good walk I won't feel guilty about all the chocolate eggs I'm going to eat tomorrow.'

‘I can't guarantee you'll see kangaroos, but I'll do my best,' Emily said with a laugh. She took them towards a secluded area where she'd seen a mob of kangaroos hanging out a few weeks ago. The perfect, lush spot she'd first taken Jake to was a little far to walk. They'd try there tomorrow if they didn't see any roos here today.

They silently crept the last fifty metres and stopped amongst the trees, hidden. Just ahead of them, beyond the edge of the scrub, a dozen kangaroos of varying sizes were grazing.

Emily bent down to hold Grace's collar. ‘Stay,' she said quietly in the dog's ear.

‘Oh, they're beautiful,' Simone whispered, clearly in awe.

Her voice was low, but at that moment all the kangaroos lifted their heads in their direction. And, then, in one fluid movement like a grey blanket being caught up in a gust of wind, they turned and bounded off into the security of the trees on the far side.

‘Sorry,' Simone said. ‘I thought I was being quiet.'

‘No matter how quiet we were they would still have noticed us. They probably smelt us well before they heard us. They have amazing senses. It's pretty late for their morning feeding, so they were probably ready to head off anyway. They usually come back around dusk.'

‘Well, I'm so glad I've seen them. I think it's great you living in harmony with them and not getting out the gun,' Simone said, walking out into the open area the kangaroos had just vacated.

Emily laughed. ‘Well, it's not quite harmonious, but the years of drought have kept their numbers down naturally. Hopefully we won't need to cull any for a while yet. I hate the thought of it, but in large numbers they make a horrible mess of crops.'

Leaving the area, they did a large loop that took them way up behind the new building. The whole time the faint background hum of Jake's tractor could be heard.

‘So, Jake's looking well. Certainly much better than last time I saw him. Is he better, or is it just being out in the sun and fresh country air?'

‘You'd have to ask him how he's feeling.'

‘Yes, but you must have some idea. Has he shaken the adrenal fatigue, do you think?'

‘It's hard to tell, really. It seems to be one of those illnesses that has a lot of symptoms you could put down to other things. Like, take his hands shaking. My hands were shaking when I spent all that time with a hammer cleaning up the rocks. I worry constantly that he's overdoing it, but I can't nag him. He's a grown man. And you know what men are like. Unless it's man flu and they're snivelling and moaning in pain, no one knows about it.'

‘I know. I'm sorry; I shouldn't be putting you on the spot. I'll talk to him.'

‘It's okay,' Emily said, in a gentler tone. ‘And I don't mean to sound evasive. He hasn't had night sweats for ages and he hasn't really struggled to get up in the mornings since the project started, if that helps. But I don't know if that means he's over the illness or just that he loves being in charge.'

‘Perhaps it's being away from city life, tough clients, and big projects that's done it.'

‘I don't know, but he has certainly been in his element with this one. He hasn't seemed at all stressed or strung out. God, he's hot when he's in charge,' Emily mused, then realised she'd said the words out loud. ‘Sorry, that was a little off of me.'

Simone laughed. ‘He's my brother, so I can't say I find him “hot”, but he is pretty impressive when he's in charge. And, I'm
sure being in love has helped,' she added, linking her arm through Emily's again.

Emily smiled back in response.

They walked across a small ridge of hills and finally caught sight of Jake's tractor three paddocks over, turning the earth from the grey of old, dried summer grass and leftover cereal crop stalks to rich dark brown. Emily's bright blue ute shone in the sun at the gate beside the little old truck.
It's all just so right,
she thought, smiling contentedly to herself.

At eleven o'clock Sunday morning, after a bit of a lie-in and a breakfast of hot cross buns, Jake, Emily and Simone piled into the new ute and headed off for the barbeque. As they arrived at Barbara and David's favourite picnic spot – a secluded oasis tucked away at the back of their farm, hidden by scrub – Simone cried out in awe.

‘It's gorgeous!' she said. ‘Like a postcard.' She got her camera out and started snapping away.

Thanks to the recent rains, it was looking more lush and beautiful than the last time Emily had been there.

David and Barbara were unpacking their ute when they pulled up. David had laid down a tarp and secured it at the corners with tent pegs, and was now spreading picnic rugs over the top.

‘Happy Easter!' they all cried, and went through the ritual of everyone hugging and kissing. Jake introduced David and Simone and then David took orders for drinks.

‘I'm on the sparkling apple cider,' Barbara said, ‘if anyone would like to join me. No additives. Just pure juice with bubbles from Tasmania.'

‘Ooh, yes please,' Simone said.

‘Yes, me too, thanks,' Emily said.

‘Looks like I've got two designated drivers,' Jake said.

‘And I've got Barb,' David said. ‘We could get hammered, mate.'

‘You're on your own there. I'm way too old for that sort of caper,' Jake said.

‘Yeah, me too, really. So, just a light beer then?'

‘Yes, thanks,' Jake replied.

When they each had a drink in hand, David welcomed Simone and toasted, ‘To good friends.' They clinked glasses, murmured their agreement and took their first sips.

As soon as she tasted the sparkling non-alcoholic cider, Emily thought she might never go back to the alcoholic version. She liked the gentler, sweeter sensation of it on her tongue. ‘This is lovely. I must get some,' she said, studying the bottle.

During a quick trip to town the day before – where Simone had been stunned to find the shops shut at noon – Emily had bought a loaf of squishy white bread and a few standard sausages from the local butcher. These items were their homage to basic, old-fashioned barbequing amongst an otherwise quite gourmet selection. Barbara had brought marinated skinless and boneless chicken thighs, rissoles, and grilled pumpkin, zucchini, capsicum and potato.

After the salads, plates, cutlery, serviettes, and condiments were set up on the table, the girls took their place on the rugs with their backs to the sun. Meanwhile, David and Jake got to work on the portable gas barbeque.

‘Thank you so much,' Simone said. ‘This is perfect. What a great way to spend a Sunday, let alone Easter Sunday!'

‘Thank goodness the boys took some time off,' Barbara said.

‘Yes, plenty seem to be still at it,' Emily said, cocking an ear. The hum of tractors could be heard droning away on nearby farms.

After lunch they sat around nursing their full stomachs.

‘I'm eating for two,' Barbara announced, ‘and I still think I've eaten too much.'

‘As long as you've left room for Easter eggs,' Emily said. ‘We've got stacks of them.' She got up and retrieved the chocolate eggs from the esky.

‘Before you dish them out,' Jake said, getting up, ‘I've got something to say.'

‘Oh, okay,' Emily said, surprised, and sat back down with the bag beside her.

‘As you all know,' Jake began, addressing the small group, ‘it's been a few months since I came here to Wattle Creek, and in that time I've become very settled with Em. What most of you don't know is that around three months ago I proposed.'

Emily blushed. She looked at the ground with no idea why she was feeling embarrassed. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed David and Barbara's bug-eyed, open-mouthed expressions. But Simone didn't look at all surprised.

‘I made a hash of it, really, blurting it out when the timing was all wrong,' Jake continued. ‘But now – if you'll still have me, Em – I'd like to make it right.'

Suddenly he was on his knees in front of her. He took her hands in his and looked deep into her blue-grey eyes.

‘Emily Katherine Oliphant, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?'

Unable to speak, Emily nodded. Tears blurred her vision as Jake reached into his pocket. She blinked them away as he brought out a small, square velvet box and then opened it in front of her. She focussed on a large diamond sparkling in the sun. She put her hands to her throat.
Oh. My. God. It's huge!

‘Oh wow! It's gorgeous!' Barbara cried, speaking the exact words Emily hadn't yet got out.

‘So? Do I get a yes – again?' Jake asked, grinning.

Emily nodded furiously. ‘Yes, yes, YES!' she finally blurted, and threw her arms around him. They fell back, entwined. The ring box snapped shut, still firmly in Jake's grasp.

‘Pity I can't drink champagne,' Barbara said wistfully as she watched them kiss.

‘Oh, come on, get a room, you two,' David said after a few moments.

Jake and Emily sat up, grinning from ear to ear.

‘But seriously, congratulations. You make a lovely couple,' he added. He leaned over and hugged Emily and then shook hands with Jake before pulling him into a manly hug and slapping him on the back.

‘Yes, congratulations,' Barbara said, hugging first Emily and then Jake.

‘And from me, of course,' Simone said. ‘I helped choose the ring, so it goes without saying that I totally approve.' She smiled and leaned in to kiss them both. ‘Now,' she said, clapping her hands together, ‘it must be time to bring out the chocolate.' She reached across, took an egg and passed the bag to Barbara. ‘More for us if they're too busy,' she added, nodding at Jake and Emily, who were once again entwined.

‘Not so fast,' Jake said, sitting up. He intercepted the bag just before it was handed to David.

‘Oi,' said David, pouting.

‘We're newly engaged, we should get priority,' Jake said.

‘Not until she has your ring on her finger you're not, mate, not officially,' David replied.

As Jake slipped the simple, elegant ring over her finger, Emily stared at the massive clear round solitaire diamond.

‘I hope you like it,' he said quietly, ‘but if you don't, it can easily be changed.'

‘No, I love it. It's perfect.' It was the largest diamond she'd ever seen up close in a ring, but it was in a style that didn't sit too high
and would be practical enough to wear every day. She made a silent vow to never take it off.

‘I'm so glad you like it,' Simone said when they'd settled into the Easter eggs.

So, Simone had been involved. Well, of course she had to have been. Perhaps this was the whole reason for her visit. She was so pleased she was there.