The Dairy Farmer’s Daughter (Heart of the Hinterland #1)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

F reya knew from past years that people always arrived early, eager to order their breakfast rolls and buy their show bags before they sold out.

The Emerald Hills exhibit was on the main field, which the soccer club usually played on. They had erected a giant, white marquee to cover their displays of cheese, milk, and yogurt as well as photos and an informational movie playing on repeat. This year, they also had a fenced-in children's area with ride-on sheep and cow toys. Bales of hay were strategically placed so parents could get a coffee from the Maleny Coffee vendor next door, then sit and rest while their children played.

With a pause in the festivities, Freya walked outside the marquee to survey the rest of the exhibits. Strong smells of animals and fried food wafted through the crowds of lively people, all enjoying a sunshiny day. It was very different to the previous year when it had rained so hard the grounds had taken weeks to recover, and the soccer teams had had to postpone their home games.

She waved and greeted neighbours and friends as they passed and smiled, and she watched eager children begging their parents for rides, prizes, and fairy floss.

But it all faded as she saw Justin strolling toward her. His gait was relaxed and loose, so different to when she had first met him. He had been as jumpy as a kangaroo then. Now, it was as though a cloud had lifted and his true self was shining through.

She jumped him when he was close enough, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and breathing him in. She couldn't get enough of him. He held her tightly as though it hadn't been just twenty-four hours since they had last seen each other.

"I didn't know there were this many people living in Maleny." He released her and looked at the building crowds of people.

"This is quiet. Just wait until the lunchtime rush." She took his hand and walked him back inside the marquee. He looked around, studying all the little details she had added to the space to make it welcoming and fun for people. Like the beanbags and display of farm-themed children's books, or the games of skittles people could play using Emerald Hills-branded milk bottles.

“You’ve outdone yourself.”

His compliment made her feel warm and giddy.

“Thanks.” She took him to the display of old photographs she had put up, and pointed to a black and white one in the centre. "Recognise this house?"

He studied the picture of a house with cattle in front of it and a man hard at work, building a fence. "It's Boyd's farm."

She nodded. "Anthony Wheeler built it in 1912 for his family. That's your great-grandfather."

Justin's eyebrows rose, and he leaned in to study it further.

A family chose that moment to enter the tent, so Freya went to greet them and offer them free samples while Justin pondered his family heritage.

Greer arrived at midday to relieve them. It had been a busy morning, and Freya was grateful for Justin's help. He had handed out samples and played with kids without any complaints at all. Many of her friends had commented on how much they liked him, and how happy she seemed.

They walked hand in hand down the path, stopping to browse vendors and displays. Show noise filtered across the grounds—the varying calls of livestock, screams from the stomach-tumbling rides, and squeals and babbles of hyper-excited children.

"This is so impressive. I had no idea there were so many local businesses." Justin said.

Freya smiled. "Apart from rural ventures, we have makers of skincare, make-up, art, clothing, perfumes and oils, and plenty of musicians and authors. It's a very creative town; it’s not just tourism that keeps us going."

"What do you want to eat? The potato slinkies are amazing." She pointed to a food van with pictures of sliced potato curled around a long skewer. "They fry it and season it with chicken salt. It's so good." Her mouth watered at the memory.

"Let's start there. Then we find dagwood dogs.”

They munched their way through potato slinkies, dagwood dogs, and a punnet of chips before heading into the pavilion.

Entering the main building, they walked slowly past entries submitted for the arts and crafts competitions. Freya smiled as she looked at the children's pictures which were mostly of farm animals, machinery and landscapes.

The adult section followed and displayed photographs, paintings, sculptures, wood-work, quilts, and other artistic wares.

"Now for the food," Freya said, throwing Justin a cheeky glance. "This is always fun."

There were several plates of jam drops and chocolate chip biscuits on display, as well as cakes and slices. Brightly coloured ribbons and certificates showed which delicacies had been awarded best in show.

"There's a men's section?" Justin pointed to the category description above an array of chocolate cakes.

"Yep. Only men can enter this category, and they get to use a packet mix."

Justin bent his head, comparing the winner's cake to the others, which all looked remarkably similar. “Do the judges get to try them all?”

“No, they are just judged on looks.”

“Too bad. That one looks really yummy."

Freya opened her mouth and closed it again, before she could say something about him entering next year.

"Here we are." She paused in front of a large glass stand. Inside it stood an intricately decorated, three-level wedding cake. A first-place ribbon sat proudly beside it.

"Greer Montgomery." Justin read the label. "She won."

Freya marvelled at her sister's latest creation. "Isn't it amazing?"

"It sure is. Kind of makes me wonder what she's doing in Maleny and not taking the world by storm."

"She did that already. She's done stints in major restaurants in Melbourne, London and Hong Kong but she came back here because she loves it and she wanted a quieter life."

"And she's happy now?"

Freya glanced around to make sure no one overheard her next comments. The pavilion was quiet though and there was no one to overhear her. "She turns thirty next year, and she is pretty keen to settle down and have a baby. She would make an amazing mother, but she just hasn't met the right guy. I mean, there aren’t many single men left in Maleny. Most of them get coupled up in high school."

"And she didn't meet anyone along the way?"

"She dated plenty, but never found the right guy."

Justin turned and caught her gaze, their eyes saying the things neither could speak aloud. That maybe they had been the lucky ones and had found their soulmate in each other.

They left and walked around to the poultry and animal displays. They were leaning on a fence, studying the cattle, when her father came over. "Hello, you two. Enjoying yourselves?"

"Sure am," Justin said as he shook Mark's hand. "Freya is showing me all that Maleny has to offer."

"Excellent. It's a great turnout this year," he said before turning to Freya. "How's our stall doing? Busy as usual?"

"Sure is. I'm glad we made more samples. Hopefully we'll have enough to last."

"Have you seen it?" Justin asked. "It looks amazing. It really draws people in.”

Freya’s cheeks warmed at his words.

“She’s been taking lots of photos and videos too, which will look great on social media."

Mark smiled broadly. "I'm sure they will. Freya has an eye for detail. I'll stop by soon, but right now I have to go and do some judging."

"Good luck," Freya called as her father walked away. She turned back to Justin and smiled. "Now, how about sideshow alley?"

Justin and Freya followed the sound of thrill-seekers and squealing children to the carnival rides and games. When she stopped in front of the Ferris wheel, he froze.

"What's wrong?" Her eyes were full of concern.

He raised his gaze, taking in the height of the wheel and the flimsy carriages that swayed from it.

"Are you afraid of heights?"

He swallowed. Hard. "Just a little bit."

She wrapped her arms around him. "I'll be right here beside you, I promise. It's really not that high, and we'll get a great view of town."

He looked back at her and felt the fear dissolve.

She cupped her hands around his face and kissed him before turning and climbing into the waiting carriage. He followed her and sat beside her as the gate was closed behind them.

She placed a reassuring hand on his leg as they started the gentle circle up into the sky. He let his gaze wander out across the field and over the crowds milling around below them. Instead of fear, wonder filled him. The community, the people below, were his father's friends and neighbours. Freya's friends and neighbours. Perhaps they could be his too.

He shuffled back in his seat so he could fully see Freya beside him. Happiness radiated from her like she didn't have a care in the world.

He curled his fingers around the line of her chin. Her mouth parted, her eyes widening, then he registered nothing more except the exquisite heart-walloping sensation of her soft mouth on his.

The kiss was intense, brief and laden with meaning. Exactly the way he wanted.

They made out like teenagers as the Ferris wheel circled slowly several times. It was undeniable; there was something real between them, and even if Justin didn’t have all the answers yet, he couldn’t hide from the truth.

Her body was soft and pliant against his, and he drew a shuddering breath as he lifted his head. He wanted to promise her he would never hurt her, that he would always be there for her, but he couldn't. Not when things were still so unsure. Not when she could change her mind about him if he accepted the sale.

If he had to, he knew that walking away from her would be the hardest thing he would ever do.